Results 10,401-10,420 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

State Airports. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies Coveney and Clune for raising this issue. The State Airports Act 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process, the boards of Cork and Shannon Airports are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. All three airport business plans have to be co-ordinated by the...

EU Directives. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who asked me to confirm that he is fully aware of the concerns of Deputies and of traditional turf cutters who have relied on turf for domestic fuel. He also recognises the concern about the costs of alternative fuel. It is important to be clear...

Planning Issues. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Upton for raising this issue. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. Under planning legislation, any development which requires permission and does not have that permission is an unauthorised development, as is a development which is proceeding in breach of conditions laid down in the planning...

Water Supply Contamination. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies O'Dowd and Tuffy for raising this Adjournment matter. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. I understand five water supplies in County Louth have been identified by the EPA as having elevated lead levels in the water distribution system and that the agency notified Louth County Council of...

Schools Building Projects. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the current position concerning Loughegar national school, County Westmeath. I am doing so on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. Loughegar is a co-educational primary school catering for boys and girls from junior infants to sixth class. The enrolment, as of 30...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: A copy of the report Radiation Doses Received by the Irish Population was provided to me by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) at the time of its launch in July 2008 and I have noted its contents. The report summarises the most comprehensive study of its kind undertaken in Ireland, bringing together data on exposure of the Irish population to all sources of radiation,...

Tenant Purchase Schemes. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the steps being taken towards extending the opportunity for home ownership to tenants of local authority apartments. The Government announced its intention to introduce a scheme for the sale of local...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (30 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is available to assist older people, generally over 60 years, to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes. Where a suite of works is being grant aided under this scheme, local authorities may also, as part of the package of works, assist with the provision of radon remediation works, where applicable. There is no other...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (25 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: My Department has been engaged in consultations with the library authority and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna regarding library development in Kildare Town for some time. While the issues surrounding this proposal are complex, my Department is currently in further contact with the local authority in an effort to finalise the matter and I hope to be in a position to make a decision in the near...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: The provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire fighting and emergency equipment, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. The Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: Over the period 1999 to 2007, my Department has provided over €12 million in grant aid towards various ICT projects in the public library service. The funding enabled the provision of public access Internet PCs, the automation of library systems and the development of a significant number of other grant aided ICT services/projects, including the Ask About Ireland and Borrow Books websites....

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: Block grant allocations totalling €101.85 million have been notified to local authorities in respect of group water scheme measures from the €135 million provided for the 2008 Rural Water Programme. This is generally in line with profiled expenditure for the overall €750 million provision for the Programme in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. Details of the individual block...

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this useful debate. The discussion has highlighted a measure of agreement across the House, at least on the point that the individuals and families living in the regeneration areas must be at the centre of all our considerations. As my colleagues, Deputies Gormley and Finneran, mentioned yesterday, Dublin City Council is placing a high priority on...

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: In response to points raised by Deputy Terence Flanagan, affordable housing output in 2007 exceeded 3,500 homes nationally.

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: In addition, delivery of affordable homes for the first quarter of this year reached almost 950, double what was achieved in the same period last year. While I acknowledge we are in more challenging times, I am confident this Government will continue to respond positively to meeting housing need and to the delivery of more and better quality housing within sustainable communities that will...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: It is the Beamish way.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: Funding of €100,000 has been allocated under my Department's 2008 Built Heritage Capital Programme for the conservation of the Bolton Library in Cashel.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (8 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 921 together. 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 fire station 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...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: From the Seanad (8 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: This section deals with the major offence of a person carrying out or causing to carry out a nuclear explosion in or outside the State or who attempts, conspires or incites the carrying out of this offence. It carries the penalty of a fine with no maximum limit and imprisonment for life or less as the court may determine or both. This insertion has been advised by Parliamentary Counsel as...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: From the Seanad (8 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: I indicated on Report Stage in this House that I would address the circumstances raised by Members on both sides of the House and bring forward an amendment on Committee Stage in the Seanad. This section prohibits the disclosure of information except in specified circumstances. It will be for the prosecuting authorities and the courts to determine this. Depending on the nature and...