Results 2,181-2,200 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Forest Fires (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade and the assessment of fire cover needs, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the designation and effective management of Marine Protected Areas on the 13th of December last year. It is intended that the area of application of the Bill will extend from the high water mark on the shore to the 200 nautical mile limits of the national Exclusive Economic Zone. It would be important not to limit marine...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions. I welcome the guests to the Public Gallery and thank for their interaction in respect of this important Bill. Before I give the official response, a few points were raised by Senators Boyhan, Clonan and Higgins with regard to the protection of heritage. I will not go into the specifics of the McKee Barracks case. It is an issue. It is built...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator always speaks with great passion about these issues, and he is to be commended. What I have done by way of a response is to give assurance to the House, the Senator and those who are following this that the objectives in the Valletta Convention are being adhered to in the Bill. The protections to which the Senator has referred, in terms of archaeological heritage, will be given...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I come back in specifically on amendment No. 2, if it would be of use to Senators, we could circulate a document in tabular form outlining the measures in the Bill and how it adheres to the objectives in the Valletta Convention. It may be useful in light of the genuine concerns of Senators. We can prepare that and send it to Senators. I think that would be of help. Specifically...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I note the comments and some of the matters the Senator raised regarding cultural heritage, which we will address in the next amendments. While I am on my feet, I welcome members of the Galway Green Party to the Public Gallery.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Higgins for proposing these amendments.I take on board the spirit behind them and I appreciate the intangible aspect. In our interpretation of heritage it is important to give effect to that and to ensure we take account of collective memory - the Senator mentioned Traveller heritage - and human creativity. Acknowledging all that is something we do across our work in...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Many issues have been raised, particularly around oral heritage and oral traditions. There are many elements that are afforded support and protection in other ways, be it through local authorities, archivists and other mechanisms not specific to this Bill. What we are trying to protect in this Bill is a result of cultural heritage. It is a result of cultures creating these objects and...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate what the Senator is saying.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has raised an important issue. The number of 28 estates in County Monaghan is significant. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2020 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Water and wastewater connection issues are a matter for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The point the Senator raised regarding developer-led infrastructure is a useful one and we will relay it to Uisce Éireann. There is a separate scheme for developer-led infrastructure, but looking at trying to put a focused effort on that into the works programme for the coming years would be useful. Uisce Éireann has developed a site resolution plan with Monaghan County Council,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and accept the comments made by Deputies Collins, Smith and Ó Snodaigh regarding this important issue. We all agree that public health nurses play an extremely valuable role in the community healthcare system, providing an extensive range of services vital to local communities across the country, including in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I note the concerns of the Deputies. It is a short-term measure, while these recruitment challenges exist. There is a commitment to develop a new primary care centre at Curlew Road within CHO 7. By pruning public health nursing resources, the service can provide better continuity of care, while ensuring that those with greatest clinical need continue to be seen in the community. The HSE...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government’s vision for water services, whether publicly supplied by Uisce Éireann or otherwise delivered under the rural water programme, is set out in the water services policy statement 2018 to 2025. It is based on the delivery and development of water services in line with the needs and expectations of citizens and users, in compliance with legal obligations, in a fair...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. That right of everyone to have clean potable drinking water is fundamental. I mentioned the Federation of Group Water Schemes in my initial reply. It is an organisation to be greatly admired. The members have delivered high-quality water and work on environmental and other biodiversity initiatives around the country. They really are an exemplar of...

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward the Bill and the generosity of spirit in which he has set out its context. This week, there already has been much discussion and debate on the upcoming end of the moratorium on evictions. This is a welcome opportunity to focus on a related issue, namely, the quality of accommodation available to those in the private rental market in Ireland....

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the comments from Deputies before I make my closing remarks. I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. This has been a useful debate, sparked by Deputy Ó Broin bringing the Bill forward. I note the comments made by Deputy Ó Broin on the support provided by the previous Minister for housing back in 2017 to this type of approach. Even since 2017,...

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Tá sé sin ceart go leor. To conclude, I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward this Private Members' Bill. The certification of private rental accommodation has obvious merits. Let us take this positive and progressive idea forward and consider the best way to implement it so that it benefits everyone involved in the rental market sector. However, it can and should only...

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The figure is based on reinspections.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I commend that wonderful documentary. It was a great credit to all of our staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. The strategy review of the NPWS the Government committed to and which it is now implementing is in train. The number of staff, including rangers and general operatives, across our national parks has increased significantly over the last year. I agree with the...