Results 2,821-2,840 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (18 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am sure that the Senator will support the OPW in agreeing that while it would be preferable for these lands to be reunited with the historic demesne, this will only be possible where acceptable terms can be agreed. Again, I note the letter that he has brought to my attention here today. The OPW negotiates on the acquisition of lands, leasing of properties and access terms on behalf of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (18 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The State acknowledged the importance of access to medicines and has made considerable investments in new medicines in recent years. This year, a record of almost €3 billion of public funding will be spent on medicines for patients in Ireland. This represents almost €1 of every...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products (18 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the points made by the Senator, particularly in regard to the case he outlined about his own family. Certainly, that additional 18 months must have been immense comfort to his family at the time. It certainly gives a family additional time to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. It is critically important that the Mazars work is concluded and the recommendations brought...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Weather Events (24 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely. I thank the Senator for bringing this Commencement matter forward after a devastating few days in the southern part of the country and in many other parts of the country too. The increasing ferocity and frequency of these weather events is something that is catching us all. Unfortunately, it seems as though our future seems to have arrived. It is critically important to thank...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Weather Events (24 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will take back that ask. A timeline for a localised approach is important. I had family members who lived in areas prone to flooding in Kilkenny city.In the past, local knowledge gave a certain indication of when a flood would breach houses. However, what we are dealing with now is vastly different. A month of rainfall was dumped in an area in 24 hours. It would be useful to have local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (24 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising another flooding-related issue that is also important, on whether provisional arrangements can be made to spread slurry due to the flooding of slurry storage facilities during Storm Babet. First, I take this opportunity to again sympathise with all those who have been impacted by Storm Babet. It has been devastating for communities. These exceptional weather...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (24 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly. The vast majority of farmers have a great duty of care to the environment. Farmers who are unclear as to whether their tanks contain slurry or soil water should contact their local authorities. Going forward, farmers should prioritise emptying their slurry storage facilities as early in the growing season as possible. That is a practical measure. It will boast...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On the issue of maintenance, which I think Deputy McGrath raised as well, it is important that consent processes have to be gone through. As regards the broader issue of the increased number of rainfall events we are having at the moment, we need to look and are looking at this through the land use plan, which is critical. There are some good agriculture schemes in place, such as the...

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I was listening in my office to some of the contributions when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, was here. I will respond to some of the points raise before I give my closing statement. Regarding the point made by Senator Moynihan about the Land Development Agency, I disagree with her. She states that it is not setting up and that is not the case....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Malcolm Byrne, Fitzpatrick and McGreehan for their work in bringing forward this Bill. I might reflect back on some of the contributions before I go to the scripted reply, if that is okay. A number of comments were made by Senators Craughwell and Boyhan about their involvement in activism from a very early age. Certainly, my own path into activism began at a very young age...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes a commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver the flagship cross-border Ulster Canal project. My Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland co-operate effectively and communicate regularly to progress the various work programmes involved in the project, with the aim of providing a safe...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative which will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives. Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Barrow Blueway Project and is responsible for the overall project delivery. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to regulate and monitor the international trade in certain species of animals and plants, and to ensure that trade does not threaten their survival in the wild. Ireland became a CITES Party in 2002 with the NPWS of my Department being the CITES Management Authority in Ireland. The CITES...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Habitats and Birds Directives, transposed in Ireland via the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011, require Ireland to identify a network of Natura 2000 sites (European sites) where important or endangered species and habitats are present to a degree that is significant at a European level. The selection of these European sites is done on a scientific and ornithological basis,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and the vacant homes action plan contains a suite of measures which actively address vacancy. We see huge potential in existing housing and building stock in our villages, towns and cities to meet the objectives of Housing for All. To give some examples, full-time vacant housing officers are now in place across all local authorities. A...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refute the claim that the Government is taking a hands-off approach. Quite the opposite is the case. We are taking a very much hands-on approach. A vacant homes unit has been set up within the Department and the schemes I outlined are delivering the reuse and the repurposing of a lot of housing stock across the country. To clarify the position, we received a submission from Dublin City...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Central government is being incredibly proactive in supporting local authorities. Regarding the additional funding I spoke about, this will be granted on the basis of work done. If additional funding is required by local authorities for work completed, the funding will be in place for them to see the work through.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: That is critically important. The register on vacancy and dereliction is down to the local authorities. It is important they continue to maintain that register and there is consistency across all 31 local authorities. The CPO programme is working quite well. I know from experience in the two local authorities in my constituency that both have been very proactive on the CPO programme....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for asking this question on behalf of Deputy Ó Cathasaigh who has raised this issue consistently at every opportunity. On 3 November 2023, the Minister announced changes to the three grants for domestic wastewater treatment systems, commonly known as septic tanks. The changes include increasing the grant amount available from €5,000 to a maximum of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I wholeheartedly agree about a public awareness campaign. Perhaps a lack of public awareness has led to the previous low uptake. A circular will be sent by the Department next week and a question and answer section on the schemes will be available on the Department's website. The Deputy is correct. We will lead off on a new cycle of the river basin management plan early next year,...