Results 2,601-2,620 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (24 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The premises 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: Waste Management (24 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The regulations referred to can be found in S.I. No. 149 of 2014 - European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014.Schedule 6 of these Regulations outlines the requirements for distributors of electrical and electronic equipment to display  a notice in accordance with the provisions of regulation 30(3), regarding end of life products. The EPA leads...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (24 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.187  and  188  together. The premises referred to in the Questions are 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...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Just Transition Fund (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: Yes.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Just Transition Fund (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The Deputy is right that the ESB has a key role, and it is important that my Department engages and continues to engage with the ESB on the future of the midlands. I will address specifically the Shannonbridge and Lanesborough power plants and what their future is. The just transition commissioner made a recommendation in the first progress report in May 2020 that a study be undertaken...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Just Transition Fund (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I welcome the opportunity to respond to the question posed in the Deputy’s Topical Issue matter and to acknowledge the genuine concerns of people in the midlands about the transition, the major changes in the economy and the funding that is there for it. In the programme for Government we copper-fastened support targeted towards the midlands to support a just transition. There is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: Waste collectors operate under waste collection permits. Conditions attached to these permits require collectors to separately collect segregated waste and to deliver this waste to suitable treatment facilities. Permit conditions are enforced by local authorities.   Waste treatment facilities operate under a waste facility permit from a local authority or a waste licence from the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The NCSC budget allocation for 2021 is €6.9 million of which €1.8m relates to salaries. The Government has trebled the capital and programme funding for the NCSC from €1.7 million in 2020 to €5.1 million in 2021. The funding and resourcing of the NCSC has been increased over the past five years. The Programme for Government included a commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The Programme for Government included a commitment to undertake a Capacity Review of the NCSC in order to expand the NCSC’s ability to monitor and respond to cyber security incidents and developing threats. The Capacity Review will inform decisions to be taken on the future of the NCSC, including with respect to its statutory mandate.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (23 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The landfill levy was introduced under the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 and came into effect on 1 June 2002. The purpose of the charge was to effect behaviour change regarding disposal of waste to landfill and this has been successful with just 3 landfills currently in operation in the State, a reduction from 31 in 2008. In addition, our landfill rate for municipal waste was...

State Pension Age: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I wish to thank the Deputies for the engaging debate. I would like to start by addressing some of the points that were made by Deputies, not all of whom are still present in the Chamber. In response to Deputy Martin Browne, I wish to put it on the record that there is a member of the board of the NWCI who is also on the Pensions Commission. In response to Deputies Seán Crowe and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Appointments to State Boards (22 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The process to recruit for the position of Director of the National Cyber Security Centre will be conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The PAS is recognised as a centre of excellence for public service recruitment and selection across a range of posts from entry level to professional, technical and senior executive positions. The recruitment process will be conducted in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (22 Jun 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 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. I am advised by National...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Travel Documents (21 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator is correct. There has been a lot of disinformation, not all of which has been intentional. Sometimes, ideas start to float around and need to be clarified so I thank the Senator for bringing this issue to the attention of the House. I always welcome the opportunity to speak in the Seanad. As the Senator is aware, an EU digital Covid certificate is digital proof that a person...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Travel Documents (21 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: First, the Senator asked how people apply. In the case of a test certificate, people go to an accredited laboratory, which sends their certificate to them. They give their email address at the time and it is sent on to them. People choose whether they want it on paper or on their phone. How do people apply for a vaccination certificate or recovery certificate? The HSE will contact people...

Regulation of Lobbying (Post-Term Employment as Lobbyist) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Deputies Maireád Farrell and Ó Murchú for their contributions. I reiterate my thanks to Deputy Nash for bringing the Bill forward. The purpose of the Bill is to amend section 18 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 by including a contravention of section 22 within the definition of "relevant contraventions". It is also proposed that this amendment would have...

Regulation of Lobbying (Post-Term Employment as Lobbyist) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: “Dáil Éireann: — recognises that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s review of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has just concluded; and — resolves that the Regulation of Lobbying (Post-Term Employment as Lobbyist) Bill 2020 be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (17 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: Tá an ceart ag an Teachta go bhfuil gá leis an gcóras seo a athrú. Is é sin an fáth go bhfuil Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2019 ag teacht, chun fadhbanna mar seo a réiteach. Tá orainn níos mó daoine atá dátheangach a earcú. Tá orainn freisin oideachas a chur ar fáil do dhaoine atá fostaithe...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (17 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: Is é an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí, PAS, an t-earcaitheoir neamhspleách i gcomhair cheapacháin na státseirbhíse. Tá an earcaíocht ar fad faoi stiúir an éilimh agus téann PAS i gceann comórtas thar ceann na státseirbhíse chun painéil a chur ar bun ónar féidir tarraingt de réir mar a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (17 Jun 2021)

Ossian Smyth: Tá an-deacracht againn. Tá an-deacracht ag an Státseirbhís daoine dátheangacha a earcú. Mar shampla, bhí comórtas ann do dhaoine a raibh Béarla acu gur spéis leo a bheith ina n-oifigigh chléireachais agus sainchomórtas eile do dhaoine dátheangacha a raibh líofacht acu sa Ghaeilge. Bhí 60 uair níos mó...