Results 4,041-4,060 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (21 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an gcoiste. I thank the committee for its time this afternoon. Peatlands have been one of the most abiding features of the Irish landscape since the last ice age. They cover a large area of the land surface, occurring as raised bogs, blanket bogs and fens. Peatlands have a key biodiversity value and provide a range of ecosystem services....

Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Referral to Select Committee (16 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the comments by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, on this important legislation and note his remarks on the need to put citizens at the heart of the process and ensure we meet our climate action goals, in a way that does not undermine our environmental protection obligations. That is exactly what the Government is doing. I strongly disagree with the narrative...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (16 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The annual State wide Wild Birds Declaration was signed on 30 April 2021 in compliance with the EU Birds Directive. The wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is listed in Annex II, Part A of the Birds Directive.  Owing to their population level, geographical distribution and reproductive rate throughout the European Community, Article 8 of the Birds Directive permits bird species...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (16 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Biodiversity, including birdlife, is vulnerable to adverse impacts from many different pressures, including hunting. It is crucial for birdlife in Ireland that we fully understand how our practices and actions can cumulatively impact on the viability of vulnerable bird species.  The wild bird hunting season opened on September 1st and I am concerned at the potentially unsustainable...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (16 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage policy, will be launched in Q4 of 2021. Heritage Ireland 2030 will provide a strategy for the protection, conservation, promotion and management of Ireland’s heritage for the next decade and beyond. The plan has been drafted against the backdrop of increasing challenges - including those stemming from land-use change, climate change,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (15 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The decision to retitle this National Park is predicated upon the recent significant expansion in size of the park and the fact that some two-thirds of the area of the park is in fact outside of Ballycroy. The new name provides a clearer indication and reflection of the entire landscape, which fully represents this unique  area on an international platform with International Union...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (15 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) that I appointed earlier this year to assess the six applications to Ireland’s new Tentative List of World Heritage Properties is currently finalising its report and recommendations, and I anticipate receiving these in the coming weeks. Once I receive these recommendations, they will then be considered further by my Department and myself before any...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the increasingly hazardous conditions for cyclists on roads rural due to speeding from vehicles; the steps he will take to rectify the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the wearing of protective clothing and head gear when using bicycles, e-scooters and skateboards will be made mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Unit referred to was originally an information point for the Park. The National Park is now served by a world-class visitor centre at Killarney House, which forms a gateway experience to Killarney National Park. It seeks to educate and encourage exploration and participation, creating a link between the tangible and intangible heritage of the Park.  As previously...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Farm Plan Scheme, administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, is an important instrument that allows for proactive engagement with farmers in designated sites, to trial and deliver bespoke measures that support biodiversity. Plans delivered through the Scheme have been used to inform the development of national Agri-Environment Schemes under the Rural Development...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that the annual payment for 2021 under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme issued to the applicant referred to in the Deputy’s question on 31August 2021. Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year in order to facilitate applicants in the provision of fuel for the following winter period.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support 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 Investment Scheme (BHIS). The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376, 377 and 380 together. The EU Protected Habitats and Species Report is a key report produced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department as part of its work to protect Ireland’s biodiversity and natural heritage. The report draws on a very substantial body of scientific work led by NPWS in collaboration with external...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (9 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are currently 21 species on Ireland’s Open Seasons Order.  As outlined in NPWS’s 2019 Article 12 report, the conservation status of a number of species which are permitted to be hunted at certain times of the year under the Open Seasons Order is declining.    Of these 21 species, 7 are listed as Amber on the BOCCI list (Tufted Duck,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (27 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The ruined windmill at Vinegar Hill is in my guardianship as a national monument under the National Monuments Act 1930 and is managed by the Office of Public Works. The lands immediately surrounding the structure are in the ownership of Wexford County Council. The County Development Plan contains objectives specifically aimed at the protection of battlefield landscapes and their settings. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (27 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting or supply of horticultural peat. To assist in addressing the question of horticultural peat for domestic purposes, I have established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (27 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan has not been published. In June, the draft Plan was circulated to the Consultative Committee (comprising representatives from non-governmental organisations, academia and sectoral bodies) and their observations on the Plan sought. Once that input has been received and taken account of, the processes for a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (27 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 605, 606, 607 and 608 together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my Department undertake regular monitoring and surveys of breeding seabird colonies around Ireland in order to provide an evidence base to inform conservation management measures and decisions. I am aware of the preliminary work that was undertaken by the British...