Results 581-600 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I have been assured this was approved and drafted by the parliamentary counsel. I have been told it follows the normal procedure but I will double check it. I must press ahead with the Bill but again I assure the House I will double check it.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: We do not have any specific ideas or proposals at this stage. What the Taoiseach and the Government would have in mind is that if there was a need for the establishment of a new body in the social-economic area, for example, following a national agreement and after consultation with the various parties, the option would be there. This is not something the Taoiseach would do lightly or...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: This issue emerges later with regard to consultation and the democratic deficit which has been referred to in the other House and we can deal with it then. The same answer applies here. Governments are there to govern but there is always provision for debate and for matters to be brought before the Houses. Issues such as this would be well aired and well signalled. Regardless of who is in...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I also warmly support the principle of Oireachtas reform to achieve the greatest possible degree of accountability and democracy. We are considering some initiatives regarding committees and interaction with the public via the Internet. I have, however, to disagree with the case well made by Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan. The Government has a duty to implement its programme for Government. I...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I note there is a vote in the Dáil.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: Somebody is checking it for me.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: Yes.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: It seems that I am paired after all.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Acting Chairman for his co-operation. I welcome Senator O'Toole's participation in the debate on amendment No. 1 because he has been involved in the social partnership process for many years. I value his contribution and the contributions of others to this discussion. I have listened to the comments which have been made. As I said earlier, I am keen to examine the proposals for...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: Of course. A genuine argument has been made for better scrutiny of the many complex aspects of national agreements. Such agreements now extend into many areas, including child care and parts of the social and voluntary pillars. I understand the argument made by many Opposition Deputies and Senators that they need to be involved in this process. If there is something I can do in this regard in...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome this debate, a crucial part of which is getting Houses that are as full as possible. This is an area in which I have a significant interest, having been very privileged to be Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs some years ago. In that role I got to know many of the parties in the partnership process. I echo the words of Senator Ryan, who has rightly commented on...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: The problem is that we need consensus.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: On Senator Ryan's point about representation, section 14(2)(f) provides that the Taoiseach may nominate a person to represent the category in question. I will convey the Senator's remarks to the Taoiseach in the context of that provision. With regard to gender balance, the Taoiseach wrote to all parties on foot of a previous debate on that issue. The letter, which I will forward to Senator...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I understand that criteria for membership are based on the ability and commitment of individual Members. The issue of gender balance has also been raised in this regard.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: The party leaders are involved in selections there. Senator Ryan kindly informed me of a possible amendment to a section later on for which I thank him. I understand we are concluding approximately now. We would be glad to examine that in the meantime. I am pre-empting something that may happen. The Senator knows what I am talking about. I see a reference to Dáil and Seanad Members. It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: Media reports, especially in The Irish Times last week, referred to the abandonment of the western rail corridor, which represents only 1% of the total budget of €31 billion under Transport 21. I hope there will be a debate on this issue as it is relevant at the moment and it is relevant to a motion I tried to raise on the Adjournment, which the Acting Chairman had to refuse, relating to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I support what has been said regarding the national broadcaster, however I am still not clear about the future of the section on farming matters on the "Five Seven Live" programme on RTE Radio 1. Senator Dardis presented it in the past and it provided necessary information to people in the farming community. Will RTE allow this to continue in the autumn schedule?

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the proposal for a debate on health services. I recently met representatives of the Brothers of Charity and the Galway Association on funding in the area of disability. It is outrageous that the system is the same as that under the health board whereby in the western region, for every euro Roscommon receives Mayo receives two and Galway three. It is based on a mathematical formula...

Seanad: Health Services. (14 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for coming into the House. He takes a particular interest in disability. I met the Brothers of Charity Services and the Galway Association last Monday regarding issues they brought to my attention, chiefly, what they describe as serious emergencies in their region. They pointed out that as many as 75...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I understand the points of view expressed by the Senators and this issue has arisen before. I agree with much of what has been proposed however the problem is it may be somewhat impractical. I am confident we can work towards the equitable balance referred to in the Bill. Appointments to a body may not always be at the discretion of the Government as they may be nominees of representative...