Results 2,161-2,180 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (21 Mar 2023)

Ossian Smyth: As Minister of State in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the...

Annual Emission Allocation Units Purchase Agreement: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move: That Dáil Eireann approves the terms of the Annual Emission Allocation Units Purchase Agreement for target compliance purposes under Decision No. 406/2009/EC, signed on 14 February 2023, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Eireann on 13 March 2023. Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to speak on this important matter. As a member of the EU, Ireland has...

Annual Emission Allocation Units Purchase Agreement: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I have listened carefully to the Deputies' contributions. We should bear in mind that the 2013 to 2030 effort-sharing decision, that is, the EU's plan to reduce its emissions by 20% during the last decade, succeeded and achieved what it set out to do. Emissions were reduced by 20%. That was a collective decision by all EU member states. Each member state, including Ireland, was given an...

Seanad: Inland Fisheries Ireland: Statements (29 Mar 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I heard the strength of feeling on this issue from all Senators. Senator Boyhan raised uninsured vehicles and other issues. These were dealt with by the board and reported to the Comptroller and Auditor General by the then chairperson, Mr. Fintan Gorman. The Minister has reported members to the board of IFI and asked the Public Appointments Service to appoint additional board members. I...

Seanad: Inland Fisheries Ireland: Statements (29 Mar 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I completely agree. The Minister has asked IFI to refocus the organisation to protect habitats. The recent controversies have slowed the progress of this change in focus. The Minister is also very disappointed that this change of direction has not yet happened. He has spoken of how IFI needs to be a primary guardian of our waterways to improve habitats for fish and, thereafter, a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator for raising this topic. One of the most important things the Government does is trying to keep people, particularly elderly, warm in their homes in the winter. First, I will outline the regulatory regime which we operate. There have been movements in global price and this has impacted households and businesses in Ireland. I will then talk about the Government's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator referred to hardship funds and I referred to the fact that there is a new €10 million fund, which is on top of the hardship funds that were there already. As she mentioned, not all suppliers are taking part in hardship funds. Affected people who are worried about paying their bills can contact a supplier directly and ask for that. If they prefer, they can go to the Money...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety Authority (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: This is an important matter. I agree that having good collision data on road traffic incidents is absolutely vital to being able to bring down the rates overall and protect people. The Road Safety Authority, in addition to providing a number of essential services, is responsible for public awareness and education in the road safety area. It is also the body with statutory responsibility...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety Authority (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Minister has drafted the direction. We have to have a consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner. We cannot predict how long the Data Protection Commissioner will take to decide on what we are trying to do and to decide whether the commission endorses it. If we arrive at a position where the Data Protection Commissioner says that it is fine or we can do within certain...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vehicle Testing (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Sherlock for putting her case very clearly. I have been asked by the Minister for Transport to respond on his behalf. The operation of all roadworthiness testing in the State, including commercial vehicle roadworthiness, CVR, testing, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. The minimum requirements for CVR testing are set in EU Directive No. 2014/45....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vehicle Testing (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senator Sherlock. These guidelines have been flagged since 2004. They became mandatory in 2013. It is not as though they are being rushed in. There will be a further three years' grace, namely, from 2024 to 2027. Senator Sherlock asked for a technical explanation beyond whatever has been provided to her so far. I am happy to go back to the Department...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Lombard. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (19 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I admire the Senator's tenacity in following up on this matter. He is right to do so. Of all State agencies involved in infrastructure provision, TII has been at the forefront. It is probably because TII has delivered so many road projects over many years that it has developed very strong in-house expertise. Of all agencies, TII's numbers or predictions for its projects and plans are the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the House for inviting me here. I welcome the students from Ballybrack. I am not sure whether this is the most exciting debate of the day. Lobbying is an essential element of a well-functioning and mature democracy. The institutions of Government need to hear from varying interests in order to make well informed and grounded decisions balancing wider societal needs against the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senators for their input into this debate. Senator Maria Byrne spoke first and I thank her for welcoming the Bill. She underlined the importance of having different perspectives, but also the importance of having clarity around definitions, what constitutes lobbying and what one can and cannot do. As she said, it is important we appreciate we are not making laws in isolation from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Litter Pollution (18 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities. My Department provides financial...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senators Higgins and Ruane for taking the time to table these amendments. Amendment No. 1 proposes to reset the period between statutory reviews to three years and to allow for a shorter timeframe if the Minister deems it appropriate. Amendments Nos. 9 and 13 propose the introduction of two new reviews. The first would evaluate the impact of administrative sanctions and the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Is the Senator asking whether it is possible to avoid or evade the provisions of this section by having part-time employees rather than full-time employees?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I will think about that and get back to the Senator later in the debate, if that is okay.

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I note the Senator's intention potentially to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage.