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53-566: The idea of the institutions was first announced by Patrick Hillery in 1963. A year later, a site for an institution in Carlow was identified. The Investment in Education (1962) and Training of Technicians in Ireland (1964) reports greatly accelerated the trend in Ireland for education reform and development particularly in technical education, similar to that in other Western countries at

106-534: A Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency from 1951 to 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Ireland's first European Commissioner , upon Ireland's accession to the European Economic Community , serving until 1976, when he became President of Ireland. He served two terms in the presidency. Though seen as a somewhat lacklustre president, he was credited with bringing stability and dignity to

159-457: A sex scandal as president. Yet, one occurred in September 1979, when the international press corps, travelling to Ireland for the visit of Pope John Paul II , told their Irish colleagues that Europe was "awash" with rumours that Hillery had a mistress living with him in Áras an Uachtaráin (the presidential residence), that he and his wife were divorcing and he was considering resigning from

212-570: A Director, who is the chief operational officer of the institution, usually assisted by an ad-hoc senior management team; a Registrar, who is the chief academic officer of the institution; a Governing Council, which oversees operational affairs; an Academic Council, which oversees academic affairs. Each academic school has a Head of School and each academic department of a school has a Head of Department. The institutions traditional courses were National Certificate and National Diploma type courses particularly in business, engineering and science, this

265-697: A Regional Technical College in 1993 and an Institute of Technology in 1997. The institutions were run under Section 21 (2) of the Vocational Education Acts from 1970 until 1992 as special subcommittees of the Vocational Education Committees , and placed on an independent basis thereafter by the Regional Technical Colleges Acts in 1993. In the late 1990s, all of the institutions were upgraded to Institute of Technology status. This

318-643: A conflict between the English and Irish versions of the Constitution. While the English version vests the President with certain powers that he uses "in his absolute discretion," the Irish version states that these powers are used as a chomhairle féin , which usually translates to "under his own counsel". While "absolute discretion" implies that presidents have some latitude in whether to initiate contact with

371-547: A doctor) to Africa . However, fate took a turn, when the then Minister for Defence, Paddy Donegan , launched a ferocious verbal attack on the then president, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh , calling him "a thundering disgrace" for referring anti-terrorist legislation to the Supreme Court of Ireland to test its constitutionality. When Ó Dálaigh resigned, a deeply reluctant Hillery agreed to become the Fianna Fáil candidate for

424-469: A free education system, a dynamic, well-educated people, a successful economy and a thriving membership of the European Union, one of the single most transformative events for this country." Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he "was a man of great integrity, decency and intelligence, who contributed massively to the progress of our country and he is assured of an honoured place in Ireland's history". In

477-751: A quiet end, until the events of 1982 resurfaced. Three candidates had been nominated in the 1990 presidential election : the then Tánaiste , Brian Lenihan from Fianna Fáil (heavily tipped as the certain winner), Austin Currie from Fine Gael and Mary Robinson from the Labour Party. In May 1990, in an on the record interview with Jim Duffy , a post-graduate student researching the Irish presidency, Lenihan had confirmed that he had been one of those phoning President Hillery in January 1982. He confirmed that Haughey too had made phone calls. Jim Duffy mentioned

530-458: A shock to many of his political friends. Hillery was invited by Lemass to allow his name to go forward for the leadership of the party, however, he declined explaining that he had no interest. Jack Lynch succeeded Lemass after a leadership contest with George Colley. Hillery retained his post as Minister for Labour in Lynch's cabinet, serving until 1969. Following a further victory for Fianna Fáil at

583-423: A year working as coroner for West Clare. Hillery married Maeve Finnegan , on 27 October 1955. Together they had a son, John, and a daughter, Vivienne, who died after a long illness in 1987, shortly before her eighteenth birthday. Hillery, though not himself political, agreed under pressure from Clare's senior Fianna Fáil TD, party leader and former Taoiseach , Éamon de Valera , to become his running mate at

