Results 1,581-1,600 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (29 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 54, inclusive, together. The current Wild Bird Declarations (General & Air Safety) that were signed in April 2021, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species, are due to expire on 31st July 2022. A decision on new Declarations covering the period 1st August 2022 to 30 April 2023 will be made prior to the expiry of the current...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Acting Chairperson. With regard to the queries of Senator Kyne, it relates to the period. It is either the period set by the commission or the three months prior to the last date for an election. I think that explains it. It is restricted to an electoral period as the electoral commission is regulating it. It relates specifically to the electoral period of which the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Specifically on the point in respect of public consultation, recommendation No. 39 that came from the pre-legislative scrutiny arose out of engagement. There was extensive engagement.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Is the Senator referring to amendment No. 1, relating to the electoral period?

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The definition of the election campaign period is here. It is such period, including an electoral period, as may be prescribed by the commission by order from time to time and in relation to any election or referendum commencing on a date before an impending election or referendum, and ending on polling day at the time at which the polls close, which dates shall be set out in the notice...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Extensive public consultation took place at the PLS stage. I think that the Oireachtas joint committee went above and beyond in its efforts to engage with civil society organisations. It was an important part of that process and the recommendation around these measures came specifically from the PLS report.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Does the Senator mean political advertisements that are not related to an election?

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, it is down to the commission to determine that. If the political advertisement is not related to a specific election or referendum period, then I think that it falls outside the scope of this provision.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Senator Kyne expressed his concern about the protection of political parties. The overall thrust of this Bill is to protect the integrity of the electoral system, including political parties. The Bill seeks to support political parties to be in a space where they can be active and campaign in a manner that is appropriate while allowing them the space to campaign on their issues specifically...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I support what both of the Senators said. I reiterate that this provision is not about legitimate forms of advertising. It is about disinformation and misinformation specifically during an election period. A complementary piece of work is being done on the online space. In terms of a broader approach to the establishment of the commission, and the commission's role in strengthening the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I respond to the proposed amendments, I will make a general point. Throughout the course of this Bill the Government has made great efforts to ensure that, in the establishment of this commission, its core work will be on public participation and inclusion. Certainly, during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase, the range of organisations that came in, spoke about and contributed to...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Ruane for agreeing to withdraw amendment No. 4. I would add that the role of the Chief Justice in recommending a judge of the superior courts has been well established in relation to codes, including the provisions of the Electoral Act 1997 relating to constituency commissions, for many years. Again, however, I welcome that. I will make a general point regarding the overall...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: This proposed amendment, which has been put forward by Senators Ruane, Higgins, Black and Flynn, relates to section 10(5) of the Bill, which applies to the reappointment of ordinary members of the commission. The Bill currently states that when a person is being reappointed, it will not be necessary for him or her to participate in a selection competition undertaken by the Public...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I do not see a necessity for this amendment so I will not be supporting it.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Ruane, Higgins, Black and Flynn for this amendment, which seeks to amend the existing provision in order that the commission be required to make publicly available all of its meeting documents.It is not advisable to place a blanket requirement on the commission to publish all of its meeting documents as certain meeting documents may relate to sensitive matters on such issues...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have given a commitment in the Dáil select committee to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan and others throughout this process that, upon the establishment of the commission, among its first duties will be to carry out a comprehensive review of the 1997 Act. We believe this is the correct way to address the issue of "political purposes" as it relates to political funding. We have had a number of...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, to give that reassurance, making that political commitment is important. It is critically important we do that here, in the Dáil and in the select committee. I am giving that commitment to the Senator and to the organisations that have campaigned on this so well over recent years that it is going to happen within the lifetime of this Government Separately, if we are...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am proud to be fringe and crazy.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: It has been an excellent debate and I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will speak specifically to the amendments first and then I will come back in, if that is okay. I thank the Senators for tabling these amendments relating to An Coimisiún Toghcháin, considering and making recommendations in relation to the voting age. Chapter 9 of Part 2 empowers an coimisiún...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes, I think it is. It is referenced in the programme for Government so there is a programme for Government commitment. We are trying to go broader than that and look at the experience in other jurisdictions. That came out loud and clear from contributions on other Stages of the Bill. While the programme for Government commits to consideration of the Scottish experience, we are clear that...