Results 10,441-10,460 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I considered the discussion we had on Committee Stage and I consulted the Parliamentary Counsel. I accept the amendment.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thought I had to reply to the amendments.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I will try to help the Deputy as best I can. I understood bombs and devices to be the same in the context of our discussion. We can return to Committee Stage if the Deputy wishes to restart.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: Bombs and devices.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are discussing testing——

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are going over old ground.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We are discussing a nuclear test ban irrespective of whether one is discussing a bomb or a device.

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: We have been advised by the Parliamentary Counsel's office that the Government cannot accept these amendments because the fines are not commensurate with the prison terms. There needs to be greater proportionality and harmony between the two aspects. I am considering tabling amendments on Committee Stage in the Seanad to address the circumstances envisaged by the Deputies. I will ask the...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: Deputy McCormack has raised a good point. I will examine the matters referred to by Deputy Ciarán Lynch, namely, a fine not exceeding €5,000 and a prison sentence not exceeding six months. In section 2(4)(b), the legislation provides for a maximum prison sentence of life. While the fines and prison sentences in the proposed amendments are not commensurate, I would like to re-examine the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (18 Jun 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 lands for new fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department has no direct role in these matters. The Department's role is...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Deputy Mattie McGrath, with the permission of the House. I welcome this debate and regret the result of the referendum. As regards the campaign in County Galway, it was very united, with all the major political parties trying to secure a "Yes" result. When people say that Europe is irrelevant or a long way away, I always think of the issues of the day. One of the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Kitt: These schemes were grant aided by my Department prior to the devolution of responsibility for the Rural Water Programme to local authorities in 1997. The relevant files are being retrieved from storage and the information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (27 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: The information sought in the Question is not available in my Department. It is a matter for each fire authority to decide whether or not to charge for any of its fire services. I understand that Dublin City Council is recouped part of the cost of its fire and emergency services from the adjoining three county councils and the Health Service Executive.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 provided, inter alia, the statutory basis for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to administer a radon remediation grant scheme in respect of houses from moneys to be provided by the Oireachtas. Such a scheme could require significant public expenditure and administrative resources. It would be difficult for a demand...

Written Answers — Air Quality: Air Quality (27 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency's most recent report on Air Quality in Ireland, published in October 2007, contains details of the monitoring and assessment of national air quality, and incorporates data from all air quality monitoring stations operated by the EPA. Monitoring in 2006 showed that air quality in Ireland is good and...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (22 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: I intend shortly to launch Branching Out — Future Directions, a policy document which will drive the development of the public library service in Ireland over the next five years. A number of ICT initiatives which have been implemented throughout the library service in recent years will continue to be developed, to enhance the quality of access to a rich diversity of information which is...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (22 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Department has continued to support the modernisation programme for the fire services with increased capital investment and the development and implementation of programmes initiated under the Fire Services Change Programme. The programmes are developed having regard to best practice internationally. The Department's community fire safety programmes are aimed at shifting the focus from...

Seanad: Turbary Rights (21 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator McFadden for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to clarify a number of issues regarding the future of turf cutting in Ireland and to confirm that turf cutting can continue as normal on most bogs. It is only on the relatively small area of designated peatlands that cutting must cease to preserve what remains of our best bogland for future generations....

Mental Health Services (1 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, and I thank Deputy Neville for raising it. A Vision for Change, the report of the expert group on mental health policy, which was launched in January 2006, contains some 200 recommendations. The report has been accepted by Government as the basis for the future development...

Mental Health Services (1 May 2008)

Michael Kitt: However, implementation of A Vision for Change is dependent to a much greater extent on the remodelling of existing resources than on new additional funding. Additional investment must be phased in parallel with the reorganisation of mental health services and resources. In the context of ever-rising demands for health resources, mental health expenditure should be closely monitored to...