Results 261-280 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: Senator McHugh referred to people hanging out. In Galway County Council, Sinn Féin is keeping Fine Gael and a rainbow of other parties in the chair.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I quoted Shakespeare to them. He said misery makes for strange bedfellows. I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for clarifying a few issues that have caused much confusion. I wish to make the case for the No Name Club organisation which needs more support than merely saying it is doing great work. By "support" I mean assistance with the organisation of discos and other functions,...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: He gave a very good account of what it was like for a GP in a small town where a disco was held and that is something that will always remain with me. The Minister made a very good point regarding the woman from Connemara who spoke about her daughter's death which was brought about because she was served alcohol. That is the reality of what is happening. We have to examine the overall...

Seanad: Schools Amalgamation. (13 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. I welcome the Minister to the Seanad and congratulate her on her promotion. I would like to share my time with Senator Ulick Burke. I want to raise the issue of the amalgamation of St. Patrick's College and St. Jarlath's College in Tuam, the latter school being my own alma mater. The boards of management of both schools have been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support my colleagues in the call for a debate on planning. Senator O'Toole referred to a shortage of medical personnel, speech therapists, physiotherapists and nurses. Out of hours GP services in rural areas appear to have many teething problems. There is certainly room for improvement when people in County Galway ring the service and are told that doctors in counties Roscommon and Mayo...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: It shows the commitment of the former Minister to that hospital. I hope the present Minister, who is a native of Ballinasloe, will continue to support it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I join with calls to support the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs in helping to secure the release of Margaret Hassan. I know from speaking to people who work for Care International that she is a courageous and compassionate person. We met the organisation last year during an Oireachtas visit to Iraq. I hope that our comments and the work of the Taoiseach and the Minister for...

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share my time with Senator MacSharry.

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I join others in welcoming the Minister, Deputy Roche, to the Seanad and thank him for addressing us on this important debate which I am glad is taking place today. I was particularly interested in what he said about emigrants. Coming from County Galway I have a great interest in this issue, as have people from the west in general. The Minister's comments are evidence of the Government's...

Seanad: School Staffing. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for sharing his time and I thank the Minister of State. I support what Senator Burke has said about additional support staff. This school is housed in two buildings with a busy main road between and this is very difficult for both staff and students alike. It is important that the school be awarded disadvantaged status which would mean a more favourable...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support Senator Ó Murchú regarding the singer Christy Moore. At a time when there are more and more queries about passports and identity cards when travelling between Ireland and Great Britain, and identity is now such a big issue, it is unbelievable that such questions are asked. Regarding the western rail corridor, I understand that part of the line between Claremorris and Athenry was...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ormonde for sharing her time and Senator Henry for tabling this motion. I welcome the Minister who, as with his previous Ministries, has done a good job in a short period. I visited Baghdad in January 2003, a number of months before the war began, with an Oireachtas delegation. One of the most vivid memories I have of that trip is that many of our visits to hospitals, schools...

Seanad: Grant Payments. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael Kitt: I have been approached by a number of individuals who are happy with the final deal on top-up grants and incentives allowing them to sell off bog plots and turbary rights. The deal amounts to €3,500 for the first acre and €3,000 for each subsequent acre. The only difficulty to arise is that others who had bogs designated in 1998 received £1,000. I understand they will now receive an...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I also welcome this debate which is relevant to the health portfolio. A great deal has been said already today about the drugs strategy. People often inquire about attractions for young people in the sporting sphere and experts always say that if there are enough sport opportunities around, people will not become...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: We have a ladies' football team whose members are all-Ireland champions and a few players on the international rules team. I have been a strong supporter of the idea of a national stadium and it never mattered to me where it was located. If it was to be Abbotstown that was well and good. We should be blunt about describing the circumstances in which we now find ourselves as a mess. What will...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I also welcome the Bill. It is important that a system of statutory registration for health and social professionals is put in place. I am happy the emphasis of the Bill is on protecting the public. I received an e-mail from the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists which stated it has concerns regarding adequate protection of the public...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, for attending the House to deal with this matter which I have tried to raise on the Adjournment over the past several weeks. It calls for the practical introduction of by-laws to allow telephone and electricity poles to be moved when roads are widened or bad bends are...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister of State may not have the answer now but I asked about by-laws. Perhaps the Minister of State could let me know if there is any need for by-laws or could return to me with some information on them from either his Department or some other Department.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: The 1970s was supposed to be a socialist era.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I again ask the Leader if there can be a debate on the western rail corridor. I am hopeful that when Mr. Pat McCann, chairman of the working group, reports next month, he will be able to recommend the re-opening of the line from Claremorris through Tuam and on to Galway. I am disappointed that Iarnród Éireann has not been positive about this issue. The company is talking in terms of...