Results 2,061-2,080 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Dec 2021)

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...

Regulation of Tenderers Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputies. I will address one or two of the points raised. Deputy Farrell raised the question of cost overruns. They are real and on particular projects there have been some dramatic overruns which have been the subject of investigations. We can learn from those and make sure we do not repeat them in the future. It has to be borne in mind that when we are comparing the cost...

Regulation of Tenderers Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Deputies Mairéad Farrell and Patricia Ryan, the proposers of the Bill. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the subject of abnormally low tenders and poor past performance in the procurement of public works contracts. The Bill is well intended and seeks to address the issue that arises on public works tenders from time to time where a contractor will bid low to win...

Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion [Private Members] (8 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: As the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications mentioned, Ireland has one of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world with a sea area of 400 km², which is about seven times the size of our land mass. We have more offshore energy potential than most other EU member states. Ireland's coast is one of the most energy-productive in Europe with a long-term...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I will reply on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Government. I welcome the opportunity to set out the actions being taken by the Government in response to the announcement of the closure of the peat-fuelled power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. The work of Kieran Mulvey, as just transition commissioner in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senators. The Senator is correct in that the just transition commission was meant to be wound down at the end of this month, and it was decided at the time of the climate action plan that it will be put on a permanent footing. I cannot comment on who will be the person who will be appointed and, to be honest, I do not know. I will convey the Senator’s support for Kieran...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The programme for Government commits Ireland to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To contribute to the achievement of these targets, the Government has committed that up to 80% of electricity consumption will come from renewable sources by 2030 on a pathway to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: It is interesting that the Senator raised the possibility of being sued by another country. The Senator raised RWE as an example. A recent European Court of Justice ruling decided that countries within the EU cannot sue other EU member states under the Energy Charter Treaty.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: These cases between EU member states are excluded as a result of that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: It is a judgment from the European Court of Justice. On the question of whether the 2 GW of power we are commissioning will be covered by the Energy Charter Treaty, it depends on which countries win the contracts to build them. Those contracts have not been agreed or specified, so the terms are not known. I take the Senator's point on how long it is going to last. We need 2 GW of power by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (7 Dec 2021)

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 699 schools. The NBP roll out is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (1 Dec 2021)

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 some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (1 Dec 2021)

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 some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (1 Dec 2021)

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 some 699 schools. My Department as the...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Environment, Climate and Communications - Vote 29 (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I can confirm I am on the Leinster House campus. I am thankful for the opportunity to present details of the Supplementary Estimates for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications - Vote 29. The Supplementary Estimate for the Department is a technical Estimate regarding the reallocation of savings within the Department subhead. A sum of €28 million is being...