Results 441-460 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I hope the Minister does not mind that he is being brought on a tour of the State. When Galway city became a borough it got some territory from surrounding rural areas. There was no great problem in this regard and the transfer was agreed between the two local authorities involved. However, difficulties have arisen in this regard in other areas. Senator Dooley gave the example of Limerick...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I wish to give an example as other Members have done. Senator Dooley presented the example of County Clare, which might have been entitled to five seats if it had kept its territory intact. Unfortunately, this did not happen. A similar situation obtains where Ballinasloe Town Council borders County Roscommon. The Minister is aware of the existence of such issues. We will not resolve them...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister and his officials, as well the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who introduced the debate, for a very interesting debate on Second Stage. The Minister was about to say what I want to say. The debate was very good humoured. In many ways we were very frustrated because we were not going to make changes if we accepted the commission. Ministers from all parties have...

Seanad: Planning and Development Regulations 2005: Motion. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I move: "That Seanad Éireann approves the following regulations in draft: Planning and Development Regulations 2005, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 16 June 2005."

Seanad: Planning and Development Regulations 2005: Motion. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I would like to share time with Senator Brady, with the permission of the House.

Seanad: Planning and Development Regulations 2005: Motion. (30 Jun 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Roche. Like Senator Terry, I thank him for staying in the House for this debate. I agree with the Senator that the proposal in these regulations that one should have to seek planning permission if one wishes to change the use of a commercial property from a shop to an off-licence is to be welcomed. Senators have raised this matter with the Minister for Justice,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, particularly the comments of the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Deputy Noonan, regarding his committee having an early look at some projects rather than, as he said, looking at projects when the horse has left the stable. Senator Maurice Hayes referred to the fact that it has always been a tradition that the Committee of...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I take up the point that Senator Terry made on giving parents a choice and having the child at the centre of any child care proposals. That is one of the more important issues being discussed here. Although we do not need a debate on whether parents should work, we have all seen the statistics on the increase in female participation in the labour force. An emphasis existed in the past on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: The western railway inter-county committee held a meeting yesterday. That committee was founded by Fr. Micheál MacGréil approximately 25 years ago and has the support of local authorities from Sligo to Limerick. There was a strong feeling among committee members that, although there is much speculation about metro development, port tunnels and outer ring roads, there has been very little...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. His contribution to the debate was very useful. As he said in his opening remarks the issue has moved on considerably in the past week in that the injunction has been lifted and the five Rossport men have been released. It is a matter of regret to me, as it is to everybody in the House, that five decent men were jailed for 94 days. The Minister of...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: Agreed.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am privileged to have been present for most of this debate and am proud of the pivotal role the Fianna Fáil Party has played in bringing peace to this island. I wish to be associated with the remarks of those who referred to the work of Senator Maurice Hayes and Senator Mansergh. The latter Senator has worked with many leaders of our party. I echo the words of those who praised the work of...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: Let us consider the relationship between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The Taoiseach has had to hold many meetings. Someone decried that he met people in his constituency office, which I believe is to his credit.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: At late hours and early hours he met various individuals to move the process along and full credit is due to him. While it is great to have official meetings in Government Buildings, Iveagh House, Stormont etc., it is vital to have informal meetings moving the process along. All those meetings were held for the right reasons which is why we are where we are. Many Senators expressed concern...

Seanad: The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to the House and congratulate him and the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the work they are doing on this very important issue. I read with interest and very much welcomed the Minister's statement on this motion in the Dáil. I compliment Senator Mooney and the Members of this House who have travelled to the United States on a number of...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State for coming before the House. I refer to two issues concerning the town of Ballygar, County Galway, that have been raised with me by many people in the town and its surrounding areas, namely its water supply and sewerage system. As far as the water supply is concerned, major concerns have been expressed about its...

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am glad to contribute to the debate and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. We are all aware that after the derailment in Knockcrockery in November 1997, the then Minister commissioned an independent review on safety. Like other Senators, I compliment the former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, who fought hard at Cabinet level for funding for her Department and to try to make...

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: The decision was taken in 1975 to abolish these services on this line.

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am sure the then Minister, Peter Barry, did his best but Iarnród Éireann, unfortunately, had, and always has, a very negative attitude. We will have a battle with Iarnród Éireann to try to provide this service which is so badly need. When I think of the railway lines and safety, I think of the Asahi plant in Mayo and the dangerous goods which were transported to it by rail. It was very...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: With the agreement of the House I wish to share time with Senator Ó Murchú. I am delighted Senator Leyden has brought this Bill forward and congratulate him on doing so. It is unique and historic that a Senator from the Government side has a Bill before the House. As the Minister of State said, much data are available on computer, such as PPS numbers for children, but we need to do much...