Results 4,681-4,700 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wildlife Data (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan who, I know, has a huge interest in this area. The Department is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts and the birds and natural habitats regulations, the principal items of legislation underpinning the protection, conservation and restoration of nature and biodiversity in the State. In addition, the Department has responsibility for implementing a range...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wildlife Data (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I could not agree more. I would not suggest that the data centre is funded on an ad hocbasis because the work is contracted out. It is a separate piece of work and there is a commitment in the programme for Government to ensure support for biodiversity recording and the essential citizen science work the Deputy spoke about, which is so valuable on a community basis. I know it is work the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I am responsible for questions under the heritage remit. Hedgerows are very important wildlife habits, providing food, shelter, corridors of movement, nesting and hibernation sites for many of our native flora and fauna. There are approximately 400,000 km of hedges in this country. In general, it is permissible to cut hedges during the winter period mentioned in the question. While under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for the clarification. In relation to hedge cutting and broadband, on 9 July this year during a discussion on the 2020 Revised Estimate for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Naughten indicated that the roll-out of the national broadband plan could result in a requirement for householders to clear vegetation to facilitate connections. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Naughten has made a very worthwhile proposal and I will certainly take it back to the Department. It is absolutely right that we protect our hedgerows and that we have taken all due account of the protection of our biodiversity, but broadband is an essential item that must be delivered, through the national broadband plan. My Department will ensure that a line of communication is...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive, including the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, established in 2011, is...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government commits to the appointment of Education Liaison Officersin each of our National Parks to work with schools across the country, to promote the importance of biodiversity and the natural world, and to involve pupils in the work that goes on in our National Parks. In line with this, officials from my Department will liaise with officials from the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 are the primary statutes designed to afford protection to the various species in the State and which set out the framework for dealing with wildlife crime. In addition, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 include provisions affording strict protection to a number of species and habitats. Wildlife crime takes many forms...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Ireland's six National Parks account for almost 65,000 hectares with another almost 22,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. They are managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Accordingly, all National Parks in Ireland are fully owned and managed by the State. In 2017 the partnership between the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a site (details supplied); the nature of the works being carried out at the castle; when the works will conclude; and when the castle will reopen to the public. [17487/20]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: EU Regulations (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Carthy and Clarke for raising this issue. I accept the points they have raised. As I have already stated in my response, my Department is fully aware of the difficulties hunters and landowners may encounter in sourcing alternative ammunition or guns should the Commission regulation come into force. We are fully supportive of the ban on the use of lead shot in and around...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: EU Regulations (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the two Deputies for raising this important issue. If it is okay, I will provide the House with some background information in relation to it. The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, AEWA, was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that "Parties...

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to give a quick summary of some of the points that have been raised. The comments of Deputy Connolly in particular are most welcome. I wholeheartedly agree with her. This fund will be driven largely by communities, it is very much open-ended and it will range from small community grants of €5,000 up to large-scale projects. That is what is innovative and unique about...

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat. I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to address the House for the Second Reading of the Bill. The Bill is important in that it provides for the use of petroleum product levy funds, also known as the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy, collected on the consumption of oil products, to be used to fund the climate action...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 867. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a decision not to reopen an application for funding for a childcare community facility (details supplied) will be reviewed. [15097/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 1088. To ask the Minister for Health if persons who are eligible for a general medical card under the new criteria once enacted will receive a refund for prescription costs incurred from July 2020 (details supplied). [15019/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 1091. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding hospital-acquired infection of Covid-19 by hospital and patient outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/20]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Areas of Conservation (8 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: The commitments in the programme for Government demonstrate that the Government will be active in protecting our natural heritage and responding to the biodiversity emergency and drivers of loss. Investing in the restoration of ecosystems will have multiple additional benefits, including water regulation and purification and carbon sequestration. Sustainable land use management must be a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Areas of Conservation (8 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Harkin and Fitzmaurice for their good wishes and for bringing this matter to my attention. I can give a response from the perspective of my Department and the agency within my remit, which is the National Parks and Wildlife Service. As Deputy Fitzmaurice noted, however, there are several agencies involved. The legislation underpinning the protection and conservation of...