Results 721-740 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I thank all of our witnesses for their evidence thus far. The primary purpose of these meetings is to discuss the future funding of higher education and in that context, I want to go into a number of issues. One of my key concerns is access and ensuring access for everybody at different levels within the system. My first question relates to decisions around priorities. I ask each of our...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious of time constraints so I will ask the witnesses, from left to right, to make their choice, starting with Dr. Seoighe.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I note that all three witnesses have slightly avoided answering my question. I am going to ask Mr. Donohoe directly-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: My next question is for Dr. Smyth because I know the ESRI has done a lot of work on this. One of our objectives is to ensure we have an adequately funded higher education system that does not inhibit access in any way. What measures do we need to take, apart from the overall funding issue?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the comments by a number of those on the research side with regard to precarity but I do not want to go into that now. I have submitted a Commencement matter for discussion in the Seanad this afternoon on the question of researcher pensions. Do the IRC, SFI or the researcher representatives want to comment on that question?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: There is a problem that some researchers, particularly in the TU sector, have been excluded from the pension-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that but-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that but the issue of funding includes the pension question and, dare I say it, a number of my colleagues have drifted beyond the core issue, which is the critical question of funding.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: To go back to the overall question, Mr. Donohoe mentioned that it is six years since the Cassells report was published and we are still waiting. Why does he think a decision has not been made yet?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: As Mr. Donohoe will be aware, the Minister has floated the idea of cutting student fees. I have significant concerns about doing that, particularly if they are cut without the underlying funding question being addressed. If he does proceed, what is Mr. Donohoe's view on that? I will ask the other witness to respond to that too.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious Dr. Smyth is nodding. It is interesting that we had representatives from the sector here last week, including from some technological universities and universities, who said we were coming close to the tipping point, while Mr. Donohoe says we have gone beyond it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: The Minister has floated the idea that we cut the €3,000 fee. No one is opposed to cutting fees if the necessary resources are put in place but from an economic point of view, what does Dr. Smyth foresee will happen?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Mar 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I agree.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I welcome and thank Senator Clonan for his very generous words coming into this House, that is, that he wants to work with everyone. I can assure him that there is that spirit of collegiality within this House. Senator Clonan has been a tireless campaigner on disability issues and we want to work with him to ensure that all citizens in this State are...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I join colleagues in extending thanks to the Cathaoirleach and the Ceann Comhairle and particularly to all the staff of the Houses for facilitating today's very important address by the President of Ukraine. The solidarity that was shown by the Members of both Houses reflects the solidarity of the people of this country. The scenes we are seeing in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine are just...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I might send them to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett's farm as well.
- Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with Senator O'Loughlin, who is on her way. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire and at the start I thank the Minister, his advisers and officials for their help. I thank the parliamentary legal service for its help on the Bill as well as those in the Defence Forces to whom I have spoken about this matter. Our Defence Forces...
- Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)
Malcolm Byrne: That is good.