Results 4,521-4,540 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Conversation Issues (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that a decision will issue in this case imminently.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Postal Voting (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including: - Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners, - whole-time members of the Defence Forces, - members of An Garda Síochána, - electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability, - certain election staff...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a broad range of electoral reforms including a commitment to establish an independent, statutory Electoral Commission by the end of 2021. The Programme also contains a specific commitment to "Examine the Scottish experience of reducing the voting age to 17, in order to draw conclusions" within the lifetime of the current Dáil....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under Part II of the Electoral Act 1992, every person is entitled to be entered on the register of electors if that person: - has reached the age of 18 years, and - is ordinarily resident in a constituency in the State. Subject to the age and residency requirements, a registered elector’s citizenship then determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. Irish citizens...

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

Malcolm Noonan: It is proposed to establish this dedicated Unit during 2021. Details in relation to staffing resources and funding will be determined as soon as possible.

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

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural and archaeological heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning Acts and the National Monuments Acts, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. With regard to the safeguarding of protected structures, Part IV of the Planning and Development Act...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is currently fine-tuning the drafting of a new National Policy on Architecture which will support long–term planning strategies and will assist in addressing key issues including societal well-being, climate change and urban regeneration. The adaptation of existing as well as the design of new buildings will, of course, be critical to meet the targets set by the Climate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. As explained in my response to PQ 35989/20 in November 2020 I have decided that the review should be headed by an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas. While a review of these sites is foreseen, it is not on my immediate priority framework. 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. the 600 special areas of conservation and special protection areas. The proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Protection Enforcement (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department, through its National Parks and Wildlife Service, is the lead authority for development and coordination of biodiversity policy in the State. This includes fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under a range of international agreements and conventions on nature. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), underpins much of global biodiversity policy and its 15th...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My position has not changed since the Deputy asked the question in July. Ireland's 6 National Parks are managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Accordingly, all National Parks in Ireland are fully owned and managed by the State. In 2017 the partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Regional Management Staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Section of my Department oversee the protection of our natural heritage on an ongoing basis in line with their functions under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. A new Wildlife Crime Unit will be established in the National Parks and Wildlife Service this year and this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: While primary responsibility for convening of the assemblies rests with Department of the Taoiseach, the convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department. These discussions primarily relate to the scope and timing of the assembly.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Harbours and Piers (20 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Coliemore Harbour is a recorded monument and is therefore protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2020. As required under those Acts, my Department's National Monuments Service (NMS) has been notified by the local authority of its proposals for investigations and repair of a collapse of the bedrock supporting a footpath leading to the southern jetty. NMS is liaising with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer the Deputy to our earlier reply on this matter. My Department has no immediate plans to re-survey Lough Funshinagh. However I am also considering correspondence received from Deputy Naughten in the past two days. I understand that the Geological Survey of Ireland have been monitoring water levels on Lough Funshinagh since 2016, and that they have indicated...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (13 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is one of two capital funding schemes for built heritage run by my Department. It is administered by the local authorities and funds hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive works at protected structures across the country, carried out by skilled heritage craftspeople, every year. The allocation for the BHIS in 2021 is €3 million....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Shared Island Unit (13 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Nichola Mallon, MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, shares with Minister Darragh O'Brien and myself a commitment to North South Cooperation in a tangible way. Officials from both my Department and the Department for Infrastructure, continue to co-operate effectively and communicate on a frequent basis on all matters concerning Waterways Ireland. On November 11 2020, I attended the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (13 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by my Department provides funding to assist local authority biodiversity officers, or heritage officers in local authorities without a biodiversity officer, with the implementation of projects that promote actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. The current National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP),...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Commission (13 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to having an Electoral Commission in place by the end of 2021.  On 15 December 2020 the Government approved the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill which, inter alia, provides for the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission. The General Scheme has been published and sent to the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Control (13 Jan 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The current declarations allowing for the control of certain wild bird species are due to expire on 30 April 2021. The effects of the declarations are to allow the control of certain wild bird species by landowners or their agents where these species are causing serious damage to crops, livestock, fauna or where they represent a threat to public health, throughout the State. A separate...