Results 1,081-1,100 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: Under existing law, the marked copies of the register are made available for inspection by the Clerk of the Dáil under section 131 of the Electoral Act 1992 for a six-month period after a Dáil election. At European and local elections, which are nowadays held at the same time and with the same register documentation, the marked copies are retained by the local authority returning officer...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 3: In page 20, to delete lines 17 to 26 and substitute the following: "13.— The Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 is amended— (a) in rule 17— (i) in paragraph (a)(i) by substituting "six" for "four", and (ii) in paragraph (a)(ii) by substituting "four" for "three", and (b) in rule 88 by substituting the following paragraph for paragraph...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: This was discussed on Committee Stage, as Deputy Lynch is aware. Maps of local electoral areas, as recommended by the Boundary Commission, are available in its published reports. These reports are on my Department's websites at www.environ.ie and are freely available for viewing. While maps are important and easy to use they are for illustrative purposes only and have no legal basis with...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: Local authorities are responsible for the planning, organisation and holding of local elections in their areas. They are best placed to produce such maps, given their range of local responsibilities. It should be left to local authorities to decide on the arrangements for making them available and whether to charge for them. The production of maps is not appropriate for inclusion in...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Bill puts in place key measures to facilitate Dáil, European and local elections. It also makes significant and worthwhile improvements to the processes of constituency commissions. Some people may be disappointed by the decisions as Deputies Neville, O'Donnell and Ciarán Lynch have remarked. However, there has been broad welcome in the House for the legislation. I thank Deputy Tuffy...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (18 Dec 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 premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (18 Dec 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 premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 Jan 2009)

Michael Kitt: County/City Development Boards (CDBs), led by local government, were established in early 2000 in each county and city area and given statutory recognition in the Local Government Act, 2001. They are representative of local development bodies, State agencies and the social partners operating locally. A key function of the Boards is to bring about the more co-ordinated delivery of public...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Kitt: With the permission of the House, I will share time with Deputy John McGuinness.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the economy. This is a challenging time with difficult national and international economic circumstances and priority must be given to ensuring economic and environmental sustainability. I very much welcome what the Taoiseach said about stability in the economy and continuing the capital programme, which is important regarding those...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Kitt: The resources to be made available in 2009 for capital funding of the fire and emergency services (€23 million) are included in the published 2009 estimates for public services and summary public capital programme. Proposals are currently under consideration for inclusion in the 2009 programme having regard to each fire authority's priorities, the existing facilities available, the level...

Garda Equipment. (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for affording me an opportunity to update the House on the use of modern technology by the Garda Síochána, in particular the PULSE system. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern. PULSE is the primary Garda operational IT system supporting operational members doing their day-to-day policing tasks and is now...

Court Accommodation. (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: Monaghan County Council submitted an application to the Department in June 2006 for sanction to take out a loan to fund essential repairs to Castleblayney courthouse. At the time the county council wished to secure the building's external fabric and prevent further deterioration. However, the county council subsequently decided to re-examine it proposals for the courthouse and engaged...

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senators on all sides of the House for their contributions to the debate which was interesting. Because I was only here for part of it I cannot comment on all that was said, but I was very interested in what I heard. In the time available I will respond to some of the issues raised; matters can be examined in more detail on Committee Stage. Most Senators acknowledged the integrity...

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in variable amounts in rocks and soil. When it surfaces in the open air, it is quickly diluted. However, where it enters an enclosed space, such as an ordinary building, it can, under certain circumstances accumulate to reach unacceptably high concentration levels. Radon is a known carcinogen and contributes to the incidence of lung...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: The provision of a fire service, including equipment and personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities. The Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance to fire authorities in relation to fire prevention, training support and operational matters and other such initiatives....

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: Preparation of legislation in regard to management companies for apartment complexes is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Section 22 of the Fire Services Act 1981 empowers fire authorities to inspect any land or building, including apartment complexes, for the purpose of the Act. Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, fire authorities...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: My Department has funded a pilot programme, proposed by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, to test a range of new, small-scale waste water collection and treatment systems under Irish conditions. The objective of the pilot programme is to evaluate new approaches to meeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of rural communities and to examine the potential role for...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: I compliment the Minister on what he has said tonight and on providing the bank guarantee.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Kitt: I compliment him also on his support for the process of ensuring stability in the banking system and allowing banks to get on with their business. What he said today about the placing of a cap on the salaries of bank executives and the steps he intends to take is very welcome. Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, published last December, was a good...