Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I have a proposal for three Supplementary Estimates in respect of Votes 12, 14 and 17. The first is a net Supplementary Estimate of €79 million in respect of Vote 12, superannuation and retired allowances, the second is a Supplementary Estimate of €220,000 in respect of Vote 14, State Laboratory, and the third is a Supplementary Estimate of €479,000 in respect of Vote...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: On the State Laboratory, the Supplementary Estimate is simply to provide more money for electricity and gas costs because the State Laboratory has increased energy costs as a result of its laboratory equipment use. The Deputy asked me whether there is sufficient money in the budget to meet the staff costs and staff resources. There is so we have no expectation that we need more money to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I believe my Department wrote to the committee previously about report No. 42 and my officials are happy to update the information by writing to the committee again. The Supplementary Estimate is required because there is a variable period of time over which one can choose to retire. The result is one can choose to retire up to the age of 70 or 60, or even before that. Therefore, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (29 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am advised by NBI that, as of 18 November 2022, over 107,400 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 95,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections...

Communications Regulation Bill 2022: Instruction to Committee (24 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I move: That, pursuant to Standing Order 233, Standing Order 187 is modified to provide that it be an instruction to the Committee to which the Communications Regulation Bill 2022 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments that: the Committee has the power to make amendments to the Bill which are outside the existing subject matter of the Bill, in relation to: i. the Digital...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. LEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future and, as announced recently, the expression of interest stage to select the groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocation for each LEADER area was also announced as part of the process. The programme has made an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I believe the Deputy has asked about this issue previously, and I will follow up on those questions. I have been told there are now requirements that these subregional groups specifically include actions relating to the islands, that they have a specific budget for the islands, and that they have representation from the islands. I presume that is on foot of the Deputy's requests or demands....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy. He mentioned that we in the Oireachtas are good at creating laws, but we have to take into account that those laws have to be implemented and that every law we pass creates new requirements and burdens on the Garda. Where possible, we should remove some of the laws that are on the Statute Book. He made the point that any recruitment campaign we run should be vibrant....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Deputy. I have listened carefully to his initial comments and it is clear he has been following up on this issue, which is close to his heart. He can see the benefits of the Garda Reserve and he has been persistently trying to follow up on when the recruitment campaign will start. The information I have been given is the information I have passed on to him, but I can pass on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for raising this issue. While recruitment to An Garda Síochána has faced challenges in recent times, this has been due in the main to public health restrictions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. The effect of the restrictions has been a slower than anticipated flow of new entrants into the Garda College. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this issue in the House. The Deputy will appreciate of course that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation and distribution of resources. However, I can inform the Deputy it is anticipated that the Garda Reserve recruitment process will launch in the coming year. As the Deputy may...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Cathaoirleach and welcome our distinguished guests. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this matter, to which I will reply on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. I will explain what the OPW does on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in this area. Section 28 of the State Property Act 1954 provides that property held by a dissolved company...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator mentioned she had spoken to the Department of Finance. I clarified that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility and that the OPW is the section of that Department which deals with this. Second, a company can be restored for up to 20 years after dissolution. That is the reason the State is reluctant to carry out any development or works on bits of land...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Road Tolls (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Minister for Transport has the responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for TII in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Road Tolls (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator. I appreciate his point that if the toll is set too high, it could lead to traffic entering city centres. Unfortunately, I was not at the Cabinet meeting today to know whether a decision was taken or whether there was a discussion on this, but I will update the Senator on the matter later today. The Government has identified transport as an area to target for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (22 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. 183 and 184 together. Since September 2021, all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, may now be placed in the mixed dry recycling bin.Full details on what packaging materials may be recycled are available at the MyWaste.ie website.  -All packaging being placed on the market must be reusable or recyclable by 2030....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (22 Nov 2022)

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...

Energy Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (16 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Deputies for raising these important matters and allowing us time to discuss them today. I can appreciate the Deputies' concern, which is shared by all of us, that significant increases in the price of wholesale gas have led to an unprecedented rise in energy prices that has put financial strain on households and businesses in Ireland and across Europe. Clearly, the significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (15 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Deputies have done the right thing in meeting both Departments. It is a key role of all politicians to broker agreement between different parties. The view of the OPW is that it is acting in an advisory role. Deputy Leddin is telling me the Department of Transport is saying it is an OPW job. We have all been in this situation before. I will bring the Deputies' comments back to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (15 Nov 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am informed that a flood alleviation options assessment for flooding at Ballycar Lough was initiated by Iarnród Éireann and was completed by consultant engineers RPS in December 2020. This assessment study built on previous reports of 2011 and 2015 commissioned by Iarnród Éireann. Having considered all various options, the assessment study recommends a new preferred...