Results 541-560 of 4,778 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (15 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Biodiversity Data Centre is operated on contract under the aegis of 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 address queries directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (15 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government contains a broad range of electoral reforms including a commitment to establish an independent, statutory Electoral Commission by the end of 2021. The Programme also contains a specific commitment to "Examine the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age to 17, in order to draw conclusions" within the lifetime of the current Dáil. In December 2020, the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Forestry Sector (15 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The records the Deputy is requesting relate to a period of 16 years. As such, they would be voluminous and it would be resource intensive and neither a feasible nor effective use of those resources. In addition, it is not practical to identify and collate the entirety of the document cache in the time available.

Acquisition of Development Land (Assessment of Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann, while acknowledging the relevance of the Acquisition of Development Land (Assessment of Compensation) Bill 2021 in regard to securing more cost efficient development land with the objective that all persons insofar as practicable have good quality and affordable housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (17 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Biodiversity Data Centre is operated on contract and managed under the aegis of 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 address queries...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Archaeological Sites (17 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The archaeological excavations at Doon Point were carried out by the CHERISH Project Team- CHERISH (Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headland) is a 6 year European funded Ireland-Wales project. The excavations were carried out under an excavation licence granted by my Department and NMS Archaeologists inspected the excavations while they were taking place. I look...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (17 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas, including the area to which the Deputy refers. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites, i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the position regarding rail freight into Dublin Port on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. The Minister and the Minister of State strongly believe in the potential of rail freight and think it can play a bigger role in freight transport generally on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, the Department worked with the ports and shipping companies to ensure sufficient capacity and connectivity to facilitate the movement of goods in and out of Ireland. Significant Government investment has gone into the customs, agriculture and immigration inspection facilities necessary since 1 January 2021. There has been a remarkable response...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution of members of the Garda throughout the State. The Minister for Justice has no role in these independent functions. The determination of the need for the development of a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I again thank both Deputies for raising this matter. It is vitally important and they have brought forward very serious crime issues in the area that we need to tackle. I assure them that community safety is a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána, as evidenced by the Government's unprecedented Garda provision for 2021. In tandem...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Ó Cuív, O'Reilly and Connolly for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to address it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. Following public health guidance, Government policy is to have a gradual reopening of the hospitality sector, beginning with outdoor hospitality, before a decision is taken on resuming indoor service in a few weeks....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, An Garda Síochána has made clear that the overwhelming majority of owners of licensed premises have behaved responsibly and those who continue to behave responsibly in controlling their premises should have nothing to worry about. A tiny minority of pubs have been serving alcohol to those seated outside agreed areas, and clearly that will be the focus of any Garda...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and allowing me the opportunity to outline the position in respect of Irish Water’s responsibility on this matter. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and waste water services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Ellis raised important points, particularly about sending out notifications and effective communication. Those points are important for Irish Water to take on board. The Water Services Acts place specific responsibilities on the Minister and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including responsibility for matters relevant to water policy, funding and in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 13 of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014) refers to the obligation of Member States to establish action plans on the pathways of invasive alien species of Union concern and to communicate these plans to the European Commission. Work is underway in my Department on three priority pathway action plans. Two of these plans - relating to angling and to boat users -...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for tabling this matter, although the response may not exactly be on topic in terms of the specific issue he has raised. Applications for social housing supports are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised a significant issue. The review of income thresholds is under way. Within the frame of that it is important the issues raised this morning be given consideration. I apologise again to the Deputy; perhaps the question did not frame exactly the response he sought but there could be a follow-up with the Department. I urge him to make this representation through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The best place to deal with this is through the review process. Go raibh maith agat.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to the modernisation of the electoral registration process. This includes the introduction of rolling registration; the simplification of forms and processes; the use of PPSNs in the registration process; as well as the gradual roll-out of an online option for registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline...