Results 41-60 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator. These proposed amended sections 6(3) and (4) seek to include a limit of 28 days for a supplier to consider a review request and 28 days to respond in writing to review requests. While I recognise the merit of this amendment, this could cause unintended consequences for electricity suppliers and consumers. Setting a limit of 28 days for a supplier review and response...

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I agree with the underlying sentiment of this amendment. We did accept it last year. The issue is that there is a typo in the amendment which refers to the No. III scheme rather than the No. IV scheme. What we are willing to do is to continue to supply these reports on an administrative basis. I give my commitment as Minister of State that they will continue to be produced in the same way...

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Senator Boyhan asked about the rate of VAT and if we are giving money to electricity consumers, on one hand, and taking it away through VAT, on the other. We reduced VAT on electricity and gas at great expense to 9% from 13.5%, and that is being extended to 30 April. Senator McGahon pointed out that this is an important measure that will really help people. I have spoken directly to...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: No, but I thank Deputy O'Rourke for submitting the amendment last year, when I did accept it. The amendment calls for a report, and reporting has been going on since last year. It will continue this year on an administrative basis. I am not accepting the amendment because I would then not be able to bring the Bill to the Seanad tomorrow, but I appreciate that it is good to have...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy. The purpose of amendments Nos. 6 and 13 is to insert text that will ultimately remove arrears limits on prepay meters. I have a prepay meter, so I am familiar with the system. I am interested to discuss further with the Deputy whatever we can do for people with prepay meters, although not necessarily what we can do for me. As with the previous electricity credit...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Amendment No. 7 relates to section 6 of the Bill and a review by electricity suppliers for customers who did not receive payment under the scheme. I thank the Deputy for the amendment, which I propose to reject. Proposed amendments for Parts 3 and 4 seek to include a limit of 28 days for a supplier to consider a review request and 28 days to respond in writing to review requests. I...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I thank all Deputies who made contributions on Second Stage of this electricity credits Bill. We will be back later today to discuss this on Committee Stage. I will address various points that have been made. They have been constructive and I will not try to play politics with them. We are trying to deal with energy poverty, which is more important than scoring points off one other. I...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The impact of the sharp rise in energy costs experienced in 2022 is still being felt. Households are paying on average 59% more for their electricity, and 90% more for their gas, than they were pre-crisis. This is despite the multiple rounds of price reductions announced by suppliers since 2023. Households are still in need of support...

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I welcome this opportunity to seek the support of Senators for Ireland's first forward spatial plan for offshore renewable energy. The draft designated maritime area plan, DMAP, identifies four maritime areas for accelerated and sustainable development of offshore wind off the south coast of Ireland over the next...

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I listened to everything the Senators had to say and I am glad there is cross-party support for the motion. I will start with Senator Garvey who asked about offshore wind in County Clare. Moneypoint has a huge grid connection and will be part of the future renewable energy grid and electricity supply of our country so where does it fit in? Unsurprisingly, Senator Timmy Dooley also asked...

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The DMAP for the west coast is going to begin next year. The fact we have done one DMAP means that we have learned from that and the next DMAP will be delivered faster. We will also have a new regulatory regime and new planning Act, which means we will have better guarantees on the times that we can deliver.

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: We will start the DMAP in 2025.

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I do not have a conclusion date for that.

Seanad: Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: I need to conclude my speech as well. The approval of this motion will give effect to the plan-led approach to offshore renewable development in Ireland, supported by the House in May 2023. It is a critical step towards unlocking Ireland's offshore wind potential while securing our energy independence and prosperity over the coming decades. Its approval should be considered a matter of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. National Broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The premises in question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The premises in question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (8 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Millions of single-use cups are sent to landfill or incineration every year in Ireland. This is an entirely avoidable waste and I want to encourage people to prevent it by enjoying their on-the-go drink in a reusable cup. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Ireland’s national waste policy, sets out range of measures to tackle the environmental degradation caused by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (8 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The Question...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Ossian Smyth: This is very much a budget for families and for parents. There is the new payment of €420 for newborn babies and the two double child benefit payments to be paid before Christmas. Childcare fees have been brought down twice and are now half what they were thanks to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. Hot school meals for all children in primary education are being provided for. There is...