Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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

Malcolm Noonan: Section 77 permits the granting of a lease or licence in respect of land comprising a national monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local authority. What is meant by a lease or licence under section 77 is permission by a property owner that permits a person to enter on lands without creating the relationship of landlord and tenant. It does not mean a licence under...

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

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I appreciate the points Senator Higgins is making, but section 75(1) is very clear around maintaining the archaeological interest. I think that, rather than maintenance, is what the Senator was referring to. Therefore, I do not think the amendments as proposed are necessary.

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

Malcolm Noonan: Section 92, which was amended recently on Committee Stage, provides comprehensive provisions for consultation regarding world heritage property, as well as property which has potential to become world heritage property. In 2021, the world heritage operational guidelines provided comprehensive guidance on the role of communities in world heritage matters such as encouraging states' parties to...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the point that the Senator is making in relation to future-proofing this Bill. In that regard, it is important that we discuss with the OPC if there is a necessity to make it clearer in the drafting.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking the spirit of the question the Senator is asking as regarding assistance to local authorities in collecting the revenue and in animating sites for activation for development. I think this is a very important issue. For some background, the Derelict Sites Act 1990, as amended, imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all responsible steps to ensure the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (30 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I take from the Senator's question that he sees a lack of urgency. I will relay that comment back to the Department. Regarding the working group, it is important that it concludes its work and is able to issue a set of recommendations to the Minister. The measures I outlined to address vacancy and dereliction are having an impact across the country. While it is perhaps not on the scale we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The small villages growth schemes by Uisce Éireann are a matter and operational issue for the organisation. They are excellent schemes and are having a real impact in rural communities, notwithstanding the challenges in some areas of trying to get confirmation to proceed with projects. This is a matter we will take up with Uisce Éireann.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I commend that wonderful documentary. It was a great credit to all of our staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. The strategy review of the NPWS the Government committed to and which it is now implementing is in train. The number of staff, including rangers and general operatives, across our national parks has increased significantly over the last year. I agree with the...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: With your indulgence, Chair, I will follow up on some issues raised at our last session, on 22 March, by way of assistance, before responding to the proposed amendments.I thank Senators for the useful engagement and worthwhile discussions on some of the important matters the Bill intends to provide for. While the text of the proposed amendments will always provide a good basis for our debate...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank both Senators for their comments and their positive response to the proposals. In response to Senator Boyhan, it would be at Dáil stage that we would look at those amendments on Valletta. I welcome his comments on what we propose. It is being brought forward on foot of the conversations we had here at the last session. That is important. I appreciate the contributions of...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I speak on the amendments, I wish to make a number of general comments to follow up on the contributions of Senators Higgins and Boyhan. I welcome the proposals to try to strengthen the consultation requirements. I am certain that the approach we are taking is the correct one. I see valuable roles for the PPNs in many areas of local consultation.The PPN network has, generally,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for resubmitting this proposal. As we discussed on Committee Stage, a recommendation made to local authorities by way of guidelines made under section 167 of the enacted Bill is a far more appropriate, effective and practical way to pursue the matter, although I take on board the points made by the Senator in respect of knowledge and information, with which I fully...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I am of the view that the planning and development Bill is a much more suitable location for this. I think that would be a better approach and I have given a commitment that any reference to the National Monuments Acts, whether in the planning and development Bill or in this Bill, or whichever is enacted first, will be provided for under section 14 of this Bill. The commitment is...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I respond, I will address the issue of the Heritage Council's role in consultation. Perhaps the Senator will give consideration to an option, by way of regulation, to enable the Heritage Council to consult with others. The Senator proposed this and it is a good suggestion that could be done by way of regulation in terms of how the Heritage Council gives consideration around the...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the Senator's concerns. She will also appreciate that this proposed amendment would remove the notification option entirely, which would have the wrong impact. Again, I appreciate where the Senator is coming from in relation to this.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for these proposals. Regarding the proposed amendments to section 27, I cannot accept these due to the limitations they would introduce. I will give an example. If a farmer has been ploughing the same field for decades and he or she makes a report of the discovery of a crop mark that may indicate the presence of an archaeological site, perhaps after a particularly dry...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: If it is of any benefit to Senator Higgins, I can give a commitment to review subsection (2)(b) in order to determine whether additional commitments can be added. Our objective is to ensure that monument protection remains paramount. I can certainly give that commitment if it is of any use.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators again for their contributions. I do not consider this amendment necessary. I find it difficult, notwithstanding the comments made by other Senators, to envisage the circumstances that would lead to a situation where this amendment would be required. Major works to national monuments, which are monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local authority,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I have nothing more to add. The Minister can amend or revoke regulations. That option is there and I am satisfied with that.

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Tá sé sin ceart go leor. To conclude, I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward this Private Members' Bill. The certification of private rental accommodation has obvious merits. Let us take this positive and progressive idea forward and consider the best way to implement it so that it benefits everyone involved in the rental market sector. However, it can and should only...