Results 7,221-7,240 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Traveller Ethnicity: Statements (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I have spent the past half hour out at the gates, where there are approximately 150 to 200 Travellers who have come from all over Ireland to witness this historic occasion. It is unusual. The AV room and Gallery are full. They have been patient, having been outside for hours, and they are excited about this most historic occasion in the life of their community. Would anyone blame them? ...

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I would like to take issue with what the Minister has just said. Britain is reinstating history as a separate subject and one that is mandatory because it has learned from its recent history that it is not serving the purpose it set out to serve. Somebody famously said those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. If one takes that statement as having any meaning, it...

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I do not think it was compulsory. Rather, it was mandatory.

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: That is not the whole story. There is a trend in the modern world to downgrade arts subjects, which is true in colleges. Education is being geared at third level, something which is probably seeping down to second level, towards providing industry with the sort of workers that it needs rather than developing the intellectual capacity of human beings regardless of their age or level of...

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: Teachers do not want to-----

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: 32. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the relegation of history as a distinct subject at junior cycle level will aid the success of his action plan for education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10460/17]

Other Questions: Junior Cycle Reform (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I would like to ask the Minister about the relegation of history as a distinct subject in the junior certificate cycle, and if he thinks it will help his action plan in education. The relegation of history is not being warmly welcomed by historians or teachers. There is much doubt about what he is attempting to do. I would like the Minister to comment on his plans and children's futures in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I thank the Minister. I want to comment on what I have heard so far. I am listening to this with my hat from outside of the Dáil on me. The public is listening to us as we prepare for the buses to be pulled from the road next week. It is possible that this will have a contagion effect on other bus, DART and rail services. I cannot imagine how angry people must feel as they listen to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: The NTA has said there is a high volume of services on the route.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I have a final question for the Minister. What will happen to the Dublin-Derry route if Translink services are cut as a consequence of Brexit? There are cuts coming down the track in Northern Ireland. Translink provides some of these services in Northern Ireland. I ask the Minister to comment on those two routes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I have read the review. That is not my point. That was not my question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: How does the Minister justify increasing capacity on the Dublin-Limerick route by 111% and then closing down the Bus Éireann service?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: My argument is that the NTA killed the Limerick-Dublin route for Bus Éireann.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: I asked about the Dublin-Derry route.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: Will the Minister intervene to make sure it does not happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: And everybody else, indeed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: The Minister is getting highly paid for a view that is allowing a national disaster to take place.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Staff (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: 66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on recent plans announced by the board of Trinity College, which will make a secure future or career advancement for many staff an impossibility; the way this might impact on the Government strategy for the third level sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10461/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: 128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the announcement from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology that a significant number of courses are to be axed at the campus; and the way measures will impact on his departments Action Plan for Education and it's aims. [10633/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Institutes of Technology (1 Mar 2017)

Bríd Smith: 129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the reduction of State funding from 2008 to 2014 is affecting the range and quality of courses offered by institutes of technology; and if he has been informed by the governing bodies of any IT plans to reduce the level of services as a result of budget shortcomings. [10634/17]