Results 861-880 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are seeking flexibility to enable us to keep up with changing technology. The proposed amendments are too restrictive. If, for example, an international body such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation has a proposal to make we will be prevented from making such changes if we do not have that flexibility. That is the reason I will not accept these amendments.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Section 14(1) provides that the consent of all guardians must be sought before issuance of a passport to a child or alternatively, as provided for in section 14(3), a court order dispensing with consent must be obtained. Under the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, married parents are joint guardians of their children. By contrast, the father of a child born outside marriage is not...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Section 16 permits the Minister to issue a diplomatic passport to an officer of the Minister of diplomatic rank or, under subsection (1)(b), to a person or one of a class of persons to whom the Minister considers it appropriate to issue such a passport. This permits reasonably broad discretion to designate who should be eligible for a diplomatic passport. Deputy Lynch's colleague, Deputy...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: All former Ministers may now be issued with diplomatic passports.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I refer the Deputy to section 16 (1)(b) which refers to "a person, or one of a class of persons, to whom the Minister considers it appropriate to issue such a passport". There is broad discretion to designate who should be eligible for a diplomatic passport.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am told that less than 100 have been issued.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Yes.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: High Court judges, for example, are included in that, so the number would be in the region of 100.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: No, they are not included in the numbers for diplomatic passports.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate the opportunity to clarify the position on this scheme. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Freshford is part of the Freshford, Johnstown and Goresbridge sewerage scheme which is approved to advance through planning under the Water Services Investment...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (19 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I thank Deputy Connaughton for raising this issue. The Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09, which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government published in September 2007, includes more than 50 major water and sewerage schemes, with a...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (26 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in the year 2000 as part of the commitments undertaken by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit, represent a framework for international economic and social development up to the year 2015. As such they are at the heart of the Government's work in our development cooperation programme. Irish Aid's focus on reducing poverty and...

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: It is the race to the bottom

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 26: In page 14, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(7) A reference to a passport in this section includes a reference to a document which was issued as a passport by the Minister before the commencement of sections 6 and 7 and which had ceased to be valid before the commencement of section 27(1).".

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 27a: In page 14, line 9, to delete "(e) or (f) of subsection (1)" and substitute "(e), (f) or (g) of subsection (1)". This is a technical amendment to the wording of the Bill that arises from the acceptance of amendment No. 16 from Deputy Shatter. That acceptance incorporated into the Bill a further basis on which the Minister may refuse to issue a passport. The basis...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Section 19(15) provides that the Minister may prescribe time limits for the making and determination of appeals under section 19. It provides for a prescription of such ancillary, supplemental or consequential matters as may be necessary for giving full effect to the section. In light of this provision, I do not wish to include specific time limits in the primary legislation. I agree with...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Reasons are given at the time of refusal or cancellation. Section 12(3) states that the Minister shall inform the person by notice in writing of the decision and the grounds for refusal. I agree with the Deputies on the need for reasons to be given and for time limits but we feel it is preferable to specify such matters in regulations and we will have the regulations ready before the Bill...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: The maximum penalty for conviction on indictment for the most serious offences under section 20 is an unlimited fine and-or up to ten years imprisonment. Subsection (2) provides for a minor offence that involves the use, or attempted use, of a passport not issued to a person to gain entry to licensed premises or a club. The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding €500. Section 21(d) is...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I understand the sentiments of Deputy Lynch's proposals. We would all agree that changing information on a passport is more serious than pretending to be somebody else to get into a night club. I have confidence in the courts that they would take everything into account. I could reflect further on this matter and, if necessary, look at this issue when it is debated in the Seanad. I know...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 34: In page 17, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: "(7) A reference to a passport in this section (other than subsection 1(a)) and section 21 includes a reference to a document which was issued as a passport by the Minister before the commencement of sections 6 and 7 and which had ceased to be valid before the commencement of section 27(1).".