Results 1-20 of 937 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My mother, as a proud Kildare woman, would probably concur with the comments of Deputy Pringle too. I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions. I will respond to some of their comments before making my closing remarks. Quite a number of Deputies have raised the issue of apprentices and direct maintenance within local authorities. I raised this with officials during the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am not sure exactly what issue the Deputy is referring to. Certainly, he is correct regarding the role of the NPWS in the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, which is currently under review in my Department in respect of hedge cutting and other issues. If the Deputy provides the information to me, we can certainly investigate the matter for him.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We will take on board those last few points. Regarding the date of 29 June, the Deputy will be aware that the review can take place. The Minister has consistently acted with empathy on this issue. He has shown that empathy in his engagement with affected families. The reconstitution of the working group is one part of it. There is also a subgroup, which met from January to April 2024...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: On community engagement, supplementary to the wind energy guidelines, there is a code of practice for wind energy development in Ireland and guidelines for community engagement. I am of the view that under the Aarhus Convention and public participation directive that engagement should take place at an early stage of any process or development of onshore or offshore. That is important. On...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist seo. He knows I am aware of the deep trauma that this has caused families in areas affected by defective concrete blocks. Seeing reporting as I have in the media, it has a significant impact on families. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this Topical Issue matter. At the outset, I would like to highlight that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for planning guidelines for onshore wind energy development. Following a recent transfer of functions from this Department, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has...

Housing Situation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Is the Deputy serious? That is a disgraceful comment.

Housing Situation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I will try to address some of their queries and issues before making my statement. Deputy O’Callaghan again asked a broad question about whether Housing for All was working. We believe it is. It is taking time, but it is delivering positive results. The Deputy also raised the issue of relationship breakdown. It is a reality and has...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. As I outlined, there is a compensation mechanism for business customers. Certainly, I appreciate the points raised about the communities in east Cork affected by this because it is a huge inconvenience, to put it mildly, when a boil water notice is in place, even if it is just around issues of turbidity in the water supply. It still requires customers to boil the water...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (15 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus leis an Teachta O'Connor as an gceist seo a ardú. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I acknowledge Deputy Stanton's concerns as well about the east Cork boil water notice. The issue of safe drinking water has both national and local importance and I appreciate the Deputy's concerns for the communities affected. He...

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Griffin for his continued support for this initiative. He is correct that the purchase of Inch Strand by the NPWS on behalf of the State now forms part of the new Páirc Náísiúnta na Mara, along with Derrynane, Conor Pass, Owenmore and Sceilg Mhichíl. The marine national park is a really important and wonderful initiative by the State. At the...

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That was a disingenuous comment.

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That was a disingenuous comment by Deputy Guirke. I will follow this up with the National Monuments Service, liaise with the OPW on this matter and revert to the Deputy in due course.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I had a wonderful visit to Howth portal tomb recently. Also known as Aideen’s Grave, it dates from the Neolithic period and is a recorded monument situated in the Howth demesne townland. Within a peninsula of great historical, archaeological and amenity importance, it is an important landmark. As a recorded monument, Aideen’s Grave...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As a recorded monument, Aideen's Grave is already afforded protection under the National Monuments Act. When the Historical and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 is commenced, I will give consideration to exercising powers under section 89(5), if necessary and appropriate, in this or any other instance. It is not something I can decide in advance.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I cannot give a specific timeline, but we are progressing it. I can try to revert to the Deputy with a timeline. Under section 89, the amendment would not alter the general position. The Minister has no role in imposing any public access to privately owned monuments. While dependent on the commencement of the Act and the new register that has to be established, the section will enable...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The specific issues the Deputy has raised here are significant. I will speak to the Minister for Transport about the NTA engaging again on this. The Deputy has raised quite a few issues. Certainly the last thing Government wishes in terms of overall policy is to deter people from using public transport or put barriers in their way. It should be affordable, reliable and safe. That is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan. I wish to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport, and neither the Minister or his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport...

Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Motion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to touch on some of the points raised. I really appreciate the contributions of all the Deputies this afternoon. I agree with Deputy Connolly. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to debate the issue. For National Biodiversity Day perhaps the Business Committee could look at having a broader debate on these issues. In this term of the Dáil, it is encouraging that we...

Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Motion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak today. I take this opportunity to formally welcome the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Change report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. I express my thanks to members of the committee, who worked collaboratively and very diligently to produce the report in a...