Results 1,201-1,220 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator. The suggestion he made there is very useful. It would be a really useful exercise for the housing committee to have a look at this and at the overall funding of local government in general. We have a significant challenge. As the Senator rightly said, our local authorities are ambitious both at corporate level and among the elected members.They show real innovation -...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank my constituency colleague for raising this issue which she has consistently done in this Chamber, as have a number of other Deputies. As she has said, there had been some counties where existing resources have been utilised. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: To respond to the point made by the Deputy about the onset of Covid-19, the pandemic has presented challenges to the fire services in respect of the delivery of services. Our Department has monitored regular reports from the fire services in respect of the impact of the pandemic on staffing levels and the business community. In order to maximise the available capital funding programme, our...

Ban on Sex for Rent Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Cian O'Callaghan and the Social Democrats for bringing forward the Bill. This is a practice we all abhor. It is disgusting. I listened to the Deputy’s contribution at the start of the debate and I will address some of the issues before I make my concluding remarks. Deputy O'Callaghan made the specific point that while the Bill in itself is not enough to tackle this...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 14, to delete “and” and substitute “to amend the Building Control Act 2007; and”.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I apologise to Deputy Ó Broin. I am trying to find my bearings here. In relation to the first grouping, Government amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, these amendments are to change the Long Title of the Bill and to add a definition to section 2 to reflect a number of amendments to the Building Control Act 2007, which provides for the statutory register for architects, building surveyors...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, line 20, after "Works" to insert "and Building Control (Amendment)".

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following: " "Act of 2007" means the Building Control Act 2007;".

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I refer to the note, I will address some of the points raised by the Deputies. It is the case that the Government wants a robust regulator. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan has pointed out some of the failings of the past, which there is no doubt have been substantial and have caused considerable hurt to people as well as financial cost to the Exchequer. It is for that reason that the...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have given assurances regarding the Attorney General's advice around not naming the body appointed. The mechanism exists, where the body appointed is not performing its functions, for another entity to be appointed. That is part of the checks and balances that exist in addition to the seven points I raised relating to the independence of the registration body. I again give those...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Not in respect of this particular amendment, but we will give consideration in the Seanad to amendments relating to appointments to the board and the appeals committee.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Not to this one.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Regarding the commitment given by my ministerial colleague, the note has been prepared and we can have it furnished to the committee. Amendment No. 11 suggests including "adherence to the requirements of the Building Regulations". The code of practice is for the purpose of the continued improvement in the professional conduct of providers of building works. The three amendments suggested...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I must oppose this amendment to section 21. To operate the statutory register, the registration body will be required to carry out inspections and will require the facility to employ inspectors who may be members of its staff. The inspectors shall carry out their duties and inspections subject to such terms as the board, which is independent, may determine. However, I am considering an...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have given an assurance that I will consider an amendment to the Bill that would ensure that the inspectors are independent in their performance of their duties. I hope that gives assurance to the Deputy in that regard.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will specifically refer to these amendments, which I will oppose. On Committee Stage, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, indicated that he would bring forward amendments to the Seanad to provide that the chair and certain other members of the board would be recruited through the Public Appointments Service, and that the following would also nominate members: the Irish Congress of Trade...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: To come back to the points raised by the Deputies Nash and O'Callaghan, again, it is intended that the Department of Housing. Local Government and Heritage nominee may be on the political control side of things. Similarly with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, there would be a consumer representative. I give the commitment that when the Bill is before the Seanad we will...

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As I have said, we will give consideration to review it at that stage.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will give a general consideration on the review. The Minister of State, Deputy Burke, has also given that commitment.

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: We will be opposing this amendment. The amendment seeks to require an applicant for registration to provide evidence that he or she is eligible for latent defects insurance. Latent defects insurance is taken out on a project-by-project basis and is it is not practical that the registration should be conditioned on the possession of or eligibility for such insurance. While a builder of...