Results 1,741-1,760 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will say two things to both Deputies. First, our water supply, network and services and Uisce Éireann form a public utility that is in public ownership. It is not privatised. We consistently hear this argument in this House.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As the Deputy well knows, DBO contracts to put in place water services are contracts with Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann is a publicly-owned utility. I moved the legislation in this House myself to ensure that it is a public utility. Whatever about the motion in Cork City Council-----

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The site in question is a national monument in state care and is therefore subject to a preservation order. It is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and it is my understanding that Ministerial consent will be applied for in order that OPW can carry out necessary works at the monument. The OPW are not eligible to apply for an award under the Community Monuments Fund given that the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: All wild birds in Ireland are protected under EU law, namely the Birds Directive (Directive 79/409/EEC) adopted in 1979. They are also protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended. Section 35(1)(c) states that a person shall not “use a stuffed or artificial decoy in the form of any bird for the purpose of hunting any protected wild birds, other than wood pigeons, wild duck and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department purchases land for conservation purposes under various peatland schemes and on a case by case basis. A list of the land purchased for conservation purposes since 2020 to end 2023 is provided in the table below. Year Purchased Acquisition name County Hectarage 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. Regulation 49(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 makes it an offence to disperse,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: All evaluations, checks and approvals required in relation to the purchase of the lands at Dowth Hall were carried out as per the Public Spending Code, Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property, the State Property Act 1954 and Departmental internal processes including Ministerial and Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: This 552 acre park contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological, architectural and agricultural heritage of universal value. It will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as a new national park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland. The NPWS will shortly begin work on preparing a management plan for the entire site which will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Section 5 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023 introduces a new Part, Part VA, to the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. This provides for a statutory basis for National Biodiversity Action plans and a corresponding duty on public bodies to follow these plans. Each of the public bodies that the provisions of the Act apply to is set down under section 59H of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) is a framework that brings together different sectors across the island of Ireland to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. It is implemented by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), a Company Limited by Guarantee subject to the oversight of the Heritage Council, a public body under the aegis of my Department. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Agreements (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Dáil Question no. PQ 79 of 1 December 2022. It remains my intention to form an inter-departmental group to determine what level of participation is appropriate for Ireland as a developed Northern European State and to identify the structures and associated resource requirements for this participation. The current priority in relation to the Marine...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is working with the appointed planner to the scheme, to verify and process this payment in compliance with the terms and conditions of NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. Payment is expected to be made by the end of January 2024.

Gender Recognition (Amendment) (Prisons) Bill 2023: First Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: All wild birds that occur naturally in the wild in Ireland are protected under wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. My Department is currently undertaking a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project. It will examine closely the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to my reply to Dáil Question no. 327 on 28 November which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The European Union’s Habitats Directive requires Member States to designate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in order to create a coherent European ecological network. Roundstone Bog Commonage forms part of the Connemara Bog Complex SAC. This SAC was proposed in August 1997, while the Statutory Instrument formally designating Connemara Bog Complex SAC was passed in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The programme to provide funding for Biodiversity Officer roles within local authorities is being delivered by the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for raising this issue. Amendment No. 1 proposes to amend section 3(2) by substituting An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Amendment No. 2 similarly seeks to amendment section 3(2) by inserting "following consultation with An Coimisiún Toghcháin" after the reference to the Minister. Section 3(2) is a...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address some of the points raised by Senator Garvey before coming to the amendment, in particular the voting age. My view is that I would like to see the voting age in Ireland reduced. It is included in the draft research programme for An Coimisiún Toghcháin. I am more than happy to consider the issue once the recommendations have been issued by the commission. I hope the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 6 proposes to insert a new section 5 into the Bill to require the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas within a period of one year from the enactment of the Bill, setting out the impact that the number of Members allocated to each Dáil constituency may have on delivering a more balanced representation in...