Results 4,741-4,760 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 345. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he plans to take to reduce the inordinate queues that are occurring on a daily basis at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 386. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep disorders; and the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep apnoea in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive, in tabular form. [20215/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 387. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his strategy to reduce the number of road collisions due to sleep disorders and apnoea. [20216/22]

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I spent much of my time in the previous Dáil debating judicial appointments commission Bills. I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle contributed to those debates as well. I am sure Deputy Martin Kenny, who I see across the Chamber from me, did likewise. I bring to this debate a certain amount of knowledge of those Bills, which ultimately got caught up in the politics of the last...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank our guests for attending the committee. My first question is for Ms Forster. The committee's purpose is to produce a report that will outline what we recommend as senior cycle reform, taking into account the expert evidence that we hear. In doing that we need to have an accurate assessment of the benefits of the leaving certificate as it is at present. Briefly, what are the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: We do particularly well in comparison to Northern Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: A number of witnesses have come before us and identified the main problem with the leaving certificate is that it is exclusively seen and used as a means to access third level institutions. Some of them have suggested that we should try to decouple the leaving certificate and the points race from admission to third level institutions. Does Ms. Feeney think the committee should consider this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: At least there is some certainty with the leaving certificate. If one looks to the United States or other jurisdictions, when it comes to admission to third level institutions, each institution can formulate its own admission practices.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the legitimate criticisms that is made of the leaving certificate is that many students engage in rote learning in respect of certain subjects, such as English or history, whereas it is hard to engage in rote learning in other subjects such as in maths because it assesses one's capacity and ability to do mathematical questions. How can we overcome or get around the issue of students...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I apologise for interrupting, but is there no way the assessment method could ensure the student would not just engage in rote learning in advance of being assessed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is interesting. We talk about the stress the leaving certificate puts on students, and we all have to play a role in that - not just the political system and Irish culture but also the media. Do we overhype it as an event in the Irish summer cycle? It is like a summer school, with additional pages in the newspapers given to the issue. Is that common in other jurisdictions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Why does Ms Forster think that is the case in Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does it add to the pressure on students when the leaving certificate is elevated in the public mind to being such an important annual event?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to the media, I do not think there is any intention to impose stress on students, but it has become so culturally embedded in the Irish calendar and society that it is a huge event in people's lives and is regarded as a significant annual event here. Is there anything we as Oireachtas Members could do to make it less stressful, or will it always be the case that the examination...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: When Mr. Slattery says high stakes, is he talking about it being seen as determining the future career path of a young person?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I suppose the reason people previously before this committee recommended trying to decouple it is to try to-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----reduce those stakes. That is the purpose and one can see the logic behind recommending decoupling leaving certificate results from admission to third level.