Results 4,261-4,280 of 9,930 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I am not convinced by my colleagues, although they make a good case. I would like to wait until Report Stage to further consider the matter. If they call a vote, I would abstain at this point. I certainly look forward to further discussion on Report Stage. They are valid points.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: Are there any amendments in this group that are in my name only? The main changes that the Minister of State is putting forward here concern the halfway house that was originally proposed. It was very unfortunate. I do recognise the work that has been done to allay our concerns and the concerns of many within the sector, the TUI and the institutions themselves that institutions could...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to raise a number of issues. Does the term "campus" need to be defined in the legislation? I do not think it is defined. Many campuses in various regions are very important to people. There are also campuses that will close down at some point or change when the Grangegorman campus in Dublin opens. There are some campuses such as Castlebar, part of the Galway-Mayo Institute of...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I do, very briefly, before the Minister of State comes back in. Obviously, Blanchardstown and Tallaght are not moving to Grangegorman. They are also a key reason the campuses need protection. The regional focus applies equally in Tallaght and Blanchardstown as it does in Castlebar and Tralee, etc., and I would like the Minister of State to address that as well.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: We all have different concerns about the functions of a technological university, and it would be fantastic if we could all, even privately or in a public session that is not part of the legislative process, sit around and go through it.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State will come in with her responses to all of our amendments. Committee members have raised good issues, and perhaps there is something to which we could all agree on Report Stage that could be drafted by the Government. This is what I suggest. Deputies Martin and Funchion have raised issues. It is not a function of a technological university in this section to promote...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: Second Stage.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I suggest that the Minister of State and her officials would take on board what has been said and the various points that have been raised here. In the context of Deputy Burton's question, the word "people" is probably a better one to use.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I suggest the Minister of State would take on board the various issues we have raised and show us a draft proposed Report Stage amendment before the Bill is taken on Report Stage. Once the Government has issued its amendments, it is almost a case of game over because the decision has been made. If the Minister of State's draft proposed amendment for Report Stage could be issued to all...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I was not finished.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: We are creating universities here. It is probably one of the most important tasks we will ever do as Members of the Oireachtas.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: Yes, but I am proposing a way to deal with all the amendments and the issues we have all raised regarding them and that pertain to the section. We cannot ignore the section and the specific items that have been raised by individuals. I propose that the Government, having discussed the amendments with the Parliamentary Counsel and the officials, would come back to us with a draft proposal...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Funchion has just spoken to amendment No. 23, has the Deputy not?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: My concern with all these individual amendments is that we are all ticking the boxes with individual sectors that we all have been talking to people in, and they are all very good in their own way, but, with respect to the point I made regarding the previous grouping of amendments, we need to have a comprehensive approach. I have no difficulty with Deputy Funchion's amendment. I have an...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: We have proposed a deal on the area of science. The earlier point I made about communities is relevant here as well. The Parliamentary counsel may have advised the use of the word "community" but they are communities and perhaps the phrase to be used should be "the diverse communities", which would cover nearly everybody. It is almost as if professions, business and enterprise are first,...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I ask that all the amendments, including those proposed by the Minister, be withdrawn on the basis that the Minister of State has agreed to table further amendments on Report Stage. If we agree to withdraw our amendments on the basis that the Minister will table an amended text on Report Stage, the Minister of State should also withdraw her amendments. Deputy Funchion and I have already...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: While it is a matter for the Minister of State, my view is that none of the amendments to this section should be passed at this stage on the basis that she has agreed to table a comprehensive amendment on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I, too, oppose the amendment on the basis that all amendments to the section should be withdrawn.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I suggest that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel take account of all the comments made on the proposed amendments, including Government amendments. I ask that we be shown a draft of a new section 22 before Report Stage. The parties could then agree to support the section and avoid any hassle.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 25:In page 19, line 34, after "with" to insert "students, staff,".