Results 1,541-1,560 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 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 almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.I am advised by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (14 Jul 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) last year underwent a detailed external Capacity Review, leading to a Government Decision in July 2021 which committed to a roadmap of measures to grow its resources and capability. In addition, my Department is engaging with national stakeholders to develop a policy paper on legislation to define the future mandate, functions and powers of the NCSC....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (14 Jul 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Following engagement with telecommunication industry leaders late last year to address the ongoing problem of nuisance communications, an industry-led taskforce, facilitated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has been established to identify and recommend practical interventions that might be taken by operators in the short, medium and long-term to combat nuisance...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. I propose to answer 219 and 220 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 almost 560,000 premises,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Usage (14 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: EU Regulation No. 2022/1369 was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 5 August of this year with the aim of improving the co-ordination framework for national gas demand reduction measures in case of a severe disruption of gas supplies from Russia. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war, there is a heightened risk of a complete cessation of supplies of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Usage (14 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Government has to lead by example on this and the public sector has been asked to turn down its thermostats to a maximum of 19°C and to turn off the power an hour or two before the end of the working day where that is feasible, reasonable and safe, which it would not be in a hospital, obviously. We have also asked that public sector buildings and bodies turn off display lighting at...

Measures to Assist with Household Bills: Motion [Private Members] (14 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I welcome the debate and I thank colleagues from all sides for their contributions. This is clearly the main item of interest and concern to Irish people, who are facing unprecedented wholesale gas prices, which directly impacts electricity and gas prices in our homes. We know that over the coming winter we will face higher energy costs, as continued price rises take effect. As I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (15 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Carrigy for raising this matter, which is very timely. The management of the ESB-owned facilities is an operational matter for the board and management of the ESB. The ESB ceased electricity generation at Shannonbridge and Lanesborough power stations in December 2020 because their planning permission had expired. The just transition commissioner made a recommendation in his...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (15 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I should clarify that the phrase "anticipated shortfall" refers to an anticipated shortfall in the buffer of the surplus energy we have, on top of what is needed to power the country. I do not expect there will be power cuts this winter or next winter, although it is always possible. It is always possible every year. There is always a possibility of power cuts happening and it is the job...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (15 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Absolutely, yes.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to a 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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 2 September 2022, over...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Sep 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 over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by...

Security of Electricity Supply: Motion [Private Members] (15 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Regional Group for raising this important motion. We are all too aware of the pressing matters of energy security, energy prices and protecting our vulnerable consumers and businesses. At the outset, I would like to emphasise the impact the war in Ukraine is having on gas market prices and, in turn, the impact on both gas and electricity bills over the coming winter and beyond....

National Retrofit Plan: Motion [Private Members] (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. I am delighted there is so much interest in retrofit. There was not always such interest. In the past, when retrofit schemes were proposed there were cynical responses about how many years it took for the payback. Those calculations about how long it took for payback were based on assumptions about the future price of electricity and gas. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: We are ahead of where we expected to be at the start of the year when we were planning in February. Survey and design work for the new high-speed fibre broadband network under the national broadband plan is complete or ongoing by National Broadband Ireland, NBI, in every county in Ireland. I am advised by NBI that, as of 9 September 2022, more than 331,000 premises are design completed and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I regularly meet with Eir, NBI, the contractors who do the work and everybody in between to make sure that the project is still running. I have met with the new chief executive of Eir and I am convinced that he will continue to improve the roll-out of this system. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned Eir make-ready which is the preparatory work that Eir does in the year before it hands over...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I will start with Deputy Ó Murchú. By the end of this year, we will have agreed with NBI what its target is for next year. Some 102,000 is our target for January of next year and we will have agreed a new achievable target by the end of the year. That will involve working with Eir on their make-ready plans. The existing contract is for a seven-year roll out which completes by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: With regard to the people who have 30 Mbps and are regarded to be good enough, the national target has not been agreed, but it is likely to that everybody will have gigabit Internet by the end of 2028.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I understand.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Ossian Smyth: At present, the quantity of recyclable materials placed on the market by industry in Ireland is in excess of domestic recycling capacity and the waste management industry relies, in part, on the export market to meet its processing needs. As Minister of State, I do not have the power in an open market to direct waste to be kept within Ireland or that it be directed to a specific facility for...