Results 2,201-2,220 of 4,786 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: With your indulgence, Chair, I will follow up on some issues raised at our last session, on 22 March, by way of assistance, before responding to the proposed amendments.I thank Senators for the useful engagement and worthwhile discussions on some of the important matters the Bill intends to provide for. While the text of the proposed amendments will always provide a good basis for our debate...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank both Senators for their comments and their positive response to the proposals. In response to Senator Boyhan, it would be at Dáil stage that we would look at those amendments on Valletta. I welcome his comments on what we propose. It is being brought forward on foot of the conversations we had here at the last session. That is important. I appreciate the contributions of...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I speak on the amendments, I wish to make a number of general comments to follow up on the contributions of Senators Higgins and Boyhan. I welcome the proposals to try to strengthen the consultation requirements. I am certain that the approach we are taking is the correct one. I see valuable roles for the PPNs in many areas of local consultation.The PPN network has, generally,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for resubmitting this proposal. As we discussed on Committee Stage, a recommendation made to local authorities by way of guidelines made under section 167 of the enacted Bill is a far more appropriate, effective and practical way to pursue the matter, although I take on board the points made by the Senator in respect of knowledge and information, with which I fully...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I am of the view that the planning and development Bill is a much more suitable location for this. I think that would be a better approach and I have given a commitment that any reference to the National Monuments Acts, whether in the planning and development Bill or in this Bill, or whichever is enacted first, will be provided for under section 14 of this Bill. The commitment is...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I respond, I will address the issue of the Heritage Council's role in consultation. Perhaps the Senator will give consideration to an option, by way of regulation, to enable the Heritage Council to consult with others. The Senator proposed this and it is a good suggestion that could be done by way of regulation in terms of how the Heritage Council gives consideration around the...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the Senator's concerns. She will also appreciate that this proposed amendment would remove the notification option entirely, which would have the wrong impact. Again, I appreciate where the Senator is coming from in relation to this.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for these proposals. Regarding the proposed amendments to section 27, I cannot accept these due to the limitations they would introduce. I will give an example. If a farmer has been ploughing the same field for decades and he or she makes a report of the discovery of a crop mark that may indicate the presence of an archaeological site, perhaps after a particularly dry...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If it is of any benefit to Senator Higgins, I can give a commitment to review subsection (2)(b) in order to determine whether additional commitments can be added. Our objective is to ensure that monument protection remains paramount. I can certainly give that commitment if it is of any use.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators again for their contributions. I do not consider this amendment necessary. I find it difficult, notwithstanding the comments made by other Senators, to envisage the circumstances that would lead to a situation where this amendment would be required. Major works to national monuments, which are monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local authority,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I have nothing more to add. The Minister can amend or revoke regulations. That option is there and I am satisfied with that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The small villages growth schemes by Uisce Éireann are a matter and operational issue for the organisation. They are excellent schemes and are having a real impact in rural communities, notwithstanding the challenges in some areas of trying to get confirmation to proceed with projects. This is a matter we will take up with Uisce Éireann.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking the spirit of the question the Senator is asking as regarding assistance to local authorities in collecting the revenue and in animating sites for activation for development. I think this is a very important issue. For some background, the Derelict Sites Act 1990, as amended, imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all responsible steps to ensure the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I take from the Senator's question that he sees a lack of urgency. I will relay that comment back to the Department. Regarding the working group, it is important that it concludes its work and is able to issue a set of recommendations to the Minister. The measures I outlined to address vacancy and dereliction are having an impact across the country. While it is perhaps not on the scale we...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: In relation to proposed amendment No. 22, section 33(6) provides for the publishing of screening determinations for environmental impact assessments, including publishing notices on the Department's website. I can explore with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, OPC, as to whether subsection (6) could be rephrased so as to make it clear that the publishing of notices on the Department's...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 27 proposes the addition of a new paragraph in section 40(2). Under section 40, the Minister may exempt proposed works from EIA requirements, as provided for under sections 32 to 39, subject to certain conditions. Subsection (2) relates to the consultation that must be undertaken before a determination on an EIA exemption request. A relevant local authority must be consulted...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Section 41 provides that notices relating to EIAs must inform the public that decisions may be questioned by way of judicial review. The intention behind amendment No. 28 is to delete subsection (2) of section 41. However, this is a very important provision that makes it explicitly clear that an act done by the Minister under Chapter 6 of Part 2 relating to EIA or AA or a licence granted...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On amendment No. 28, I have committed that we will raise the issue with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to make sure it is as clear as possible. The Senator is correct regarding the necessary modifications required in order to apply for the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. It is as the Senator says.

Department Underspend and Reduced Delivery of Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I sum up I will respond to a few of the contributions from Deputies. In Deputy Bacik’s contribution she mentioned again the 1 million homes and about engagement with Government. We would love to engage with the Labour Party on how it proposes to achieve that. We are always willing and open to the ideas of the Opposition. That is critical. Deputy Bríd Smith mentioned...