Recent news & updates

Here, you'll find updates on my progress as Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform and T.D. for Carlow-Kilkenny. Click on the categories below to filter my posts for the issues you're interested in.

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 30

Free solar panels for Carlow schools

All Carlow schools are now eligible to avail of free solar panels as the government’s Solar for Schools initiative continues its rollout...

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 14

A new nature reserve for Kilkenny

Today I announced I'm purchasing 165 acres of land near Gathabawn, North Kilkenny and designating it as Kilkenny's fifth nature reserve.

Budget '25: A historic budget for Nature and Heritage

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 4

Budget '25: A historic budget for Nature and Heritage

This week, the Government delivered its fifth and final budget to the Dáil and it was another record budget for Nature and Heritage.

Official opening of Troyswood Water Treatment Plant

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 3

Official opening of Troyswood Water Treatment Plant

Completion of the Kilkenny Regional Water Supply Scheme has resulted in the removal of Kilkenny’s water supply from the EPA's 'at risk' list

Team Mal Noonan

Sep 28

Swap, don't shop this Halloween!

To help people save money and reduce their Halloween waste, I'm teaming up with Cllr Maria Dollard to hold a Halloween Costume Swap Party!

Team Mal Noonan

Sep 12

Well water testing should be made free

Speaking at the Rural Water Conference in Athlone today, I called for the cost of private domestic well water testing to be made free and...

Kilkenny City water supply removed from EPA's ‘at risk’ list

Team Mal Noonan

Sep 11

Kilkenny City water supply removed from EPA's ‘at risk’ list

I'm pleased to see that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed Kilkenny City's water supply from their Remedial Action...

€458,000 for local peatlands and protected habitats restoration projects

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 8

€458,000 for local peatlands and protected habitats restoration projects

Some more good news for nature today as I announced more than €450,000 funding for local community groups under the Peatlands and Natura...

At last! Nature Restoration Law finally approved!

Team Mal Noonan

Jun 17

At last! Nature Restoration Law finally approved!

Incredible news from Luxembourg today where the Nature Restoration Law has finally been approved at a meeting of the EU Environment Council.

Nature Restoration in Glenveagh National Park

Team Mal Noonan

Apr 11

Nature Restoration in Glenveagh National Park

I recently visited Glenveagh National Park in Donegal, where I had the opportunity to witness one of the most ambitious nature...

Farming for Water fund to improve water quality

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 7

Farming for Water fund to improve water quality

I spent this morning on the banks of Lough Ennell, at the Westmeath farm of Róisín and David Fay, where myself, Minister for Agricultutre...

The new National Biodiversity Action Plan is here!

Team Mal Noonan

Jan 25

The new National Biodiversity Action Plan is here!

It's a big day for nature and a big day for me, as today I launch Ireland’s new National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Milestone workshop on nature-based solutions for water quality

Team Mal Noonan

Jan 17

Milestone workshop on nature-based solutions for water quality

The first Nature-Based Solutions Strategy Workshop marked an important milestone in advancing the implementation of nature-based solutions.

'Seas off Wexford' - Ireland's newest and biggest SPA

Team Mal Noonan

Jan 11

'Seas off Wexford' - Ireland's newest and biggest SPA

Today I'm announcing 'Seas off Wexford', Ireland's BIGGEST EVER Special Protection Area for birds at 305,000 hectares.

Natterjack toadlet release brings to 1,600 the number released in 2023

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 9, 2023

Natterjack toadlet release brings to 1,600 the number released in 2023

I spent a fantastic morning in Kerry yesterday, releasing a further 200 captive-reared natterjack toadlets back into their native habitat.

Announcing Ireland's biggest EVER protected area for birds

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 12, 2023

Announcing Ireland's biggest EVER protected area for birds

The new North-West Irish Sea Special Protection Area will be designated under the EU Birds Directive and will cover more than 230k hectares.

ADOPTED! The European Parliament votes to Restore Nature!

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 12, 2023

ADOPTED! The European Parliament votes to Restore Nature!

Pivotal moment for nature as European Parliament votes to #RestoreNature.

Protecting our peatlands - community groups to share €290,000 funding

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 4, 2023

Protecting our peatlands - community groups to share €290,000 funding

2023 Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme will support 24 community projects that help conserve and revitalise raised and blanket bogs.

A crucial vote on the Nature Restoration Law

Team Mal Noonan

Jun 19, 2023

A crucial vote on the Nature Restoration Law

A good day for nature as the EU Environment Council agrees the General Approach of the Nature Restoration Law.

Team Mal Noonan

Jun 7, 2023

Marking World Ocean Day in Cork

I was honoured to address the World Ocean Day conference in Cork - a really important international forum for Marine Protected Areas.

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