Results 321-340 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: National Broadband Plan: Statements (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: The Senator is hilarious.

Seanad: National Broadband Plan: Statements (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to the House for this debate on broadband and its future in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, had to leave for a Cabinet sub-committee meeting but earlier he outlined his vision for the sector and how he intends to address the challenges for us all as a country. I cannot continue without mentioning the irony of listening to Senator Leyden,...

Seanad: National Broadband Plan: Statements (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: That party at that time lacked vision and the understanding that this was vital infrastructure for Ireland's future. It is important to put that on record. Nor did Fianna Fáil stop there. Over later years, that party went on to fritter away the progress made in the Irish economy. It was in government when this economy was wrecked, when the construction sector was wrecked and when the...

Seanad: National Broadband Plan: Statements (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: It is important to put that on record. I have no issue with the legitimate concerns expressed on why Eir withdrew from the recent procurement process which is ongoing. I understand that it was a commercial decision by the company. One must ask why a company such as Eir, which one would think had the capacity and ability to deliver, would do so. I point to the denuding of the asset base of...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Earlier in this debate and on Second Stage, I flagged my concern regarding the eligibility criteria, which we all agree are fundamental to the legislation and to any institution of education. The criteria relate to the composition of the student body, academic staff and PhD and research activity, as well as the ability of an institution to perform in terms of governance, quality assurance...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister of State for her response. On the element of standards, it has been brought to my attention that a new definition of research students has been introduced since the original proposal. That new definition changes the ability of IOTs to qualify. The change to the definition of research students means that more IOTs will achieve technological university status. There was...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: The Bill as written means that an institute cannot advance unless it amalgamates. It does not reward WIT for the work that it has done. It is forcing an amalgamation. If it happens and if it will be to the benefit of the region I will support it because the region does need a university but, as the legislation is being brought forward, I am putting it on the record that Waterford Institute...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Two thirds of our students leave the region to go to university.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I am not.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: It is an outreach facility.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: There is something for everyone in the audience.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Tomorrow week.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Ar 10.30 a.m. maidin amárach.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: When I entered the Chamber I sought the list of groupings of amendments. It is normally in the ante-room but these are not available to Senators. It is causing a bit of confusion.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: When I came in I looked for the list. I do not have the list in front of me and it is leading to confusion. We need to know the amendments we are discussing as a group so we do not miss the opportunity to contribute as we wish.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I do not.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: I agree with some of what Senator Norris said. In the past, the regional technical colleges had an important role when they focused on educating graduates with engineering and technical skills to serve the construction and engineering industries and stakeholders in the various regions where they were established, as well as providing apprentices to the construction sector. I attended...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: They had high aspirations for their institutes and their regions.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: Waterford has been a leading example in this. I do not want to be just talking about Waterford but it is a perfect example. In the data provided by the Higher Education Authority, HEA, it can be seen that Waterford has done far more research with the money it gets because it has engaged with industry, achieved research capacity and has evolved into a functional and efficient research base....

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)

Paudie Coffey: In various sectors now, whether industry, engineering or construction, we are not getting the apprentices coming through because schools and parents are being lambasted that one must have a degree to function in society.