Results 2,021-2,040 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The last thing we want is to exclude anyone from the ability to register to vote.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: If anything, it is quite the opposite, so again, I thank the Senator for raising that with me. I thank the Senator for raising this issue also. I am aware of the demand for wastewater infrastructure in villages where there is no access to public infrastructure, including Galway, Clare and other areas around the country. The Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: We will come back with a timeline on that. Now that the validation and the applications are being processed, as the Senator indicated, the first quarter of 2023 would be reasonable in the context of the Minister submitting them. These projects will end up with Irish Water in order to be brought into operation. This is extremely important for tourism, local economic development and local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (7 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The provision of compensation does not automatically apply to a site designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021, compensation may be payable in certain instances where an application was made to carry out an activity requiring consent to which the regulations apply and that application was refused, modified,...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not be accepting this amendment. The independence of the board is already provided for in section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which covers limitation on ministerial power, and provides that the Minister shall not exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the board is or may be concerned.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: There is a clear separation between the Minister and board members under section 30. The Government is satisfied that the independence of the board is already well-provided for in section 30.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions. That is the case, as Senator Cummins said. On section 6 and the matter of satisfactory experience, while Senator Higgins called it "a general soup" of expertise, it is quite specific in that it provides for the range of expertise that will be needed on the board. Regardless of that being there or not, we have to be mindful, and the Senator...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I very much recognise the spirit of these amendments relating to the robustness and transparency of the appointment process. I take Senator Cummins's point about the accountability of the Minister. He is correct that it is about trying to ensure there is predictability in timelines and that we deal with backlogs. Decision-making certainly must be robust but there also must be a process...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will speak to the amendments. I do not accept amendment No. 9. This provision is necessary to ensure that ordinary board members can be urgently appointed, on a temporary basis, where the number of applications, appeals, referrals or other matters with which the board is concerned is at such a level so as to require the appointment of additional members. Amendment No. 10 is not being...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to specifically to the issue of the civil servants. It is certainly the case in our National Monuments Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service that the civil servants are scientists, entomologists, botanists and archaeologists. Throughout the Civil Service, there are professional, relevant skills. Under section 6, the Minister shall ensure, in so far as is...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: In regard to amendment No.14, this amendment is not accepted as the basis for adding this officeholder is not apparent in terms of the relevance of their role.

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the young people to the very packed Public Gallery. I cannot accept amendment No. 18. The legislation is clear that the public service position of interim chairperson will be open to all existing public and civil servants. It is appropriate that this position can be filled, as a matter of urgency, by a person who has been previously suitably vetted by the civil and publish...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator used the term "opportunistic". There is certainly nothing opportunistic about this Bill. It is important to stress that this is about ensuring that there is robustness and transparency in our planning system. I will not be accepting the amendment. While it is not envisaged that this provision will be utilised, it is appropriate to provide for the reappointment of an interim...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I disagree fundamentally with the Senator's use of the term "opportunistic". That is certainly not the case and I reiterate that this is about building greater transparency and robustness in our planning system. We are responding to the concerns and this is about restoring confidence and about transparency and accountability. I refer to section 6 on skills, competency and suitability. I...

Seanad: Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendments Nos. 21 and 22 are not accepted as the Government has decided to end the outdated closed system of nominating bodies deciding who to put forward for board appointments and is instead putting in place an open competitive process by which any member of the public can apply to become a member of the board of An Bord Pleanála. Section 6 refers to knowledge of community and social...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 245 together. My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). The HSF is for conservation and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Correspondence (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I can confirm that officials from the National Monuments Service of my Department are aware of the issues raised by this letter and have acknowledged same and are currently investigating the matters within.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: There are a variety of protections in Ireland which apply to marine habitats and species.  Regarding marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in particular, a large number of SAC sites with a marine component are designated in Irish law. Some of these sites are entirely marine, and some have a marine element, but also take in terrestrial area. All SAC sites with a marine component...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The last meeting that I and officials of the National Parks & Wildlife Service held with FACE was on 10th February 2022. All requests for meetings from stakeholders are dealt with on an individual basis and facilitated as efficiently as my diary permits.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (6 Dec 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The organisation referred to is an environmental non-governmental organisation and my Department does not fund or review its operational costs. It would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the report of the Charity Regulator.