Results 2,861-2,880 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Dentistry Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputies across the House for their contributions to this debate. As the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, has noted, an additional €15 million in core funding since 2019 and 2020 and a further additional €17 million in once-off funding has been supporting the ongoing work to reduce waiting lists and to address access to services through policy implementation. I...

Dentistry Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I wish to make a clarification. A number of speakers stated that the recruitment embargo affected the recruitment of dentists. It does not affect the recruitment of dentists.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cycling Facilities (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this project. It remains a key Government commitment to extend the greenway from Athlone to Galway city. The Galway to Dublin cycleway will be Ireland’s first ever dedicated inter-city segregated route for cyclists and walkers and an iconic cycleway of international appeal. The 106 km greenway from Maynooth to Athlone town is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cycling Facilities (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator. As I said in the reply the information provided to me by the Department of Transport is that contractors will be appointed for both phases of the scheme in the fourth quarter of 2024. Beyond that, I do not have information about the other stages of the project or what its likely completion date is. Projects around the country have been completed in Waterford, Mayo,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Postal Services (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Before I start my reply, the answer is "No". I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on the matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. Both the Minister and Minister of State are very aware of the impact of decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals in both rural and urban areas. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Postal Services (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The question is whether the Minister has consented to the sale or disposal of the An Post post office in Rathmines. The answer is that An Post has not sought such approval and would need it. It would need consent, it has not asked for it and, therefore, the Minister has not granted it. The Senator went on to ask about what the plans are and whether An Post will continue to operate a...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements (22 May 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senators for bringing forward this interesting motion. I will start by talking about the different options here, three of which have been discussed. The first is the situation we have at the moment, which is competition in the market. Anybody with a waste collection permit can go out and collect waste door-to-door if they wish, wherever they wish. Second, it is competition for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Early Childhood Care and Education (19 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Is the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, here?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Building Energy Rating (19 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Garvey for raising this issue. Older homes, built until around the 1940s, usually fall into the category of being traditionally built. These homes were generally built with solid walls, often with a lime or earthen based render finish and include stone-built dwellings. The main difference between traditional and modern construction is the way moisture is managed....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Building Energy Rating (19 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the young people from the school in Glasnevin. Senator Garvey raised the case with such passion. She is a passionate and eloquent advocate for rural Ireland, as everybody saw on television last night. The case she is making is that people in very old houses, particularly stone dwellings, are often the people who need energy upgrades the most. They live in remote areas, are on low...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Ar son an Aire Oideachais, gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an ábhar seo a phlé. Tugann sé deis dom eolas a thabhairt don Seanad faoin dul chun cinn atá déanta mar gheall ar an bhfoirgneamh nua do Ghaelscoil Ruairí. The school building project for Gaelscoil Ruairí will deliver a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Like all public representatives, I am familiar with the process of new schools starting up. There is a lot of enthusiasm at the start and then there are the challenges of trying to find the school buildings. There are temporary buildings at first and then there are permanent buildings along with the process of planning permission and so on. I understand it is frustrating and difficult to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Coastal Erosion (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter. The challenge posed by rising sea levels is clear. The practical implementation of measures to mitigate these risks, particularly for coastal communities, is of critical importance. I welcome the opportunity to bring some clarity on the matter. Ireland’s coast faces many challenges associated with climate change, for example, due not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Coastal Erosion (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: There is a railway line that runs from Dún Laoghaire, which is my constituency, to Wexford. Along that route, Irish Rail has done a lot of work to map out where the likely erosion risks are within my own constituency and within Wicklow, near Wicklow town and probably within Wexford as well. Historically, that railway line has been moved back from the coast, close to where I live. Over...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, asked me to answer this and gave me a comprehensive answer. I hope I have time to read it. He wants to provide an update on the new moving together strategy, which is currently out on public consultation. As well as extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders during development of this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Kinsale is really a special place. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Ireland. It is thriving because there is so much demand. It is famous not only for its restaurants but also for its beautiful buildings, its landscape, its bay and sailing. This is reflected in the demand for holiday homes and so on and the vast number of visitors. I certainly had some very nice holidays there. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this important issue and for offering the Minister the opportunity to respond and update on the progress being made toward the regulation and registration of childminders. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, is very aware of the level of concern among childminders at present. The Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991 is progressing through the Houses....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (26 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I agree with everything the Senator has said. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, has told me he is committed to regulating childminders in a way that is appropriate and proportionate and he is committed to ensuring sufficient resources are in place to ensure the path to registration is as supportive as possible. The national action plan for childminding was underpinned by extensive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The DRS is a national infrastructure project which operates primarily on a return-to-retail model. Under the DRS regulations, retailers are required to charge customers a deposit for each bottle sold, to take back empty containers, unless exempt, and to refund the deposit to customers. Retailers are also required to ensure that the take-back facility they provide on their premises is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The scheme was in planning for a number of years. In 2020 and 2021, there were public consultation processes which were open to everybody to offer their advice or suggestions on how the scheme should operate. When I drew up the regulations, I made it a legal requirement that the machines should be accessible to all. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has a waste...