Results 4,341-4,360 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There are large numbers of feral goats (Capra hircus) across Ireland with newly escaped/released animals joining existing herds on a regular basis. There does not appear to be justification for the extension of protected status to feral goats under the Wildlife Act at this time. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is undertaking a project to review and update...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The meeting was monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regional staff and they confirmed that one hare had to be put down by the vet on day two of the Johnstown and Urlingford coursing meeting in December 2023, as a result of an injury sustained during the transfer of the hares that morning into boxes prior to the coursing event.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has a mandate to protect important sites in Ireland for nature and biodiversity, in accordance with national and international legal obligations and in the public interest. The site in question forms an important part of Ireland’s newest National Park and our first marine National Park; Páirc Náisiúnta na...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (16 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As Minister I have no function in respect of the works in question, which the Deputy has confirmed in follow-up to his question, are a matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland. That body falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (16 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Strategic Action Plan for the Renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service 2022-2024, approved by Government in May 2022, stemming from the Review, Reflect, Renew process culminating in the Kearney Report, does not contain an action as referenced in the Question, and in that regard, and I have no plans at this time to establish such a committee.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (16 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is committed to consultation with relevant interested parties in relation to ongoing policy decisions on hunting and conservation. In addition to ongoing communication on a wide range of issues pertaining to the work of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), including conservation schemes, there are a number of structures in place to ensure communication in relation to...

Housing Situation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Is the Deputy serious? That is a disgraceful comment.

Housing Situation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I will try to address some of their queries and issues before making my statement. Deputy O’Callaghan again asked a broad question about whether Housing for All was working. We believe it is. It is taking time, but it is delivering positive results. The Deputy also raised the issue of relationship breakdown. It is a reality and has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this Topical Issue matter. At the outset, I would like to highlight that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for planning guidelines for onshore wind energy development. Following a recent transfer of functions from this Department, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: On community engagement, supplementary to the wind energy guidelines, there is a code of practice for wind energy development in Ireland and guidelines for community engagement. I am of the view that under the Aarhus Convention and public participation directive that engagement should take place at an early stage of any process or development of onshore or offshore. That is important. On...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist seo. He knows I am aware of the deep trauma that this has caused families in areas affected by defective concrete blocks. Seeing reporting as I have in the media, it has a significant impact on families. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We will take on board those last few points. Regarding the date of 29 June, the Deputy will be aware that the review can take place. The Minister has consistently acted with empathy on this issue. He has shown that empathy in his engagement with affected families. The reconstitution of the working group is one part of it. There is also a subgroup, which met from January to April 2024...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (22 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí brings together a suite of sites around the Dingle peninsula and nearby Kerry waters. Each of these sites has long been recognised individually as of outstanding importance, and the Páirc brings them together for the first time to be protected and celebrated collectively as a recognised National Park. The location referred to is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (23 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am not sure exactly what issue the Deputy is referring to. Certainly, he is correct regarding the role of the NPWS in the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, which is currently under review in my Department in respect of hedge cutting and other issues. If the Deputy provides the information to me, we can certainly investigate the matter for him.

Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My mother, as a proud Kildare woman, would probably concur with the comments of Deputy Pringle too. I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions. I will respond to some of their comments before making my closing remarks. Quite a number of Deputies have raised the issue of apprentices and direct maintenance within local authorities. I raised this with officials during the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Reflect and Renew - A review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), recommended that external communications by the NPWS should be professionalised and should prioritise a more open and collaborative engagement with civil society groups and others. NPWS is constantly working to improve all aspects of its communication including with external stakeholders. There are a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Culls (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: All deer hunting licences issued under Section 29 of the Wildlife Act, as amended, are issued to individuals and there is no plan to alter this process.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Sport and Recreational Development (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The licence referred to was issued to the applicant on 17 May last.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department prioritises the ongoing management and eradication of invasive species as part of its conservation role, dedicating a significant level of its resources to these management activities each year. Monitoring of invasive species at Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in County Wicklow continues throughout the year. The most recent...