Results 761-780 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Passport Office continually examines how to improve processing times, including by examining the process for the verification of supporting documentation for first-time applicants and addressing delays that have been experienced by customers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high demand seen in recent months as international travel has resumed. There has also been an ongoing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Detailed design and implementation will begin in the coming months-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I ask the Deputy to allow me to conclude. I know the response I am giving in my concluding remarks does not give him the answer he requires. Certainly, I will take these matters back to the Minister and the Department. The Deputy made his case very well on behalf of the applicants. It is deeply upsetting for families when they are making plans and travel arrangements. I said in my...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the Government's supports for local authorities, with particular reference to Galway county. As the local authority budgetary period will shortly be under way, my Department has notified Galway County Council and all other local authorities of local property tax allocations for 2022 and of a separate allocation as a contribution...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As has been set out in the circular from the Department, when additional information on the updated LPT is available the process will be re-examined. While it is unfortunate that the process cannot take place in advance of the local authority budget process in November, the timeline involved takes account of the needs of property owners and the Revenue Commissioners in conducting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am here on his behalf.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It is important that we consider those issues. We should be giving consideration to participatory budgeting where members of the public have a say in how their LPT revenue is spent. All those elements are critical in taking ownership of the revenue that is raised by local government and giving people a say in how it is spent in their own communities. My own local authority issues a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Council (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am delighted to say that total Heritage funding in Budget 2022 will amount to €133.5m, including, inter alia, funding from the Shared Island Fund.   This represents  a significant increase on previous years funding and reflects my continued commitment to addressing the significant challenges to our built heritage and biodiversity. The Heritage Council...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.  Starting in Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in Longford, with many cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way.  Construction work commenced on the Kilbeggan section of the Greenway in County...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The current National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was published in 2017 and runs until the end of 2021. An interim review of the current NBAP was published in February 2020 and may be viewed on the NPWS website: . A final review of progress on the Plan will be published in early 2022.  Building on the previous plan, the new document will be informed by the findings of this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In May 2020, the EU published its Strategy for Biodiversity 2030. The headline goal of the Strategy is to transform at least 30% of Europe's lands and seas into effectively managed protected areas,  with at least 10% under strict protection. The Strategy was endorsed by the European Council in October 2020. These targets are EU-wide and represent a minimum of an extra 4% for land...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 137 of 28 September 2021. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) review is currently at drafting stage following the extensive research and consultation phase. It is hoped that the final report, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin, will be completed before the end of the year. Once...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Projects (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On the 12 October, my colleague Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, and I announced an overall budget package for 2022 of just under €6bn for the Department. I am pleased that, as part of this wider allocation, heritage funding for 2022 will amount to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Common Agricultural Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is involved in a range of ongoing discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, both as part of the CAP Consultative Committee and in bilateral meetings between the Departments. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on ongoing policy formation discussions with another Department,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (19 Oct 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 is ultimately a matter for the Department of the Taoiseach, under who aegis Citizen Assemblies are held. There  are a number...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In excess of €47.3m in funding is being provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Budget 2022, including my Department's dedicated provisions, and funding to be drawn from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Recreation allocations. In this context it should be noted that the NPWS is a constituent  line division of my Department, and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Forestry Sector (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 222 of 7 October 2021 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Invasive alien species legislation is contained within the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations, SI 477 of 2011. Legal responsibility for the eradication, containment or management of invasive alien species resides with the landowner. Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are responsible for dealing with derelict sites in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is aware that Emo Court House hosts an important roost for Brown Long-Eared Bats, and that works were undertaken by the OPW at that House in recent years. No authorisation was sought or given for the destruction of the bat roost, and the bat roost has not been destroyed.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under the Wildlife Acts, there is an Open Season for hunting game bird species, which extends from 1 September to varying dates up to the end of January depending on the species concerned. There is no separate licence required from my Department to shoot listed wildfowl unless it is over State foreshore, inland waters and accretions belonging to the State. Under Section 30 of the Wildlife...