Results 641-660 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the subject matter of these amendments. Irrespective of whether applications are for major developments, they should be published in provincial newspapers. Too many applications have instead been published in national newspapers. Will the Minister comment in this regard, as it was my understanding that applications were advertised in local newspapers? Recently, applications for...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: Could the county colours be used?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: I strongly support Senator Bannon's position on the views of local authority members. The Minister has been very forthcoming in meeting local authority members and obtaining their views. Senator Bannon is correct with regard to county development plans, budgets and annual reports in that every assistance should be given to councillors. It is also important to state that Oireachtas Members...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, and I welcome this Bill also. I do not see it in the same light as the previous speaker because I do not believe that this is a time bomb. The Building Societies Review Group included representatives of the building societies, Departments and the Financial Regulator. The...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: It is indeed and that is what the Minister told me. However, it is only right to put it on the record of the House that the credit union movement is being restricted. If we are going to allow more flexibility for other financial institutions, credit unions should be given the same facility. Credit unions now have over 50% excess liquidity in their accounts and they have no choice but to...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for his work on this Bill. It was well debated both in the Dáil and the Seanad. I hope it will prove to be good legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I support calls for a debate on local government reform, particularly in regard to the provision of housing. A considerable number of people are repaying local authority loans which were taken out in the 1970s and 1980s at interest rates up to 11% or 12% over 25 or 30 years. There should be a major information campaign to inform such persons that they can remortgage at lower rates and for a...

Seanad: Petitions Committee: Motion (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House and Senator Tuffy's Private Members' motion. Her point on engaging with young people on environmental matters such as recycling and waste management is relevant. The Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform, led by Senator O'Rourke, has done excellent work. The Taoiseach has a particular interest in Seanad reform...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for permitting me to raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. This is the second time in the past hour that I have mentioned the town of Glenamaddy. On the first occasion, I referred to the fact that Glenamaddy lost a bank in August. It may have done so but I hope it is about to gain a sewerage scheme. The town of Glenamaddy is famous...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I very much welcome the publication of this Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland. I strongly support the grants and incentives for alternative and renewable energy. Senator O'Toole asked about the availability of wood pellets and wood chips. I know they are available in north Galway and I hope they are available...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: Will the Acting Leader organise a debate on the register of electors, which was referred to earlier? I am mindful of the extremely good work done by local authorities, using enumerators such as those used in the census, to complete a thorough investigation of the register. Many people missing from the register for the last local elections will be added. However, a danger exists that many...

Seanad: School Closures (18 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Senator Ulick Burke. There was great shock in the Kinvara area on 12 October when the Mercy Order announced it was withdrawing as a provider of education in the Kinvara area and that it would close Seamount College, Kinvara. The order stated it would not take first year students in September 2007. Why have the trustees decided not to appoint a new board of...

Seanad: School Closures (18 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State. He spoke about the increasing number of girls attending Gort community school. It is only right that I should point out that I understand that only four girls from the parish attend that school. Will the Minister of State raise this point with the Department of Education and Science? I do not see this as evidence of an increasing trend and it is certainly...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: Last evening's news featured a report about a bank which has targeted children at a school in Wexford by urging them to open current accounts offering incentives such as bars of chocolate and bags of crisps. This is a hypocritical stance given that banks are closing down small branches in many towns. The Bank of Ireland and AIB have withdrawn services in several towns, including Mountbellew...

Seanad: Mental Health Commission Report 2005: Statements (19 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to share my time with Senator Feeney.

Seanad: Mental Health Commission Report 2005: Statements (19 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I am glad that Senator Ryan raised the issue of the development of the new central mental hospital at Thornton Hall. I am reassured by the Minister of State's comments in respect of the hospital having its own identity and a separate facility. This is very welcome. He also made a point about the fact that children are sometimes treated in adult psychiatric wards. I find it difficult to...

Seanad: Mental Health Commission Report 2005: Statements (19 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: Yes. This year's budget and following budgets should contain additional funding for suicide prevention. I commend the Minister of State on what he has done and I hope he can secure the additional funding for disability and psychiatric services for next year.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I join in the calls for a debate on road safety. A Drive Safe programme has been devised by a young person in County Galway. The Department of Education and Science has deemed to accept much of the programme, except for the question of driving tuition. The Department does not agree that this should be part of the course. This should be included. It has already been carried out in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: It is very important.

Seanad: White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2006)

Michael Kitt: I am delighted we are having this debate because many Members have called for one on development aid, or Irish Aid as the Minister of State called it. I thank him for his great work, the considerable enthusiasm he has shown for this issue and for producing the White Paper on which there was consultation, which is evident in the paper. I agree with Senator Terry on the generosity of Irish...