Results 261-280 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the economy at the earliest opportunity. While it is not an urgent matter, it would be useful to discuss it. A Senator has already mentioned that if our trout stocks die out, rural Ireland will die and our tourism industry will be destroyed. The economy is a minor issue compared to such difficulties we might have to face. I ask that we be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join in the call for a debate on energy, within which we could focus on nuclear safety. I also join in calling for a debate on e-voting. I hope that we will focus on the current democratic deficit. Most of the attention seems to be on the cost, but the software can be amended for a relatively small amount of money. The Government is fulfilling its duty to provide value for money by ensuring...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Opposition has not focused on the democratic deficit, which must be examined in light of the high number of spoiled ballots.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: The distribution of a surplus is taken on a random basis, which is not democratically correct. At small rural ballot boxes, it is possible to identify where votes have gone astray.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Senator does not have to use that time.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is always a pleasure to allow the Senators extra time to praise legislation, particularly a Bill which is so welcomed by the House. We all acknowledge the work that the institutes of technology have done and continue to do in this country in reaching out to students from all backgrounds and of all abilities. We particularly acknowledge the work they have done for the regions. However, I...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senators have spoken about the numbers of students attending the institutes. The students appreciate the work and role of the institutes, which is why they are attending in such high numbers. From the point of view of investment, one need only look at the level of investment in the institutes in recent years. Waterford Institute of Technology has been referred to by many Senators, which has...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: In terms of future direction, the institutes and universities have been invited to submit proposals for the strategic innovation fund. Those proposals are being sought this week. The fund is worth €300 million and the institutes, on an equal par with the universities, can bid and compete for moneys. That is recognising, in ways other than through this legislation, the role of the institutes...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: According to the most recent figures, the south east region had the greatest increase in participation in third level education.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: It shows that the rising tide is lifting all boats. On the matter of access to education for people of all abilities, Senator Cox asked about provision for people with disabilities. We addressed this area on Committee Stage in the Dáil. Senator Cox and others will be pleased to hear that I recently opened the Institute for Intellectual Disability in Trinity College, Dublin. It offers courses...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: The legislation will give the governing bodies that flexibility. It was timely to change the position regarding the removal of staff members, but protection is provided for the people who were appointed prior to the enactment of this legislation. Up until now an officer of an institute could not be removed from office by the Minister without a sworn inquiry first taking place, but such...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: This provision is already part of section 1(3) because it was amended on Report Stage in the Dáil.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do not believe there is a need for this amendment. The record of institutes of technology in this regard is well recognised. They offer a wide range of opportunities for education and training. On Second Stage we discussed the progression from certificate to PhD level in institutes of technology. They also have very flexible arrangements for groups like mature students. Senator Tuffy...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: No, I was here.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Tuffy is right when she says there is a responsibility on all third level institutions to ensure that people from various backgrounds, particularly those with disabilities, are included. The record has been abysmal, but one must admit that significant progress has been made by each college. The higher education access committee has done considerable work in this regard, not only by...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: While I agree with the Senator, this matter is covered in the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992, which obtains in respect of colleges. Regarding functions, that Act states: "with particular reference to the region served by the college".

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: The former primary school teacher beside me advises me that the subordinate clause should run without a comma, but the comma is present to clarify that the time, as soon as may be or not later than three months, starts to run from the end of the academic year. The reference to the three months, including the comma, was inserted as a Report Stage amendment and was drafted by the Office of the...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do not propose to accept this amendment or amendment No. 7, which contains similar terms, as both refer to the policies about preparing the statement and so on that I discussed with Senator Tuffy. The policy must provide for inequality in all of the institute's activities. Subsection (3) strongly requires each institute to implement those policies by stating that once a policy is included...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I understand why people would want the policy implemented. As such, we have stated in plain English that it should be implemented. However, I envisage a director of a governing authority, in setting up and devising his policy, setting out a timescale for the implementation of its various elements. Some might be done immediately, some in three months and others in six months. There is...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is not necessary, given that a governing body will devise its policy rather than having such imposed upon it from outside. It is anticipated that the colleges will want to implement their policies, but they are also instructed by the legislation to do so. They must stick to the terms of the legislation, that is, writing statements and implementing policies.