Results 381-400 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. As part of the combined response to the discovery of oiled seabirds off the South-East coast, officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is part of my Department, have been liaising with the coastguard and the relevant local authorities in relation to both the response to and investigation into this pollution...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand that the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are investigating the alleged use of squirrel traps at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin. The grey squirrel is an invasive alien species which was first brought into Ireland in 1911. It quickly established itself in the midlands and went on to expand across the entire eastern half of the country. This in turn led to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There are large numbers of feral goats (Capra hircus) across Ireland with newly escaped/released animals joining existing herds on a regular basis. There does not appear to be justification for the extension of protected status to feral goats under the Wildlife Act at this time. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is undertaking a project to review and update...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The meeting was monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regional staff and they confirmed that one hare had to be put down by the vet on day two of the Johnstown and Urlingford coursing meeting in December 2023, as a result of an injury sustained during the transfer of the hares that morning into boxes prior to the coursing event.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has a mandate to protect important sites in Ireland for nature and biodiversity, in accordance with national and international legal obligations and in the public interest. The site in question forms an important part of Ireland’s newest National Park and our first marine National Park; Páirc Náisiúnta na...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Sport and Recreational Development (14 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I can confirm that an application for a licence to excavate at the site referenced was received in my Department on 26 April. On the same date, and in line with standard procedures, this application was sent to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) for any necessary observations. The NMI has up to two weeks to provide observations on receipt of which my Department will proceed to process...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (14 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The definition of “monument” for the purposes of the National Monuments Act 1930 is not in fact date limited. The definition of “national monument” as set out in section 2 of the Act of 1930, contains an automatic carry forward of anything which was an “ancient monument” for the purposes of the Ancient Monuments Protection Acts 1882 to 1910 (which...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Griffin for his continued support for this initiative. He is correct that the purchase of Inch Strand by the NPWS on behalf of the State now forms part of the new Páirc Náísiúnta na Mara, along with Derrynane, Conor Pass, Owenmore and Sceilg Mhichíl. The marine national park is a really important and wonderful initiative by the State. At the...

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

Malcolm Noonan: That was a disingenuous comment.

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

Malcolm Noonan: That was a disingenuous comment by Deputy Guirke. I will follow this up with the National Monuments Service, liaise with the OPW on this matter and revert to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Licences (9 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Work is ongoing on the new elicensing system referred to. It will be available in the coming weeks. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has been in contact with the main stakeholders, and once the system is live details will be published on the NPWS website and normal social media channels. In relation to any GDPR concerns raised, as per the Regulations, it...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Basking Shark was added as an animal to which Section 23 of the Wildlife Act 1976 applies under Statutory Instrument No. 485/2022, making it a “protected wild animal”. This makes it an offence to hunt, injure (unless under licence) or wilfully interfere with the breeding or resting place of this species. Tour operators or individuals who seek to photograph or research this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is the Navigation Authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development and promotion of over 1000 km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes. There are eight navigations within this remit, of which the Barrow is one. Waterways Ireland carries out an extensive programme of maintenance works on the Barrow including, inter-alia,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 264, inclusive, together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme is a means to engage with farmers and landowners to enhance nature on their land, through encouragement, advice and financial supports. A total of 372 farm plans were active over the course of 2023, with a total number of 24 planners. However, some farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Post Office Network (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department, through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), has responsibility for supporting and promoting our built heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. However, my Department does not acquire individual protected structures for conservation purposes, both because of the limited resources available and because, in line with the Planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand that the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for this property, continues to engage with all stakeholders with the aim of resolving issues surrounding Castletown House by agreement.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (8 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I have contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department and I note a previous response was issued in 2021 in relation to this incident. I have asked the National Monuments Service to contact the querist directly and he will be in touch in the coming days.

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Road Network (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat, Seanadóir Ó Gallchóir, as an gceist ábhartha seo. I understand that the Senator’s question is on the provision of additional emergency State funding to local authorities to undertake repair and upgrade works on the local and regional road network in light of excessive rainfall in recent months and other climate change factors. Some of the...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Road Network (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will, absolutely. As I stated at the outset, however, it is the function of the individual local authority to prioritise the funding and where the allocation goes, and to work with the Department in respect of particularly unforeseen circumstances such as the weather events we have spoken about and in terms of road repair or maintenance that could be impacted by the severe weather or...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I had a wonderful visit to Howth portal tomb recently. Also known as Aideen’s Grave, it dates from the Neolithic period and is a recorded monument situated in the Howth demesne townland. Within a peninsula of great historical, archaeological and amenity importance, it is an important landmark. As a recorded monument, Aideen’s Grave...