Results 1,061-1,080 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

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

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 33: In page 24, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “(1) A high-risk vendor measure shall not be challenged, including as to its validity, other than by way of an appeal under this section. (2) For the avoidance of doubt, in respect of a measure under section 25, no proceeding (including an application for judicial review) may be brought...

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

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 25: In page 22, line 35, to delete “Part” and substitute “Act”. The amendment will extend the definition of "high-risk vendor measure" to the rest of the Bill. I introduced amendment No. 26 following concerns on Committee Stage about transparency. It will require the Minister to specify, in the high-risk vendor notice, that he or she...

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

Ossian Smyth: We are discussing the designation of critical components within our national electronic communication network. The discussion we are having around this amendment relates to when we are selecting which are critical components, which are the most vulnerable parts of our communications network, which are the weakest parts and which would it be most devastating were they to be attacked. We are...

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

Ossian Smyth: Deputy Ó Murchú may wish to come back in.

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

Ossian Smyth: I will respond first to Deputy McNamara. He suggested that we should know which are the critical components that need to be excluded because they are dangerous and should not be in the network. I want to clarify this point and give the Deputy an explanatory memorandum. A number of things are happening here. The first is the designation of critical components. These are parts of the...

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

Ossian Smyth: Deputy Ó Murchú asked about consultation and the importance of consultation. Consultation on what constitutes a critical component will include detailed consultation with the industry. There are provisions for the Minister to consult with any person the Minister considers appropriate in assessing the risk profile of a vendor. That would likely, in the vast majority of cases,...

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

Ossian Smyth: The way the process will work is it is focused on prevention. There is no compensation provided for operators who have equipment in their network that needs to be removed. We do not want to be in a situation where we are ordering operators to remove equipment. We want to be in a situation where the security measures we take are for the future. This is future-facing legislation about what...

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

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 6: In page 11, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(b) a high-risk vendor measure, (c) a confidentiality requirement of the Minister under section 26(1), (d) a direction under section 33(2),”.

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

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 7: In page 18, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: “(1) Neither a decision or a requirement of— (a) the Commission under this Part or Part 4, or the Code Regulations (other than Regulation 98 and 99), or (b) the Minister under Regulation 70, 76 or 100 of the Code Regulations, shall be challenged, including as to its validity, other...

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

Ossian Smyth: Deputy Ó Murchú is concerned that the powers of designation rest solely with the Minister and that there should be some degree of oversight. The legislation as written provides for independent judicial oversight as well as consultation throughout the process. Where a vendor is designated, an independent judge can overturn that. The power does not rest solely with the Minister,...

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...

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 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: 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?