Results 2,821-2,840 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 considered all of the recommendations, including the recommendation that we should consider the composition of the body in regard to governance issues generally. There have been many different proposals in these amendments regarding different bodies that should be represented.

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 competency-based approach is what we seek.

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 will have a look at that before Report Stage. I have provided a general response in the context that we have had a number of different proposals. Also, the amendments before us today seek different kinds of representation. We must be conscious of the size of the governing body and ensure we have the various competencies required. However, I understand the point being made by the Chair.

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: Page 23 of the Bill, which relates to subsection 25(3), states:Before appointing members under subsection (1)(g) the governing body shall agree with An tÚdarás the competencies required of such members relating to areas such as business, enterprise, finance, law, corporate governance, human resources, community organisation or other areas relevant to the functions of the...

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 amendments relate to the membership of governing authorities and the various bodies that should be included. The joint committee conducted pre-legislative scrutiny on this Bill and there was significant discussion on the issue of how the governing bodies should be constituted. One of the principles is that they should not be too large so that they can be effective in terms of size....

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 will come to amendments I have put forward relating to interim arrangements later. One of the reasons there is a merger before full university status is granted is to ensure it is genuinely one institution on day one of becoming a technological university. This is preferable to having two or three separate institutions merging afterwards. The intention is to ensure they become a unified...

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 I can intervene, I would certainly be disposed towards accepting that Opposition members could put forward amendments 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 was making a general point that amendments proposed to this legislation should be applicable across the sector. It would be more appropriate to first have a consultation with the sector and to ensure then that we can amend various other items of legislation. It might be easier to do it in a further piece of legislation rather than try to tag on to this legislation issues that are relevant...

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 will comment 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 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.

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: One would have to amend other legislation as well as this legislation. I do not think that we are in a position to do that in the context of what is relatively narrow legislation in that this is specifically about the establishment of technological universities.

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 a matter that can certainly be discussed. As I said, other Bills are coming down the tracks in regard to this whole sector. This is an example of one of the areas where I said at the outset that some of the proposed amendments relate to the entire sector and that it would not be appropriate to have what they propose apply only to technological universities and not to the other...

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: 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.