Results 121-140 of 448 for at speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: To me, it is a case of laying all the blame at the door of the Director General. I think that clearly what has been demonstrated here is a lack of oversight and a lack of checks and balances, including from the CFO, pertaining to the years that you were there from 2020 to 2022. That is for something that is apparent to me. I will finish because I am out of time. I suppose this is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: One of the areas included under that heading is the roll-out of smart meters. The Minister may not have the figures in front of him and if he does not, that is understandable. It is a big part of transitioning to more sustainable energy in particular. The target is for 2.2 million or 2.25 million smart meters to be rolled out. We are at approximately 1.2 million of them, which is slightly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The Minister and I will turn on our washing machines as soon as we go home. We will be able to avail of the night rate. To clarify the point I am making, of the 1.5 million-odd meters that have been rolled out so far, only 80,000, or 6%, of them are being used to avail of that cheaper rate. The smart meters are not being used to their capacity and that is because the night rate kicks in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Climate Action Plan (21 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: In order to reach this 51% reduction by 2030, we will clearly have to look at every measure possible. I am wondering if it is time to consider free public transport in this country. Transport, as we know, is responsible for 18% of emissions. Of that, fossil fuel from car travel is responsible for 13%.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Inclusion in Sport: Discussion (21 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It must impact. The witnesses are far too young to remember Atlanta 1996 when Sonia O’Sullivan was red-hot favourite going into the distance races. She had an off day. She had an illness on the day and underperformed. She and the whole country were heartbroken. It reminded us that athletes and certainly women in sport have to encounter many issues. We have to remember that side...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister and Minister of State for attending. Transport is responsible for 18% of our emissions. Of that, car travel is responsible for 13%. Clearly, we need to tackle that issue. Public transport, obviously, is one method. In regional areas and rural areas, electric vehicles, EVs, will play a huge role. It is encouraging that EV sales are increasing significantly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That is encouraging about the home charging. That is obviously where most people will do their charging but there are still those black holes in the western half of the country. Finally, in the minute I have left, many local authorities are introducing their climate adaptation plans. However, we are not seeing any climate mitigation plans from local authorities. Basically, they are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (13 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State for being here tonight to take this matter in his role in the Department of Transport. The N71 is the most important route in west Cork. It is the national route that serves the entire region, coming from Cork city through Inishannon, Bandon and Clonakilty out to Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry and Glengarriff. That will give the Minister of State an idea of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (13 Jun 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 566. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she or officials from her Department have engaged with an organisation (details supplied) and the State Examinations Commission regarding the need for additional time to be allocated for dyslexic students sitting exams at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27868/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Liquefied Natural Gas and Oil Prospecting: Discussion (30 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Professor McMullin for his responses so far. This is certainly a debate worth having. It is fair to say it is a tricky one. I am certain I am not speaking on behalf of all committee members but this committee has had the general approach and ethos that fossil fuels should be left in the ground. It has been an overarching theme within the committee membership. As a committee we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (24 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I want to know about the strategy we are putting in place to tackle the astronomical profits being collected by energy companies. This morning, we learned that SSE Airtricity, one of the providers in the Irish market, accrued profits of €2.18 billion. That comes after the ESB recording 12-month profits of €847 million. This is all in the context of historic increases in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Renewable Energy and Port Capacity: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That is great, but I have concerns, not just because I am from Cork, but in general about lack of ambition in terms of floating offshore. We have heard from Shannon Foynes Port Company and there seems to be ambition and realisation that floating offshore is a massive part of Ireland's future energy production. It is great to see the master plans and I am not taking anything away from them....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: 22. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the North Sea Summit. [21502/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (10 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: ...steps to ensure we reduce the demand side of things. Some 1.2 million smart meters have been rolled out so far across Ireland. Only 80,000 of those consumers are availing of smart tariffs. That is approximately 6% or 7%, which is far too little. A big part of the problem is the fact the night-time rate begins at 11 p.m. when nobody wants to turn on appliances, or have their washing...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Development of Local Community Arts: Discussion (10 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: This was a time to get my notes together but I will go for it anyway. I thank everyone for the presentations. I was tuning in remotely, so I heard much of the conversation and discussion so far. It has centred around the lack of performance spaces in particular. That is what I want to focus on solely for this discussion. Ms Kennelly mentioned the Ballydehob Jazz Festival. What an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (9 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: So we are about one quarter of the way there. The point of smart meters is to encourage consumers to move away from peak demand times and to save money or keep money in their pockets. At the moment, the peak rate is between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the night-time rate begins after 11 p.m.. We are trying to encourage consumers to reduce their energy use at peak times. Did the CRU set those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (9 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the after 11 p.m. times were set by the CRU, which means I am speaking to the right people about this issue. Breaking down the figures that Mr. Gannon went through in his presentation, 80,000 consumers are availing of smart tariffs out of a total of 1.2 million smart meters that have been installed. My rough maths indicates that this represents 6%, which seems...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (9 May 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Ms MacEvilly said she does not have the data but if only 6% of 1.2 million are choosing the smart tariffs, clearly something is wrong. When I was discussing my own plan, I looked at the options and I knew I would not be using appliances after 11 p.m. What people are choosing to do is stay on the flat tariff because it is still providing better value for money and is less hassle. If the CRU...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (25 Apr 2023)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The economy is doing very well with unemployment at only 4%. Many sectors are booming but for many rural areas, tourism and hospitality is key and is the largest employer. A concerning report recently suggested that visitor numbers for the first three months of this year were down 16%. Many believe this is down to an issue with hotel accommodation capacity and the fact that the British...