Results 2,521-2,540 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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...

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

Malcolm Noonan: The figure is based on reinspections.

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

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the comments from Deputies before I make my closing remarks. I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. This has been a useful debate, sparked by Deputy Ó Broin bringing the Bill forward. I note the comments made by Deputy Ó Broin on the support provided by the previous Minister for housing back in 2017 to this type of approach. Even since 2017,...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward the Bill and the generosity of spirit in which he has set out its context. This week, there already has been much discussion and debate on the upcoming end of the moratorium on evictions. This is a welcome opportunity to focus on a related issue, namely, the quality of accommodation available to those in the private rental market in Ireland....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. That right of everyone to have clean potable drinking water is fundamental. I mentioned the Federation of Group Water Schemes in my initial reply. It is an organisation to be greatly admired. The members have delivered high-quality water and work on environmental and other biodiversity initiatives around the country. They really are an exemplar of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I note the concerns of the Deputies. It is a short-term measure, while these recruitment challenges exist. There is a commitment to develop a new primary care centre at Curlew Road within CHO 7. By pruning public health nursing resources, the service can provide better continuity of care, while ensuring that those with greatest clinical need continue to be seen in the community. The HSE...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government’s vision for water services, whether publicly supplied by Uisce Éireann or otherwise delivered under the rural water programme, is set out in the water services policy statement 2018 to 2025. It is based on the delivery and development of water services in line with the needs and expectations of citizens and users, in compliance with legal obligations, in a fair...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and accept the comments made by Deputies Collins, Smith and Ó Snodaigh regarding this important issue. We all agree that public health nurses play an extremely valuable role in the community healthcare system, providing an extensive range of services vital to local communities across the country, including in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has raised an important issue. The number of 28 estates in County Monaghan is significant. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2020 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Water and wastewater connection issues are a matter for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The point the Senator raised regarding developer-led infrastructure is a useful one and we will relay it to Uisce Éireann. There is a separate scheme for developer-led infrastructure, but looking at trying to put a focused effort on that into the works programme for the coming years would be useful. Uisce Éireann has developed a site resolution plan with Monaghan County Council,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions. I welcome the guests to the Public Gallery and thank for their interaction in respect of this important Bill. Before I give the official response, a few points were raised by Senators Boyhan, Clonan and Higgins with regard to the protection of heritage. I will not go into the specifics of the McKee Barracks case. It is an issue. It is built...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator always speaks with great passion about these issues, and he is to be commended. What I have done by way of a response is to give assurance to the House, the Senator and those who are following this that the objectives in the Valletta Convention are being adhered to in the Bill. The protections to which the Senator has referred, in terms of archaeological heritage, will be given...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I come back in specifically on amendment No. 2, if it would be of use to Senators, we could circulate a document in tabular form outlining the measures in the Bill and how it adheres to the objectives in the Valletta Convention. It may be useful in light of the genuine concerns of Senators. We can prepare that and send it to Senators. I think that would be of help. Specifically...