Results 2,221-2,240 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: Section 77 permits the granting of a lease or licence in respect of land comprising a national monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local authority. What is meant by a lease or licence under section 77 is permission by a property owner that permits a person to enter on lands without creating the relationship of landlord and tenant. It does not mean a licence under...

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

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I appreciate the points Senator Higgins is making, but section 75(1) is very clear around maintaining the archaeological interest. I think that, rather than maintenance, is what the Senator was referring to. Therefore, I do not think the amendments as proposed are necessary.

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

Malcolm Noonan: Section 92, which was amended recently on Committee Stage, provides comprehensive provisions for consultation regarding world heritage property, as well as property which has potential to become world heritage property. In 2021, the world heritage operational guidelines provided comprehensive guidance on the role of communities in world heritage matters such as encouraging states' parties to...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the point that the Senator is making in relation to future-proofing this Bill. In that regard, it is important that we discuss with the OPC if there is a necessity to make it clearer in the drafting.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, agus go raibh maith ag an Teachta Ó Cuív. The Deputy will be aware that the staff of the NPWS has been working closely with Galway County Council on this project. The development of the Oughterard to Maam Cross section was approved by An Bord Pleanála, as the Deputy said, in December 2013. A condition of the consent was that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If it is of use to the Deputy, we might provide a more detailed briefing for him. I cannot give him the full response regarding the information he is seeking from me this morning but it might be useful to give him a detailed briefing by NPWS staff regarding the project, and that might be of assistance in providing where we are on the timeline. Regarding the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Rebates (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am not sure whether the prepared reply I am going to outline will give any further assurances to the Deputy but it is the response of the Department. The VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT directive, farmers can elect whether to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. Farmers who...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Rebates (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: As I outlined, in accordance with the EU VAT directive, farmers can elect whether to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. I take on board the Deputy made about larger farms being more inclined towards VAT registration, but for many small farmers, registering for VAT is an unnecessary complexity that is not possible to justify given the small-scale nature of their business....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies. Before I respond, I should point out this matter was raised in the Chamber last night in the context of the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion. Deputy Harkin also raised it in relation to the north west. The Government is cognisant and mindful of the challenges facing local authorities and people and families across the country, not just in the greater Dublin area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I reassure the Deputies that we are providing housing. It is not an issue of passing the buck to local authorities. There is collective responsibility and the Government is mindful of that. Resources and funding are not obstacles to the urgent efforts required. More than €215 million has been allocated to homeless services, including homeless prevention in 2023. This funding will...

Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Is mór an onóir domsa Bille na hOidhreachta Stairiúla agus Seandálaíochta, 2023 a cur faoi bhráid na Dála. I am pleased and honoured to bring the Historical and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 before the House today. This important Bill provides a new framework to modernise and bolster the law that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Moore Street is certainly progressing. I am aware that this issue is frustrating and that the Senator has been raising it consistently. My understanding is the design team has been appointed. I will be dealing with the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill this afternoon in the Dáil and I give an assurance that we will be on site on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We will get back to the Deputy with an update on that.

Rent Reduction Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Murphy, Boyd Barrett, Smith, Canney and Barry for bringing forward this Bill. The Government opposes the Bill. Aside from its technical, practical and operational shortcomings, it would in all likelihood face a significant risk of legal challenge and is highly likely to have a severely detrimental effect on the supply of rental property in an already constrained market....

Seanad: Public Water Connection Charges: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Garvey, Martin and Pauline O'Reilly for bringing forward this important motion. It is great to see universal support for it in the House. I will try to address some of the points raised by Senators. There is no doubt that the roll-out of water refill stations across the country is very popular, especially with young people. Buying bottled water is hugely expensive,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and his Department have not been made aware of any deterioration in the situation regarding abandoned vehicles. However, the Minister and I are of the view that it is important that the enforcement bodies stay on top of this matter. The Senator highlighted a significant issue. We have seen considerable improvements in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If there are specific issues in relation to vehicles such as the number plate having been removed, there are other identifying factors on the vehicle, including the chassis numbers and so on. I believe, however, that 97% is a high level of compliance. It is way beyond the minimum requirement at EU level. The Department is very much on top of it and continues to monitor it. If there are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important issue. I understand that the Senator’s question concerns the new national fares strategy, as she has outlined, and particularly as it affects and pertains to her area of Newbridge in Kildare. I reassure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to providing a cost-efficient public transport sector, including affordable...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, the Senator's efforts in highlighting this have been commendable. To support the objective of ensuring this equity, under budget 2023 some €563 million of funding has been secured for the PSO and Local Link services to provide State operators under contract by the NTA. This has been seen and felt right across the country. Funding was also provided for continuation of the 20%...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Motor Fuels (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We were talking about this outside the Chamber earlier. I have family members who have classic cars - Renaults and Ford Anglias. It is something that I have great affection for. The move to E10 this year is one of several transport measures that will achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. Details of the move were set out in the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy...