Results 2,921-2,940 of 4,810 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: It is complex, as the Senator will be aware. It is important that we get this right. These are a complex set of issues that have arisen as a result of it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, wants to ensure the set of recommendations that come forward from the interdepartmental and agency working group will assist him in making the correct decisions to move this forward in as quickly a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (10 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Electoral Reform Act 2022, enacted on 25 July, delivers the legislative underpinning for a range of significant electoral reforms set out in the “Programme for Government – Our Shared Future”. Provisions commenced on 13 October under S.I. No. 512 of 2022, included those provisions necessary for the introduction of the new processes in relation to electoral...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (10 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the Deputy’s interest in the protection of our archaeological heritage. I can assure him that my Department is aware of the important discovery he refers to and an officer of my Department has inspected it. I understand that the site has now been covered over and fenced off under professional archaeological supervision, with this having been done by the owners or person...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (10 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: EU Member states are required to designate areas as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect a variety of habitats and species under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) .This Directive is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011). The designation of SAC sites under the Directive is a formal, legal...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to amendments Nos. 7 and 9 together as they concern the referendum on the public ownership of water infrastructure. Before I do, I will address some of the points raised by the Deputies in terms of the referendum. I share the concerns of Deputy Mattie McGrath in terms of the Shannon project but that is not being addressed here today. From an ecological perspective, I...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(4) The following provisions of the Act of 2017 are repealed: (a) sections 44(1) and 53; (b) sections 42, 43, 44 (in so far as it is not repealed by paragraph (a)), 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52.”. The Water Advisory Body was established by the Water Services Act 2017 with...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “(5) Notwithstanding the repeal of sections 44(1)(b) and 53 of the Act of 2017 by subsection (4)(a), the Water Advisory Body shall prepare a report under section 44(1)(b) and an annual report under section 53, as modified bysection 28, for the period ending on 31 December 2022.”. These...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, the Water Advisory Body has played an important role. Deputy Ó Broin mentioned NGOs' participation. Again, we are talking about advisory in terms of oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the EPA and now the Committee of Public Accounts, which is directly accountable to the Oireachtas. In terms of consultation, the Department has engaged with the Water...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Water Advisory Body has advised that it is important that Uisce Éireann is held to account on the quality of its customer service and experience. Given the oversight not just of the Committee of Public Accounts but also the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, there is an opportunity to bring a body to that forum for wider discussion on the efficacy,...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: " "Act of 2017” means the Water Services Act 2017;". These seven amendments are technical amendments to facilitate the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body and remove any consequential matters such as the provision of grants to the Water Advisory Body. A typographical error is also...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “ “dissolution day” means the day appointed by order under section 27;”.

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, line 3, to delete “2013.” and substitute the following: “2013; “Water Advisory Body” means the body established by section 43(1) of the Act of 2017.”.

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 13, after “Éireann;” to insert “to provide for the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body;”. Amendments Nos. 1 and 11 are necessary to provide for the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body. Amendment No. 1 provides for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make an order appointing a...

Water Policy: Statements (9 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, agus fáilte ar ais. I also welcome the ex-servicemen from the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, ONE. My dad was a proud serviceman in the Defence Forces for 37 years, so the ex-servicemen are very welcome. I welcome this opportunity to address the House on water policy, which is a key strategic priority for the Government. The...

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome this opportunity to update Members of the House on the progress made in the time since the publication of Housing for All. It is 14 months since the plan was published and although the landscape and environment in which we are operating is ever-changing, real progress has been made. It is important to take stock of this progress and today is the perfect opportunity to do so. We...

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all the Senators for their contributions, notwithstanding some unparliamentary language. I will make a general comment on the points raised by Senators before I sum up. On the general comment made by Senator Buttimer in his closing speech, I do not think we will get anywhere by revisionism or the blame game and it is critically important we work collectively to try to achieve these...

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Many things have changed in the 14 months since the initial launch of Housing for All.A lot of these changes were anticipated but a number have arisen that were not and some of these could not be fully predicted with the level of inflation and the extent of supply chain issues being two such examples. Again, these issues have been raised by some Senators here this evening. Like all good...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is assessing the situation in terms in terms of the significant works that will be required and the potential requirement for a planning application to be submitted. My officials will liaise with the club concerned in that regard.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The number of applications received by my Department for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificates and permits in 2021 and, so far, in 2022 is set out in the Table below. Table: Data on Irish CITES applications 2021 & 2022 2021 2022 (to end of October) Total CITES...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am very aware of the concern expressed by owners of thatched properties in relation to their difficulties with insurance. Under Action 6 of the strategy for built vernacular heritage, A Living Tradition, launched in December 2021, my Department has undertaken to “investigate and work to resolve the urgent issue of affordability of insurance for thatched buildings”, as well as...