Results 981-1,000 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Written Answers — Air Quality: Air Quality (27 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency's most recent report on Air Quality in Ireland, published in October 2007, contains details of the monitoring and assessment of national air quality, and incorporates data from all air quality monitoring stations operated by the EPA. Monitoring in 2006 showed that air quality in Ireland is good and...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: These schemes were grant aided by my Department prior to the devolution of responsibility for the Rural Water Programme to local authorities in 1997. The relevant files are being retrieved from storage and the information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Deputy Mattie McGrath, with the permission of the House. I welcome this debate and regret the result of the referendum. As regards the campaign in County Galway, it was very united, with all the major political parties trying to secure a "Yes" result. When people say that Europe is irrelevant or a long way away, I always think of the issues of the day. One of the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (18 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of lands for new fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department has no direct role in these matters. The Department's role is...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Order for Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for his amendment. As indicated on Committee Stage, I have been advised by the Parliamentary Counsel's office that the Government cannot accept the amendment as the language used in the Bill and the language of the treaty in the Schedule to the Bill is English and there is no need to insert the words "in the English language" in the legislation.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I considered the discussion we had on Committee Stage and I consulted the Parliamentary Counsel. I accept the amendment.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thought I had to reply to the amendments.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I will try to help the Deputy as best I can. I understood bombs and devices to be the same in the context of our discussion. We can return to Committee Stage if the Deputy wishes to restart.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: Bombs and devices.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are discussing testing——

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are going over old ground.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are discussing a nuclear test ban irrespective of whether one is discussing a bomb or a device.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We have been advised by the Parliamentary Counsel's office that the Government cannot accept these amendments because the fines are not commensurate with the prison terms. There needs to be greater proportionality and harmony between the two aspects. I am considering tabling amendments on Committee Stage in the Seanad to address the circumstances envisaged by the Deputies. I will ask the...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: Deputy McCormack has raised a good point. I will examine the matters referred to by Deputy Ciarán Lynch, namely, a fine not exceeding €5,000 and a prison sentence not exceeding six months. In section 2(4)(b), the legislation provides for a maximum prison sentence of life. While the fines and prison sentences in the proposed amendments are not commensurate, I would like to re-examine the...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am sure the Deputies would accept that liability to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years are not commensurate. Similarly, Deputy Ciarán Lynch would make the point, with which I would agree, that liability to a fine of €5,000 fine or imprisonment for a term of six or 12 months are not commensurate. I will address the circumstances that were raised by...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: Yes, I will bring forward an amendment to the Bill in the Seanad.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am repeating myself, but in amendment No. 3 the level of the fine and the prison sentence proposed are not proportionate.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: No.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I have a difficulty, as I outlined previously, with amendments Nos. 3 and 4. I propose to bring forward an amendment on Committee Stage in the Seanad to deal with the points Deputy Ciarán Lynch and I have raised. I cannot go any further than that.