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

Nov 18

Working together to restore nature

As Ireland’s first Minister for Nature, I have led a transformative agenda for the natural world over the last four and a half years.

Team Mal Noonan

Nov 15

My promise to rural voters

I'm setting out my vision for rural Carlow and Kilkenny and the priorities I will continue to focus on as your elected representative.

At last! A County Archivist for Kilkenny

Team Mal Noonan

Oct 25

At last! A County Archivist for Kilkenny

My ambition to see a county archivist for Kilkenny will soon come to pass as new heritage professionals are recruited across the country.

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.

Launching Ireland's new Water Action Plan in Kilkenny

Team Mal Noonan

Sep 4

Launching Ireland's new Water Action Plan in Kilkenny

The Plan sets out a roadmap to restore Ireland’s waterbodies to ‘good’ status or better, and to protect them against further deterioration.

Team Mal Noonan

Aug 16

All aboard for National Heritage Week!

As National Heritage Week begins, I'm urging everyone in Carlow & Kilkenny to connect with their local heritage over the next nine days!

€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...

Headstarting curlews - a new initiative to save the species

Team Mal Noonan

Jul 26

Headstarting curlews - a new initiative to save the species

This week I met some of the conservationists involved in trying to save our curlews, as they prepared 30 ‘headstarted’ chicks for release.

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.

Sister act - a landmark agreement between Wild Nephin and Yosemite

Team Mal Noonan

May 23

Sister act - a landmark agreement between Wild Nephin and Yosemite

Today marks the beginning of a Sister Park agreement between Wild Nephin National Park in Mayo and Yosemite National Park in California.

A review of wildlife legislation is coming soon

Team Mal Noonan

May 19

A review of wildlife legislation is coming soon

The biggest review of wildlife legislation for a generation will commence shortly. It's vital that the public has their say.

€2.7 million for local biodiversity projects in 2024 LBAF

Team Mal Noonan

May 16

€2.7 million for local biodiversity projects in 2024 LBAF

I've announced our €2.7 million Local Biodiversity Action Fund today, with €181,000 for projects in Carlow and Kilkenny.

Announcing Ireland’s first Marine National Park!

Team Mal Noonan

Apr 21

Announcing Ireland’s first Marine National Park!

Today I'm launching Ireland’s first Marine National Park - Páírc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, with the Conor Pass as its gateway.

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...

World Water Day: €1.2m for water quality projects

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 22

World Water Day: €1.2m for water quality projects

The Community Water Development fund supports the grassroots work of local communities and volunteer groups in improving water quality.

Nestflix: a new live stream for nature lovers!

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 12

Nestflix: a new live stream for nature lovers!

The National Parks & Wildlife Service has launched new livestreams featuring two chough pairs as they begin their nesting season.

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...

€34m SNaP to transform our approach to biodiversity data

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 6

€34m SNaP to transform our approach to biodiversity data

I’ve just announced a new €34m Strategic Nature Project (SNaP) to transform Ireland’s approach to biodiversity data and enable us to...

Give wildlife a chance this nesting season

Team Mal Noonan

Mar 1

Give wildlife a chance this nesting season

From today, cutting of hedgerows and burning of land is prohibited under the Wildlife Act to protect vegetation and wildlife habitats.

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