Results 1,741-1,760 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Section 5 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023 introduces a new Part, Part VA, to the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. This provides for a statutory basis for National Biodiversity Action plans and a corresponding duty on public bodies to follow these plans. Each of the public bodies that the provisions of the Act apply to is set down under section 59H of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) is a framework that brings together different sectors across the island of Ireland to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. It is implemented by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), a Company Limited by Guarantee subject to the oversight of the Heritage Council, a public body under the aegis of my Department. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Agreements (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Dáil Question no. PQ 79 of 1 December 2022. It remains my intention to form an inter-departmental group to determine what level of participation is appropriate for Ireland as a developed Northern European State and to identify the structures and associated resource requirements for this participation. The current priority in relation to the Marine...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (17 Jan 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is working with the appointed planner to the scheme, to verify and process this payment in compliance with the terms and conditions of NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. Payment is expected to be made by the end of January 2024.

Gender Recognition (Amendment) (Prisons) Bill 2023: First Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: All wild birds that occur naturally in the wild in Ireland are protected under wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. My Department is currently undertaking a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project. It will examine closely the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to my reply to Dáil Question no. 327 on 28 November which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The European Union’s Habitats Directive requires Member States to designate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in order to create a coherent European ecological network. Roundstone Bog Commonage forms part of the Connemara Bog Complex SAC. This SAC was proposed in August 1997, while the Statutory Instrument formally designating Connemara Bog Complex SAC was passed in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The programme to provide funding for Biodiversity Officer roles within local authorities is being delivered by the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for raising this issue. Amendment No. 1 proposes to amend section 3(2) by substituting An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Amendment No. 2 similarly seeks to amendment section 3(2) by inserting "following consultation with An Coimisiún Toghcháin" after the reference to the Minister. Section 3(2) is a...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I will address some of the points raised by Senator Garvey before coming to the amendment, in particular the voting age. My view is that I would like to see the voting age in Ireland reduced. It is included in the draft research programme for An Coimisiún Toghcháin. I am more than happy to consider the issue once the recommendations have been issued by the commission. I hope the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 6 proposes to insert a new section 5 into the Bill to require the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas within a period of one year from the enactment of the Bill, setting out the impact that the number of Members allocated to each Dáil constituency may have on delivering a more balanced representation in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I would like to do so and I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know we are discussing an amendment that was ruled out of order but it is important to spend a bit of time on the matter. I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment behind the amendment. The Bill is to carry out a specific function, which is to address the boundaries and give effect to the recommendations of an coimisiún in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Department. The vagueness about addresses could mean that a constituency office or party headquarters could be used. There is flexibility already there about what can be included with regard to the address on a ballot paper. The Department will issue a circular to returning officers to ensure that if this flexibility is required by a candidate, it will be given effect to and supported....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I commend the work of the local authority. I am not at all surprised that it responded so well. In my previous dealings with Leitrim County Council regarding the bog slide at Drumkeeran, the response was phenomenal and well targeted. It was lucky that the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, addressed the first question. She has raised the issue of insurance with the relevant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Weather Events (13 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this matter. It must have been a frightening incident for the people of Leitrim. I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to update the House of the current position. I will begin by clarifying that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is designated as lead Department for co-ordinating the response at national level to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis An Teachta arís. I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to outline the position with respect to primary and post-primary school demand in north Kildare on behalf of the Minister for Education. As I have outlined, there is a strong pipeline of projects being delivered across the schools in the area and these are delivering significant additional...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised this on a number of occasions through parliamentary questions and has also raised the point in recent weeks. I also note the point he made about the challenges around registering for VAT and the extra cost to farmers. It is important also to note that Ireland maintains this refund order under an historical derogation permitted under the EU VAT directive. As the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: -----but that is the response.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Farm Costs (12 Dec 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy and I appreciate that.