Results 181-200 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am sure that having lived there I know more about it than Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Most of my remarks relate to County Galway. I am sure Senator Burke is aware that Galway has had and continues to have difficulties.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: However, changes made by councillors to the previous county development plan have helped in terms of planning in rural Ireland. I will provide an example. Under the previous system, only one child of a farmer with four or five children was entitled to permission to build. That situation has now changed in County Galway. Councillors have done a good job in tackling that issue.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister spoke of proper planning and sustainable development. This is important whether it relates to the building of one or more houses in the countryside. Galway has encountered difficulties as regards heritage towns, an important status for many towns such as Athenry and Gort.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am speaking about County Galway. One cannot refuse permission to people because they live in or near a heritage town. The Minister touched on these issues earlier. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, spoke of the environs of protected structures, aspects of heritage, natural habitats and SACs. They are important issues which need to be considered. The...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am giving an example of the situation in a heritage town. No planning is granted within one and a half miles of a heritage town. I hope the two issues to which I have referred will be dealt with. The Minister has made a good start in that regard. I compliment the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who has campaigned on this issue for many years.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: He has brought together councillors and public representatives in County Galway to deal with this problem.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Galway, as the second largest county in the country, is facing many problems in this area. The holding of early discussions will help to alleviate the problem. The Minister has done a good day's work.

Seanad: Drainage Schemes. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon. I have discussed this issue previously with him and also with the Minister for Finance. I ask that the work which was started over 40 years ago on the River Nanny would be completed. One of the reasons for stopping the work is that the river was involved in providing a water supply for the town of Tuam. However, the water supply in north Galway...

Seanad: Drainage Schemes. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Will the Minister of State consult the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to see if this issue could be considered under the new western river basin management project announced last week?

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (31 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for the opportunity to raise the important issue of an ambulance base in Tuam, County Galway. As the Minister of State knows, for many years the Bons Secours Sisters ran a hospital in Tuam. Sadly, we no longer have that hospital because the order had to leave Tuam some years ago. I was delighted that the Western Health Board purchased the entire property in Tuam,...

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (31 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Will the Minister contact the Western Health Board on that issue?

Seanad: High Level of Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Jim Walsh for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State's comments. This debate is welcome and I hope we return to this subject on another occasion. The Minister of State mentioned other issues related to the population in general, rather than just young people. We should talk about the abuse of alcohol generally throughout the country. Many good organisations have tried...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I also welcome the not guilty verdicts pertaining to the so-called Colombia Three, who were acquitted of the major charge of training FARC guerrillas. I pay tribute to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his officials for their work and to Senator White for her special interest and the many trips she made to Colombia.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I call on the Minister and his officials to keep up this good work and to ensure the safe return of the three men involved. I ask for the support of the Seanad in this regard.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I wish him the best in his electoral contest in June. I thank him and his colleagues, the Minister of State, Deputy Tracey, and the Minister, Deputy Joe Walsh, for their work in the Department. I am pleased he mentioned in his opening address the question of the ten accession states who will join the European Union next Saturday. Their...

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, for coming to the House. This issue relates to the three-year cap on community employment schemes. As the Minister of State and the Acting Chairman, Senator Ulick Burke, know, there is an organisation in our constituency known as the East Galway Community Action Group which has had a number...

Seanad: Ombudsman's Report: Statements. (5 May 2004)

Michael Kitt: Certainly.

Seanad: Ombudsman's Report: Statements. (5 May 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister and also the report of the Ombudsman. I compliment her predecessor. It is good news that there has been a reduction in the cases taken to the Ombudsman. Like other speakers, I am rather concerned, particularly regarding education. There are many issues involved, and there will probably be more to do with special needs, which is a big issue currently, and school...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael Kitt: I agree with those who have called for a debate on Iraq. In particular, we should discuss the treatment of prisoners and the quality of life of ordinary Iraqi people who are caught in the crossfire. I also ask the Deputy Leader to organise a debate on the western rail corridor. Some of my colleagues and I have met the Minister for Transport in various towns along the corridor. Having listened...