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636-518: Is regarded as a powerhouse for ideas, one of the few members of Fianna Fáil who has new policies and is eager to implement them. The greatest example of this has been in his present job, where he has perforce concentrated on Anglo-Irish relations and, in particular, the North. Policy in this field is determined primarily between him and the Taoiseach; and it is likely that the Fianna Fáil new line on

689-485: The 1951 general election . Hillery received enough transfers from de Valera to be elected. De Valera was elected as president of Ireland in 1959, and was succeeded as Taoiseach by Seán Lemass . Under Lemass, many party elders such as James Ryan , Seán MacEntee and Paddy Smith , retired and a new generation of politicians were introduced to government, such as Brian Lenihan , Donogh O'Malley , Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney . Key among this new breed of politician

742-526: The 1969 general election , Hillery was appointed Minister for External Affairs (renamed Foreign Affairs in 1971), one of the most prestigious of cabinet posts. He earned an international profile when, in the aftermath of the killing of fourteen unarmed civilians in Derry , by British paratroopers (known as Bloody Sunday ), he travelled to the United Nations to demand UN involvement in peace-keeping on

795-481: The Dáil and Seanad , he was praised by all political leaders and parties during expressions of sympathy on 15 April 2008. In the graveside oration, Tánaiste Brian Cowen said Hillery was "A humble man of simple tastes, he has been variously described as honourable, decent, intelligent, courteous, warm and engaging. He was all of those things and more." In April 2023 a stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth

848-759: The European Economic Community (EEC), a process that was completed in 1973. Following Ireland's successful entry into the European Economic Community (ECC), Hillery was rewarded by becoming the first Irish politician to serve on the European Commission . He was appointed Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Social Affairs. While Europe had gained one of Ireland's most capable and respected politicians, Jack Lynch had lost one of his allies, and someone who may have been in line to take over

901-523: The Further Education and Training Awards Council . Some specialised courses, such as accountancy , are validated by professional bodies but these are nearly always the exception. Following the enactment of legislation in 2018, the various institutes of technology began a merger process to create five technological universities: In May 2021, Dundalk Institute of Technology announced plans to join an existing TU. It had previously investigated

954-733: The second referendum on the Nice Treaty , when he urged a yes vote. In 2002, state papers released by the British Public Record Office under the thirty-year rule , published in the Irish media, revealed how Hillery was viewed. A briefing paper – prepared for the Foreign Secretary , Sir Alec Douglas-Home , and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland , William Whitelaw – observed about Hillery, then Minister for Foreign Affairs : Dr Hillery

1007-656: The 1971 Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis when Kevin Boland , an opponent of Lynch's Northern policy, stormed a nearby podium and launched a very public and vocal attack on the Fianna Fáil leadership. While some of his supporters started chanting "We want Boland", Hillery, who by this stage had grabbed the nearest microphone, shouted down the Boland faction with the line "Ye can have Boland but ye can't have Fianna Fáil." As well as affairs in Northern Ireland, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hillery also negotiated Irish membership of

1060-460: The North owes much to Dr Hillery. Patrick Hillery died on 12 April 2008, in his Dublin home, following a short illness. His family agreed to a full state funeral for the former president. He was buried at St. Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton , Dublin. In tributes, President Mary McAleese said "He was involved in every facet of policy-making that paved the way to a new, modern Ireland. Today, we detect his foresight and pioneering agenda everywhere –

1113-663: The Opposition, would have been the next contender to form a government. While Hillery was considering FitzGerald's request, a series of phone calls (some published reports claim seven, others eight) was made by senior opposition figures urging Hillery to refuse the dissolution, allowing Haughey a chance to form a government. Hillery regarded such pressure as gross misconduct, and ordered one of his aides de camp, Captain Anthony Barber, not to pass on any telephone calls from opposition figures. He might also have been motivated by

