Results 601-620 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: I wish to reassure the Senator on the matter. I wholeheartedly concur with his comments in respect of water services staff and local authorities. They provide an exceptional level of service to communities. They are constantly on call winter and summer, as well as during emergencies throughout the year. We must and do give due regard to that wonderful level of service. We want to achieve...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Employment Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection, through its Intreo service, provides a range of employment supports to assist individuals, including women returning to work, to gain and sustain employment. Intreo's teams of case officers and job coaches across the country provide a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Employment Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator. I know from experience that many women who started off in community employment schemes in family resource centres, FRCs, or community development projects, were able to move on through additional training or returning to education to fantastic careers and could offer something valuable back to their communities. It is vitally important that we offer...

Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I am grateful for the opportunity to close the debate for the Government on Sinn Féin's Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2021. I have listened intently to the contributions of Deputies since my arrival in the Chamber. As the Minister outlined, the Government is submitting a timed amendment to this Bill and we will consider it again on Second...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I was here for the first Seanad Commencement matter this morning on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and I am here in the Dáil for the last matter this evening on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, as well. I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. I certainly recall that, during my time on Kilkenny County Council, the local improvement scheme was a hugely...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The points about access for services and especially ambulances are important. There has been a 5% increase in the allocation for this year. Approximately 350 projects are expected to be completed this year. That is a significant step forward and we need to ramp that up significantly. I appreciate the points. I will be happy to take the matter to my colleagues in the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (6 Jul 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. The timing and scheduling of the Assembly will depend on the outcome of these discussions and on a number of external factors which need to be considered before the scope and terms of the Assembly are framed. In this regard, work is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Údarás na Gaeltachta (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I mí an Mheithimh 2020 atreoraíodh iarratas ar Pháirc Mara sa Ghaeltacht, i gCill Chiaráin, Co. na Gaillimhe chuig an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán mar gheall ar a ról ag an am mar chomhairlí reachtúil faoin Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000(arna leasú). Tar éis...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The number of persons successfully prosecuted by my Department for offences against section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 were 19 in 2019 and 25 in 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (6 Jul 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department continues to invest heavily in and is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks, most particularly Rhododendron ponticum, the control of which is difficult, costly, and labour intensive. My Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 542. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether a product which meets his Department’s clinical guidelines on the use of medical cannabis in epilepsy can be added to the medical cannabis access programme before it launches in order to make it accessible to persons with epilepsy and their clinicians (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29923/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (7 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 173. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will continue beyond June 2021 in view of the fact that the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel: Final Report requires the nursing home sector to implement considerablere source-intensive recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman and members for their invitation to appear before them again this afternoon. I also thank the committee for the detailed consideration it has given the general scheme of the electoral reform Bill. The Chairman outlined some of the groups and organisations that have appeared before the committee. I must say, it has been very impressive and I have followed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman. I will try to get through these quickly and the officials might come in on any specific items. On Deputy McAuliffe's point around education and participation, we absolutely see this as a critical and evolving role. We are clear that the commission, once established later this year, will build its functions and role over time. That is connected to the Vote and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Higgins for her positive comments and for giving that very good outline of her own experience. The Deputy is absolutely correct that when we look at democracies around the world, democracy is fragile and protecting it is precious to us all. As I outlined in the previous response around the short window of opportunity and the regulation of online political advertising in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On Deputy O'Donoghue's questions, cybersecurity is really for another Department. The HSE cyberattack has sharpened all our minds to really strengthen our cybersecurity in the State. That is an absolute. I take on board Deputy O'Donoghue's point about Independents. Deputy McAuliffe referred to the radio content and radio advertising. There is a broader issue for discussion here on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I might ask Mr. Ryan to come in on the Deputy's final point. I did meet with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and other organisations on these points and we want to address them through the commission. I take on board the point made by the Chairman. I met the group of students to which he referred and the research they carried out was fantastic....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will defer to Ms Woods on the specific issues around the register. I will not get into a political comment with regard to engagement from political parties but, from our perspective, it is vital that all political parties and representatives engage in this process. It is a vital process which will transform our electoral system and lead to greater transparency, accountability and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I look forward to seeing Deputy Gould on TikTok. Certainly, however, he highlighted the fact the online space is changing. From our communications as politicians, online platforms are vitally important to reach out to all ages, be it TikTok or Instagram. They are all valid and useful platforms to send out positive messaging. I look forward to following Deputy Gould's account on Instagram....