Results 7,201-7,220 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I asked which amendments were being discussed.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Excuse me. This is bad practice.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I asked what was being discussed and I got a clear answer from you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, that it was amendment No. 1. In that respect I have to raise amendment No. 3 because it is crucial in respect of the definition of a "students' union". It relates to the question of how students are represented in Ireland. Crucially, it relates to the proposals we have. We have several constructive...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 3:In page 9, lines 34 to 36, to delete all words from and including "means" in line 34 down to and including "university" in line 36 and substitute the following:"means an autonomous body governed by students which promotes and represents the interests of students, both individual and collective". This amendment sets out our proposal of a clear definition, meaning that a...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Certainly. Amendment No. 4 is a compromise option and while it has our preferred definition, it also includes some of the language from the current definition, which allows for the recognition of the student union by the institute or university to play a role. It is more appropriately balanced in that it sets out the kind of student union that the university should recognise. It is a...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The Leas-Chathaoirleach just said amendments Nos. 28 and 34 are in the same group.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach clarify the amendments being discussed now?

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have spoken to most of the amendments in the group. I wish to speak to amendment No. 27.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: They have been put forward by Senator Gavan and I have already spoken to those. I look forward to hearing the response of others in the House, including Fianna Fáil and the Minister of State.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: "Autonomous" is the crucial word, along with the phrase "governed by students". With respect, the amendments are quite different from the Government's wording.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: To follow up on that, it is important that we do not personalise this. Of course the amendment is not in any sense a slight on any of the governing bodies, individuals or presidents. I have worked with many of them and have been on a students' union. I have also worked in regard to governance. Having worked in regard to governance and having been on all sides, however, I know we need to...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will make one point in that regard.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: There have been concerns, including over the funding or defunding of the students' union in Dublin Institute of Technology, but they have been resolved.These issues were largely debated here. We do not want every concern to be debated here. That is not appropriate. We want to make sure that there are fora and procedures within the institutions themselves where these issues can be resolved....

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As the Senator described it, it is the situation in universities. Perhaps the appropriate solution is to look at how students' unions are treated and defined in the legislation on other universities. Students' unions within institutes of technology have a slightly different standing from those within universities. It is important in the process of creating new universities that students in...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is my right to respond with two follow-up questions.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Certainly. The Minister of State highlighted a key concern and perhaps it will be the resolution we will come to on Report Stage. In the Universities Act, "elected officers" are referred to. That is a key point because it is an element that is not present in this Bill. The definition of "student" is included in a subsection of the Bill but the question of the students' union, an election...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: An elected officer is the key issue. It is something that is included in the Universities Act but not here. Perhaps it is where we will find a resolution. Amendment No. 4 addressed the concern raised by the Minister of State and others when it referred to the recognition by the institute or technological university. There is the capacity there. Amendment No. 3 is strong and I like it but...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We will withdraw it but reserve the right to resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 4:In page 9, lines 34 to 36, to delete all words from and including "means" in line 34 down to and including "university" in line 36 and substitute the following:"means an autonomous body governed by students and recognised by the institute or technological university which promotes and represents the interests of students, both individual and collective". I move this...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, but I am pointing out that I am moving it with regret and feel I have to press it. It is the best compromise on the table and takes on board the Minister of State's concerns. I understand she is unable to support it now, but I am happy to revise it and bring forward a revised version. However, it is important because there is a key principle involved. I was so disappointed that the...