Results 1,741-1,760 of 2,990 for speaker:Ossian Smyth

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fuel Prices (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am not prepared to answer the question on the common travel area. We may have to wait for another Minister, unless we can go to another question.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fuel Prices (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I can reply on that issue if the Ceann Comhairle so wishes. My apologies.

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fuel Prices (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Deputy O'Connor for asking about the supports available for private bus and coach operators during this wartime period which has led to elevated fuel prices. I am answering this question on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I understand the Deputy's question relates specifically to the possible provision of fuel supports to the bus and coach sector similar to...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to this debate. I appreciate the Opposition's support for this Bill. Although it is described as technical, it does provide for what will be very practical and useful funds for poverty reduction and disaster relief. I will address some of the questions raised, starting with those of Deputy Berry, the most recent contributor. His first question...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I will briefly outline the contents of the legislation. It is a short Bill which is very technical in nature. It has ten sections and one Schedule, containing the text of the 2020 new arrangements to borrow, NAB, decision. Section 1 sets out the definitions used in the Bill. Section 2 provides for the approval of the terms of the NAB decision and Ireland's adherence to, and participation...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank Senator Garvey. Indeed, the term “circular economy” is technical one. It is a challenge for me to get that concept clear to the public. We are bringing in a new circular economy Bill. The Senator is right. The Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun is a great way for people to understand this because it is so practical. It is doing four things: upcycling, paint, bicycles,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator for her praise but, in fact, most of the work on this was done by my Department before my appointment. I have to give the staff full credit for that. I want to collect as little money from this levy as possible. I want people to use reusable cups. I want it to be a habit and a new culture and I want to make that as easy as possible. I want to give people the choice...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: There is a fundamental difference in the way the pricing of fossil fuel energy and renewable energy is arrived at. As the Senator knows, oil, gas and coal are traded on international markets and we are subject to the vagaries of those markets. Often they are sourced from highly unstable regions in the world, as we are reminded, whether it is the Middle East or Russia. This has led to great...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am happy to look at any proposal the Senator has. My office is always open for her to come to me and discuss a proposal and my mind is always open. The Senator asked a number of questions. One was about commercial rates on fossil fuel generation, as opposed to renewable generation. That is a matter on which I am happy to engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I am here on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who cannot be present. I will answer questions on her behalf. In fact, this is a subject that is dear to both our hearts because we have the same issue in south Dublin as the Senator has in Dublin 15. I have to pay tribute to and acknowledge the analysis and work done by the parents of children with autism in establishing that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I thank the Senator and I share her wish that she will be able to give that information to those parents soon. Two of the most important things that are present here are the political will and the budget to do this. The Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, has used every tool in her negotiations armoury and made every effort to make progress on this. Part of the aim here is to reduce the...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." As Deputies will be aware, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, is an institution that promotes international monetary co-operation and provides policy advice, technical assistance and loans to help countries build and maintain or restore their economies. The global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic have demonstrated that the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (23 Mar 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 appreciate people’s frustration when they are living close to a fibre...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: The Senator is correct and her questions are excellent. Many people remember, with some nostalgia, that they could get money back for bottles. Just like the Senator I recall going to the local pub before I was of an age where I was allowed in and returning bottles and getting money for them. It was a clear link and reduced the amount of litter on the ground. People understand the concept....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I can hear the Senator's enthusiasm. I have to give the Department credit for doing a lot of work, before I was appointed, in engaging with the industry. I refer not just to the people making bottles, but to the retailers themselves. They were making sure that it would not be a scheme that would work in theory but not in practice or something that people would be against. Part of that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: School Facilities (22 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. In late 2020, Government and NBI agreed to accelerate the rollout of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: Representations from Monaghan County Council dated 14 February 2022 have been received in my Department regarding the matters referred to in the Question.  A reply will issue directly to Monaghan County Council shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: EU Directives (8 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. My Department last engaged with the European Commission in respect of Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) via teleconference on 25 January last. Draft Regulations to effect transposition of Article 8 of the BCRD are at an advanced stage of development and my Department continues to engage with the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (8 Mar 2022)

Ossian Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), 2020 sets out the steps that will be taken in Ireland to reduce waste from packaging and single-use plastic items over the 5-year term of the plan. These steps include: A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. All packaging being placed on the market must be...