Results 1,901-1,920 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (19 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The important principle is that the contracting authorities are responsible for their own budgets and responses. The Accounting Officer in each case is responsible for monitoring its own expenditure. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not operate as a monitoring agency at a micro-management level to make sure that each contracting authority operates within its own budget....

Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Bill is about the security of supply of oil. Members will be aware of the continued importance of security of oil supplies. While we continue to transition to the increased use of renewable fuels and electrification in both the transport and heating sectors it is vital that we maintain our oil supplies. It is worth highlighting that the main purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the...

Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (19 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to present the Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023 to the select committee. The main purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the Government's ability to manage stocks in the unlikely event of a curtailment of oil supplies. I acknowledge the broad support the Bill received in the Dáil last week. ...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Bill provides for a consultation period before changes are introduced. That is the period in which to carry out an assessment or allow for a public examination or debate before anything is introduced.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I will talk to my officials about that and come back to the Deputy.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: There are a number of different ways of measuring what are critical infrastructure. It is already provided for in the network and information security directive from the EU which is being updated. The Deputy will remember that during the pandemic a list of essential workers was compiled and decisions were made about essential services. There is an oil emergency response plan which has...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Deputy O'Rourke for the amendment. I have looked carefully at the proposal to see its implications. I can appreciate what the Deputy is trying to achieve here but I do not propose to accept the amendment. The primary purpose of the amendments to section 3 of the Act of 1971, the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act 1971, is to provide for a timely response by Government to an oil...

Inshore Fishing: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recognised the value and importance of the inshore fishing sector and has pledged his ongoing commitment to supporting it during his frequent engagement with sector representatives. He has ensured support for the National Inshore Fisheries Forum in the developing and implementing of its own industry-led strategy to raise the profile of...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Instruction to Committee (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move: That, pursuant to Standing Order 233, Standing Order 187 is modified to provide that it be an instruction to the Committee to which the Communications Regulation Bill 2022 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments that it has the power to make amendments to the Bill which are not relevant to the general subject matter, to amend the Postal and Telecommunications Services...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Instruction to Committee (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I will try to contact the Chief Whip to arrange that. Will we adjourn for five minutes?

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Instruction to Committee (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Does that mean we cannot move the next business forward?

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, line 21, after “2002;” to insert “to amend the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003;”. The effect of amendment No. 60 to the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 is to reduce the membership of the agency from 14 to eight. As the nature and focus of the work of the agency necessarily narrows during the period ahead of...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I note the comments of the Deputy and I agree substantially with them. There is a vital role for the Government in education in IT. It is our investment for the future in a successful economy. We need to educate people and provide them with the skills they need for a knowledge economy. That is a focus and responsibility for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research,...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: There is no financial implication as a result of this amendment regarding the DHDA. I realise the Deputy is referring to other parts of the legislation but there is no money message required in respect of the amendments we are discussing.

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 2 In page 9, line 21, after "2002;" to insert the following: "to amend the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 to enable funding to be made available for the purposes of maintaining the post office network and countering consequences of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union;". The Government decided on 31 May 2022 that €10...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy for his support for these amendments.

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 3: In page 9, line 26, after “Regulation” to insert “and Digital Hub Development Agency(Amendment)”.

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, line 27, after “Act” to insert “(other than Parts10and 11)”.

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (25 Jan 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 5: In page 10, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “ “high-risk vendor measure” has the meaning given to it by section 25;”. Before I discuss amendments Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, I wish to draw my colleagues' attention to amendment No. 6, which is now included in a substitute list. This is to amend a cross-referencing...