Results 2,581-2,600 of 4,810 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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.

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...