Results 221-240 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Treatment (Abstractions) Bill 2020 and Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It is an excellent point. It is perhaps something the commission could look into. It is certainly not dealt with here but it is a valid point. We will take it on board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Treatment (Abstractions) Bill 2020 and Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy and I will allow Ms Woods to come in on the issue of the postal vote, which has been raised by a number of Oireachtas Members. The issue of resources for local authorities has been raised on a number of occasions, so it is something we have to give consideration to. Regarding electoral boundaries, I am aware of the area the Deputy referred to in Carlow. The commission...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Treatment (Abstractions) Bill 2020 and Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator made excellent points. Mr. Ryan might come in on this but generally our ambition with the electoral commission is to start with a specific set of functions and that will be ramped up over time. There is a risk in trying to load too heavy a workload onto it. The Senator makes a really good point in relation to this space. On the issue of digital ad boards, perhaps they could be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 are the primary statutes designed to afford protection to the various species in the State and which set out the framework for dealing with wildlife crime. In addition, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 include provisions affording strict protection to a number of species. International trade in endangered species is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 310 together. I am advised that the company concerned has committed to retaining the wall in question in situ as part of its development proposals for the Moore Street area. This was confirmed to 1916 relatives, Moore Street traders, Oireachtas representatives, and Dublin City Council members and officials, by the company as part of a recent detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Given that legal proceedings are underway in this matter, I am precluded from comment on this subject at this time. When proceedings are concluded I will be happy to engage further with the Deputy on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas, including the area to which the Deputy refers. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites, i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The carrying out of screening for appropriate assessment for this scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned. The National Parks and Wildlife Section of my Department has no function in this regard at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Programmes (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative of 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 address queries directly to the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (27 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The property in question is in Killarney National Park and is part of the Bourne Vincent Memorial Estate. Given that legal proceedings are underway in this matter, I am precluded from comment at this time.

Response of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Covid-19: Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: While the formal transfer of heritage services to the Department was only finalised in September 2020, I am delighted to have the opportunity to reflect on how those services have responded to the challenges posed by Covid-19. The value and importance of our natural heritage has been appreciated as never before since March 2020. Our national parks and reserves protect a diversity of natural...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 117. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether all future provision of urban-style bus services should use electric buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5558/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be made available to secure provision of an urban-style bus service in Carlow town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an interim and safe measure will be devised to allow the primarily young cohort of persons to practice driving within the confines of public health and road safety guidelines given the recent extension to the level 5 restrictions and the significant backlog that exists for driver theory testing (details supplied). [5560/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that my Department has not estimated the number of persons who continue to cut turf on bogs for domestic heating or the number of individual private holdings on bogs. I would note however that there are many non designated bogs and these are outwith the ambit of the designations overseen by this Department. My Department administers the cessation of turf cutting...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under electoral law, a nomination paper must state the name, address and occupation, if any, of a candidate at an election and a ballot paper must contain the name and description of the candidate standing nominated as shown in the nomination paper.  In ruling on the validity of a nomination paper, a returning officer, inter alia, must object to the description of a candidate which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Control (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The current declarations allowing for the control of certain wild bird species are due to expire on 30 April 2021 The effects of the declarations are to allow the control of certain wild bird species by landowners or their agents where these species are causing serious damage to crops, livestock, fauna or where they represent a threat to public health, throughout the State. A separate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: While exact plans for the establishment of the unit have not been published I envisage that this will happen over the summer.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (3 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department, through its National Parks and Wildlife Service, is the lead authority for development and coordination of biodiversity policy in the State This includes fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under a range of international agreements and conventions on nature. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), underpins much of global  biodiversity policy and...