Results 2,961-2,980 of 4,785 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 6 proposes to insert a new section 5 into the Bill to require the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas within a period of one year from the enactment of the Bill, setting out the impact that the number of Members allocated to each Dáil constituency may have on delivering a more balanced representation in...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I would like to do so and I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know we are discussing an amendment that was ruled out of order but it is important to spend a bit of time on the matter. I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment behind the amendment. The Bill is to carry out a specific function, which is to address the boundaries and give effect to the recommendations of an coimisiún in...

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

Malcolm Noonan: The Department. The vagueness about addresses could mean that a constituency office or party headquarters could be used. There is flexibility already there about what can be included with regard to the address on a ballot paper. The Department will issue a circular to returning officers to ensure that if this flexibility is required by a candidate, it will be given effect to and supported....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 106 of 25 October 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government is committed to achieving 30% Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of Ireland's Maritime Area by 2030, in line with the Programme for Government, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a number of International initiatives such as the UN post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. There is not yet scientific consensus on the meaning or necessary level of strict protection...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Details of relevant capital projects carried out in each of our six National Parks in 2023 and planned for 2024 are set out in the attached table. The list of proposed works for the Parks in 2024 will be refined and additions made following the completion of the business planning process for 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an Executive Agency within my Department with responsibility for, inter alia, the management of our National Parks. The NPWS does not employ personnel specifically with climate action expertise. While there may be staff who have such expertise it is not an essential requirement for any role in the NPWS and therefore we do not hold a record of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 436 together. My Department does not have responsibility for hedgerow surveys. Teagasc has undertaken hedgerow mapping on a national scale, and a number of local authorities have commissioned hedgerow surveys at county level. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) operated by my Department provides funding to assist local authority biodiversity...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is a North South Body responsible for the management and maintenance of more than 1000km of Ireland's inland waterways. They include the Shannon, Shannon Erne Waterway, Erne System, the Barrow, the Royal and Grand Canals and the Lower Bann Navigation. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The information requested is not...

Gender Recognition (Amendment) (Prisons) Bill 2023: First Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: All wild birds that occur naturally in the wild in Ireland are protected under wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. My Department is currently undertaking a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project. It will examine closely the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to my reply to Dáil Question no. 327 on 28 November which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The European Union’s Habitats Directive requires Member States to designate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in order to create a coherent European ecological network. Roundstone Bog Commonage forms part of the Connemara Bog Complex SAC. This SAC was proposed in August 1997, while the Statutory Instrument formally designating Connemara Bog Complex SAC was passed in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The programme to provide funding for Biodiversity Officer roles within local authorities is being delivered by 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...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an cheist seo. The Cork city water supply is a really important issue and we appreciate the concerns being raised by both Deputies on this and regarding having to buy bottled water and regarding the discolouration issue. It is something that is affecting communities in Cork and we are conscious of that. As part of budget 2024, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will say two things to both Deputies. First, our water supply, network and services and Uisce Éireann form a public utility that is in public ownership. It is not privatised. We consistently hear this argument in this House.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As the Deputy well knows, DBO contracts to put in place water services are contracts with Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann is a publicly-owned utility. I moved the legislation in this House myself to ensure that it is a public utility. Whatever about the motion in Cork City Council-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That work has to be carried out.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will just say that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It is a publicly owned utility.