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1166-564: The aftermath, the minority partner in the coalition government, the Progressive Democrats , indicated that unless Lenihan resigned or was dismissed from cabinet, they would pull out of the coalition and support an opposition motion of no confidence in Dáil Éireann, bringing down the government and forcing a general election. Publicly, Haughey insisted that it was entirely a matter for Lenihan, his "friend of thirty years" and that he

1219-485: The campaign as the favourite. Instead, Labour's Mary Robinson became the first elected President of Ireland from outside Fianna Fáil, and the first woman to hold the office. The revelations, and the discovery that Hillery had stood up to pressure in 1982 from former cabinet colleagues, including his close friend Brian Lenihan, substantially increased Hillery's standing. From a low-key, modest presidency that had been seen as mediocre, his presidency came to be seen as embodying

1272-416: The career of the young army officer. About ten years after the incident, RTÉ attempted to interview the young officer with regard to the allegations but as a serving officer, he was unable to comment. Having been re-elected unopposed in 1983, Hillery (until then) shared the distinction with Seán T. O'Kelly and Éamon de Valera of serving two full terms as President of Ireland. He was one of three holders of

1325-563: The charge, though Lenihan, in his subsequently published account of the affair, noted that Haughey had denied "insulting" the officer, whereas the allegation was that he had "threatened" him. Hillery, it was revealed, had called in the Irish Army's Chief of Staff the following day and as Commander-in-Chief of the Army had ordered the Chief of Staff to ensure that no politician ever interfered with

1378-697: The credit for introducing free education, it was in fact Hillery who laid much of the groundwork before this landmark announcement. In 1965, Hillery succeeded Lynch again by taking over as Minister for Industry and Commerce. This department was considered one of the most important in kick-starting Ireland's economy. Hillery only remained in this position for just over a year, becoming the country's first Minister for Labour in 1966, as industrial disputes began to take their toll. This new department had been an ambition of Lemass's for several years. Lemass resigned as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil in November 1966,

1431-437: The following decade. Some colleges developed from earlier institutions and colleges, involving amalgamation, but most were completely new institutions. A Regional Technical College for Limerick was cancelled after a National Institute for Higher Education was announced for the city. Finally, in 1993, CoACT (College of Art, Commerce and Technology) became Limerick RTC. Two additional institutions were created since then, bringing

1484-431: The highest standards of integrity. His reputation rose further when opposition leaders under parliamentary privilege alleged that Haughey, who in January 1982, had been Leader of the Opposition, had not merely rung the President's Office but threatened to end the career of the army officer who took the call and who, on Hillery's explicit instructions, had refused to put through the call to the president. Haughey angrily denied

1537-611: The information in a newspaper article on the history of the Irish presidency on 28 September 1990 in The Irish Times . In October 1990, Lenihan changed his story, claiming (even though he had said the opposite for eight years) that he had played "no hand, act or part" in pressurising President Hillery that night. He made these denials in an interview in The Irish Press (a Fianna Fáil–leaning newspaper) and on Questions and Answers , an RTÉ 1 political show,. When it

1590-567: The leadership following Lynch's retirement. As Social Affairs Commissioner, Hillery's most famous policy initiative was to force EEC member states to give equal pay to women. However, in 1976, the then-Irish government, the Fine Gael – Labour Party National Coalition, under Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave , informed him that he was not being re-appointed to the Commission. He considered returning to medicine, perhaps moving with his wife, Maeve (also

1643-399: The next decade. These included increased educational opportunities for many, the establishment of comprehensive schools and Regional Technical Colleges . He also proposed access by students to all public examinations. As Minister for Education, Hillery laid the groundwork for successive Ministers to advance the reforms and initiatives he had begun. While Donogh O'Malley, has received much of

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1696-479: The office of President who did not face a popular election for the office, the others being Douglas Hyde and Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh . Hillery left office in 1990, serving the maximum two terms, widely applauded for his integrity, honesty and devotion to duty. The previous image of Hillery, as low-key, dull and unexciting (except for the bizarre sex rumours), had been somewhat undermined. President Hillery retired from public life. He re-entered public life in 2002, during

