Results 681-700 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House. I take the point he made yesterday about the withdrawal of the Prisons Bill 2005, a limited Bill, and welcome the introduction of this new legislation. I have visited Mountjoy Prison twice and I was struck by the poor conditions of the buildings. The purchase of a new site at Thornton Hall for a new...

Seanad: Rural Transport Services. (28 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: I am pleased the Cathaoirleach allowed me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, for coming to the House to reply to it. I have a great interest in the rural transport initiative which has helped so many people around the country through the 33 or 34 schemes involved in it. We are lucky to have two schemes in Galway, one in south east...

Seanad: Rural Transport Services. (28 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the €9 million allocated for next year. When will the individual groups know what funding they will get?

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this welcome debate. There has been a great deal of comment on stamp duty from different political parties and individuals in recent months in the context of the forthcoming budget on 6 December. Fianna Fáil has made much progress in respect of stamp duty. In 2001, there was a zero rate of stamp duty on houses with a value of up to €190,500. In...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: In the event that Senator John Paul Phelan is not aware of it, the late former President and Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera, spoke about a family's house — it would probably have been big because there would have been many children — being left to the oldest child and a smaller house built alongside it into which the parents could move. That was a type of mobility and trading down. This is...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: ——who were buying or building houses for the first time and the grant did not prove to be of great benefit to them.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

Michael Kitt: Mortgage relief is probably a better way to help people who borrow substantial amounts. If a scheme similar to that relating to SSIAs were introduced in respect of first-time buyers, it would certainly help them to save money. Many prophets of doom stated that when SSIAs matured, the price of houses would rise. However, that does not appear to have happened and the trend seems to be moving...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Report Stage. (5 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: Amendment No. 3 is in the name of Senators Cummins and Brian Hayes. It is proposed to take amendments Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive, together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Report Stage. (5 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 are related and they may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Report Stage. (5 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: Amendment No. 12 is in the name of Senator Cummins. Amendments Nos. 12 to 15, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Report Stage. (5 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: As amendments Nos. 16 and 17 and 19 to 23, inclusive, are related and amendment No. 18 is an alternative to amendment No. 17, amendments Nos. 16 to 23, inclusive, may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I support the points which have been made about water charges. The proposal to install water meters is a good one because they can be used to measure the amount of water that is used and to deal with water leakage, which is a significant problem in many water schemes. I hope the Minister can examine the inconsistency that exists in this regard, which needs to be dealt with. I refer to the...

Seanad: Industrial Development Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister to the House and I also welcome the Bill. There are numerous precedents to bringing one agency under another. There were some worries about this case, but those worries have since been eased and I wish the people of Shannon Development the best of luck. Coming from Galway, I often looked on in envy at Shannon because we did not have the same development until the...

Seanad: Motor Insurance Regulations. (6 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to the House. I am raising the issue of why policy numbers are displayed on insurance discs. I received a note from the Financial Regulator stating that regulations requiring the display of an insurance disc were introduced on 1 July 1986 and were signed by Liam Kavanagh, the...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue and the Minister of State for coming to reply. For many years the town of Kinvara has been in need of a sewerage scheme which comes within the small schemes projects. I hope we can get approval and funding for the scheme. The people of Kinvara have waited many years for such a scheme. While the town is a tourist area,...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome Senator Leyden's amendment. I understand there is a "make a will" week. My parish priest reminds people at least twice a year to make a will but that cannot always be included in legislation. We could, however, insert something to remind people of the week designated for that purpose. I support Senator Leyden's comments.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I congratulate the Minister on the Bill. Senator Terry referred to the qualified adult allowance for those over 66 years of age and under 66 years of age. This payment is a right and there is no pressure on people to be dependants. The increase in pensions, with the contributory State pension rising to €209.30, is welcome. Increasing the qualified child allowance to a standard rate of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me raise this matter and the Minister of State for coming in to reply. I wish to share time with Senator Ulick Burke.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Kitt: With other public representatives, including Senator Ulick Burke, I attended a meeting last Monday in St. Catherine's Hall, Aughrim, Ballinasloe, County Galway, concerning St. Catherine's national school. The condition of the school, as outlined at the meeting, is appalling. The school which is 59 years old this year has an enrolment of 120 pupils. Parents and teachers say the school is a...