Results 5,361-5,380 of 5,762 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Cassells for a very insightful presentation and also for setting it in the social and political context within which we find ourselves. As he said, it is really about balancing fairness right across our communities and the education sector. Before I move to the committee members, I will ask Dr. Doris to make her contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Doris. The issue of access for students, particularly those who come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, came up in a couple of presentations. That is a major priority for us for any new funding arrangement. Do we accept that there is a danger that the introduction of student loans may serve as a deterrent to these students who wish to pursue full-time undergraduate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Deputy Thomas Byrne was the first to indicate, but he is not here. The next speaker is Senator Ruane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will interrupt the Deputy there as I must suspend the meeting. I was waiting on until she had finished-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We will both miss a vote in the House.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am going to suspend the meeting for five minutes. I thank all the members for their contributions. We will resume in five minutes when we will go back to Mr. Cassells and Dr. Doris.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My apologies to our esteemed guests, both those who are present and those who were hoping to start at 11 a.m. I am sorry for the interruptions. I will call the final speaker, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I ask him to be very brief.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is a fair point. Is that the Deputy's only question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely. Thanks for that. We have had excellent contributions from members in terms of focusing on all the issues and challenges. I will start with Mr. Cassells and then Dr. Doris can respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Cassells. We will certainly take him up on that offer. We will discuss among ourselves the best way to proceed. His passion and personal investment in trying to solve the challenges we face are exemplary.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: How long does it take to pay off?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Doris and Mr. Cassels for coming here today. We have learned a lot from their insights and observations, and it has been a very informative and productive session. A lot of research went into producing the report. It is important that the committee has an open and considered debate on the challenges involved. We know we cannot allow thestatus quoto continue; that is not an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Thank you, Dr. O'Dwyer. Finally, I invite Dr. Hourigan to give her statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witnesses for their excellent contributions. It is helpful to have so many faculties and areas represented, from engineering to social sciences, drama and philosophy. We have students from DCU coming in later to talk to us. I thank all the delegates for respecting the time parameters so closely. Every day is incredibly busy for this committee and we could spend hours...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Who would like to respond? Not everybody needs to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: The point is well made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Professor Lonergan and apologise. Meetings are running over and I was trying to explain that to people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We do not want to increase taxes either.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Higher Education Funding: Discussion (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Absolutely. I thank all the witnesses. They made a passionate case for an issue that is vitally important, both in terms of current students and those who will be in the ongoing present, as Fr. Peter McVerry said. I appreciate them giving up the entire morning, as it turned out, to be here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Business of Committee (24 Nov 2016)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Members should note that on 30 November, the select committee will meet with the Minister on the Revised Estimates at 2 p.m. That is changed from 1 December. We are looking at 15 December for the joint committee meeting with the 12 different stakeholders on the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill.