Results 4,141-4,160 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department, and is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.  Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not have a funding mechanism for such a proposal, nor do I have plans before me in regards to this centre proposal. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). This year 562 heritage projects across every county in the country were allocated funding from a combined...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised a significant issue. The review of income thresholds is under way. Within the frame of that it is important the issues raised this morning be given consideration. I apologise again to the Deputy; perhaps the question did not frame exactly the response he sought but there could be a follow-up with the Department. I urge him to make this representation through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The best place to deal with this is through the review process. Go raibh maith agat.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for tabling this matter, although the response may not exactly be on topic in terms of the specific issue he has raised. Applications for social housing supports are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to the modernisation of the electoral registration process. This includes the introduction of rolling registration; the simplification of forms and processes; the use of PPSNs in the registration process; as well as the gradual roll-out of an online option for registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and allowing me the opportunity to outline the position in respect of Irish Water’s responsibility on this matter. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and waste water services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Ellis raised important points, particularly about sending out notifications and effective communication. Those points are important for Irish Water to take on board. The Water Services Acts place specific responsibilities on the Minister and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including responsibility for matters relevant to water policy, funding and in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, An Garda Síochána has made clear that the overwhelming majority of owners of licensed premises have behaved responsibly and those who continue to behave responsibly in controlling their premises should have nothing to worry about. A tiny minority of pubs have been serving alcohol to those seated outside agreed areas, and clearly that will be the focus of any Garda...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I again thank both Deputies for raising this matter. It is vitally important and they have brought forward very serious crime issues in the area that we need to tackle. I assure them that community safety is a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána, as evidenced by the Government's unprecedented Garda provision for 2021. In tandem...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Ó Cuív, O'Reilly and Connolly for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to address it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. Following public health guidance, Government policy is to have a gradual reopening of the hospitality sector, beginning with outdoor hospitality, before a decision is taken on resuming indoor service in a few weeks....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution of members of the Garda throughout the State. The Minister for Justice has no role in these independent functions. The determination of the need for the development of a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the position regarding rail freight into Dublin Port on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. The Minister and the Minister of State strongly believe in the potential of rail freight and think it can play a bigger role in freight transport generally on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, the Department worked with the ports and shipping companies to ensure sufficient capacity and connectivity to facilitate the movement of goods in and out of Ireland. Significant Government investment has gone into the customs, agriculture and immigration inspection facilities necessary since 1 January 2021. There has been a remarkable response...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 13 of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014) refers to the obligation of Member States to establish action plans on the pathways of invasive alien species of Union concern and to communicate these plans to the European Commission. Work is underway in my Department on three priority pathway action plans. Two of these plans - relating to angling and to boat users -...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman and members for their invitation to appear before them again this afternoon. I also thank the committee for the detailed consideration it has given the general scheme of the electoral reform Bill. The Chairman outlined some of the groups and organisations that have appeared before the committee. I must say, it has been very impressive and I have followed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman. I will try to get through these quickly and the officials might come in on any specific items. On Deputy McAuliffe's point around education and participation, we absolutely see this as a critical and evolving role. We are clear that the commission, once established later this year, will build its functions and role over time. That is connected to the Vote and the...