Results 6,121-6,140 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 121. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will re-examine Government policy on high-energy usage data centres in view of the current energy crisis and the need to reach climate related targets for reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18885/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mining Industry (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total number of licences issued by his Department for mineral exploration in the past two years and his views on concerns by various campaigns and groups on the sustainability of increased mining operations in the State. [18886/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Government's policy in relation to liquefied natural gas in Ireland; the action he will take in the event of planning permission being granted for such a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18824/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 134. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the recently reported €17 million that was paid to various consultancy firms in relation to the National Broadband Plan are included in his Department’s estimates of the overall cost of the project to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18825/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 148. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on reports that planning delays have hindered the building of offshore renewable energy in the State; if he will examine the possibility of establishing a new public body that can drive State investment in offshore wind projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/22]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (7 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 161. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rights or options open to a worker who commenced working in the State under a stamp 4EUFAM in 2017, in circumstances (details supplied); if there other avenues are open to persons to retain their job without the need for a general employment permit in cases in which the employment does not qualify as a critical needs...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Mar 2022)

Bríd Smith: That is no problem. I thank the Chair for letting me in. This is a really interesting and important conversation. While I understand we are under pressure with time, I want to ask two short questions of Women's Aid. The first is on the issue of victims being able to stay in their own accommodation rather than the perpetrator being able to stay and the victim having to move. What kind of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Social Dialogue (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 17. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social dialogue co-ordination unit of his Department. [14284/22]

Home Heating Fuels: Motion [Private Members] (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: The glaring visual tonight is the absence of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. That is a big mistake on his part. Most of the measures listed in the motion are to do with the Department of the Minister, Deputy McGrath. However, the question the whole country is discussing is that of ending turf cutting. We will be talking about carbon tax again tomorrow. It is a massive issue that my party...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Statutory Instruments (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons for the ongoing delay in signing the statutory instrument to give effect to changes in the regular wages scheme for CIÉ workers; when the signing of this statutory instrument will be finalised; if he can give reassurances to CIÉ workers that have retired since June 2020 or will retire shortly that any improvements...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Statutory Instruments (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: In June 2020, CIÉ workers in the regular wages pension scheme voted to accept changes to that scheme. Since then, I have asked the Minister and his Department the same question on at least a dozen occasions that I am asking today. When will the Minister sign the statutory instrument to give effect to those changes in their pensions?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Statutory Instruments (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: I acknowledge that the ballot took place in June 2020 and that the changes were agreed by the workers, but this is the end of April 2022. Why is this important? It is because it says a lot about how, at senior levels, the Department and the State view bus drivers, train drivers and transport workers generally and about the priority they are afforded. They will get an increase of €30...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Statutory Instruments (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: I am sorry for labouring the point but it needs to be laboured. In early 2021, the Minister told me, and it is on the record, that he hoped to have this statutory instrument signed by the third quarter of 2021. It is now the second quarter of 2022 and there is no sign of it being signed. I hope I do not have to explain to the Minister or to anybody else who has any sense of how workers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: 98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will raise with the Minister for Social Protection and the National Transport Authority the difficulties faced by those with free travel passes in using privately operated bus services, especially in rural areas in regions in which Bus Éireann has withdrawn or curtailed its services; if he will support the extension of free...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: We have had much discussion about rural Ireland today, but my question concerns bus services in rural areas run by private operators and how accessible they are to users of the free travel scheme. About five years ago, the National Bus and Rail Union, NBRU, warned that the significant cuts then being made to services would lead to many areas being neglected and there are now many areas where...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: This is exactly my question. I wish to know if the Minister will raise this issue "with the Minister for Social Protection and the National Transport Authority". People in rural Ireland are facing difficulties in respect of their free travel passes not being accepted by some private bus companies. To reiterate, this is more disadvantaging of the people of rural Ireland. Those who live in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (26 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: There is a degree of discrimination here because in parts of rural Ireland people have no choice but to avail of privately-run public transport not supported by the PSO levy. Many people find they cannot access this great scheme providing free travel for people aged 66 and over, and others, as the Minister outlined, such as carers or those with disabilities, etc. The problem is they cannot...

Carbon Tax: Motion [Private Members] (27 Apr 2022)

Bríd Smith: I would like to read out the first few lines of the People Before Profit amendment. I always do this because any debate or conversation about climate change and climate policies has to start by recognising the stark facts that are constantly being put in front of us by the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, and the conference of the parties, COP. However,...