Results 1,141-1,160 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: In such circumstances, the candidate would allocate 10% of the combined figure to the party's national agent.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: Before I address the amendment, I will address a point raised yesterday by a number of Senators, including Senators Buttimer and Hannigan. The issue of whether the cost of removing posters counts as an election expense will be addressed in guidelines which will shortly issue from the Department. However, the removal of posters after polling day will not be considered as an election expense...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Coffey. My understanding is that it is 10% of the candidate's limit. If the limit is €15,000 plus one quarter of the €7,500, it is 10% of that limit.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I again thank the Senator. The circular has gone out to local authorities but the guidelines will be sent out as soon as the Minister signs the order. That will clarify the position, especially for new candidates, in regard to the guidelines.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: Even though this is a short Bill it is an important one. The amendments to the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 made by the Bill will facilitate the introduction of a cap on spending limits for political parties and candidates at local elections. The capping of electoral expenditure is of a particular importance to aspiring first-time candidates and to...

Seanad: Community Development. (26 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Bradford for raising this issue. I reassure the Senator that meeting housing needs through the current range of housing programmes remains at the very top of the Government's agenda. In particular, the voluntary and co-operative housing sector has a proud record of achievement in the provision of accommodation for people with special needs and low income families under the...

Seanad: Community Development. (26 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Senator for his comments. The matter is under consideration. The Department and the local authority are engaging closely with the voluntary group concerned. When the information is forwarded I will discuss the matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Michael Finneran.

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (31 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: My Department has been in discussions with Meath County Council for some time regarding proposals for the provision of a new Library at Bettystown. A Circular letter issued from my Department in August 2008 notifying Local Authorities of a new Capital Funding Programme for Libraries and inviting library authorities to submit priority lists for consideration for grant aid under this Programme....

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (7 Apr 2009)

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. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share my time with Deputy Chris Andrews.

Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It is being introduced in the context of a deep and widespread recession in the international economy that we have not seen in more than 50 years. Ireland is experiencing a sharp decline in its GNP. I look on the positive side and hold the view that as the international recovery gains momentum, the impact on our national economy in terms of...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister's comments on this legislation. The explanatory memorandum refers to the common good in regard to the health insurance market. In particular, I am struck by the phrase "intergenerational solidarity between all insured persons" and the acknowledgment of the importance of community rated health insurance. There has been widespread concern that older people might face a...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

Michael Kitt: I am interested in what effect the measures in the Bill will have on health insurance prices, an issue raised by Deputy O'Sullivan. I hope the Minister will address this issue in her reply. Prices must be affordable, particularly for those aged 50 years or more. A major issue has arisen regarding how the health insurance companies will price their insurance plans. I have cited examples of...

Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Michael Kitt: I am sharing time with Deputy Chris Andrews. I very much welcome what the Minister has done in this Bill and I am aware that it is part of a package of legislative measures to amend and update the Irish deposit guarantee scheme. While I welcome the increase in the deposit guarantee scheme for banks and building societies from €20,000 to €100,000 for eligible depositors and institutions,...

Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Bill. Its purpose is to give legal effect to the preclearance agreement signed by the Minister and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington in November 2008. We will now be able to allow aircraft to land at an extensive range of US airports, facilitating easy connectivity to all points within the United States. By improving the passenger experience...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Michael Kitt: I support this treaty and congratulate the Minister and his officials on their negotiations. The treaty amends the two treaties upon which the Union is founded. I recall that when we discussed the issue before we voted the last time, we spoke about having an effective and efficient Europe and it is important to promote that in plain language. We have seen the Union growing from six to 27...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Kitt: Question 758: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans, in view of the high level of litter pollution due to chewing gum, to introduce a tax or a levy on chewing gum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29626/09]

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Kitt: I am sharing time with the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Billy Kelleher, who will take over the debate tomorrow. I very much welcome the opportunity to contribute on this Bill. I commend the Minister on publishing draft legislation as far back as 30 July, since there has been a very good debate, on the airwaves, in the print media and at the...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Kitt: I refer to the comments of An Taisce and the environmental aspects of NAMA. The body referred to large scale overzoning in the country, a matter to which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, referred. An Taisce stated that over zoning and the banks childish lending policies have inevitably lead to the present crisis and hundreds of thousands...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Kitt: Question 156: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals for minimum distances in planning applications for telecommunications antennae and support structures located away from existing residences and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32658/09]