Results 2,941-2,960 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for her question regarding the Phoenix Park. She mentioned Fingal County Council and I was there yesterday launching its biodiversity plan. The county council has done fantastic work and great credit to them. As the Senator will be aware as a regular visitor to the park, recent years have seen a significant increase in recreational visitors. The OPW faces a difficult...

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

Malcolm Noonan: It sounds to me like the Senator is saying there needs to be ongoing collaborative engagement. There was a non-statutory consultation process and 9,000 submissions were received. I absolutely take on board the points the Senator is raising and they will be brought back to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. Eco-toilets are a good idea. I have seen them in operation in other parks...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this question on the planned new ambulance base for Gorey. Since 2016, the National Ambulance Service, including the south-east region, has undergone significant reform and modernisation, involving the prioritisation of investment in new service developments, including increased workforce, fleet and improved technology. NAS staffing resources nationally have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will do that. I have given an outline of the fact that it has been included in the capital plan for 2023 and the pathway by which it can then progress through the national capital and property steering committee. The response is the response. I note the Senator's concerns and the fact that he is dissatisfied with the response and I will certainly take this back directly to the Minister...

Appropriation Bill 2023: Second Stage (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the points raised by some of the Deputies. A number of Deputies, including Deputies Mattie McGrath and Danny Healy-Rae, raised the issue of water and wastewater infrastructure and, certainly, on the capital side, Uisce Éireann is fully funded to continue its work. It has a very ambitious programme of work to address water and wastewater infrastructure,...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will raise a couple of points before I read the closing statement. I want to thank Deputies for the points they have raised. There is nothing additional to say that is not in the closing comments. I will refer to some points that have been raised by Deputy Cian O'Callaghan. In Housing for All, there are measures to enhance family support, prevention and early intervention services for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Stations (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the new fire station at Clara, County Offaly. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Stations (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I reassure the Deputy that Offaly County council has made significant progress and indicated the current Clara fire station is located on a confined site, with an insufficient footprint preventing the prospect of an upgrade or extension works due to the current fire station site. Departmental officials have linked with the council regarding availability on the council's preferred site...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this issue. Rásaíocht Con Éireann, RCÉ, is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity from the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Deputy. It is essential to try to broaden the use of such a facility. It is important to explore the idea of multi-use on a site like that. I am not privy to the workings of the RCÉ, but I suggest it might be worth asking them to come before the agriculture committee to have a further conversation. Second, I will bring the Deputy's concerns in relation to this...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this important issue, which relates to the VAT refund order available to unregistered farmers who use the farmer’s VAT flat rate scheme. The first point I wish to make is that 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...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised this on a number of occasions through parliamentary questions and has also raised the point in recent weeks. I also note the point he made about the challenges around registering for VAT and the extra cost to farmers. It is important also to note that Ireland maintains this refund order under an historical derogation permitted under the EU VAT directive. As the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: -----but that is the response.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy and I appreciate that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On behalf of the Minister for Education, I will set out the position with regard to primary and post-primary school places in north Kildare for September 2024 and onwards. I assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level, including children and young people...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis An Teachta arís. I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to outline the position with respect to primary and post-primary school demand in north Kildare on behalf of the Minister for Education. As I have outlined, there is a strong pipeline of projects being delivered across the schools in the area and these are delivering significant additional...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this matter. It must have been a frightening incident for the people of Leitrim. I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to update the House of the current position. I will begin by clarifying that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is designated as lead Department for co-ordinating the response at national level to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I commend the work of the local authority. I am not at all surprised that it responded so well. In my previous dealings with Leitrim County Council regarding the bog slide at Drumkeeran, the response was phenomenal and well targeted. It was lucky that the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, addressed the first question. She has raised the issue of insurance with the relevant...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for raising this issue. Amendment No. 1 proposes to amend section 3(2) by substituting An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Amendment No. 2 similarly seeks to amendment section 3(2) by inserting "following consultation with An Coimisiún Toghcháin" after the reference to the Minister. Section 3(2) is a...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address some of the points raised by Senator Garvey before coming to the amendment, in particular the voting age. My view is that I would like to see the voting age in Ireland reduced. It is included in the draft research programme for An Coimisiún Toghcháin. I am more than happy to consider the issue once the recommendations have been issued by the commission. I hope the...