Results 4,281-4,300 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 2 or 3. Sections 8 to 11, inclusive, refer to sections 177, 177Y, 177AB and 177AC of the Act of 2000. As stated in my opening address, Part XAB of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for consultation by the primary Minister under the Act, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and...

Seanad: Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address that concern. Certainly, as I stated, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, will continue to be consulted. It is important that those checks and balances are there and I give my assurance. The NPWS may be on a different statutory footing following the review process, but for now there are important checks and balances in place. I give that assurance to Senator...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 to 234, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Yellowhammer is a Red-listed species in Ireland due to significant range declines (-57% since 1968-72) with the species now largely restricted to eastern and southern counties. However, more recent population trends for 1998-2016 (as indicated by the Countryside Bird Survey) are showing a stable population trend (+4%). One of the most important measures to protect Yellowhammer is the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, I have established a working group to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have neither statutory nor Ministerial responsibility for the harvesting of peat for use in horticulture. However, to assist in addressing the question of horticultural peat extraction, in particular, for use within the horticultural sector in Ireland, I established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 398 and 399 of 18 May 2021 which set out in detail my Department's engagement with, and advice and supports to, relevant local bodies in relation to the ongoing review of the current UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. That reply also clarified that the closing date for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (20 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are three species of deer recorded as occurring in Ireland; these are red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. A fourth species, muntjac deer, has been reported from the wild on a number of occasions, but my Department does not have evidence that this invasive species of deer has established itself in the wild in Ireland. No national census of deer populations has been carried out to...

Water and Wastewater Treatment Services: Motion [Private Members] (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Acting Chairman and I wish her all the best in her role. It is great to see a constituency colleague taking the Chair. I will address some of the issues raised since I took over this part of the debate. Deputies Sherlock, Whitmore and Cairns commented regarding specific deficits in Mitchelstown, Arklow and Kinsale. Those points are noted. Deputies Connolly and Bríd...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Council (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110 and 115 together. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006 and operated under a contract between the Council and a private company subsidiary of a UK entity. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the Heritage Council, to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (19 May 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. These discussions primarily relate to the scope and timing of the assembly.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The collection of data relating to biodiversity and nature underpins much of the work of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, particularly its Scientific Unit. This work is formally set out in Objective 2 of the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 - 2021: to strengthen the knowledge base for conservation, management and sustainable use of biodiversity. The interim review...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (19 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Local authorities across the country carry out vital work in promoting, safeguarding and restoring biodiversity. However, monitoring, reporting and management of data on this work in individual local authority areas is a matter for each Council. The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department provides funding to assist local...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Tá.

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I thank Deputy Ó Broin and Sinn Féin for tabling the motion. Deputy Ó Broin continues to bring constructive ideas to the housing debate. This evening's discussion has been useful. I will start by addressing some of the points I have listened to since I took over on this side of the debate. Deputy Verona Murphy and others...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Commercial Rates (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Like the Senator, I strongly believe in strong and well-funded local government, having spent 16 years of my public life as a member of a local authority. The issue he has raised is important. As he will be aware, local authorities are legally obliged to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. Indeed, commercial rates are the single greatest source of income for local...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Commercial Rates (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has our commitment that we will bring forward the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019, recognising the need for change. I reiterate that not all local authorities are as reliant on rates revenue as others. In Fingal, for instance, it accounts for 51%, whereas in a county such as Leitrim, it is about 16%, so there is considerable disparity. It is important that we...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The final meetings of the inter-departmental group to review the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan took place last week. A number of revisions are now being made to the draft Plan to reflect the outcome of discussions at these meetings. Once the final draft Plan has been revised, and agreed by the group, a publication date will be decided on.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (18 May 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 77 on 5 May 2021. My Department has provided the administrative and logistical supports required to facilitate the operation and deliberations of the Moore Street Advisory Group and its predecessor. My Department has engaged as necessary with relevant parties in that context and also in the course of its role in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (18 May 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...