Results 2,481-2,500 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: There is an additive that can be used, and there is a public awareness campaign. It is important to engage. The experience in other countries has not been negative.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Greenways Provision (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The safeguarding of environment and natural habitats is a hugely important issue. The Government is conscious of fulfilling our statutory obligations in this regard, as well as being committed to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. As set out in the strategy for the future development...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Greenways Provision (3 May 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I reassure the Senator that he is correct. We cannot have one project that will deliver an environmental benefit but could potentially be injurious to another environmental objective, namely, our habitats. It is critical that a rigorous process is in place to support projects as they move forward. They must go through rigorous screening, environmental impact assessment and appropriate...

Seanad: Public Water Connection Charges: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Garvey, Martin and Pauline O'Reilly for bringing forward this important motion. It is great to see universal support for it in the House. I will try to address some of the points raised by Senators. There is no doubt that the roll-out of water refill stations across the country is very popular, especially with young people. Buying bottled water is hugely expensive,...

Rent Reduction Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Murphy, Boyd Barrett, Smith, Canney and Barry for bringing forward this Bill. The Government opposes the Bill. Aside from its technical, practical and operational shortcomings, it would in all likelihood face a significant risk of legal challenge and is highly likely to have a severely detrimental effect on the supply of rental property in an already constrained market....

Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Is mór an onóir domsa Bille na hOidhreachta Stairiúla agus Seandálaíochta, 2023 a cur faoi bhráid na Dála. I am pleased and honoured to bring the Historical and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 before the House today. This important Bill provides a new framework to modernise and bolster the law that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Moore Street is certainly progressing. I am aware that this issue is frustrating and that the Senator has been raising it consistently. My understanding is the design team has been appointed. I will be dealing with the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill this afternoon in the Dáil and I give an assurance that we will be on site on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: We will get back to the Deputy with an update on that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies. Before I respond, I should point out this matter was raised in the Chamber last night in the context of the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion. Deputy Harkin also raised it in relation to the north west. The Government is cognisant and mindful of the challenges facing local authorities and people and families across the country, not just in the greater Dublin area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I reassure the Deputies that we are providing housing. It is not an issue of passing the buck to local authorities. There is collective responsibility and the Government is mindful of that. Resources and funding are not obstacles to the urgent efforts required. More than €215 million has been allocated to homeless services, including homeless prevention in 2023. This funding will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Rebates (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am not sure whether the prepared reply I am going to outline will give any further assurances to the Deputy but it is the response of the Department. The VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT directive, farmers can elect whether to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. Farmers who...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Rebates (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: As I outlined, in accordance with the EU VAT directive, farmers can elect whether to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. I take on board the Deputy made about larger farms being more inclined towards VAT registration, but for many small farmers, registering for VAT is an unnecessary complexity that is not possible to justify given the small-scale nature of their business....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, agus go raibh maith ag an Teachta Ó Cuív. The Deputy will be aware that the staff of the NPWS has been working closely with Galway County Council on this project. The development of the Oughterard to Maam Cross section was approved by An Bord Pleanála, as the Deputy said, in December 2013. A condition of the consent was that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If it is of use to the Deputy, we might provide a more detailed briefing for him. I cannot give him the full response regarding the information he is seeking from me this morning but it might be useful to give him a detailed briefing by NPWS staff regarding the project, and that might be of assistance in providing where we are on the timeline. Regarding the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill...

Department Underspend and Reduced Delivery of Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I sum up I will respond to a few of the contributions from Deputies. In Deputy Bacik’s contribution she mentioned again the 1 million homes and about engagement with Government. We would love to engage with the Labour Party on how it proposes to achieve that. We are always willing and open to the ideas of the Opposition. That is critical. Deputy Bríd Smith mentioned...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: In relation to proposed amendment No. 22, section 33(6) provides for the publishing of screening determinations for environmental impact assessments, including publishing notices on the Department's website. I can explore with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, OPC, as to whether subsection (6) could be rephrased so as to make it clear that the publishing of notices on the Department's...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 27 proposes the addition of a new paragraph in section 40(2). Under section 40, the Minister may exempt proposed works from EIA requirements, as provided for under sections 32 to 39, subject to certain conditions. Subsection (2) relates to the consultation that must be undertaken before a determination on an EIA exemption request. A relevant local authority must be consulted...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Section 41 provides that notices relating to EIAs must inform the public that decisions may be questioned by way of judicial review. The intention behind amendment No. 28 is to delete subsection (2) of section 41. However, this is a very important provision that makes it explicitly clear that an act done by the Minister under Chapter 6 of Part 2 relating to EIA or AA or a licence granted...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On amendment No. 28, I have committed that we will raise the issue with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to make sure it is as clear as possible. The Senator is correct regarding the necessary modifications required in order to apply for the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. It is as the Senator says.