Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract signed in 2019 provides that a future proofed high speed broadband network will be deployed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to people living and working in the intervention area. It is expected that over 600,000 premises will be served by the fibre network, including new builds. The maximum possible cost to the State will be €2.7...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The programme budget for cyber security in my Department's Vote for 2022 is €5.1 million, broken down between €2.5 million current and €2.6 million capital. While this is the same funding allocation as 2021, it represents a trebling of the budget when compared with 2020. In addition, provision has been made in the Department's Estimate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract, which was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019, is a comprehensive and detailed document. To protect the State’s investment and to ensure that the NBP milestones and deliverables are met, the contract was designed to include extensive protections, quality checks, reporting and monitoring obligations.On the matter of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. Despite the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 193, inclusive, together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Plastic is a valuable material in modern society however when it is not properly managed, it can have serious negative effects on the environment and human health. In 2017, the impact of plastics rose to a new level of prominence following David Attenborough’s “Blue Planet” series. Since then, there have been significant developments in plastics policy both in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (24 Feb 2022)

Ossian Smyth: In Ireland, the management and treatment of waste is carried out in accordance with national and European legislation, and in line with policy frameworks such as the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, 2020. These policies and laws set out a hierarchy for the management and treatment of waste generated within the country.  The preferred treatment option for residual municipal...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (1 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.I appreciate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (1 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The housing estate referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Food Waste (1 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which was published in September 2020, and is being delivered on a phased basis over the 5 year lifetime of the Plan, includes the following measures in relation to food donation: - Investigate the regulatory and legal barriers to ‘Good Samaritan’ acts of donation and whether mandatory donation of edible food from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: EU Directives (8 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. My Department last engaged with the European Commission in respect of Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) via teleconference on 25 January last. Draft Regulations to effect transposition of Article 8 of the BCRD are at an advanced stage of development and my Department continues to engage with the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (8 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), 2020 sets out the steps that will be taken in Ireland to reduce waste from packaging and single-use plastic items over the 5-year term of the plan. These steps include: A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. All packaging being placed on the market must be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Representations from Monaghan County Council dated 14 February 2022 have been received in my Department regarding the matters referred to in the Question.  A reply will issue directly to Monaghan County Council shortly.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator is correct and her questions are excellent. Many people remember, with some nostalgia, that they could get money back for bottles. Just like the Senator I recall going to the local pub before I was of an age where I was allowed in and returning bottles and getting money for them. It was a clear link and reduced the amount of litter on the ground. People understand the concept....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I can hear the Senator's enthusiasm. I have to give the Department credit for doing a lot of work, before I was appointed, in engaging with the industry. I refer not just to the people making bottles, but to the retailers themselves. They were making sure that it would not be a scheme that would work in theory but not in practice or something that people would be against. Part of that...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." As Deputies will be aware, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, is an institution that promotes international monetary co-operation and provides policy advice, technical assistance and loans to help countries build and maintain or restore their economies. The global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic have demonstrated that the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: School Facilities (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. In late 2020, Government and NBI agreed to accelerate the rollout of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (23 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people’s frustration when they are living close to a fibre...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I will briefly outline the contents of the legislation. It is a short Bill which is very technical in nature. It has ten sections and one Schedule, containing the text of the 2020 new arrangements to borrow, NAB, decision. Section 1 sets out the definitions used in the Bill. Section 2 provides for the approval of the terms of the NAB decision and Ireland's adherence to, and participation...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to this debate. I appreciate the Opposition's support for this Bill. Although it is described as technical, it does provide for what will be very practical and useful funds for poverty reduction and disaster relief. I will address some of the questions raised, starting with those of Deputy Berry, the most recent contributor. His first question...