Results 301-320 of 4,903 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department receive and consider applications for derogations pursuant to and accordance with regulation 54 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. There is currently no provision made for public consultation pertaining to the consideration of applications for a derogation under Regulation 54 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Impact Assessments (15 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: An Bord Pleanála is the competent authority for offshore wind developments, while the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of offshore development. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is a statutory consultee on those developments. My Department has established a system of strict protection for marine mammals and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: In order to fulfil reporting requirements set out by the European Commission, every two years, my Department submits reports outlining derogations issued under Article 16 of the Habitats Directive. SI 293 of 2021 - European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 inserted Regulation 54A into the Birds and Habitats Regulation 2011. This sets down that “where...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (15 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 368, 369, 370 and 371 together. The EU Directive on the Conservation of Habitats, Flora and Fauna (92/43/EEC), commonly known as “the Habitats Directive” requires Member States to select sites, for the protection of habitats and species which are considered threatened in the EU territory and listed on the Annexes to the Directive. Annex I of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 38828/24 of 1st October 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Earlier this year, Mr Teddy Cashman was appointed as Chair of the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum. A series of bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders was held during the summer. I welcomed delegates to the first full Forum meeting of all relevant stakeholders, which took place on the 8 October 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department received €62.25m in capital and current funding from the Exchequer in 2024 to protect biodiversity. I have secured a budget provision of €78.1m in Exchequer funding for 2025. This excludes Shared Island and Just Transition Funding. The entire budget of...

Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Related Products Bill 2024: First Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That is an urgent situation. We will engage with Uisce Éireann. I know the Deputy has raised this issue on a number of occasions. We will engage with Uisce Éireann and get back to the Deputy with a reply as a matter of urgency.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am conscious the Deputy has raised this matter on a few occasions. Clean drinking water is an absolute human right that everyone should have an entitlement to. We will engage with Uisce Éireann on this. I met with Uisce Éireann recently about the upgrade of the Kilkenny regional water supply scheme and the commitment has been given by Government, both in the budget and in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely, and that upgrade is on the list.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We will follow that up with Uisce Éireann.

Planning and Development (An Taisce) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes, leis an Teachta Steven Matthews. Tógfaidh mé seacht nóiméad. Go raibh maith agat. I will respond briefly to some of the points raised by Deputies. I thank them for all the contributions. A lot of points were raised about depopulation, bánú, including by Deputy Connolly. As regards the whole issue of our towns and villages being hollowed out and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Details of funding paid for bird surveys commissioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service from 2022 to the present date are provided below. Some of these contracts are multifaceted and additional elements of conservation management work – e.g. wardening, data analysis, etc. – may be included as components. Contract Service Provider 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the national programme for monitoring population trends of wintering waterbirds and the habitats they use. The survey has been running for over 25 years, covering around 250 sites and 750 subsites per annum across the country. The I-WeBS surveys are completed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), by professional staff of the survey...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Biodiversity Officers have been appointed by 28 local authorities. Funding from my Department, administered by the Heritage Council, provides a part subvention for 27 of these through the Heritage Council Biodiversity Officer Programme. Expenditure on salary and expenses by the Heritage Council for these Biodiversity Officers is expected to be €1.5 million by year end. In addition, 22...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Schemes (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 116 together. My Department, through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), provides direct financial assistance for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has established two new National Parks in the time period specified Brú na Bóinne National Park, Co. Meath in 2023 Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí in 2024.The aggregate cost involved, primarily in land purchase costs, was of the order of €23m.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (8 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. I will come back on some of the points that have been raised since I took over duty for the debate. Many of the points that have been raised did not relate to the content of the Bill. Deputy Michael Collins raised issues about rural housing, rural planning infrastructure and the Bantry floods. The Government notes the concerns of the...