1749-541: The office, and won widespread admiration when it emerged that he had withstood political pressure from his own Fianna Fáil party during a political crisis in 1982. Patrick John Hillery, more popularly known as Paddy Hillery, was born in Spanish Point , County Clare , in 1923. The son of Michael Joseph Hillery, a local doctor, and Ellen McMahon, a district nurse, he was educated locally at Milltown Malbay National School , before later attending Rockwell College . At

1802-412: The opposition under these circumstances, "under his own counsel" has been understood to mean that no contact whatsoever can take place with the opposition. Whenever there is a conflict between the Irish and English versions, the Irish one takes precedence. In the end, Hillery granted the dissolution. (No Irish president to date has ever refused such a request.) By 1990, Hillery's term seemed to be reaching

1855-631: The possibility of becoming a TU in its own right. Patrick Hillery Patrick John Hillery ( Irish : Pádraig J. Ó hIrghile ; 2 May 1923 – 12 April 2008) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as the sixth President of Ireland from December 1976 to December 1990. He also served as Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Social Affairs from 1973 to 1976, Minister for External Affairs from 1969 to 1973, Minister for Labour from 1966 to 1969, Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1965 to 1969 and Minister for Education from 1959 to 1965. He served as

1908-468: The presidency. However, the story was untrue. Once the Pope had left, Hillery held a press conference where he told a shocked nation that there was no mistress, no divorce and no resignation. In reality, few people had even heard of the rumours. Critics questioned why he chose to comment on a rumour that few outside media and political circles had heard. Hillery, however, defended his action by saying that it

1961-497: The presidency. Fine Gael and Labour decided it was unwise to nominate a candidate, in light of the row over Ó Dálaigh's resignation and the part the government played in the affair. As a result, Hillery was elected unopposed , becoming President of Ireland on 3 December 1976. Though once voted the world's sexiest head of state by readers of the German Der Spiegel magazine, few expected Hillery to become embroiled in

2014-419: The quality of teaching programmes, and determined standards. FETAC did not deliver education and training programmes itself; they were delivered by a number of bodies in both the public and private sectors. Examples of teaching bodies in the public sector were Bord Iascaigh Mhara , CERT, FÁS, Teagasc, the Vocational Education Committees and Institutes of Technology . Awards granted by FETAC were included in

2067-404: The source of the rumours about Hillery was widely believed to have been planted by the leader of Fianna Fáil Charles Haughey , who was attempting to force Hillery to resign from office. Hillery also hit the headlines when, on the advice of then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, he declined Queen Elizabeth II 's invitation to attend the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. It

2120-461: The streets of Northern Ireland . The trip to the UN achieved very little, other than to draw the attention of the world to the worsening situation in Northern Ireland. During the whole period, Hillery remained one of Jack Lynch's staunchest allies in pursuing peaceful means with regard to the possibility of a civil war breaking out. Although considered a mild-mannered politician, Hillery showed his mettle at

2173-570: The third level, Hillery attended University College Dublin , where he qualified with a degree in medicine. Upon his conferral in 1947, he returned to his native town where he followed in his father's footsteps as a doctor. Hillery's medical career in the 1950s, saw him serve as a member of the National Health Council and as Medical Officer for the Milltown Malbay Dispensary District. He also spent

Institutes of technology in the Republic of Ireland - Misplaced Pages Continue

2226-445: The time. The Training of Technicians in Ireland (1964) report identified significant skills gaps, including: The Steering Committee on Technical Education , also called The Mulcahy Report (1967), was an important milestone in framing the institutional structures and functions calling for: The building programme commenced in 1968, with the first institutions formally opened their doors in 1970, and other colleges were added during

