Results 4,501-4,520 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address amendment No. 57, tabled by Senators Garvey and O’Reilly, amendment Nos. 58, 60, 61, 63 to 70, inclusive, 72, 73, 75 to 77, inclusive, 79, 80 and 82, tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn, amendments Nos 59, 62 and 74, tabled by Senators Warfield, Boylan and Gavan, amendments Nos. 71 and 83, tabled by Senators Moynihan, Hoey, Sherlock and Wall; and...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I agree with what Senator Pauline O'Reilly and Senator Higgins have said in relation to the transport aspect. It is something we will give consideration to over the summer. I take on board the points made. In my opening statement, I said that there is a specific reference to mobility separately. Would that cover a broader area? If it is...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will speak to Government amendment No. 85 and section 17. Following a review by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, this amendment is being introduced to redraft section 24 for the purpose of providing clarity and to aid comprehension. The substance of section 24 has not changed in comparison with the previous versions of the Bill.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There is quite a lot to respond to. Before I respond specifically to the amendments, I will make a few points on the contributions made, starting with Senator Gavan. The night-time economy and general points about the closure of venues were raised earlier. There is a really significant role both in the town centre first policies and town centre teams at local level. The issues of...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I mentioned those specifically. The rural housing guidelines are currently subject to a legal review by the Attorney General. As things stand, the position remains as set out in the revised NPF. The intention is to support rural communities and provide rural housing based on local need, be it social or economic. The challenge is that over the past 20 or 30 years, we have seen an awful...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It is an issue.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I cannot say.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will make a closing contribution. I will not make any further contributions because I want to try to progress this before the 6 p.m. break. On the critical points about the OPR, I must question the consistent running down of or misunderstanding about the role of the OPR. I have outlined it here this afternoon. There is, as Senator Boyhan mentioned, a scheduled periodic critical...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the points raised by the Senators and then speak to the amendments. Senator Higgins spoke about the centralisation of power towards the Minister in the national planning statements. I again ask her to look at the guidance on the preparation of national planning statements, which state that the Minister shall have regard to what is quite an exhaustive list. That...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Regarding Senator Cummins's point on amendment No. 119, he mentioned Limerick-Shannon. That is a metropolitan area strategic plan. It is not for primary legislation to define a city commuting zone but I am more than happy for anyone in the regional assembly to have a role in that. To go back to Senator Flynn's comments, it is not the case that there is any discrimination against the...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There is no need to apologise. The Senator understands the rationale behind my inability to accept the amendment. I point to the initiatives that are in place. Again, that access to cultural space should be fully inclusive and, again, that responsibility falls at local level. I hope we get to discuss it later regarding development plans, but that is hugely important. I agree with the...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to be brief so we can get through some of these amendments. I will make a general point in reply to the comments made by Senator McDowell. I have tremendous respect for him but I fundamentally disagree. He is consistently putting down the Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR. He has talked about draft directions that are precooked by the OPR. That is disingenuous. He...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has committed, in its Strategic Action Plan 2022-2024, to establish a stakeholder forum and work is ongoing at the moment to deliver on this commitment. It is envisaged that the forum will be chaired by the Director of Engagement and Corporate of the NPWS and that it will meet twice a year. Membership of the forum will be open to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Statutory Instrument 421 of 2023 amended the Open Seasons Order (OSO) (Birds), which is the first amendment since 2012. I have no plans to amend the Open Seasons Order (Birds) in 2024. For details of the Open Seasons Order, see the link below: www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/open-seasons-order

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has engaged locally with representatives of the relevant stakeholders and positive discussions about the issues have taken place. I am aware that the scale of the works will be significant and due to the site being located within a Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Site this will make the works more complex. The NPWS...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Boat tours, including those operated by the company identified, are licensed by Waterways Ireland. Waterways Ireland has confirmed that they are committed to environmental stewardship and the promotion of sustainable practices across their network. Their existing licensing framework for tour operators is flexible to accommodate various types of vessels, including those using alternative, more...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department conducted an investigation in relation to the sale of electronic traps by a retailer. Upon notification of the legal status of the traps, the retailer promptly removed them from sale and quarantined them until their UK-based manufacturer could collect them. The decision to prosecute is taken carefully on case by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Monuments Service is the focal point for the 1972 World Heritage Convention in Ireland and as such, keeps the UNESCO World Heritage Centre informed of all pertinent matters relating to Ireland's two World Heritage Properties, Brú na Bóinne and Sceilg Mhichíl. The 2023 Progress Tracker for Brú na Bóinne’s Management Plan can be viewed at:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together. The National Parks & Wildlife Service in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (9 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850, 851 and 859 together. My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of legislation around invasive alien species including the new European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 which were introduced in July of this year. These new regulations give full effect to the EU IAS Regulation...