Results 21-40 of 4,346 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Reopening the Economy: Public Health Advice (9 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Professor Nolan and Dr. De Gascun. A number of Deputies have referred to crushing the curve and the 1,000 academics from the science community who put forward a compelling argument to look at going the distance and eliminating the virus from the community. Given that we are an island, they make a very compelling case and we have seen the progress made in New Zealand. I propose that...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Reopening the Economy: Public Health Advice (9 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I have a second question on the testing of healthcare workers. It is currently only for suspected cases, but routine testing has been shown to reduce community transmission significantly. I would like to ask the witnesses to comment on the current guidelines for the testing of healthcare workers in the country.

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. I will try to give the Minister plenty of time to respond. I want to pay tribute to his work. All the Departments are learning on their feet here and it is important to acknowledge the work that is being done. It is also important to outline the origins of the July provision for the House. In...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I acknowledge the work of the Minister, his Department, the HSE, NPHET and all the front-line workers who have brought us to this happy day. It is wonderful to be able to talk about things such as hairdressing and dancing. That is very encouraging compared to where we were some months ago. At the outset, I acknowledge the work of Women's Aid, the National Women's Council of Ireland,...

Reopening of Schools and Summer Provision 2020: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Beidh am ag an Aire agus cúig nóiméad leis na ceisteanna. I will give the Minister plenty of time to answer. It is important that schools are to fully reopen. This question has been answered. The impact on children's development is incalculable and palpable, especially for those who do not respond to remote learning and for children with additional needs and disabilities....

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies for their good wishes to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and me. As somebody from a large family who grew up in Army married quarters and subsequently in local authority housing, I really appreciate the start my family and I were given in life by being able to access affordable housing. It is an issue I certainly will take seriously. The Government is keenly aware of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Areas of Conservation (8 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Harkin and Fitzmaurice for their good wishes and for bringing this matter to my attention. I can give a response from the perspective of my Department and the agency within my remit, which is the National Parks and Wildlife Service. As Deputy Fitzmaurice noted, however, there are several agencies involved. The legislation underpinning the protection and conservation of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Areas of Conservation (8 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: The commitments in the programme for Government demonstrate that the Government will be active in protecting our natural heritage and responding to the biodiversity emergency and drivers of loss. Investing in the restoration of ecosystems will have multiple additional benefits, including water regulation and purification and carbon sequestration. Sustainable land use management must be a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 867. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a decision not to reopen an application for funding for a childcare community facility (details supplied) will be reviewed. [15097/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 1088. To ask the Minister for Health if persons who are eligible for a general medical card under the new criteria once enacted will receive a refund for prescription costs incurred from July 2020 (details supplied). [15019/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 1091. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding hospital-acquired infection of Covid-19 by hospital and patient outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/20]

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat. I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to address the House for the Second Reading of the Bill. The Bill is important in that it provides for the use of petroleum product levy funds, also known as the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy, collected on the consumption of oil products, to be used to fund the climate action...

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to give a quick summary of some of the points that have been raised. The comments of Deputy Connolly in particular are most welcome. I wholeheartedly agree with her. This fund will be driven largely by communities, it is very much open-ended and it will range from small community grants of €5,000 up to large-scale projects. That is what is innovative and unique about...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: EU Regulations (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the two Deputies for raising this important issue. If it is okay, I will provide the House with some background information in relation to it. The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, AEWA, was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that "Parties...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: EU Regulations (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Carthy and Clarke for raising this issue. I accept the points they have raised. As I have already stated in my response, my Department is fully aware of the difficulties hunters and landowners may encounter in sourcing alternative ammunition or guns should the Commission regulation come into force. We are fully supportive of the ban on the use of lead shot in and around...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I am responsible for questions under the heritage remit. Hedgerows are very important wildlife habits, providing food, shelter, corridors of movement, nesting and hibernation sites for many of our native flora and fauna. There are approximately 400,000 km of hedges in this country. In general, it is permissible to cut hedges during the winter period mentioned in the question. While under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for the clarification. In relation to hedge cutting and broadband, on 9 July this year during a discussion on the 2020 Revised Estimate for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Naughten indicated that the roll-out of the national broadband plan could result in a requirement for householders to clear vegetation to facilitate connections. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hedge Cutting (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Naughten has made a very worthwhile proposal and I will certainly take it back to the Department. It is absolutely right that we protect our hedgerows and that we have taken all due account of the protection of our biodiversity, but broadband is an essential item that must be delivered, through the national broadband plan. My Department will ensure that a line of communication is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wildlife Data (22 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan who, I know, has a huge interest in this area. The Department is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts and the birds and natural habitats regulations, the principal items of legislation underpinning the protection, conservation and restoration of nature and biodiversity in the State. In addition, the Department has responsibility for implementing a range...