Results 2,921-2,940 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Water Services (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, there is a commitment to a referendum on the public ownership of water. Uisce Éireann as a public utility is enshrined in legislation, and that would have to be changed through subsequent legislation. That is the case. I will go back to the point of the DBO projects. I refer to the scale of the challenge for water and wastewater delivery. In this House, we speak on a daily...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority was established, and its functions commenced, on 17 July 2023. Up to year-end 2023, the focus of operations is to build on the pre-established work of my Department, embedding both the governance structures and the consenting regime of the agency. A recruitment process is currently under way to enable MARA build expertise in its people, processes and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. This is critically important for the State and our ambition in offshore renewables. I assure the Deputy the Government is ensuring the resources required for MARA to deliver on that ambition are put in place and there is support to do so. As I said, it has gone from a standing start when its functions commenced on 17 July this year towards looking at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I again agree wholeheartedly. There is no doubt there is a race on and it is not just on in Ireland, but right across Europe and globally. The resources the Deputy spoke about are therefore required across the world. Ireland is competing in a very competitive market for the expertise required. The Department has worked on giving certainty to the sector. The delivery of offshore...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for asking this question. He and I were both present at the launch of Waterways Ireland's ten-year strategy down the street from Leinster House. It presents very exciting opportunities, including, as the Deputy said, regarding the potential for our navigable waterways to be economic drivers in rural communities in particular. The navigation to Lough Allen through the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I again agree wholeheartedly with everything the Deputy has said. The potential here is immense, especially for parts of rural Ireland and the Border counties. It could provide a viable and vital economic driver for the region. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I are deeply committed to supporting the work of Waterways Ireland in trying to achieve that, along with partners. The tourism...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy and Deputy Feighan for the work they have done on this matter. As I said, the process is ongoing and the tender package is being prepared around the new environmental impact assessment, EIA, for the project. We will await the outcome of that. One thing I was conscious of at the launch of the strategic plan was that Waterways Ireland is showing a level of ambition for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 76 together. At its core, Housing for All is about significantly increasing the supply of housing of the right type, in the right place, and at an affordable price. To this end, the plan comprises a suite of priority measures to transform our housing system, secure its sustainability into the future and support the delivery of more than 300,000...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 and as set out in the Acts, the Rent Index is published by the Board on a quarterly basis. The Rent Index is designed to measure developments in rental prices. Following the introduction of annual registration of tenancies in April 2022, the RTB is now...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Cumarsáid Aireachta (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 17 agus 19 le chéile. Tá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ina bhfuil oifigigh ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta; An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán; agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) ag leanúint lena chuid oibre maidir le treoir...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Dublin City Council are examining the programme for older flat complexes with the aim of developing a long term strategy for their redevelopment, regeneration and/or refurbishment. Dolphin House, built in 1957, is the Council’s largest remaining public housing flat complex. DCC, in consultation with the Dolphin House Regeneration Board, are progressing its regeneration. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) has been the subject of significant effort over the last two years, with the support, advice and input of the interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group and independent Biodiversity Forum. Stakeholder engagement has been central to the iterative development of the Plan. Over 300 submissions were received from members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (7 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of...

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

Malcolm Noonan: The final steps in the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation process are approaching, with the European Parliament vote on the matter likely to take place early next year. If the Regulation is approved, Member States will then need to develop and implement National Restoration Plans. The proposed Regulation provides that restoration targets relating to drained peatlands, including...

Committee on Public Petitions: Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings: Discussion (30 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Our Department circulated information on that core group of 320-odd thatched property owners to other thatched property owners to encourage wider membership and participation in the scheme. On the Cathaoirleach's second question, which was what we would say to the petitioner if she were here today, what we have outlined today represents significant progress since we were here last year. We...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Schemes (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo. I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for agriculture, Deputy McConalogue. Just this morning we announced a new environment scheme for breeding waders, €25 million from my Department via the National Parks and Wildlife Service and €5 million from the Department...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Schemes (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely Senator, I can bring that back to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. As the Senator can appreciate, the Department took in all applicants, given that there was such an uptake and such demand for the scheme, which is fantastic. It is brilliant that it has happened but it has created significant additional pressure, not to mention in particular on the co-operation project side of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Gavan for raising this issue. I take this question on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, and regret that neither he nor the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, is available this morning. Like the Senator, the Minister is well aware that insecure employment can and does have a detrimental impact on individual well-being and people's ability to plan for the future, as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will take the opportunity to highlight that the IUA has been very clear that universities are committed to providing stable and fulfilling careers for staff and strongly rejects any suggestion whatsoever that deliberate attempts were being made to circumvent employment legislation. As I have spoken about measures taken by the Department to address precarity through increased funding and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Parks (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes.