Results 221-240 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support the call for a debate on the electoral registration process. Calls for such a debate are ironic given that the closing date was last Monday. There has been confusion about the different closing dates for different categories of voters. I checked with Galway County Council on Monday, the closing date, when 1,200 people arrived with their registration forms. There should be a better...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support the comments made about financial institutions. When the House discussed the naming of people who had offshore accounts, I made the point that the banking fraternity had not been mentioned in any newspaper reports. It is disappointing and disturbing to hear that members of that fraternity were involved in illegal activity. I hope we can have a debate on this matter because issues...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I would like to share time with Senator White and request that she have the first five minutes.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State. I compliment the committee which drew up this report, which consisted of the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, and Senators Brian Hayes, Dardis and O'Toole, as well as Senator Ryan for a period. Their starting point regarding the involvement of the public was very important. That formed the basis of many of their recommendations. There is a certain...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: In Spain, there is a dual process, which looks more democratic. It is interesting for us to look at what is done in other jurisdictions which operate a bicameral system. This is an issue that arises regularly as regards emigrants' votes and representation and how they should be dealt with. I agree with the report's recommendation on inviting MEPs to speak on particular matters. We have done...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: ——the next Cabinet that is chosen. Involvement of the public is important as regards directly elected Senators. The committee has tried to get the balance right between those who are elected directly and indirectly, when compared to the situation in other countries. The role of the Seanad is very much recognised in the report. Perhaps members of the public wonder what is our role, how we...

Seanad: Industrial Development. (23 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter for debate on the Adjournment. I also thank the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Fahey, for attending the House. I raised the issue of industrial investment in east Galway last week. As a Galway man, the Minister of State is aware of the difficulties being experienced in some of the county...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am concerned by Senator Bannon's comments on privatisation as it is not my understanding. My constituency has one of the greatest numbers of group and other water schemes in the country. There are many EU regulations regarding water quality and the feedback indicates the EU is very insistent that local authorities provide water to group water schemes. We are moving away from the idea of...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome what the Minister of State has said. In my experience over the years, many disputes have arisen, particularly with small group water schemes, as regards the lack of rights of the owner of the land. There was a time when a land owner on whose field a spring or well was found, was entitled to free water. That was disputed and the cases would end up in the courts on some occasions....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: What about the last five years?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: Domestic water charges cannot be recovered.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: On Thursday morning.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate that things have improved. If the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, can get more money for the Western Health Board, I will be glad if he invests it as soon as possible. I have been a member of the board for two of the last five years. There have been significant developments in the health board area during the last five years, especially increases in day activity cases and...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: He owes it to the board members, who have worked with two CEOs over 34 years, to provide services in the western region. He owes it to the board members and the staff to open those units. I welcome the developments in the GP out-of-hours service in the western region, which is known as WestDoc. It has been very successful.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: We have established the health board's first primary care team in the Erris area of County Mayo. It is significant that the first team was established in that location. I hope the GP service, in which 104 GPs are participating, will grow. I hope more GPs will get involved in continuing the service, which has proved to be so successful in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the following issue and I thank the Minister for attending. I congratulate him too on the success of the Luas and I hope he has good news for me just as he had for Senator Brian Hayes. Some years ago, Ballaghlea national school near Ballygar in County Galway was keen to get an extra classroom. As a former Minister for Education the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: Yesterday there was a call for a debate about the National Roads Authority and the cost of new roads and motorways. Senator Ryan referred to this matter. I would welcome such a debate, but it is also important to remember the communities that are being affected by the proposed new roads. There is one area in east Galway, New Inn, in which a new motorway, a landfill site and a gas pipeline are...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Senator is indulging in Inspector Clouseau behaviour.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support the Minister of State's comments as I too query the value of introducing fixed charges. My experience of looking at tenders as a member of a local authority is not the same as Senator Bannon's. I have seen the high and the low tenders. Contractors may not tender if a fixed charge is introduced. Senator Bannon should withdraw this amendment as it is against the public procurement...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support what the Minister of State said. There was a discussion on the Order of Business this morning about water wastage, including leakages and old water schemes. A Senator described major leakages in the midlands. If the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government means anything, it must mean it is concerned about this issue. Metering is one way of dealing with the...