Results 721-740 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for allowing me to share his time. I also thank the Minister of State for attending the House. This is an important project for a local college of mine. My eldest son was a student at Holy Rosary, which has been trying so hard to get a sports hall. The college even sought assistance from the Department to rent a premises, but that request was turned down. The...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: Does the Minister of State know if stage 3 has yet been submitted to the Department?

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate the Minister of State's reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: Last week on the Order of Business I requested a debate on the quality of water in Galway city and county and I support Senator Cox in her call for such a debate. I understand that over 112 people have been made ill by the water and that the notice that one should boil it could be on display until next October unless the issue is resolved. I am very disappointed that very little has been...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I add my voice to calls for a debate on the letters sent to victims of abuse. I welcome the Taoiseach's statement at my party's Ard-Fheis on the appointment of an additional 4,000 teachers. Given that the Green Party has indicated to INTO that it is committed to recruiting an extra 2,400 teachers, I am sure Senators from all parties and the Independent Members will support proposals for...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: A week before.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this Bill. Fianna Fáil did very well in 2002, when the election was on a Friday.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I do not think it matters when the election is held.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: This Bill——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: ——is a response to the November 2006 judgment of the Supreme Court in King, Cooney and Riordan v. the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Attorney General and others. It is a measured response and, as Senator Bannon has noted, achieves a good balance between the rights of those who are not members of political parties and the need to prevent frivolous or...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: Now.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and the expeditious manner in which he brought the Bill through the Seanad. Both sides of the House would agree the Bill is balanced and reasonable. I wish the Minister of State well with other legislation he brings before us.

Social Partnership. (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I will answer the Deputy anytime.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place in early 2008 on completion of the premises. It will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. Good...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 162, 163 and 277 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place early in 2008 on completion of the premises which are currently under construction. It will involve...

Written Answers — Rapid Response Initiative: Rapid Response Initiative (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: A recruitment campaign was launched across the national media seeking applications to join the Rapid Response Corps in early February 2007. This first recruitment round was completed on 21 June. I am very pleased with the response received and, more particularly, the depth, breadth and range of experience of the individuals who applied, as well as their willingness and enthusiasm to be...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 171 together. The humanitarian situation in Iraq has continued to deteriorate with up to 2 million internally-displaced persons within Iraq and some 2 million seeking refuge outside the country, mostly in Syria and Jordan. Provision of basic services and people's access to services are being severely affected by the current conflict. Access to water...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: My Department is deeply conscious of the need to raise awareness and increase understanding among the public of the Irish Aid programme. The need has become more apparent in recent years, in light of the Government's commitment to reach the United Nations target of 0.7% of Gross National Product for overseas development assistance by 2012. One of the key recommendations of the White Paper on...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 173 together. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September 2005 that the Government will reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on Official Development Assistance by 2012. We have agreed a number of steps along the way to achieving the target. Firstly, we have an interim target of 0.5% of GNP...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: The recent storms in Pakistan and India have severely affected some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. It is estimated that hundreds of people may have been killed and thousands have lost their homes as well as their livelihoods. The worst-affected areas have been in and around Karachi. The Pakistani Red Crescent Society has been active in its response and is providing support...