Results 1,841-1,860 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I agree with the points raised by the Deputy and I thank her for the constructive engagement. The research programme, as I have said, will be very broad. It is as broad as the input that comes in from members of the public and political parties. We would most certainly welcome any proposals on the size of Dáil constituencies, the fixed number of constituencies and there is...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 7, to delete “Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017;” and substitute the following: “Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017; to give effect to European Council Decision (EU) 2023/2061 of 22 September 2023 establishing the composition of the European Parliament; and for that purpose to revise...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Bacik for raising this matter. Amendment No. 2 proposes to amend section 3(2) by substituting "An Coimisiún Toghcháin" for "the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage". Section 3(2) is a standard provision that has been inserted into the constituency revisions Acts dating back to 1923. It provides a means of resolving disputes over which constituencies...

Children (Amendment) Bill 2023: First Stage (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Instruction to Committee (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That it be an instruction to the Committee on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023, that pursuant to Standing Order 187, the Committee has power to make amendments to the Bill which are outside the scope of the existing provisions of the Bill in relation to giving effect to European Council Decision (EU) 2023/2061 of 22nd September, 2023, establishing the composition of the European...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Instruction to Committee (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The intent of the Bill is to provide for constituency revision having regard to the recent reviews of our Dáil and European Parliament constituencies by An Coimisiún Toghcháin. It was never intended that the Bill provide for miscellaneous amendments to the Electoral Acts as would be the case were the scope of the Bill to be extended. Notwithstanding the scope of the Bill, the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (29 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has responsibility for implementation of the European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 440/2003) which deal with the inspection, licensing and regulation of zoos and aquaria. These Regulations transpose the EU Zoos Directive, giving effect in the national context to the EU Zoo Directive...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Our response to the events last Thursday will define us as a nation. My thoughts and prayers, like those of all others, are with the victims of the attack on Parnell Street, the three children and the care worker. We express our appreciation to all who intervened, to the gardaí, emergency services and others. Some commentators are saying that this is not us but it is time we had a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. There is a legislative framework in place for dealing with invasive alien species, including Japanese Knotweed. Public bodies,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Regulations (28 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together. The General Wild Bird Declaration allows for the control of crows where there is a threat to public health & safety and vector in the spread of animal diseases; to prevent serious damage to livestock; and also in the protection of fauna, notably the nests and young of game birds. The control method that can be used for all of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (28 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I can confirm that my Department has not received an application for funding for the site in question under the Community Monuments Fund for 2024. However, as that fund was just launched on 16 November 2023, with the closing date for applications being 14 February 2024, it is possible that an application may yet be received. The Community Monuments Fund (CMF) invests in our valuable...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: There are currently no plans to extend the burning season. There are other proposals around the harvesting of green waste for use in composting materials, etc. While there are no plans at present, we will take on board the Deputy's points.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Development Projects (21 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Limerick, Dublin and Cork and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These regeneration projects target the country's most disadvantaged communities and seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through an holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration. As the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Development Projects (21 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Those are questions we can come back to the Senator on. Certainly, all parties were aware of the end date of 2023. It was critical for future planning that Limerick City and County Council would begin the process of engagement and consultation around the continuum of support for the very valuable initiatives the Senator has spoken about, notwithstanding the fact there are staff affected by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Projects (21 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative which will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives. Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Barrow Blueway Project and is responsible for the overall project delivery. The project is funded under the Rural Regeneration and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (16 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Algal blooms (phytoplankton over-growth) in lakes are a natural phenomenon that can be exacerbated by excess nutrients and warm settled weather. Algal blooms are not specifically monitored for in the national water-monitoring programme, as, by their nature, they can be relatively short-lived events. My Department is currently preparing Ireland’s third-cycle River Basin Management...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Do I have ten minutes?

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I hope I will not need it. I will try not to bore the House. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí go léir. The was a valuable debate yesterday and today. Before I conclude, I will take some time to respond to some of the issues raised by Deputies. More immediately, I will respond to comments made today, starting with Deputy Howlin, a politician for whom...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator. As the Senator may be aware, updated rural housing guidance are currently being prepared by my Department. He speaks very well about the challenges but there are fantastic opportunities out there now. The updated guidelines once issued will expand on the high-level spatial planning policy of the national planning framework, NPF, and in particular on the national policy...