Results 2,401-2,420 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Local Government and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (Carrigaline Rent Pressure Zone) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I come to the scripted closing remarks, I acknowledge the issues in both Clogherhead and Carrigaline. Within the comprehensive review of the rental sector, we will work with the Deputies opposite to try to address these two areas. In terms of the rental increase that Deputy Ó Broin spoke about, it is the case that landlords can charge market rents in both areas. There is the...

Local Government and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (Carrigaline Rent Pressure Zone) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Let me begin by thanking Deputy Ó Laoghaire for tabling this Bill for Second Stage debate, which the Government will not be opposing. As I understand it, the principle underpinning the Bill is to provide affordable, stable rents and rent certainty for tenants. I, and my Government colleagues, have worked since taking office to improve rent controls for tenants living in areas with high...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: To add to what my colleagues have said, I think it is a really good suggestion. We developed a climate change sectoral adaptation plan for built and archaeological heritage, and we are one of the first countries in Europe to have done it. We are carrying out a life-cycle assessment report and a step-by-step approach to assessing embodied and life-cycle emissions involved in the retrofit of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy mentioned town centre first officers and a number of Deputies have raised the one-per-county. We have taken that on board and if a request comes in for further resources, we can accommodate it. Across our local authority system, there are vacancy officers. We are looking at a scheme now through our architectural conservation officers to ensure every county has one. We see it as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: That is something we will give consideration to. On the marine environment and renewable energy, we are in the process of completing the legislation for marine protected areas. What we have in place, between the marine strategy framework directive and the marine planning, is a good regulatory system giving certainty to companies pitching for projects. We are moving into a better space in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The mitigation issue is a hugely important point. We are seeing the impacts of coastal erosion and rising sea levels across the country. It is critically important that we address the issue strategically because it is happening now. In regard to biodiversity officers, we are making good progress. We started the scheme with The Heritage Council this year. It is our intention to have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for his question on the historic structures fund. I would love to double the fund as it has been hugely impactful. We have a number of funds. We have the built heritage investment scheme and we support the Heritage Council's delivery of the historic towns initiative. What we get out of those funds is not just the retrofit of individual buildings but perhaps even...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: It is and is not off the agenda, because it is about embodied carbon. These traditional buildings use natural materials and that in itself is low-carbon, so it is critically important. We have done considerable work on thatched properties. Unfortunately, we are loosing them at too fast a rate and we want to reverse that trend. I take on board the Deputy's point. We are in the process of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator. I will take the first question. We are progressing well with the marine protected areas legislation. It is our intention to have it brought forward before the end of the summer recess and that is the commitment we have given. On the specifics around 10% and the blue carbon issue the Senator raised. We were clear in the initial report led by Professor Crowe and from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We want to leave that open. We want to ensure that the legislation gives effect to allowing the public to have a say in how we do this. We do not see marine protected areas as lines on maps. Absolutely, there are designations there for birds under special protection areas. We have moved to increase that from 2% to 8%, and we will be moving towards 10% this year. Critically important for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Whitmore. The discussion on the nature restoration law is ongoing. There is a distance to go yet. The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and I will be in Luxembourg next week. Separately - and I have said this publicly as well - a lot of restoration work is already under way in this country. There are projects like the wild Atlantic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Minister of State. I am very familiar with Dundalk. Ten years ago my party colleague, former Senator Mark Deary, walked me through the streets of Dundalk. He was the first to suggest to me the idea of a town centres first policy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes, absolutely. He was a real visionary for the town. What has happened in Dundalk is an exemplar that should be replicated in mid-sized towns across the country. The URDF and the myriad schemes the Government has brought forward over the past couple of years are critically important. They have added to the coherence and vibrancy of towns. They have increased the opportunities around...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Cathaoirleach raised the issue of induced traffic or traffic generated by a road project. That is a planning matter when planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála are giving consideration to a project. Sometimes, induced traffic is overlooked, as has happened in the past. It is a really interesting phenomenon that is being studied globally. Having the ability to factor in the...

Nature Restoration Law and Irish Agriculture: Statements (31 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: While we are on this subject and I have the floor, I pay tribute to Michael Viney who passed away this week. Michael made his home with Ethna in Thallabawn, County Mayo. He wrote for 60 years of his experiences of living in rural Ireland and of nature. It is fitting that we pay tribute to him this afternoon. I thank our team leading the discussions on behalf of the Government and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (30 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy raised an important and ongoing issue that has persisted for some time and is of great concern to the local community in Whitegate. The Deputy will appreciate that the operation of the Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services, planning, delivery and operation at national,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (30 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The points the Deputy raised are valid in terms of consumers having to buy bottled water, the plastic waste that creates and the fact that sometimes bottled water is not of great quality, as well as the uncertainty. I will convey the points he raised about communication with Uisce Éireann. It is not acceptable that there are no conspicuous notices and the website needs to be updated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (25 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: From what the Deputy has described, I would say the work is very important and valuable to the communities, particularly to disadvantaged new communities. This is investment well spent in the context of any Government expenditure to support fantastic clubs like this. With regard to the LSSIF, there is ongoing engagement between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Services Personnel (25 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for raising the matter so passionately. I agree wholeheartedly with her that these are people who have found a vocation in the work they do and they love their work on a daily basis. They face huge risk in that work and it is noted. The Government has noted the contents of Retained Fire Services in Ireland - A Review of Recruitment and Retention and the...