Ossian Smyth | Business Post

Cyber security body warns civil servants of dangers of using ChatGPT

National Cyber Security Centre says public sector access to generative AI tools should be allowed only in exceptional cases

Ireland’s biggest vape shop says ban on disposable e-cigarettes would breach EU law

Hale Vaping says prohibiting sale of disposable vapes would infringe principle of free movement of goods within the EU

Climate & Environment

New levies to incentivise recycling to come into force next month

Regulations include a new waste recovery levy of €10 and a hike of €10 to the landfill levy

RTÉ Payments Scandal

Minister denounces reports of up to 400 redundancies at RTÉ

Ossian Smyth says the Media Minister is working to protect employees as crisis continues to rock the national broadcaster

Government set to help craft brewers with return scheme

From next year, all cans and plastic bottles sold in Ireland must have a special barcode but the deposit consumers are charged may be adjusted

Climate & Environment

Green minister Ossian Smyth complains of ‘horrible conservative scaremongering’ on EU nature law

The TD for Dun Laoghaire said he was “disappointed” with the European People’s Party, which is the European affiliate of Fine Gael

Artificial Intelligence

Minister warns ChatGPT could be weaponised for cyber attacks

Ossian Smyth has asked the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to draw up advice for the public of the risks caused by advances in artificial intelligence

Susan O’Keeffe: ‘Smyth’s role is to encourage action on climate crisis, not turn it into a social media bandwagon’

The sad part about recent events is that climate change desperately needs protestors who are savvy and smart to help drive a vast mindset change, writes Susan O’Keeffe

Government doubles-down on making Ireland a data centre hub with subsea cable plan

The new strategy is expected to provide government subsidies to certain cable routes

Greens to back budget measures on fuel costs but want climate tax package in return

Mooted changes include cheaper public transport fares and lower Vat on bicycles

Gambling industry is undermining National Lottery, warns chief executive

The head of Premier Lotteries Ireland has called for a ban on bookmakers offering bets on the lottery numbers

Minister warns Ireland open to cyber attack if Russia invades Ukraine

Public sector bodies and essential services including electricity and gas firms and banks have two-year deadline to sharpen security measures

New national cyber security chief to be appointed in January

A salary increase for the digital security director, extra staff and a dedicated facility are also part of the overhaul of the National Cyber Security Centre

NBI investors can provide 99% of funding through high-cost loans

Significant interest payments can be earned by investors from loans, with just 1% coming from the purchase of shares

Minister launches review of national broadband contract

Investors in the NBP were allowed to cut their exposure to the project by having high-interest loans count towards their promised equity investment. The review will examine the ownership structure, equity transactions, high-cost loans and fees withdrawn by investors

Green minister says relying on Britain for gas is ‘high risk’

Ossian Smith discussed the situation with ministers from other EU island states, such as Cyprus and Malta, at a meeting in Luxembourg last week

Bottle deposit and return scheme to launch next year

Consumers will receive a 20 cent refund for each empty drinks can or plastic bottle they return, in a new scheme to reduce both waste and public litter

RPA training to increase for public servants

Ireland’s Digital Covid Cert system is among the EU’s most robust, minister says

Ossian Smyth told an Oireachtas committee that the government has made contact with the Data Protection Commission in an attempt to make sure the process is fully compliant with GDPR regulations

FBI involved in international response to HSE cyber attack

Authorities in US and Europe share expertise on dealing with the growing threat of cyber attacks on national infrastructures