Results 341-360 of 4,903 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 157 updates the definition of "Chapter 4 development” in section 82. As currently written, Chapter 4 development relates to development outside an urban development zone, UDZ, only. This has the effect that large scale infrastructure projects located in a UDZ would go to the planning authority for approval. This amendment removes the limitation on Chapter 4 development...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Allow me to explain.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, the Government has adopted a policy-based approach in respect of LNG which allows it to carefully consider the implications of any measures that could interfere with either our energy or economic security. The Taoiseach announced in September 2019 that future exploration licences would be awarded for natural gas only. The energy security review published in April 2023 recommended...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: To reiterate what I said earlier, the amendment does not introduce anything new. It is aligning the definition of-----

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I referenced the energy security package the Minister, Deputy Ryan, spoke to last week. This concerns the consideration of the development of a State-owned LNG facility. It is not a very different proposal from a commercial LNG facility. Any such process will still have to go through public engagement through An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is a timeline for decision making, full...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will start with Opposition amendments Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, 177 to 179, inclusive, 184, 185 and 187. Amendments No. 170 and 172 seek to include reference to obligations under the climate Act into section 86, which sets out the matters to which the planning authority or commission shall have regard in considering an application. I cannot accept these amendments, as I have tabled my...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am nearly there.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 53 introduces a definition for "transport infrastructure" to section 17 and broadens the term "public transport" to include a reference to infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Amendments Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, amend section 18. The section currently provides that where Part 3 requires publication of a notice stating that a matter will be made available for public...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address amendments Nos. 57 to 69, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 71, 72 and 74, as tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn; and amendment No. 70, tabled by Senators Boyhan and McDowell. This group of amendments relate to Chapter 2 of Part 3 and the national planning framework. As the Senators will be aware, the Bill provides that the NPF will continue to spearhead the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The conservation advice grant scheme funds two thirds of the cost of hiring an expert conservation professional, up to a maximum of €5,000 to advise on the repairs necessary to bring vacant traditional buildings back into residential use. It is expected that many grant recipients will go on to avail of the vacant property refurbishment grant to help pay for the costs of the works....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. It covers two thirds of the cost of hiring the conservation professional, but that advice could be critical in saving a building and ensuring that the right approach is taken. Certainly, over the longer term, it will ultimately save the owner money. There is a huge amount of traditional conservation expertise out there. We have a lack of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy in relation to this. There is no doubt the opportunities that lie out there are immense. A couple I know in Kilkenny was going to put a bulldozer to one these buildings until the grant scheme came into place and they are now delighted that they have renovated it. I want to see more families doing that. I want to see more people doing that,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Marine Protected Areas (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Deputies that there is no lack of political will. It is our utmost priority. I appreciate the support from the committee and across the House. That is not to say there is any conflict between offshore renewables and marine biodiversity. As I said, the ecological sensitivity analyses have been conducted for the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea. They will continue to inform...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Marine Protected Areas (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As an island nation, our seas and our ocean are crucial for Ireland, supporting our economy, international trade, our energy supply and communications systems, as well as our climate, environment, cultural traditions, heritage, health and wellbeing. The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 sets the underpinning process for planning, consenting and regulation of certain maritime activities and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Marine Protected Areas (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct in saying that we have moved from 2.4% at the outset of this Government to 10% of waters under strict protection as special protection areas, SPAs, for marine birds, including the east coast and the seas off Wexford, which is the largest SPA in the history of the State. I have established a marine advisory group, which is a high-level scientific group, which has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I note the comments made by Deputy Wynne. On the figures I have for Cork city and county, Cork county has 747 applications received for the vacant property refurbishment grant, with 478 approved and 76 rejected, and 26 grants have been paid out on completion of works. The figures for Clare are 401 received, 234 approved, 31 rejected and 16 paid out on completion of works. Again, I wish...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 , 66 and 110 together. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. The vacant homes action plan, which was published in January 2023, built on pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. Earlier this year, the Minister published an update on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The GeoDirectory database for quarter 2 2024 classifies 82,031 dwellings as vacant on a national vacancy rate of 3.9%. This remains a record low. The report showed that vacancy rates had decreased in 19 counties. The database published worrying figures for commercial vacancy. There are crisis levels of vacancy in many towns and villages across the country. In County Sligo, it is 20.5%;...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Gearagh is primarily owned and managed by the ESB and enjoys extensive legal protections as a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a designated Nature Reserve. The publication of a management plan for the site is a matter for the ESB. However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has contributed extensively as a stakeholder to the ESB's proposed management...