Results 10,541-10,560 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Overseas Development Aid. (11 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: Obviously, we do not fund governments for their own sake. Rather, we are funding projects, particularly in the health, education and water sanitation areas. Missionaries have been present and doing good work for years as the first NGOs on the ground. I keep in constant touch with them and welcome that we are increasing funding to €20 million this year. I should mention the hard-working...

Overseas Development Aid. (11 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, raised the issues at the GAERC and exerted the necessary pressure. At my meeting, I dealt with economic partnership agreements, which arose at the European affairs committee. When I accompanied the Taoiseach to South Africa and Tanzania in January, we raised this issue with the President of South Africa.

World Trade Organisation: Statements (6 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and I, together with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coughlan, and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy McGuinness, have been working closely during the current Doha Development Agenda...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate on the Bill, which was constructive and informative. It is clear from the debate and the debate in the Dáil that there is a consensus regarding the Bill. We all share a common desire to put in place a comprehensive legislative basis which will ensure the continued provision of a high quality and secure passport service. As in most...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: Except at election time.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach. The purpose of the Passports Bill is to provide a comprehensive legislative basis for the regulation and issuance of passports. Passports are currently, and have been for more than 80 years, issued under the general administrative provisions of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924. These passports are perfectly valid and the introduction of the Bill does not in...

Seanad: Fairtrade: Statements (4 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senators for their welcome comments and statements on Fairtrade. I refer to the White Paper on Irish Aid which states that we will "increase our financial support for initiatives which promote fair and ethical trade." That sums up many of the issues I raised and that were raised by Senators today. I reaffirm the commitment to support the expansion of Fairtrade throughout Ireland...

Seanad: Fairtrade: Statements (4 Mar 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Members for the opportunity to present a statement on Fairtrade to the Seanad and to set out Irish Aid supports provided to Fairtrade. Irish Aid is among the largest donors to Fairtrade in the world. We have supported the Irish Fairtrade Network since 2002 and approved grants of more than €8.5 million in support of producers in developing countries and development education...

Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Is the party recruiting in the North?

Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: You have not answered my question.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 26: In page 14, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(7) A reference to a passport in this section includes a reference to a document which was issued as a passport by the Minister before the commencement of sections 6 and 7 and which had ceased to be valid before the commencement of section 27(1).".

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 27a: In page 14, line 9, to delete "(e) or (f) of subsection (1)" and substitute "(e), (f) or (g) of subsection (1)". This is a technical amendment to the wording of the Bill that arises from the acceptance of amendment No. 16 from Deputy Shatter. That acceptance incorporated into the Bill a further basis on which the Minister may refuse to issue a passport. The basis...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Section 19(15) provides that the Minister may prescribe time limits for the making and determination of appeals under section 19. It provides for a prescription of such ancillary, supplemental or consequential matters as may be necessary for giving full effect to the section. In light of this provision, I do not wish to include specific time limits in the primary legislation. I agree with...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Reasons are given at the time of refusal or cancellation. Section 12(3) states that the Minister shall inform the person by notice in writing of the decision and the grounds for refusal. I agree with the Deputies on the need for reasons to be given and for time limits but we feel it is preferable to specify such matters in regulations and we will have the regulations ready before the Bill...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: The maximum penalty for conviction on indictment for the most serious offences under section 20 is an unlimited fine and-or up to ten years imprisonment. Subsection (2) provides for a minor offence that involves the use, or attempted use, of a passport not issued to a person to gain entry to licensed premises or a club. The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding €500. Section 21(d) is...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I understand the sentiments of Deputy Lynch's proposals. We would all agree that changing information on a passport is more serious than pretending to be somebody else to get into a night club. I have confidence in the courts that they would take everything into account. I could reflect further on this matter and, if necessary, look at this issue when it is debated in the Seanad. I know...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 34: In page 17, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: "(7) A reference to a passport in this section (other than subsection 1(a)) and section 21 includes a reference to a document which was issued as a passport by the Minister before the commencement of sections 6 and 7 and which had ceased to be valid before the commencement of section 27(1).".

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Deputy Michael D. Higgins raised this issue previously. The position is that since the foundation of the State passports have always been issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, under the executive power of the State on the authority of the Government. This practice is perfectly legitimate. Enactment of the Passports Bill will simply add a...

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: Deputy Michael D. Higgins talked about a saver in regard to previous passports. I am assured by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel that there is no need to add a saver as proposed. Passports issued prior to the enactment of this legislation remain valid. That is the bottom line and there is no need to add a saver to the proposal.

Passports Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Kitt: The review by the Secretary General of the Department has not yet commenced. I would be happy to convey to those involved in the review any views Deputies may have in regard to the Passport Office. Deputies Lynch and Timmins raised certain points. I am delighted the Passport Office in Cork is working so well as stated by Deputy Lynch. That strengthens my case for an office in the west...