Results 10,281-10,300 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

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...

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...

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...

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....

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 — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: The provision of funding for a fire station at Cloughjordan will be considered under future fire services capital programmes having regard to the overall availability of resources, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands of fire authorities for available funds. In autumn 2008, the fire authority indicated that improvement to the fire station at Templemore was their...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I agree with my colleague that we should have a more comprehensive motion before us rather one simply proposing to reduce the number of Ministers of State. I would like a discussion on reform of the Oireachtas and the public service. I welcome the Dáil reform I have seen in my time in the Dáil, in particular in regard to Question Time. There have been many changes in that regard,...

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

Michael Kitt: On the earlier point made by Senator Coffey, the Minister will make an order in respect of the number of days. We have provided in the Bill for between 50 and 60 days, as the Senator mentioned. The reason these parameters have been set is to ensure the policy is set in primary legislation. If no upper or lower parameters were set, the Minister of the day effectively would have an...

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 [Dáil]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senators from all sides for their contributions and welcome their comments. It is not possible for me to respond to all points made but we can go into matters in more detail on Committee Stage. I welcome the acknowledgment that the scheme of spending limits seeks to bring fairness to the electoral process. The joint committee did a great deal on spending limits and the contribution...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Dáil]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: They are on the way. These requirements were put in place in 1999 and operated for the 1999 and 2004 local elections. A commitment in the programme for Government provides for spending limits at local elections to be examined in the context of the Green Paper on Local Government. Submissions made in the course of preparing the Green Paper were generally positive towards the introduction of...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Dáil]: Second Stage (24 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: The reason for bringing forward this Bill is to provide for spending limits for candidates and political parties at local elections. The Bill passed all Stages in the Dáil on 12 March 2009. There are currently no limits on local elections expenditure. Under the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 as amended, all local election candidates are required to...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (12 Mar 2009)

Michael Kitt: I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position in regard to Clonakilty community college in...