Results 14,681-14,700 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We say "recognised trade union or staff association". In most cases there would be recognised trade unions but maybe in a small number of cases they would be described as staff associations. We say that in order to be comprehensive in terms of what is included.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is the standard terminology that is used in all legislation. There may not be any relevant ones in this case but it is used in general to ensure that we do not leave anybody out.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Some professional bodies would have associations rather than unions. There may not be any in this case. I can check it before we come to Report Stage to see if there are any specific associations.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Unless this is where this is coming from, it may well be. I have received representations from the trade union but I do not recall seeing that as a particular issue but it may well be and it may well have been raised by them.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, we can check and see if there are any specifics available on that. Certain trade unions would have negotiating rights that cannot be in any way modified. We are just putting it in because it is a standard term used in legislation to ensure we are being comprehensive. It is not designed in any way to water down the role of trade unions.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We try to be consistent in all legislation when using these terminologies. Sometimes that prevents problems arising later and legislation being challenged. It is entirely designed to be comprehensive and in conjunction with standard procedures for legislation in general.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The main purpose of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of technological universities, which is a new type of higher education institution, to be formed through the consolidation and merger of existing institutes of technology. Chapter 3 of Part 2 provides a general mechanism for the merging of consortiums of institutes of technology to form new institutions of greater scale. This...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The points that I made on section 10 apply similarly to section 7, so when we come to section 10, I have already covered the response. I understand Deputy O'Brien will propose an amendment rather than just oppose the section.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: We can debate those points on Report Stage. There are no amendments before us right now but it is helpful to know what are the Deputies' concerns.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: No.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, I suppose "colleges" is an inclusive term although I acknowledge the Deputy's particular concern is for staff. The question that will arise is whether one should name other elements of the college. If one names one element of the group, should one name students or others? That would be my concern, whereas "colleges" is an inclusive term.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: That will be 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)

Jan O'Sullivan: I move amendment No. 8:In page 19, line 32, to delete “, as it sees fit,”. Section 22 sets out the functions of technological universities established under the Bill, including the provision of programmes of education and training, the making of awards and undertaking high-quality and relevant research. In keeping with the distinctive mission of these institutions to provide...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is about keeping the wording similar to other legislation in the sector. Section 22, which sets out the requirement that technological universities establish procedures for the resolution of disputes, largely mirrors the wording of the relevant provisions of the Universities Act 1997, the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992 and the Dublin Institute of Technology Act 1992. Amendment...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand it pertains to their publication. In the current situation, they already must be agreed in the colleges and that also would apply in technological universities. My point is it already is catered for and covered.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have taken a note of the indications Deputies O'Brien and O'Sullivan have given of some amendments that they might put forward. We will examine those during the time between now and Report Stage as well as the ones of which we are already aware.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand the Deputy's point and, as I said, I have taken notes on the extra issues that have been raised today.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: This amendment is about academic freedom. The principle of academic freedom is a defining characteristic of high quality, higher education and research throughout the world. The Bill rightly ensures that academic freedom shall apply in technological universities in the same manner as it applies in universities. However, it is understood internationally that academic freedom applies to...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: The principle of academic freedom is a very cherished one in terms of academics being able to express viewpoints that may be contrary to Government or to the leadership in the particular academic institution and that is really valuable. If one was to change that in any way, we would need to have a conversation across the sector and engage with the entire sector.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jan 2016)

Jan O'Sullivan: If one were to say that for technological universities, one would have to say it for all universities and all institutes of technology.