Results 581-600 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Seanadóir. I thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue. I am pleased to announce that after three years of negotiation, a final political agreement on the main elements of the next Common Agricultural Policy was agreed by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg yesterday. This has been a long and challenging negotiation. The overall agreement...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I confirm to Senator Kyne that the discussions that have been ongoing between our agri-ecology unit in the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have been positive in designing a CAP strategic plan that is fit for purpose for nature and for people, because this is ultimately about the needs of people and of farming communities. I have had...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for the opportunity to provide an update on the midlands retrofit pilot programme, which is a Government initiative under the just transition programme. The midlands retrofit pilot project is an important part of the just transition programme, which needs to be facilitated in the context of Bord na Móna's exit from peat and the direct...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I stated, all the decisions relating to the selection of homes and for the programme of works to be completed are a matter for the local authority, in this case, Kildare County Council. I have stated that the replacement of windows and doors, airtightness and the taping of sealant to windows is part of the programme. The issue needs to be resolved between my Department and Kildare County...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators O'Reilly and Chambers for bringing forward this matter. As Senator O'Reilly quite rightly said, this is about town centres, sustainable transport, balanced regional development and tackling climate change. This is an important matter. As the Senators will be aware, the Minister is a firm believer in the positive potential of increased and expanded sustainable mobility...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Senator O'Reilly made excellent and valid points about this. I am of the view, as is the Minister, that the strategic rail review will be conducted on an all-island basis, will identify those needs the Senator has spoken about and will be carried out with the support of the Northern Ireland Executive to provide a much more holistic overview of what is required. It will seek to address the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Heritage Council, which is funded my Department, runs the annual Community Heritage Grants Scheme, for which the organisation in question may be eligible to apply. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the protection, preservation and conservation of our built heritage assets. Historic country houses are unique and irreplaceable repositories of architecture, art, history and culture. I appreciate the intrinsic, artistic, ecological, social and economic value of our historic houses and their associated landscapes. They are also an essential component of our...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Budgets (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In relation to the 3 specific subheads mentioned and the difference in the purpose of each, I can advise the following: 1.The Built Heritage sub-head, F4, makes provision for the Built Heritage Capital and Current Programmes, including the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and two capital grant schemes - the Community Monuments Fund (CMF)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support through the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) for certain works relating to conservation and promotion at archaeological monuments. This year, funding was allocated to 139 projects across all local authorities to a value of just over €4.2m. It is hoped that this scheme will run again in 2022. Conditions and criteria for eligibility for application...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 107 together. I refer the Deputy back to the Topical Issue, To discuss the exclusion of Early Monastic Sites from Ireland’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, debated in the Dáil on the 26 May 2021 which outlined the processes, supports, and engagements that have been part of the advancement of the revised Tentative List of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 265. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports on facilities (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for giving me the opportunity to discuss this. I am familiar with Tramore. We go there for our weekly supplies of Dooly's chips. As Members will be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding related to public transport. However, the Minister is not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct that I cannot answer the question because it is not my Department and it is not my remit, so I am relaying a scripted response on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I am more than happy to take the issues back to the Department of Transport. There is a commitment in the notes that the CEO of Bus Éireann, Stephen Kent, is happy to discuss the matter directly...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. I did not see the report but I am shocked at what I have heard. These are certainly unacceptable conditions for people to be living in. At the very least, people should expect a basic minimum decent standard of living and a decent standard of quality housing in 21st century Ireland. I agree with the Deputy in that regard. Our Department is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I apologise to the Deputy for not having read the report. I was at meetings all afternoon when I received this question. I apologise for that but I will read the report. I give the Deputy my commitment that I will work with our Department, and with the Minister, to try to advance the regeneration of Oliver Bond House. I give my commitment on that and I will try to expedite matters with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Following the Government Decision on the transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions last week, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media no longer has a role in this matter. The assessment on the imperative reasons of overriding public interest will be completed in tandem with the provision of advice as to whether the compensatory measures...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (5 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this issue. I share his concerns and his interest in the Aarhus Convention and public participation in general. I am glad of the opportunity to update Senators on the reform of the judicial review provisions in the Planning and Development Act and the related matter of the proposed establishment of the environmental and planning court, both of which are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (5 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have just been handed a copy of the article in question. In the early stages of the Aarhus Convention being brought into effect in Irish law, I was one of several people who took a case seeking a not prohibitively expensive order to protect us from legal costs given that we were community activists at the time. It is important that communities, individuals and environmental organisations...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. The Government published a policy paper, Irish Water - Towards a National Publicly-Owned Regulated Water Services Utility, in February which sets out its views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector. This will involve the integration of the public water system within the...