Results 1,041-1,060 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Water Pollution (14 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline how my Department is working to improve water services infrastructure and water quality in the Corrib catchment and in Galway generally. My Department's water services investment programme 2007-09 includes more than 50 major water and sewerage schemes with a value of more than €464 million...

Seanad: Water Pollution (14 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Senator has put a number of questions. I already referred to the meeting I had in Oughterard and with the committee in my office in Tuam. The Department is in constant contact with Galway County Council on the three issues. I cannot give a definite date but we are working hard to try to get a start on those schemes.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: It also affects Knock Airport and others.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The question of extending the areas subject to smokeless fuels regulations has been, and continues to be, kept under review in consultation with local authorities and having regard to the need to ensure good air quality. Monitoring at permanent and mobile monitoring stations by the EPA and local authorities confirms that air quality in Ireland is good. The question of the need to extend the...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share my time with Deputy Cyprian Brady and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am glad of the opportunity to speak on the budget. There was a general welcome for the fact that it has been brought forward to address matters in a decisive manner. There is need to restore order and stability in the public finances and that is why it was announced on 14 October this year. We are confronted with severe budgetary pressures and negative economic growth and need to——

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: ——pursue prudent and sustainable policies that will help us through this extremely challenging period. I particularly welcome the fact that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is continuing to prioritise areas in which I have responsibility, including fire services, the rural water programme and library services. The funding provisions reflect continued...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Some 52 grant-aided libraries, including nine headquarters, are providing a much-needed service to the public. This is a huge boost to the delivery of a vital public service at community level and, within the resources available to me, these developments will continue to have my support in future years. The capital allocation of €10 million for 2009 will enable the Minister to provide...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: This will be in addition to meeting ongoing capital commitments of approximately €6 million from the current programme which are under construction.

Seanad: Report on EU Climate-Energy Package: Statements (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Green, white and gold.

Seanad: Report on EU Climate-Energy Package: Statements (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. We discussed the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Scrutiny on the EU climate package and I congratulate the Chairman and the members of the committee. The climate-energy package is one of the most significant policy developments to be proposed by the European Commission. It is a response to the call by...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (21 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal currently applies in 16 urban areas nationally. The selection of these areas took account of air quality monitoring data and population size. On the basis of these criteria, the ban currently applies to two towns in Co. Wicklow, Bray and Arklow. The question of extending the areas subject to smokeless fuels regulations has...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Provision was made under the 2006 fire service capital programme to recoup the costs in respect of the construction of a replacement fire station at Belturbet, Co Cavan. In August 2008, following an assessment of tenders received in respect of the project, Cavan County Council wrote to the Department requesting sanction to accept a recommended tender. The associated contract documents were...

Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: An historic moment.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: The determination of the conditions of employment of local authority employees is a matter for local authorities in accordance with section 158 (1) (b) of the Local Government Act 2001. I have no proposals for such legislation.

Voluntary Health Insurance. (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Community rating is a fundamental principle of the health insurance market in Ireland. Following the liberalisation of the market in 1994, political parties and successive Governments have supported the maintenance of community...

Voluntary Health Insurance. (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Minister.

Fire Safety Standards. (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Terence Flanagan for raising this matter. He gave us a timely reminder, as winter approaches, of the need to increase vigilance of fire safety and prevention. The provision of a fire service, including giving advice regarding fire safety, is a matter in the first instance for fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and...

School Accommodation. (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the current position regarding the proposed building project for Bishop Ahern national school, Leamlara, County Cork. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the modernisation and policy unit of the Department of Education and Science. The assessment process determines the...

Schools Building Projects. (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position in relation to the need for permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, County Dublin. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, would like to clarify that modernising facilities in the...