Results 7,001-7,020 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: It was going through the Dáil.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: There are plenty of amendments to speak to and the Senators have chosen to stand up but not speak to the amendments, which is interesting. This piece of legislation has not been rushed. It has not been described as emergency legislation. Consultation first began on the reform of this legislation in July 2018. The outcome of that was published in July 2019. There was then a further round...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: In a refreshing move, I might speak to the amendment.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: That is generally how Committee Stage works. Amendment No. 1 is in the names of Senators Norris and Boyhan. I thank Senator Norris for his opening contribution which I will get to as we go through the various stages of the amendments. The Senator will not be surprised that I am not in a position to accept this amendment because it proposes to remove section 1(2) of the Bill. That is the...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senators. As Senator Higgins rightly points out, this amendment needs to be seen in the context of more substantive amendments that come up later in the Bill in respect of the constitution and composition of the board of an t-údarás. I believe these new definitions are not necessary as it is not specified in respect of the membership of the board of an...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I will let the tangential point stand. I thank Senator Norris and thank the other Senators for their contributions. The amendment relates to the definition in respect of the academic member of the board. As I suggested in my earlier comments, Members felt the need, understandably, to wander to other sections to have a more holistic conversation; I get that. The amendment relates to...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Or health or justice or-----

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Senator McDowell was not a policeman when he was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Next point.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I protested a lot of it.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I have no such power.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: No, I cannot. How can I call in the Leader?

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I am not.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I want to come back on the issue of academic autonomy and on the comments I have heard from Senators here. Autonomy is protected, but autonomy cannot be used as a fig leaf or a catch-all word to cover other issues that are of legitimate importance, such as in relation to governance, accountability and in relation to an education system that advances the delivery of public policy. I attended...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Be that as it may, did he know what it was to police-----

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: Does the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have to be farmer? I am just responding to it, with great affection and respect.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: However, I do think it is an important point. The other point I want to make relates to the issue of the CEO of the HEA. I believe sometimes there is an issue with picking pieces of the legislation and reading them in isolation. I do not think that is a useful thing to do. The CEO of the HEA, as Senator Mullen pointed out, is always accountable to the board. There are certain things...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: This is not the Final Stage of this legislation.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: We have Report Stage to go.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Jul 2022)

Simon Harris: I have come into this House and I have had slurs and names being called at me. I am not taking it anymore.