Results 3,101-3,120 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The onus on and responsibility of political parties in that regard are critical in order that people who want to look up a political party or are interested in joining one are able to clearly see on the party's website its guiding principles, founding principles, etc. All political parties should adhere to that. I thank Senators Moynihan, Hoey, Sherlock and Wall for the proposed amendments...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The friary at the referenced site is a national monument in the care and ownership of the local authority. My Department is liaising with the local authority over the condition of the monument to give archaeological advice regarding its care. The local authority would be eligible to apply for funding for conservation and repair of the friary under the 2023 Community Monuments Fund which is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to a broad range of electoral reforms including the modernisation of voter registration.   The Electoral Reform Bill provides the legislative underpinning for the modernisation among other things, including the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission.  The Bill is currently making its way...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Wild Bird Declarations were extended by a period of three months to allow for the completion of the review of submissions received as part of the public consultation process, the receipt of legal advice and other internal discussions in relation to species included in the Declarations. My Department is committed to carrying out a review of all the species on the Declaration list...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future - includes a number of commitments on electoral reform including the establishment of an independent, statutory Electoral Commission.  These commitments are currently being prioritised by way of the Electoral Reform Bill 2022. The Electoral Reform Bill 2022, which is currently progressing through the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The introduction of mandatory certification training for first time deer hunters came as a recommendation from the original Irish Deer Management Forum in 2018 for reasons of health & safety. Since then, a standard training course syllabus was published by my Department and three course providers were subsequently approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS),...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The use of detection devices under the proposed Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill will largely mirror the system currently in place under the National Monument Acts whereby the use of a detection device to search for or collect archaeological objects is permitted under and in accordance with a licence. The existing provisions are essential for the continued protection of our...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: 879. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue of an organisation (details supplied) being unable to locate an appropriate premises to accommodate its much-needed outreach service; the consequent overspill to its day service centre and the negative effect of this on its capacity for intake of new individuals; the actions that he will take regarding same; and...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Government amendment No. 1 in Dáil Éireann to amendment No. 48 from Seanad Éireann is moved to correct a typographical error in the new section 97 of the Bill. A technical reference to the Act of 2004, which is the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, is substituted in place of an incorrect reference to the Act of 2003.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As Senators are aware, informed decision-making is at the heart of the democratic process and it is crucial for meaningful exercise of the right to vote. When voters are misinformed they may choose a candidate or vote in favour of a constitutional change in violation of their true preferences. Behaviours that interfere with informed decision-making can remove accountability from electoral...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Acting Chairperson. With regard to the queries of Senator Kyne, it relates to the period. It is either the period set by the commission or the three months prior to the last date for an election. I think that explains it. It is restricted to an electoral period as the electoral commission is regulating it. It relates specifically to the electoral period of which the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Specifically on the point in respect of public consultation, recommendation No. 39 that came from the pre-legislative scrutiny arose out of engagement. There was extensive engagement.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Is the Senator referring to amendment No. 1, relating to the electoral period?

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The definition of the election campaign period is here. It is such period, including an electoral period, as may be prescribed by the commission by order from time to time and in relation to any election or referendum commencing on a date before an impending election or referendum, and ending on polling day at the time at which the polls close, which dates shall be set out in the notice...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Extensive public consultation took place at the PLS stage. I think that the Oireachtas joint committee went above and beyond in its efforts to engage with civil society organisations. It was an important part of that process and the recommendation around these measures came specifically from the PLS report.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Does the Senator mean political advertisements that are not related to an election?

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, it is down to the commission to determine that. If the political advertisement is not related to a specific election or referendum period, then I think that it falls outside the scope of this provision.

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Senator Kyne expressed his concern about the protection of political parties. The overall thrust of this Bill is to protect the integrity of the electoral system, including political parties. The Bill seeks to support political parties to be in a space where they can be active and campaign in a manner that is appropriate while allowing them the space to campaign on their issues specifically...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I support what both of the Senators said. I reiterate that this provision is not about legitimate forms of advertising. It is about disinformation and misinformation specifically during an election period. A complementary piece of work is being done on the online space. In terms of a broader approach to the establishment of the commission, and the commission's role in strengthening the...

Seanad: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I respond to the proposed amendments, I will make a general point. Throughout the course of this Bill the Government has made great efforts to ensure that, in the establishment of this commission, its core work will be on public participation and inclusion. Certainly, during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase, the range of organisations that came in, spoke about and contributed to...