Results 10,381-10,400 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Provision was made under the 2006 fire service capital programme to recoup the costs in respect of the construction of a replacement fire station at Belturbet, Co Cavan. In August 2008, following an assessment of tenders received in respect of the project, Cavan County Council wrote to the Department requesting sanction to accept a recommended tender. The associated contract documents were...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (21 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal currently applies in 16 urban areas nationally. The selection of these areas took account of air quality monitoring data and population size. On the basis of these criteria, the ban currently applies to two towns in Co. Wicklow, Bray and Arklow. The question of extending the areas subject to smokeless fuels regulations has...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share my time with Deputy Cyprian Brady and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am glad of the opportunity to speak on the budget. There was a general welcome for the fact that it has been brought forward to address matters in a decisive manner. There is need to restore order and stability in the public finances and that is why it was announced on 14 October this year. We are confronted with severe budgetary pressures and negative economic growth and need to——

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: ——pursue prudent and sustainable policies that will help us through this extremely challenging period. I particularly welcome the fact that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is continuing to prioritise areas in which I have responsibility, including fire services, the rural water programme and library services. The funding provisions reflect continued...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Some 52 grant-aided libraries, including nine headquarters, are providing a much-needed service to the public. This is a huge boost to the delivery of a vital public service at community level and, within the resources available to me, these developments will continue to have my support in future years. The capital allocation of €10 million for 2009 will enable the Minister to provide...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: This will be in addition to meeting ongoing capital commitments of approximately €6 million from the current programme which are under construction.

Seanad: Report on EU Climate-Energy Package: Statements (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: Green, white and gold.

Seanad: Report on EU Climate-Energy Package: Statements (16 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. We discussed the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Scrutiny on the EU climate package and I congratulate the Chairman and the members of the committee. The climate-energy package is one of the most significant policy developments to be proposed by the European Commission. It is a response to the call by...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The question of extending the areas subject to smokeless fuels regulations has been, and continues to be, kept under review in consultation with local authorities and having regard to the need to ensure good air quality. Monitoring at permanent and mobile monitoring stations by the EPA and local authorities confirms that air quality in Ireland is good. The question of the need to extend the...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: It also affects Knock Airport and others.

Seanad: Water Pollution (14 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline how my Department is working to improve water services infrastructure and water quality in the Corrib catchment and in Galway generally. My Department's water services investment programme 2007-09 includes more than 50 major water and sewerage schemes with a value of more than €464 million...

Seanad: Water Pollution (14 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Senator has put a number of questions. I already referred to the meeting I had in Oughterard and with the committee in my office in Tuam. The Department is in constant contact with Galway County Council on the three issues. I cannot give a definite date but we are working hard to try to get a start on those schemes.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The question of extension of the areas subject to smokeless fuels is kept under review in consultation with local authorities and having regard to the need to ensure good air quality. Monitoring at permanent and mobile monitoring stations by the EPA and local authorities confirms that air quality in Ireland is good and does not, at this time, provide any data in support of any such...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies on all sides for their contributions. Comments focussed on the Bill and on the electoral agenda generally. It is not possible to comment on all points but I will respond to some of the issues raised. We can examine matters relating to the Bill in greater detail on Committee Stage. I welcome the comments of Deputies Terence Flanagan, Ciarán Lynch and Cuffe, who...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Shatter for raising this matter. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. This is an opportunity for me to outline to the Dáil the Department's capital programme of works for 2008 and the current position with regard to Holy Trinity national school, Glencairn, Leopardstown, Dublin 18. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the...

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I will check on that for the Deputy. The school has a current staff of one principal, two mainstream assistants, one developing post, one permanent resource teacher, one permanent learning support teacher and one temporary language support teacher. In January 2005, the school authority submitted an application to the Department for large-scale capital funding for an extension project. An...

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Deputy made a strong case and I will pass it on to the Minister, who was not available to attend the House this evening.

Health Service Staff. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking the adjournment on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The performance-related awards scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the review body is to advise the...