Results 1,541-1,560 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wind Energy Generation (21 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: As the Senator pointed out, the west has more wind. It has faster speeds and more regular wind and, therefore, there is more to be harvested. However, it also has deeper waters and a more environmentally sensitive coastline. There are, for example, the Cliffs of Moher and many beauty spots along the west. It is, therefore, harder to develop wind there using the conventional approach,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (21 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to areas located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie.  The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.  I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 10 June 2022,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by NBI...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Ba mhaith liom Ceisteanna Uimh. 103 and 123 a fhreagairt le chéile. Mar is eol don Teachta, tá spriocanna nua earcaíochta in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021. Chun na spriocanna seo a bhaint amach, tá ar gach Roinn sa Rialtas comhoibriú le chéile. This is against a backdrop, in line with the July 2019 audit findings of an Coimisinéir...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Mar is eol don Teachta, tá deacrachtaí againn daoine a aimsiú a bhfuil Gaeilge líofa acu. I accept we are not at 20% yet. We are still at the initial stages. The Minister, Deputy Martin, is setting up that committee. My Department will collaborate with her and we will do everything we can to meet what has recently been agreed in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: We have a collaborative system of working with the construction companies and their representative bodies. We want to avoid an adversarial situation; that does not work for anybody. We cannot end up in court or in disputes. With that in mind, I meet representatives of the Construction Industry Federation every quarter and I am in regular contact with people such as Sean Downey in order...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: As Minister of State responsible for public procurement, I will be taking this question. The public works contract was introduced in 2007 in response to significant cost overruns on public infrastructure projects and must be used for projects that are delivered under the Exchequer-funded element of the national development plan. Contracting authorities are expected to ensure projects are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Two major changes have been made to counter the new problem of inflation that has arisen as a result of the Ukraine war. First, the contract template is meant to take inflation into account. That is not just the consumer price index, CPI, but the sub-indices of inflation that apply to that contract. If there is a particular material involved, such as concrete or wood, that sub-index will...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 156, 157, 158 and 159 together. The Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 (‘the Bill’) aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy, the Circular...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (16 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie.  The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 10 June 2022,...

Annual Transition Statement: Statements (15 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Ceann Comhairle and all of the Members for their contributions to this debate. I will address some of the points raised, starting with Deputy O’Rourke who is the last survivor in the Chamber. The Deputy said he wanted to see this debate done on a non-party political basis and some other Deputies also raised that issue. The Deputy's contribution was very constructive and...

Annual Transition Statement: Statements (15 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the House on this matter. Climate change is one of the key challenges of this century and failure to address it effectively will result in major adverse impacts that will affect all countries. The latest climate science has observed unprecedented changes in the climate system. I am pleased to present this annual transition statement as...

Energy Security: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: notes that: - the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future sets out a clear pathway towards less reliance on fossil fuels across every sector of our society, and it specifically contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I wish Senators a good afternoon. Today's throwaway take-make-waste culture is neither economically or environmentally sustainable. A circular economy would produce less waste and retain more value in our economy for longer. What does the circular economy mean in practice? It is easy to say we want a less wasteful economy but what steps do we need to take to make the transition from a...

Seanad: Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senators. I will not do justice to their contributions in the seven minutes allocated to me. I will have more time on Committee Stage to discuss issues, and I can also discuss them in the meantime with Senators. I welcome the general tone of the contributions from everybody. They were very constructive. People were genuinely trying to think of ways to make the Bill better....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the National Broadband Plan providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. My Department has prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. Government and NBI have agreed to accelerate the rollout...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Providing electronic communication services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent regulator.While I have no function or statutory authority to influence the prices set, or packages offered by providers of electronic communications services, including television...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie.  The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 3 June...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (14 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020, contains a number of specific measures to support the expansion of the brown bin service to all households in the State including making the provision of an organic waste bin mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households. Officials have commenced the process of engaging with the key...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (2 Jun 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, which was signed on 19 November 2019, to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area (IA) which covers 1.1 million people, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.  The IA has...