Results 421-440 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 77 on 5 May 2021. My Department has provided the administrative and logistical supports required to facilitate the operation and deliberations of the Moore Street Advisory Group and its predecessor. My Department has engaged as necessary with relevant parties in that context and also in the course of its role in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).  The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together. My Department's National Monuments Service co-ordinates and oversees Ireland's role and responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention, including the submission of any nominations for World Heritage status to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. My Department is currently engaged in a review of Ireland's Tentative List...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Commercial Rates (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Like the Senator, I strongly believe in strong and well-funded local government, having spent 16 years of my public life as a member of a local authority. The issue he has raised is important. As he will be aware, local authorities are legally obliged to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. Indeed, commercial rates are the single greatest source of income for local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Commercial Rates (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has our commitment that we will bring forward the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019, recognising the need for change. I reiterate that not all local authorities are as reliant on rates revenue as others. In Fingal, for instance, it accounts for 51%, whereas in a county such as Leitrim, it is about 16%, so there is considerable disparity. It is important that we...

Water and Wastewater Treatment Services: Motion [Private Members] (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Acting Chairman and I wish her all the best in her role. It is great to see a constituency colleague taking the Chair. I will address some of the issues raised since I took over this part of the debate. Deputies Sherlock, Whitmore and Cairns commented regarding specific deficits in Mitchelstown, Arklow and Kinsale. Those points are noted. Deputies Connolly and Bríd...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Council (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110 and 115 together. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006 and operated under a contract between the Council and a private company subsidiary of a UK entity. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the Heritage Council, to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department, and is a matter in the first instance for that Department. These discussions primarily relate to the scope and timing of the assembly.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The collection of data relating to biodiversity and nature underpins much of the work of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, particularly its Scientific Unit. This work is formally set out in Objective 2 of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 - 2021: to strengthen the knowledge base for conservation, management and sustainable use of biodiversity. The interim review...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Local authorities across the country carry out vital work in promoting, safeguarding and restoring biodiversity. However, monitoring, reporting and management of data on this work in individual local authority areas is a matter for each Council. The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department provides funding to assist local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 to 234, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Yellowhammer is a Red-listed species in Ireland due to significant range declines (-57% since 1968-72) with the species now largely restricted to eastern and southern counties. However, more recent population trends for 1998-2016 (as indicated by the Countryside Bird Survey) are showing a stable population trend (+4%). One of the most important measures to protect Yellowhammer is the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, I have established a working group to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting of peat for use in horticulture. However, to assist in addressing the question of horticultural peat extraction, in particular, for use within the horticultural sector in Ireland, I established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 398 and 399 of 18 May 2021 which set out in detail my Department's engagement with, and advice and supports to, relevant local bodies in relation to the ongoing review of the current UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. That reply also clarified that the closing date for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are three species of deer recorded as occurring in Ireland; these are red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. A fourth species, muntjac deer, has been reported from the wild on a number of occasions, but my Department does not have evidence that this invasive species of deer has established itself in the wild in Ireland. No national census of deer populations has been carried out to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for putting so well the case about the physical infrastructure of the bridge and the symbolism of bridging two communities. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are not available, so I am taking this topic on their behalf. It is important to note there is a Government commitment jointly with the Northern Ireland...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand the Senators' frustration regarding progress on this issue. It is of great importance on both sides of the Border, as has been stated. There are many moving parts in achieving progress on this issue. As I mentioned in my opening statement, the development of the Newry southern relief road is proceeding well. This would have a major impact on the robustness of any business...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton. The relevant legislation that allows for the removal of abandoned vessels in Irish waters such as that referred to by the Senator is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993, which gives effect to the International Convention on Salvage 1989, to which Ireland is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I take on board fully the points made by the Senator and he is correct in what he said. Particularly as we move towards legislating for marine protected areas, there is an opportunity not only to introduce legislation but to make sure it is aligned on the protection of our marine environment. In particular regarding the MV Alta, it was washed up on 16 February 2020 and Cork County Council...