Results 101-120 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I wish to raise the issue of the difficulties for students in getting visas, particularly J1 visas, to visit the United States. A number of people have contacted me this matter and there are articles about it in today's newspapers. I understand there could be a backlog of six to seven weeks in the processing of J1 visas. Will the Leader indicate whether we can make direct contact with the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I support the call for a debate on the Hanly report on the future of hospitals, including the Brennan and Prospectus reports. I hope we might have the Tánaiste here for a debate on the future of the community employment schemes. This is the time of year when people complete their participation on these schemes. Some people who may have done three years have been told they will not be going...

Seanad: Strategic Rail Review Report: Statements (Resumed). (21 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to the House. I am pleased the House has the opportunity to discuss the strategic rail review. I compliment the Minister and the former Minister, Senator Mary O'Rourke, on their investment in the rail infrastructure. I am a member of the western inter-county railway committee which was formed some years ago. The honorary secretary is Father...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (28 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I have tried several times to make a contribution.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (28 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I am the Fianna Fáil Party spokesman on the environment and local government. I am delighted to be able to make a contribution on this Stage and I welcome the Minister of State. I understood this to be a simple matter. The Local Government Bill 2003, which abolishes the dual mandate, was superseded by another local government Bill dealing with bridge orders. For this reason, we must now...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Michael Kitt: I support calls for a debate on health and the comments on the reports leaked to the media. The Government provided €11 million to purchase Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe from the Franciscan Sisters. It also provided funds to buy a site in Tuam for a hospital. It is, however, regrettable that there is so much bad publicity about these projects which should be supported. The Government...

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements (Resumed). (11 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: With the permission of the Acting Chairman, I will share time with Senator Mansergh. We will have five minutes each.

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements (Resumed). (11 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State. I particularly welcome the allocation of €5 million announced by him in humanitarian aid for Iraq. Other Senators have spoken in regard to the media coverage of the war in Iraq. While they were most responsible and provided good coverage, both on television and in the newspapers, it is regrettable that the coverage has not been as good since the war. The...

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann," and substitute the following: "notes (i) the Standards in Public Office Commission's report of 11 June, 2003 on Election Expenses Statements and Statutory Declarations received from election agents of candidates, national agents of political parties and other persons at the Dáil General Election held on 17 May 2002; (ii)...

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: We are talking about the Standards in Public Office Commission.

Seanad: Adjournment Debate. - Schools Building Projects. (18 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: Brierfield national school is one of 289 projects at the early stage of architectural planning in the Department of Education and Science. I understand it is in band 3. The school has no cloakroom, hot water or toilets. That is a serious situation when one has a three teacher school with 63 pupils. There are several young families in the area and every indication numbers in the school will...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. I am delighted to take part in this important debate. I attended an interesting launch this morning by the Minister on the nursing home subvention scheme which was reviewed by Dr. Eamon O'Shea from the NUI in Galway. He was fair in his comments about the scheme. He said there were many ways it could be reformed, but he did...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I echo the compliments to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Food, Deputies Cowen and Walsh, on their performance in the negotiations in which they were involved. I hope that we will have an opportunity to discuss the results of the farm negotiations next week. Whatever about the detail, we can get more information at that stage. We also note that the Minister has obtains...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator O'Rourke for sharing her time and the Minister of State for coming to the House. Senator Dardis recounted the story former Deputy Des O'Malley told of the number of Deputies who shared an office in his time. I believe my late father shared an office with him and know there was a row as to who was the favourite of the secretary. In the Dáil we have moved on considerably from...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: I also support the Clerk of the Seanad being represented on the commission. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, has been very positive about linking the pay of Members of the Oireachtas to a particular grade. In the past pay increases were announced, announced again when the order went before the House and announced yet again when paid. The public thought Members of the Oireachtas got...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Michael Kitt: Everybody will get it. We have not got it yet. I compliment all those involved in finalising the process. I agree that Opposition spokespersons need resources. Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin have spoken about their own legal issues. In recent years there was considerable difficulty for Senators and Deputies who, after speaking as the chair or vice chair of a committee, were served with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Michael Kitt: The Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, was in Galway on Monday and announced a rural transport initiative for south-east Galway, the first in the county. He also announced two quality bus corridors in Galway city, which I welcome. I have raised the issue of the railway strategy report previously. If the part of the report dealing with Galway city could be brought forward,...

Seanad: Nuclear Safety: Motion. (2 Jul 2003)

Michael Kitt: I move: That Seanad Éireann commends the Government on the recent developments with regard to Sellafield, in particular the pro-tem order issued by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that both Governments must exchange information on nuclear safety, and calls for the case to remain at the Tribunal and to continue to be pressed vigorously by the Government. I welcome the...

Seanad: Nuclear Safety: Motion. (2 Jul 2003)

Michael Kitt: When I opened the debate, the Minister was not present. Therefore, I join other Members in welcoming him to the House. I thank him for his contribution to what has been a fine debate. It is a tribute to him that he not only presented a very clear argument but that the House also accepted the Opposition amendment. I wish him the best in his future endeavours. He has expressed clear concerns...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Michael Kitt: This is a welcome opportunity to discuss an issue that has been to the forefront of people's minds in recent weeks. It is important to remember the comments of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs not only on the Government apology to victims of abuse on behalf of the State but also the need to take positive action to redress the wrongs inflicted in the past. Like other speakers, I...