Results 161-180 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: I draw the Leader's attention to an advertisement in newspapers in recent weeks advising people not to mail items to Tuam or Drogheda because of the postal dispute in those towns. It is appalling that such an advertisement should be placed in newspapers. In the case of Tuam, there is a question of inadequate accommodation and now there is a huge backlog of mail. Thousands of items have to be...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Dooley for sharing his time with me. I welcome the Minister of State. All Members will agree that the reforms allowing public servants the option to remain at work after 65 years of age are welcome. This is reflected in the teaching profession where many retired teachers continue on as substitute teachers. It also highlights the lack of qualified teachers, but that is for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: When we discussed electronic voting in the House some weeks ago, I mentioned in particular Senator Finucane's support for it, and I am sorry that he has changed his mind. I said at the time I believed that Senator Finucane would have been in the Dáil if there had been electronic voting in the 2002 election. People talk about a lack of security with electronic voting. What security do we have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: The current system is inadequate vis-À-vis the electronic voting that will be introduced in June.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. In many ways the legislation is testament to the successful career of the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, since he was Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs. At that time he introduced many measures that helped people in the Gaeltacht. I often looked across with envy from my base in east Galway at some of the benefits of...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: Other problems exist in the Gaeltacht in regard to planning. Not everybody in these areas is involved in tourism. Although I do not live in a Gaeltacht area, I welcome the benefits that pertain there. I am interested in these areas and see the benefit of certain schemes. One has to be clear on the supports required in areas of disadvantage and try to get funds to that area. I look forward to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I wish to raise again an issue I raised last year, namely the use of discos for the excellent No Name Club, which arranges discos where alcohol is not served. Problems remain in this area and I hope a discussion on it, as well as on other issues related to the licensing laws, can be arranged as soon as possible. We should seek a situation in which such discos could be organised without any...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his explanation of the Bill. The primary purpose of the Bill is to give a legislative basis to the increases in motor tax rates and trade plate licences set out in a financial resolution passed by the Dáil in November 2003. Provision has been made for an increase of 5% across the board. I was pleased to hear the Minister of State...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: That shows the beady eyes of the Minister and Minister of State and that they are keeping a close watch on this money.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome what the Minister of State said about the new rates of motor tax, the schedule for taxation classes and the motor tax rates for vintage vehicles. The new rates took effect from 1 January 2004. Senator Bannon raised the relevant issue of public transport. I take the opportunity to raise the issue of the rail network. Fr. Micheál MacGréil, former Deputy and Senator, Martin O'Toole,...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: An application will also be made by the Government.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Bill provides for smaller tax increases of €7 for cars under 1000cc while the increase is €14 for larger cars of 1300cc to 1400cc — these are not huge sums. Our primary concern must be safety. Despite horrific recent crashes, the Minister for Transport is making much progress on penalty points. Figures suggest that fatalities on our roads were approximately 600 per year in the...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for bringing this Bill to the House and for dealing with the issues raised by Senators. Although the Bill relates to motor taxation rates and trade plate licences we had a wide ranging debate on roads, signage, road safety and public transport. I thank the Minister of State for responding to the issues raised. I am glad the Bill has been passed and I look forward...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister and in particular I welcome the good news——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Senator MacSharry. I welcome the good news announced by the Minister last week and in this House today. As a leading light in LAMA are Senator Bannon's views representative of the association? They are not the views of those with whom I have met. I would like to put on the record that the General Council of County Councils has welcomed the guidelines introduced by...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Senator Bannon's comments about blatant and cynical moves——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Senator Bannon stated that the guidelines offered no hope to people in need of housing in rural Ireland. That could not be further from the truth.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, is giving rural Ireland back to the Irish people. That is what we want to see happening.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister said in the guidelines: "People who were born in an area, who live in an area, who contribute to an area will be entitled to build their home in that area."

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: That was endorsed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.