Results 1,601-1,620 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The first problem I have with this is that if we, as the amendment indicates, directly substitute "comply" with "consider" we end up with a sentence stating the contracting authorities shall "consider with" any guidelines issued under subsection (1). There is an additional word, "with", in there, which makes sense when it is "comply with" but does not when it is "consider with". I do not...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am sorry to interrupt. I am happy with "shall consider", but I will flag that we will change it on Report Stage because "consider with" does not make sense.

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I want to indicate my intention to table an amendment to this section of the Bill. Section 6 sets out provision for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the issue of guidelines on social considerations, which contracting authorities are obliged to follow. Notwithstanding the amendment tabled by Senator Higgins today, the prescriptive nature of these guidelines could...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: We are the Government for all citizens of Ireland and have to make sure the services we provide to the public are equitable and fair, no matter where one lives, in so far as possible.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Passport Service is a unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Lower Mount Street in Dublin 2, in Balbriggan and on the South Mall in Cork. Passport applications from all citizens, whether at home or abroad, are distributed for processing across these three passport offices based on the type of application rather than on the place of residence of the applicant....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Deputy made several points. He suggested there should be a better early warning system if there are errors with a passport application and the date is not going to be met. I will communicate this point to the Passport Office. Deputy McHugh also pointed out that "Passport Express" might be the wrong name if the other method is in fact the express method and that perhaps we should...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scéimeanna Tuaithe (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Gabhaim buíochas le Teachtaí Dála Ó Fearail, Ó Cearáin agus Ó Dochartaigh as an gceist thábhachtach seo a chur chugam. An bhliain seo caite, bhí clár LEADER ag ceiliúradh 30 bliain ar an bhfód in Éirinn. Bhí tionchar ollmhór ag an gclár seo ar fhorbairt tuaithe in Éirinn, sna hoileáin ar chósta...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scéimeanna Tuaithe (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Táim ag éisteacht leis na Teachtaí agus tuigim go bhfuil deacrachtaí faoi leith ag na hoileáin. I understand that this is mixed up with other funding under the LAGs. I am stating here that there will be a two-step process now. It is possible for eligible groups to apply for approval and to form an LAG before the CAP strategic plan it decided. After this strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg, to mobile operators. ComReg advises that the current minimum coverage obligations in those licences are being considerably exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years was in the order...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (18 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025 commits to examining measures to support increased use of recycled materials in packaging and this includes the possible introduction of a virgin plastic levy. My officials have established a dialogue with the organisation concerned to better understand the current behaviour in the plastics recycling market. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (18 May 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...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waste Management (17 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator. The Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal By Burning) Regulations 2009 make it an offence to dispose of waste by uncontrolled burning. As an exemption, Article 5 of the regulations provides for the permissible disposal of agricultural waste by burning under certain conditions, including, among others, where the material to be burned consists of uncontaminated...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Waste Management (17 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Boyhan. He is right in saying that is the key point. The exemption will run out in 2023 and it is not intended to extend it. A feasibility study is being carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It will involve public consultation and proper engagement with stakeholders, including farmers, who are the most important people in this context. That...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (17 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed on 19 November 2019 to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area. My Department has no direct role in relation to the matter referred to and any queries regarding same are a matter for NBI. I have passed the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (11 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Question refers to 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 29 April 2022, almost...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legal Services Regulation (10 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Ward for raising this matter. I will provide some background on this issue. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 gives expression to the constitutional right that free legal aid must be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. The Judiciary is responsible for the granting of legal aid. Legal services...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legal Services Regulation (10 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: There have been negotiations with other professions where fees have been adjusted but that has involved changes to the contract and productivity improvements, which involved long negotiations with the representative bodies. My Department is available for continuing discussions with the Bar Council of Ireland, if that does go ahead.I take the Senator's point about his worry there would be a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (10 May 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...

Regulations for the Sale and Distribution of Turf: Motion [Private Members] (5 May 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I welcome the opportunity to respond to some of the issues raised in the debate. I am acutely aware of recent increases in energy costs due to increases internationally and, more recently, the crisis in Ukraine. The purpose of new solid fuel regulations is to ensure better quality and more efficient fuels will be available on the market. Low smoke ovoids are a suitable cost-efficient...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (5 May 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 the almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by...