Results 2,461-2,480 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (11 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: It is. It is really important. The first point is that at local level, all local authorities should have an access officer and should have a local consultative access group to consult regarding general planning issues. The planning authority is the first point of contact in ensuring that our public spaces are disability-proofed, as well as buildings. Regarding oversight of the local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (11 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Just to give assurance to the Deputy, in the circulars which are being issued to local authorities, we are giving clear guidance on disability proofing, and ensuring that public spaces and the public realm is maintained in a safe way for people of all abilities. That is hugely important. On the second point with regard to drinks advertising, generally, companies are getting more clever at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (11 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely, and it is certainly something which the committee could perhaps give consideration to having a deeper dive into at some point. It would be useful.

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn for bringing the Bill to the Seanad and to all of the Senators for their contributions. Before I speak specifically through my notes, I will respond to some of the points raised by Senators during the debate this evening. It is useful that we have had this debate. I would say at the outset that I value this Chamber. I am here often, as the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I find the level of debate and contributions to be consistently of a high standard here. My own experience of that important scrutiny element of the Seanad has been through the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023, to which Senator Higgins brought forward quite a number of amendments, and many of which we have accepted. They have strengthened that Bill. I stress that is tangible...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I reiterate that the progress of individual wastewater treatment infrastructure such as that relating to Kilcummin is a matter for Uisce Éireann. Charging arrangements for customers is also a matter for Uisce Éireann.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: For clarity, the temporary development contribution levy waiver was announced by the Government last week. It will apply for one year to permitted residential developments that commence from 25 April 2023. As I understand it, there have been a number of public consultation meetings in the area. There was a meeting with MDC members on 24 April. Uisce Éireann has set out the scheme...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We have been clear. I have spoken to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about this matter. This scheme we are talking about is separate from the waiver scheme that was announced last week. The Kilcummin scheme is most welcome, as the Deputy said, for protecting the lakes of Killarney and providing adequate infrastructure for the community there. The meeting with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (10 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy and I discussed the matter previously. I appreciate the challenges the new scheme is creating but it is a great opportunity. There was a meeting with Uisce Éireann and Killarney municipal district council on 24 April. There were discussions ongoing with Uisce Éireann on the matter. The Deputy has raised this Topical Issue matter in light of the Government decision...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Benefits (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo. The household benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €285 million this year on the household benefits package for more than 510,000 customers and their households. The household benefits package is available to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social Welfare Benefits (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta arís. To reiterate, the Minister certainly gives consideration to proposals by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Age Action and other agencies in her work in trying to ensure those most vulnerable are supported in the best way possible. That is what the Government is trying to achieve and the ESRI has supported the direction we have taken as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Fully on board.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct. That is certainly what the Department, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I want to achieve. A multi-annual programme is in place to assist bringing resolution in respect of DPI. Such infrastructure is a temporary short-term solution that dragged. We are conscious that the issues with DPI need to be resolved from the point of view of the environmental...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: A small number of housing estates nationally rely on developer-provided water services infrastructure, commonly referred to as DPI, for their water services. The infrastructure concerned mainly consists of wastewater treatment facilities, with a small number providing drinking water services for the estate. The majority of estates with DPI are legacy issues from the mid-1990s to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and his Department have not been made aware of any deterioration in the situation regarding abandoned vehicles. However, the Minister and I are of the view that it is important that the enforcement bodies stay on top of this matter. The Senator highlighted a significant issue. We have seen considerable improvements in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If there are specific issues in relation to vehicles such as the number plate having been removed, there are other identifying factors on the vehicle, including the chassis numbers and so on. I believe, however, that 97% is a high level of compliance. It is way beyond the minimum requirement at EU level. The Department is very much on top of it and continues to monitor it. If there are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important issue. I understand that the Senator’s question concerns the new national fares strategy, as she has outlined, and particularly as it affects and pertains to her area of Newbridge in Kildare. I reassure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to providing a cost-efficient public transport sector, including affordable...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, the Senator's efforts in highlighting this have been commendable. To support the objective of ensuring this equity, under budget 2023 some €563 million of funding has been secured for the PSO and Local Link services to provide State operators under contract by the NTA. This has been seen and felt right across the country. Funding was also provided for continuation of the 20%...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Motor Fuels (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We were talking about this outside the Chamber earlier. I have family members who have classic cars - Renaults and Ford Anglias. It is something that I have great affection for. The move to E10 this year is one of several transport measures that will achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. Details of the move were set out in the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Motor Fuels (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: That is not the case. Of the 77 responses from the consultation on the move to E10, more than 60 were received from classic car owners or enthusiasts in classic vehicle clubs. Many of the respondents were supportive of the move to E10. There probably are issues. In this regard, I mentioned possible corrosion. There is still an opportunity owing to there still being a limited supply of...