Results 4,141-4,160 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I will bring forward an amendment on Report Stage in respect of pre-2006 staff. I know that the Minister says this issue is covered, but I will bring forward an amendment to deal with it.
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: We will bring forward an amendment to Schedule 2 on Report Stage. According to subsection (9)(2), "the president shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy." It may not be the current Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, who is criticised, as any of us might be the...
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I would like to hear a further comment from the Minister on the matter.
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: Does the Minister agree that the president should have the ability to express his opinion on policies?
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: The Schedule states: "In the performance of his or her duties under this paragraph, presidents shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy." Would the Minister not agree that a president should have-----
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: It still says that he or she is prevented from commenting on the merits of any policy of Government.
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: It is about giving evidence to the committee on such matters as the economy and efficiency of the technological university in using its resources and the systems, procedures and practices employed by it. It is appropriate that the president should be able to give an opinion where, for example, Government policy is, in the president's view, hampering those efficiencies.
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I wanted to flag the issue and give notice of my intention to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage.
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I have a couple of more general questions on the Bill. Does the Minister intend it to be passed before the Dáil rises?
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I, too, hope that happens. Given the significant number of amendments Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and I have indicated we intend to bring forward on Report Stage, might it be possible for us to sit down with departmental officials to get clarification on some of the issues we raised? If we had that clarification, there might be no need for some of the amendments. Given the importance of the...
- Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: When does the Minister hope to take Report Stage?
- Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: He said he did not need it.
- Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: Get on and call the election, will you?
- Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: The Taoiseach will not even use the word "crisis".
- Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: Do not even go down that road.
- Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: The issue that I raise is one that is close to the Minister's heart. I will focus on the Cork region. I have said to the Minister before that there is a chronic lack of spaces for students with autism in ASD special classes attached to mainstream post-primary schools in the Cork area. At present, there are five mainstream post-primary schools that provide special classes. Nagle community...
- Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: I thank the Minister. I recognise there has been a statewide increase of 27% in the provision of places but unfortunately quoting that figure does not reflect the reality on the ground in certain geographic areas and I have provided the Minister with the example of Cork. At present, the closure of two classes in the Cork region is anticipated although I have been unable to confirm why it is...
- Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: Yes. The Tánaiste, as everyone else, understands the nature of politics. Motions of confidence are put down and the Government will praise her. The Government will vote in favour of the motion and the Opposition will outline all of the Tánaiste's flaws and failings and we will vote against the motion. That is sometimes part of the theatre that goes on in here. However,...
- Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: 425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and names of agencies that are used to recruit foreign students by the third level sector; the gross cost to the State of using these agencies including value added tax for each of the past five years; the number of these agencies based here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2159/16]
- Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Institutions (19 Jan 2016)
Jonathan O'Brien: 426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rules or guidelines governing spending by third level institutions on external agencies used to recruit foreign students and the role of the Office of Government Procurement (professional services) in this process. [2160/16]