Results 4,541-4,560 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There are many measures in place and in progress in east Cork for the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity. These are delivered not only by my Department but also a wide range of Government Departments and other bodies including the local authority and civil society organisations. The measures include legal or statutory protections set down in law, for example the EC Birds and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is a North/South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The information requested in relation to tents removed from the canal in Dublin is not held in my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1022 together. Waterways Ireland is a North/South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The matters raised are operational matters for Waterways Ireland, who hold the relevant, detailed information in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: For reasons of operational security given the enforcement duties discharged by Conservation Rangers within the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), my Department cannot comment specifically on some of the matters raised in the details supplied. Additionally, it should be noted that some of the issues raised appear to potentially involve matters that fall outside of the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: 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 Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive). The purpose of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 to 1058, inclusive, together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. The mission of the NPWS, as stated in its Strategic Plan 2023-2025, is to Protect Nature. Unlike in the UK,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1082 and 1084 together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), of my Department, continues to invest heavily in tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks. The effects of Rhododendron ponticum is well documented both in our National Parks and also in other sites across Ireland. Addressing the impacts of this invasive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is currently finalising Ireland’s third-cycle River Basin Management Plan, which will be a strategic government plan that will outline the national policies and high-level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters. The aim of the next plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”, with targeted measures...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Projects (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Ulster Canal restoration is a flagship North-South project, supported by the Shared Island Fund, managed by Waterways Ireland and overseen by my Department. The project is a 13km restoration from Clones in Co. Monaghan to Upper Lough Erne, and includes a new canal basin and harbour at Clones, a new canal, 5 access bridges, 4 minor road bridges, 3 masonry arc bridges, a new aqueduct at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1167 and 1168 together. Waterways Ireland is the freehold owner of a triangular piece of property known as City Block 19 in Dublin’s docklands. It comprises 1.2 hectares (2.965 acres) of mainly disused land and is located at the confluence of the River Dodder, the River Liffey and Grand Canal Dock. The site is situated within the North Lotts &...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am informed that Waterways Ireland has identified the existence of circa 430 alleged encroachments on the Shannon and has established a dedicated team to review each and to regularise, as appropriate. It is estimated that this process will take between 3 and 5 years. I am informed that Waterways Ireland has sought legal advice on the implications of regularising any alleged encroachment...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (23 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000) establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. River basin management planning, structured in six-year cycles, along with its associated Programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (18 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is a North/South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The information requested is not held in my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (18 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. I am informed that Waterways Ireland has identified the existence of more than four hundred alleged encroachments on its property and has established a dedicated team to review each...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (18 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is funded as part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Vote – Vote 34. Capital allocations for 2025 are therefore generally not available in advance of the Budget and the confirmation of funding availability for 2025 for the entire Department. The attached table sets out a list of capital works projects to which...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: If Senator Flynn wishes to speak that is okay.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Boyhan and Flynn for their contributions since I took over duty here. I want to reiterate the points around the rural housing guidelines. The Department is working on them. That is not to say that the existing rural housing guidelines are not in place at local authority level. All local authorities have to adhere to them and local needs. I take on board the points...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will make a quick reply. Over the course of the debates on this Bill I am hearing contradictory remarks about the loss of local democracy and the handing over of powers to the OPC. What I spoke to Senator Flynn about was that local, democratic accountability around the delivery of Traveller accommodation, which is absolutely crucial. We cannot underestimate that. I also said that the...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 151 seeks to remove the erroneous referral to “development plan” in subsection (4) of section 77. Regional, spatial and economic strategies take account of regional development, while development plans deal solely with the development within each local authority area. Following the completion of the assessment by the Office of the Planning Regulator, it shall...