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

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (8 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is entering into a research agreement with a University for the undertaking of research on a number of topics. These include research into the estimation and mitigation of bird damage to crops and stock. The recruitment process is underway to fill the post-doctorate position and it is anticipated that this will conclude in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (8 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The detailed information requested in relation to external resources contracted by Waterways Ireland is not held in my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (3 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As Minister, I have no function in relation to famine graveyards. However, the National Monuments Service of my Department administers the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) through the local authorities and there may be eligible monuments in or near famine graveyards. The CMF invests in our valuable archaeological heritage and helps the owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Our built, natural, architectural and cultural heritages are an intrinsic part of who we are. They provided our lifeline during the Covid pandemic. This Government has invested like never before, making the greatest investment in the history of the State. We have had another record budget this year, which underscores our commitment. Our core heritage funding has increased by almost...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (2 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 129, 130 and 131 together. Article 12 of the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) requires Member States to report on the implementation of national provisions taken under the Directive, including specific reporting on status and trends of bird species. Ireland’s Article 12 reporting is informed by data, analyses, reports and publications from a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (2 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives in the context of existing Natura 2000 sites, i.e. Special Areas Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Whilst I welcome any measures that contribute to an improved condition of and habitat for Annexed species, at present there are no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (1 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: While my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for legislation and policy around invasive alien species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s rivers and streams together with 128,000 lake hectares. Pike has been present in Ireland for hundreds of years...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (1 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I have committed, in line with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Strategic Action Plan 2022-2024, to establishing a Stakeholder Forum which will meet in the coming months and which will include stakeholders with an interest in the policy areas under the remit of the NPWS. The Forum will adhere to the consultation principles set out in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (26 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: An Bord Pleanála is the consenting authority for offshore wind developments, while the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of offshore development. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is a statutory consultee on those developments. My Department has established a system of strict protection for marine mammals and the NPWS...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: If Senator Flynn wishes to speak that is okay.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Boyhan and Flynn for their contributions since I took over duty here. I want to reiterate the points around the rural housing guidelines. The Department is working on them. That is not to say that the existing rural housing guidelines are not in place at local authority level. All local authorities have to adhere to them and local needs. I take on board the points...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will make a quick reply. Over the course of the debates on this Bill I am hearing contradictory remarks about the loss of local democracy and the handing over of powers to the OPC. What I spoke to Senator Flynn about was that local, democratic accountability around the delivery of Traveller accommodation, which is absolutely crucial. We cannot underestimate that. I also said that the...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 151 seeks to remove the erroneous referral to “development plan” in subsection (4) of section 77. Regional, spatial and economic strategies take account of regional development, while development plans deal solely with the development within each local authority area. Following the completion of the assessment by the Office of the Planning Regulator, it shall...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendments Nos. 152 and 154 propose to delete certain provisions within the Bill relating to the functions of the OPR in relation to development plans and other statutory plans and insert the requirement to have regard to certain plans and obligations in the performance of their functions. I am opposing any proposal to remove functions of the OPR as this would not be appropriate as these...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It is one for the manifesto.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 157 updates the definition of "Chapter 4 development” in section 82. As currently written, Chapter 4 development relates to development outside an urban development zone, UDZ, only. This has the effect that large scale infrastructure projects located in a UDZ would go to the planning authority for approval. This amendment removes the limitation on Chapter 4 development...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Allow me to explain.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, the Government has adopted a policy-based approach in respect of LNG which allows it to carefully consider the implications of any measures that could interfere with either our energy or economic security. The Taoiseach announced in September 2019 that future exploration licences would be awarded for natural gas only. The energy security review published in April 2023 recommended...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: To reiterate what I said earlier, the amendment does not introduce anything new. It is aligning the definition of-----

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I referenced the energy security package the Minister, Deputy Ryan, spoke to last week. This concerns the consideration of the development of a State-owned LNG facility. It is not a very different proposal from a commercial LNG facility. Any such process will still have to go through public engagement through An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is a timeline for decision making, full...