Results 141-160 of 4,711 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I will start with Opposition amendments Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, 177 to 179, inclusive, 184, 185 and 187. Amendments No. 170 and 172 seek to include reference to obligations under the climate Act into section 86, which sets out the matters to which the planning authority or commission shall have regard in considering an application. I cannot accept these amendments, as I have tabled my...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I am nearly there.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 53 introduces a definition for "transport infrastructure" to section 17 and broadens the term "public transport" to include a reference to infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Amendments Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, amend section 18. The section currently provides that where Part 3 requires publication of a notice stating that a matter will be made available for public...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Report Stage (24 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address amendments Nos. 57 to 69, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 71, 72 and 74, as tabled by Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn; and amendment No. 70, tabled by Senators Boyhan and McDowell. This group of amendments relate to Chapter 2 of Part 3 and the national planning framework. As the Senators will be aware, the Bill provides that the NPF will continue to spearhead the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The conservation advice grant scheme funds two thirds of the cost of hiring an expert conservation professional, up to a maximum of €5,000 to advise on the repairs necessary to bring vacant traditional buildings back into residential use. It is expected that many grant recipients will go on to avail of the vacant property refurbishment grant to help pay for the costs of the works....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (19 Sep 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. It covers two thirds of the cost of hiring the conservation professional, but that advice could be critical in saving a building and ensuring that the right approach is taken. Certainly, over the longer term, it will ultimately save the owner money. There is a huge amount of traditional conservation expertise out there. We have a lack of...