Results 1,301-1,320 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The current process is a revision and a review is a much more fundamental in-depth process. Again, the fact is that one has a ten-year NPF, the census is non-aligned with that and will never be aligned.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It may not be needed after every census.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes. It certainly can be examined after each census but in what has been set out, with the procedure for the review and the public engagement, there are so many additional elements to that which are also significant. I certainly see the point the Deputy is making but there are provisions in there to ensure that it is a fluid process and is able to keep up with changing trends and...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As a ten-year strategic plan, it gives consideration to demographic trends and future projections, as well as having an element of flexibility around reviews. As I said in response to Deputy Ó Broin, because of the sequencing of the census periods as relating to the NPF periods, they are never going to align. It is important, therefore, that an opportunity be there to review it in that...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, under the procedures for review, quite an expansive and participatory process is required at least every ten years, but it will be possible to review it more frequently taking into account census population changes. As Deputy Ó Broin pointed out, we have had a substantial population increase coupled with substantial inward migration over recent years. Those changes are...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, that is to ensure we will have all the census data. We will get the preliminary census data but, to paint a full picture and properly inform the national planning framework, we will need all the census data.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, it was just a drafting decision.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The quarries are already covered under the existing provision. This section relates to any outstanding enforcement proceedings relating to quarrying activity.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It will ensure the review will be carried out every ten years. The section on the national planning framework provides that the national planning framework in effect at any time must plan for a period of more than ten years and not more than 20 years. It will modify section 20(c) of the Act to link the review of the national planning framework to the census results. The first review shall...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Bill also states in section 20(3) that: “Each ... review [should] be completed before the expiry of a period of 2 years, which period shall begin on the second occurrence of a census of population...”. Section 20 (4) also states: “Without prejudice to the requirement in subsection (3), the Government may review the National Planning Framework before the expiry of...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes. That is okay.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Boylan for raising the issue and providing me with the opportunity to update the Seanad on the steps my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, is taking with regard to this important matter. The building regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Certainly, we are not waiting for the EU. It is worth reiterating that the building regulations are performance-based and technology and material neutral. These regulations are subject to ongoing review in the interests of the safety and well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (27 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The case study she has presented is obviously challenging for the family involved. A key priority for the Government is that everybody should have access to sustainable and good quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and located close to essential services, offering a high quality of life....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Schemes (27 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Certainly I will take this back to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I will speak to him personally about it. If all parties are in agreement, it is important to engage proactively on the ground with the AHB and the Housing Agency to try to get this matter resolved as quickly as possible. On the suggestion about having a person allocated, I am not sure about that but certainly I can...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes.