Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,631 for speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Social Outcome Contracts in Irish Sport: Discussion (29 Jun 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I am very conscious of time as I am running out of it. I appreciate that. In fairness, that is a very satisfactory answer to what could have been a tricky question. Mr. McGroarty mentioned that with this project, sometimes it is hard to make policy now for what will bring long-term benefits and savings, particularly in relation to health and well-being. He mentioned a figure of overall...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Social Outcome Contracts in Irish Sport: Discussion (29 Jun 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It answers it 100%. That is it. This investment saves long term. Whether it is on an individual scale or the grander scale, it saves in potential health costs down the line, which is certainly one of the main pluses of a scheme such as this. Mr. McGroarty outlined very well the inclusivity part of it. He spoke about the outcomes from the perspectives of mental health, general health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I am delighted we are having this session and the more I learn about anaerobic digestion, its technology and benefits, the more I believe firmly that it must be part of our future and something we roll out on a greater scale. The IFA has mentioned the potential of decarbonising agriculture and the challenges the sector will have in reaching emissions targets and I really see this playing a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That explains the regular comment that Ireland is lagging behind in rolling out this technology. In Timoleague, where I am from, there is a plant that has an almost co-operative approach, with farmers bringing in waste material from piggeries and chicken farms etc. The gate fee is waived and it works really well, although it had its own challenges in getting up and running. The operators...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I know other witnesses may want to speak but that comes to my next question. I guess that is an important question for the IFA. Mr. McCarthy said it would be one third agriculture and two thirds energy. In essence, many of the feedstocks and inputs to anaerobic digestion would come from agriculture. Do the witnesses feel like a greater proportion of the emissions savings from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Absolutely. I agree. It is another big benefit of the technology. My final question is for Dr. Beausang. I thought it was vitally important that we had at least one statement to point out the potential risks. There are risks with all of these technologies. We cannot turn a blind eye to them. In doing so, Dr. Beausang also presented possible solutions like multi-species swards. I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank all the witnesses for their responses. If those risks are mitigated against by displacing the leakage in the process, does Dr. Beausang believe that AD is a potentially sustainable technology that can lead to the decarbonisation of agriculture and other industries?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Anaerobic Digestion: Discussion (5 Jul 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I will follow on from what Mr. McCarthy has talked about. The reason I sought to introduce this Bill was because I see the advantages involved and the need to expedite this process, carry on with it and get going. At the same time, I would never advocate for diving into something head first without mitigation and examining the science. Mr. McCarthy recently said something interesting about...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the mental health care and recovery centre in Bantry. The Mental Health Commission has recommended reducing the bed capacity at this facility from 18 beds down to 11. I ask Government to reject absolutely this recommendation. The report and request are fundamentally flawed. It does not take into account the geographic nature of west Cork and fails to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (14 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 178. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the motor travel rates for home support sector will be reviewed given that there is an increased demand on staff to travel and rates and distance bands have not been reviewed since 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45092/22]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (15 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 31. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the role of healthcare assistants in nursing home settings will be included on the critical skills employment permits list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45082/22]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 121. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if transitional funding will be made available to bridge the gap in the Leader programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44986/22]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The HSE’s national women and infants health programme has recommended that women only be able to avail of home births if they live within 30 minutes of a maternity service. If this recommendation was implemented, it would eradicate the choice of home birthing for a large proportion of women living in Ireland. For example, in west Cork, where I am from, any woman living west of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the witnesses for presenting to us and for their engagement so far. I have two questions; possibly three, if time allows. I would appreciate as quick and succinct answers as possible to the two questions. Reference was made to protecting consumers. That is what I would like to focus on at the outset. At the weekend we saw companies reporting six-monthly profits of almost...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I am wondering why that is the case. The EU has recommended a windfall tax on the low-carbon, renewable energy companies. Clearly the EU has seen an opportunity there to intervene in the market. However, there do not seem to be any recommendations from the CRU that would directly impact things like the unit price, which would have a direct impact on utility bills. Why does the CRU not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: My second question is on security of supply, which the CRU dealt with at the end of its opening statement. Reference is made to the different options around security of supply, including battery storage. Is there an opportunity in the very short term to procure battery storage for public buildings? I am thinking of public hospitals in particular. Cork University Hospital, CUH, has always...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Does the provision of battery storage for distribution merit examination?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I get about reducing demand being incentivised to do that, but what about this as a mechanism?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (20 Sep 2022)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It is a combination. There should be a State strategy for the provision of battery storage in public buildings. I used hospitals as an example because of the nature of their work. Reducing the temperature to 19°C, etc., will not work in every public building. This technology is there but a big issue is if it costs €1 million, then procurement could take months. We are at the...