Results 761-780 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: There will be a different piece of legislation.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I will respond to Deputy Whitmore. I heard that only a little more than 18 hours' notice was given to submit amendments. I am not involved in making those decisions, but I contacted the Bills Office just before this debate. I am waiting for a reply and I have requested an extension on the timeframe for the tabling of amendments.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy. My Department has made significant progress on incorporating environmental, economic and social considerations into public procurement which must be undertaken in accordance with the EU directives. In 2018, the OGP within my Department published an information note entitled Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement. The OGP subsequently issued Circular...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Specifically, the programme for Government includes a target of updating all procurement frameworks for green procurement within the first three years of Government, so in other words within this week. The Deputy is absolutely right. I believe we are on target to meet that. Throughout that time I have convened a committee that covers not just our central procurement arrangements that come...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I agree it is unfortunate if we produce guidelines that do not produce the correct outcomes. However, the OGP's function and powers are not to direct Departments in how to do things. It provides the information and the guidance, but the decision that something must be done in a Department is one taken by Government. If the Government wants to direct that every Department must buy electric...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Under action 1.1, the OPW is currently in the process of recruiting an OPW biodiversity manager at assistant principal level. Interviews for this post are due to take place in early July and once appointed, the biodiversity manager role will be supported by a team of two ecologists and a clerical officer. The ecologists will be recruited following the appointment of the biodiversity manager...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Deputy Ó Cathasaigh refers to two recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Nos. 100 and 101 relate to the revision of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and consideration of schemes such as room for the river. The OPW has been co-operating with its Dutch counterparts and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, has spoken enthusiastically about the work it has done...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Tógfaidh mé an cheist seo ar son an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Donovan. The Office of Public Works is committed to protecting, promoting and enhancing biodiversity across its operations. The OPW biodiversity action strategy 2022-26 identifies strategic actions to help deliver Government policy. As part of that strategy, the knowledge, creativity, commitment and innovation of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, has asked me to answer his questions relating to the OPW this evening. In response to the Deputy’s question and previous questions with respect to the status of the Coirib go Cósta project, I am happy to provide an update. As the Deputy is aware, major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: In response to Deputy Connolly regarding dates, the only date I have available is that the scoping of the revised works should be agreed in the third quarter of 2023 between Galway City Council, the OPW and the scheme consultants. I am happy to take any additional questions that she wants to refer to me or to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. Deputy Conway-Walsh asked whether the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I am advised that the project is delayed due to the review and update of the design flow and water level data. This review, since the completion of the western CFRAM study, resulted in several years of additional flow and water level recordings being used. Together with detailed wave overtopping analysis, this has resulted in a potentially significant increase in flood risk to several areas...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023: Second Stage (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to address the House on the Second Stage of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023. As Deputies are aware, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 led to exceptionally high energy prices. The wholesale price of natural gas increased significantly from a long-term...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Deputy Stanton asked about AI and advice on same. The National Cyber Security Centre has circulated advice to Departments and other public sector bodies on the use of AI. That advice is classified and has not been published but, in general, it advises not uploading confidential documents and not using the output of generative AI directly, for example, to reply to letters from the public or...

Seanad: Cybersecurity and Data Protection: Statements (22 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Chair, Senator Davitt and those in the Gallery. During the pandemic, there was an acceleration in the pace of digitisation in Ireland. Because people could not travel around and many facilities, businesses and Government facilities were shut down, they were forced to go online. As people were worried about becoming infected, they were doing things like visiting their doctors...

Seanad: Cybersecurity and Data Protection: Statements (22 Jun 2023)

Ossian Smyth: Senator Seery Kearney asked the question "Who owns your image?" It is a good question. The Senator will remember that this Government passed a law some years ago in respect of intimate images. This legislation had previously been introduced by Deputy Brendan Howlin. It is an important law and I believe it was generally widely welcomed. It prevents people from using intimate images to...

Seanad: Government Commitments on Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (31 May 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Acting Chair and Senators and welcome the visitors in the Gallery. On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I welcome this opportunity to seek the support of Senators for these long-term Government commitments on the development of offshore renewable energy in this State. With a sea area that is seven times its landmass, the realisation of...

Seanad: Government Commitments on Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (31 May 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senators for their input. I will address the points that were made in the order I heard them. I will start with Senator Garvey, who pointed out that Moneypoint is facing a future transformation. Moneypoint has huge grid connection and is clearly an ideal location for future renewable energy development and hydrogen development. It will be a location for innovation, investment...

Government Commitments on Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion (Resumed) (24 May 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputies. I first want to welcome members of the Naval Service, who are in the Public Gallery. All of us who are here, as well as all Irish people, owe them a debt of gratitude for their service. It is a difficult job to go to sea. It is strenuous, arduous and tiring and they are confined, and yet it is vitally important for a nation like ours. This debate is about our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (23 May 2023)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senators. The students from Kells, County Meath, are very welcome. I thank Senator Sherlock for raising this important issue and for the timely opportunity to give an update on the Government’s supports for home retrofit. In order to hit our climate targets, we will need to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a BER B2 cost optimal or carbon equivalent and install...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (23 May 2023)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator is correct to raise this matter. How will we upgrade stone or thatched cottages, particularly when lived in by people who are in energy poverty, cannot afford to move home and need the upgrades more than anyone else? She mentioned how difficult it was to reach the B2 standard, but it is possible to get grants that do not require people to do so. For example, it is possible to...