Results 521-540 of 2,648 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I am always heartened when I hear that the Department is having regard to local area plans and national plans. As he is well aware, however, just because the Office of the Planning Regulator and the national planning framework state that a particular location is where population growth will happen does not mean that is always the case. I want to avoid a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I note that this week marks the centenary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States. It is fitting that the Taoiseach is meeting with President Biden. It was a for a new State when the United States recognised Ireland and established those diplomatic relations. It was important. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but the United States and Ireland...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I too welcome delegation from Stormont who have arrived for an important discussion on electoral reform of this Chamber.There is nothing politicians like to talk about more than electoral reform and changes to the operation of politics and so on, but this is a piece of reform that is long overdue. I doubt there are a few in this House that would even...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Is a new group being formed?

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Order for Second Stage (10 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome a lot of the announcements in the budget as well as some additional announcements, including the two new veterinary colleges, one of which will be the south east, which is very welcome, and the appointment of the chief scientific officer. There are a lot of positives. The fact that there is multi-annual funding for the universities now is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the grants to early stage and other researchers increasing from €22,000 to €25,000, but what action is being taken on basic research equipment? The Minister will be aware of the concerns that have been expressed about how one third of all basic research equipment is more than 15 years old. What measures are being taken to address this challenge?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I would highlight that Taighde Éireann covers more than the sciences. In defence, the humanities-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the Minister’s point, but it is critical that researchers get a guarantee that they will be able to operate and work on modern equipment. Will the Minister provide some specificity around the date for the announcement of the new healthcare programmes? There is an interest in pharmacy in the south east, but more generally-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that. The Minister might be busy with a supplementary budget and some of these announcements over the next few weeks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: It was, and Fianna Fáil was correct to-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: -----include it in the programme for Government. The issue of professorships for the technological universities is one we have been considering for quite a while. Has there been progress?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I do not doubt the Minister’s commitment, but I have been hearing that answer for the past two years plus. Professorships are critical to ensuring that these institutions are globally competitive.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: While the Minister is still in office.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: No. There has been approval of funding for MTU to reform its senior executive structures. When will the same be done for the other TUs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I will conclude with two brief questions. The Minister mentioned the capital programme. He might update us on that as it affects SETU’s Wexford and Waterford sites.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: My constituency is broader as a Senator. The sites’ development is critical to the south east.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: My final question is on governance. There has been some news about the potential influence of non-state actors in this State and, indeed, these Houses, but I would be grateful to know the Minister’s opinion on the Confucius Institutes and similar institutes that are not entirely under the governance of Irish universities. I would be grateful for the Minister’s perspective on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: As the Minister knows, I am a strong advocate for academic autonomy, but where another government is essentially trying to determine the academic programmes of an institution, it is a cause of concern. Given the increasingly authoritarian nature of the Chinese Communist Party, for it to have a say in any aspect of the Irish educational system is something I would view with deep concern.