Results 61-80 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (5 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department does not employ staff as qualified biologists and does not have such a grade or title of position. While there may be staff who have such qualifications, there are not specific biologist appointments within NPWS. My Department therefore would not hold a record of such qualifications.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (5 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Drogheda Boat wreck was discovered during the course of dredging works by the Port of Drogheda and the National Monuments Service (NMS) of my Department carried out a full excavation in 2007. The archaeological project was a collaborative one between NMS, the National Museum of Ireland and the Port of Drogheda. The remains are of a 16th-century clinker built coastal trader, almost fully...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Connolly. I will read the script I have been provided and then come back in with some other responses. I wrote to Deputy Connolly last week on foot of a question on policy or legislation to the Taoiseach. The supply of public water and provision of water services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann in the first instance. Uisce Éireann has statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will ask Uisce Éireann to investigate that. The tankering of sewerage is unacceptable in this day and age. We have a way forward here in terms of the longer-term plan. I mentioned the 2025-29 investment cycle in my response to Deputy Cairns. That will be critically important. We took questions from Deputy Connolly last night on housing development in Galway. This issue will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I have outlined the significant progress that has been made by Uisce Éireann in dealing with the deficits in Galway city and the wider area. I was not aware there were two siphons, as Deputy Connolly has said. My understanding from the response I gave the Deputy last week was that one had been addressed. We will ask Uisce Éireann.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We will ask Uisce Éireann to come back with a more comprehensive reply on that, if that is of assistance to the Deputy. The opportunity that is there in terms of the public consultation on future needs is really important. It is important that the 2025-29 capital investment cycle identifies the needs for the growth of the greater Galway area and ensures they are included in the capital...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We will request that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will do so. While I appreciate plans have been drawn up in the past, going back ten or 15 years, as I said the standards are such now and into the future, as the recast takes place, that the directive will be in force by the end of 2025. Member states will have to have it transposed by 2030, as far as I understand. That will create quite onerous targets in terms of not just tertiary but...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this critically important issue. The supply of public water and the provision of water services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann in the first instance. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. The Minister has no function regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has a long history of collaboration with academic institutions to support the delivery of its key functions. Strengthening links with research institutions is an objective of the NPWS Strategic Plan 2023-2025. NPWS is currently in discussions with a third level institution to develop, an approach to collaborative working to test and inform...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 12 of the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) requires Member States to report “on the implementation of national provisions taken under this Directive”. The reporting requirements and format are specifically set out by the European Environment Agency and accepted by the EU Member States at each reporting interval, including detailed guidance documents on how exactly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the national programme for monitoring population trends of wintering waterbirds. The I-WeBS programme began in 1993 and is one of Ireland’s longest running bird monitoring programmes. It provides comprehensive national coverage, across over 250 wetland sites, including extensive coverage within Ireland’s network of waterbird Special...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There is a large population of Teal (Anas crecca) that migrate to Ireland to ‘over-winter’ for the non-breeding period, and a relatively small population that breeds in Ireland and is considered resident. The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the national programme for monitoring population trends of wintering waterbirds and the habitats they use. The I-WeBS is delivered...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, use transboundary waters in a reasonable and equitable way and ensure their sustainable management. While Ireland intends to accede to the Convention, there is no agreed timetable to do so at this...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógail) - Other Questions (Resumed): Housing Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The intention and work of the Government is to end the dependency on HAP. A total of 16,000 families have transferred from HAP to permanent accommodation solutions. That is to be noted. The Government has built more social houses in the past four and a half years than in the past 50 years. I was a member of a local authority for 16 years. I remember distinctly during that time when a...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógail) - Other Questions (Resumed): Housing Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo. I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 , 67 and 69 together. Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for Government. Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Almost 12,000 new social homes were delivered in 2023, through build, acquisition and...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógail) - Other Questions (Resumed): Housing Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised the issue in Galway city on many occasions in the Dáil in recent years. Galway City Council is the housing authority and, through the ambition of the housing strategy, will be met with funding from Government. That has been the consistent approach we have taken with all local authorities. Considerable progress is being made in addressing homelessness,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógail) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defective Building Materials (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I see what the Deputy is saying. There have been a number of cases like this. Those cases are not uniform and every homeowner has different issues. As I said in the original response, the replication of the house is a like-for-like dwelling. However, given there are significant issues involving a young disabled child, I ask that the Deputy would bring the issues forward to the Department...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógail) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defective Building Materials (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, there is flexibility in terms of the footprint.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógail) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defective Building Materials (22 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: If the Deputy will furnish the details to the Department, we will look at it. That is the best way I can respond at this stage. As the Deputy said, there are serious considerations. No two cases are alike. Again, we would appreciate it if the Deputy could provide the details and we can then give consideration to it.