Results 141-160 of 1,422 for at speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: They are generally dealt with by agreement of the regional assembly. It can be done on a case-by-case basis. It would require a resolution to be passed at regional assembly level.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy gave the example of Ferrybank in Waterford. I was a member of the local authority when those debates, discussions and disagreements were ongoing. The local area plan for Ferrybank was drawn up in partnership between two local authorities and it worked very well. The collaboration at area office level between Waterford City and County Council and Kilkenny County Council is good....

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My understanding is that decisions would be arrived at through consensus. I do not know whether there will be a voting process.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate that. In developing the terms of reference for the co-ordinated area plan committees, clarity could be given to the issue of equality of representation and how decisions are arrived at through those committees.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The word "draconian" overstates it. It is to ensure plans are up to date, to keep planning out of the courts, and to ensure there is alignment at all levels. It is important there is consistency across the board. Those are the main reasons in terms of the questions Deputy Ó Broin asked.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That would be part of the ongoing overall review of the legislation as we legislate. We have looked at the role of the OPR and are happy there is an appropriate role for both the Minister and the OPR in issuing draft directions. The OPR recommends to the Minister to issue draft directions. It is around the overall theme of consistency of application throughout the system. Far from...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: ...on the inconsistency question, there are gaps due to conflicting plans or policies and this is just to remove any ambiguity or uncertainty. It is a necessary means to counteract uncertainty that results in what could be court-led or judgment-led, as opposed to plan-led, planning. The objective is to try to get it right from the start in order we get it at the outset at whatever level...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: This section provides for a new procedure enabling the timely amendment of the regional, spatial and economic strategy so as to make it materially consistent with new or revised national planning policies and measures. The section applies where an amendment to the RSES is necessitated by an issuance of a new or amended national planning statement and is being made to ensure that the RSES is...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Due to that six-week period, they would have to set up a meeting during that time. Regarding the second point raised by Deputy Ó Broin on the powers in section 38 for the Minister to issue a direction, if members look at subsection (14) of that section, it states: Where the Minister issues a direction under subsection (1), the regional assembly shall, within 3 working days of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (7 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: ...this issue. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, issuing guidance on...

Nature Restoration Law: Statements (7 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí go léir. First, I will try to sum up the points made in the ten minutes I have. I thank all Deputies for their contributions. It is somewhat disappointing that the main Opposition spokespeople for agriculture and the environment have all left the Chamber. We often get criticised in this Chamber for not having Ministers present for Dáil...

Nature Restoration Law: Statements (7 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas as an deis chun caint faoin dlí athchóirithe nádúir. I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the nature restoration law. I will be sharing time with the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I will take 15 minutes and he will take five. As Minister of State with responsibility for nature, it is very important for me to hear the views of Deputies from...

Nature Restoration Law: Statements (7 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My officials are listening. I am sure they will get copies across now. Before I speak to my vision for the nature restoration law and the opportunities it represents for those individuals, their communities and the wider rural economy, I will deal with some of the misinformation that has been at play in this debate. That is what it has been: misinformation and, dare I say it, in some...

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: ...have to revert on those. Deputy Paul Murphy made some points in which he criticised the Labour Party. The Labour Party, like the Green Party, is always willing to step into government and do what is needed. If an opportunity for a left-led government emerges will People Before Profit step up when it is needed? I again say in response to the criticism that has been made of the Labour...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Service (6 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: ...an cheist seo a ardú. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. The Department supports fire authorities by setting general...

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (6 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Warfield, Boylan and Gavan for tabling the motion. I will respond to a few points raised by Senators during the debate. Senator Warfield asked a question about the housing referendum. We expect the Housing Commission report will be furnished to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, by the end of March and brought to Government soon after. Points were put by other Senators...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Sports Facilities (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: In the national sports policy, we outlined an aim to double Exchequer funding for sport by 2027. In this regard, it is my firm belief that money spent on sport should be viewed as an investment that will reap a variety of dividends over a long period for all communities. In the first half of the ten-year lifespan of the national sports policy, there has been clear progress in sports...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Process (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne for raising this issue. I have to declare an interest in that my children lobbied me this week to try to have their school included. Unfortunately, it is not, but they would certainly like to have their school included as one of the polling centres. I know the issue of how our elections and referendums are run is prominent as we prepare for the holding of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Process (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Senator. Certainly, in terms of accessibility, the view from the meetings I have had with our franchise section and with access groups is that significant improvements have been made regarding public accessibility and ensuring premises are fully accessible for people with visual impairments and physical disabilities.That is critical. As I said, the objective is to maximise...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Development Contributions (5 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Boosting supply is key to addressing the problem at the heart of the housing system. Housing for All has set an average annual delivery target of 33,000 homes per year over the period up to 2030. In this context, it was noted early last year that some permitted developments were not being commenced. This appeared to be due to increased housing construction costs. Construction inflation,...