Results 10,341-10,360 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

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...

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...

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 — 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...

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...

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...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Order for Report Stage (18 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

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...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate. The purpose of the Bill is to seek a modest increase in motor tax as a contribution to ensuring that local authorities have the resources to provide good quality local services to the public across a range of areas. The general purposes grants, financed from the local government fund, are an important source of local authority funding...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator O'Donovan for the opportunity to clarify the position in regard to the Castletownbere sewerage scheme. The scheme has been approved for funding under the rural towns and villages initiative of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €5.2 million. This programme envisages a total investment of more than €485 million on new and...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Order for Report Stage (16 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages. (16 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, I thank Deputies on all sides of the House who contributed to the debate on the Bill, and I am grateful for the positive approach adopted towards it.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: Does that make it right?

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am glad to contribute to this debate. I support what Deputy White has said about the importance of this legislation. The point stressed by her and other Members is that the medical card is being made available to those who are unable, without undue hardship, to meet the cost of health services for them and their dependents. This is important. When dealing with the automatic entitlement...