Results 1,201-1,220 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Process (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Senator. Certainly, in terms of accessibility, the view from the meetings I have had with our franchise section and with access groups is that significant improvements have been made regarding public accessibility and ensuring premises are fully accessible for people with visual impairments and physical disabilities.That is critical. As I said, the objective is to maximise...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Development Contributions (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Boosting supply is key to addressing the problem at the heart of the housing system. Housing for All has set an average annual delivery target of 33,000 homes per year over the period up to 2030. In this context, it was noted early last year that some permitted developments were not being commenced. This appeared to be due to increased housing construction costs. Construction inflation,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Development Contributions (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The development contribution waiver scheme has made a positive contribution to the highest level of annual residential commencements in 2023 since records began in 2014. This means that the uplift in new home delivery experienced in 2023, when almost 32,600 new homes were completed in Ireland, will be sustained in 2024 and into the coming years. Almost 33,000 new homes were commenced in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It certainly brings to light a whole range of challenges from extractive industries in the supply chains of materials. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. While we are transitioning away from carbon intensive fuel sources at pace, coal is still a critical fuel source for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I have outlined the position on the matter and reiterate the ESB is a commercial State company and Ministers do not have a statutory function in any of the day-to-day operations of the business. The dependency on white coal to run Moneypoint power station is expected to diminish significantly by next year, when it transitions away from burning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It is my understanding the ESB is currently engaged in a formal complaint resolution process with Christian Aid and other NGOs and the ESB has signalled its willingness to engage in this in a full and meaningful way. The ESB is engaging and I have outlined the Department of the environment's role in relation to that too.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Garvey for raising this issue. I certainly recall those programme for Government discussions. I brought the town centre first policy. I tried to replicate it from the Scottish experience. It was a critical component of the programme for Government, as is tackling vacancy. The programme for Government commits to examining ways to ensure that unused or underused building...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The one-stop shop idea is a good one. Separately this year, through the Heritage Council, we are funding the roll-out of architectural conservation officers in counties that do not have them. That is hugely important because these staff play a vital role in animating many of these properties back into use. The living city initiative, which focused on issues with accessibility, was a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Under section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 archaeological objects found in the State since that Act came into force and which have no known owner are the property of the State. This provision was enacted in line with principles set out in the case of Webb v. Ireland relating to the Derrynaflan chalice and related objects. This principle is not only being carried...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Agreements (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Under section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987, it is a criminal offence to either be in possession of a detection device on any of the monuments legally protected under the National Monuments Acts or to use such a device anywhere else for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects, other than with a consent issued by me as Minister responsible for heritage. This...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The latest report on the status of breeding Hen Harrier in Ireland was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department last month. The conservation of Hen Harrier is considered one of the most urgent bird conservation priorities in Ireland. A draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan has been developed over a number of years in close consultation with the many...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Under Statutory Instrument 550 of 2005 - Wildlife (Wild Mammals)(Open Seasons) Order 2005, hares may be hunted, with packs of beagles and harriers from 26 September each year and ending on 28 February in the year immediately following, without the requirement for a separate licence. On dates outside of the Open Seasons Order, a licence may be granted, under section 26(2) of the Wildlife...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The legality or otherwise of traps used against wildlife is not determined by reference to a list of certain brands or individual traps. S.I. No. 620/2003 - Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 sets down the following general specifications in relation to traps: "The following traps, snares and nets are declared to be approved of for the purposes of section...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together. An administrative error was made when the veterinary report for the Freshford Coursing Club meeting was being completed. A figure of 2 was entered into the incorrect line - 'number of hares identified as pregnant' - rather than on the correct line - "number of hares examined for injuries", directly below. The 2 hares in question were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Based on the information provided in the question and the understanding that Loughanleagh mountain referred to is located in Kingscourt Co. Cavan, I can confirm that Loughanleagh mountain is not designated as a special area of conservation, special protection area or a natural heritage area.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Building Regulations 1997-2022 set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Their aim is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and around buildings. The minimum performance requirements that a building must...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: In 2023 my Department operated a pilot Conservation Advice Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses. This scheme supported the provision of expert advice to private owners of vernacular farmhouses who were availing of or considering applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. This scheme was designed to help owners of traditionally constructed buildings to understand the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Strategies (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: No reviews have been undertaken of the National Landscape Strategy to date, and I have no plans at present to prepare an updated strategy. Implementation of the National Landscape Strategy is implicit in many of the actions taken across the built and natural heritage sphere, and I believe that the current work being undertaken across Government in the context of the land use review will...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: With amendment No. 661?