2279-518: The total to thirteen, before the amalgamation of three into Ireland's first Technological University , TU Dublin . As of June 2023, only Dundalk IT and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology remain independent Institutes of Technology. †With the constituent Colleges originally established in 1887, Dublin Institute of Technology was reestablished in 1992. It was the first third level college to be called an Institute of Technology and

2332-412: Was Hillery, who was given his first position in cabinet as Minister for Education in 1959, succeeding Jack Lynch in that post. As Minister for Education, Hillery was responsible for much innovative thinking in a department which would become very important under Lemass's leadership. In 1963, he made a major policy speech in which he outlined many of the educational reforms that were to be introduced over

2385-668: Was created under separate legislation with different powers than the other thirteen colleges. This includes the awarding of its own degrees up to doctorate level. *LIT traces its roots back to the 1852 foundation of the School of Ornamental Art on Leamy Street. For much of the history of the institute, it was constituted as the Municipal Technical Institute, before becoming the Limerick College of Art, Commerce and Technology (Limerick CoACT) in 1980,

2438-474: Was important to kill off the story for the good of the presidency, rather than allow the rumour to circulate and be accepted as fact in the absence of a denial. In that, he was supported by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, whom he consulted before making the decision, he also got the support of Leader of the Opposition , Garret FitzGerald , of Fine Gael and Frank Cluskey , of the Labour Party. In 2008, Historian John Walsh claimed that within Irish political circles,

2491-560: Was in 1982 that Hillery's reputation as President was arguably made. In January 1982, the Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition government of Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald lost a budget vote in Dáil Éireann . Since this was a loss of supply , FitzGerald travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin , to ask for a dissolution of the Dáil. Under Article 13.2.2°, If Hillery refused FitzGerald's request for a dissolution, FitzGerald would have had to resign. Had this happened, Haughey, as Leader of

2544-598: Was in recognition of the high standards, including university level research, which takes place at them. The institutes are governed by the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Having been given delegated authority to confer their own awards in some cases up to Doctoral level by HETAC from 2001 onwards, in 2019 the institutes were designated as awarding bodies up to masters level in their own right. The individual institutions are structured similar to other universities, particularly Irish ones. Each institution has

2597-629: Was issued. Further Education and Training Awards Council The Further Education and Training Awards Council ( Irish : Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna ) or FETAC was a statutory qualification-awarding body for further education in Ireland . It was established on 11 June 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999. FETAC was dissolved and its functions were passed to Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) on 6 November 2012. FETAC

2650-475: Was putting no pressure on him. In reality, under pressure from the PDs, Haughey gave Lenihan a letter of resignation to sign. When Lenihan refused, Haughey formally advised President Hillery to sack Lenihan from the cabinet. As required by Article 13.1.3 of the Constitution, Hillery did so. Lenihan's campaign never recovered, and he became the first candidate from Fianna Fáil to lose a presidential election, having begun

2703-469: Was realised that he had said the opposite in an on-the-record interview in May 1990, his campaign panicked and tried to pressurise Duffy into not revealing the information. Their pressure backfired, particularly when his campaign manager, Bertie Ahern , named Duffy as the person to whom he had given the interview in a radio broadcast, prompting Duffy to release the relevant segment of his interview with Lenihan. In

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2756-623: Was the successor to the National Council for Vocational Awards ( NCVA ) and also made awards previously made by Fáilte Ireland – National Tourism Development Authority (previously Bord Fáilte and CERT, the Council for Education, Recruitment and Training), FÁS – Training and Employment Authority , National Council for Educational Awards (Foundation Certificate only) and Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority . As well as making awards, FETAC validated, monitored and ensured

2809-535: Was very much the founding principle. During the late 1970s degrees at Bachelor's level were introduced, later Master's and Doctoral levels were also allowed. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in apprenticeship and nursing type courses. Traditionally awards were conferred by the National Council for Educational Awards , this statutory authority became the Higher Education and Training Awards Council , and other awards are conferred by

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