Results 10,701-10,720 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Social Partnership. (3 Jul 2007)

Michael Kitt: I will answer the Deputy anytime.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: A week before.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this Bill. Fianna Fáil did very well in 2002, when the election was on a Friday.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I do not think it matters when the election is held.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: This Bill——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: ——is a response to the November 2006 judgment of the Supreme Court in King, Cooney and Riordan v. the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Attorney General and others. It is a measured response and, as Senator Bannon has noted, achieves a good balance between the rights of those who are not members of political parties and the need to prevent frivolous or...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: Now.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Apr 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and the expeditious manner in which he brought the Bill through the Seanad. Both sides of the House would agree the Bill is balanced and reasonable. I wish the Minister of State well with other legislation he brings before us.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I add my voice to calls for a debate on the letters sent to victims of abuse. I welcome the Taoiseach's statement at my party's Ard-Fheis on the appointment of an additional 4,000 teachers. Given that the Green Party has indicated to INTO that it is committed to recruiting an extra 2,400 teachers, I am sure Senators from all parties and the Independent Members will support proposals for...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: Last week on the Order of Business I requested a debate on the quality of water in Galway city and county and I support Senator Cox in her call for such a debate. I understand that over 112 people have been made ill by the water and that the notice that one should boil it could be on display until next October unless the issue is resolved. I am very disappointed that very little has been...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ormonde and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, to the House. The two Bills on social welfare have been welcome. In particular I welcome the point made by the Minister about the contributory pension having doubled since 1997. The State contributory pension has increased to €209 per week and the non-contributory to €200. I welcome the fact that people in receipt...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for allowing me to share his time. I also thank the Minister of State for attending the House. This is an important project for a local college of mine. My eldest son was a student at Holy Rosary, which has been trying so hard to get a sports hall. The college even sought assistance from the Department to rent a premises, but that request was turned down. The...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: Does the Minister of State know if stage 3 has yet been submitted to the Department?

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (27 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate the Minister of State's reply.

Seanad: National Climate Change Strategy 2000: Motion (21 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I welcome this debate and the Minister. I have already moved the amendment, which I support. Climate change is recognised as the most serious and threatening global environmental problem. Under the Kyoto Protocol, the Government has agreed to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13%, or 15 million tonnes per year, above the 1990 levels by the first commitment period of 2008-12. The Minister...

Seanad: National Climate Change Strategy 2000: Motion (21 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "welcomes the progress made under the National Climate Change Strategy in decoupling greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth". I reserve my right to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: On 15 March the Health Service Executive, HSE, advised people in Galway city and parts of County Galway to boil water. Almost one week ago a boiled water notice was put in place to the effect that one should boil water before using it. This notice affects approximately 90,000 people in Galway city and in towns such as Tuam, Athenry, Barna, Headford, Oranmore and Moycullen. As it was issued...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome the Bill. It is important to deal with any loopholes in the Education Act 1998. I welcome the task force on student behaviour which the Minister established. Second level schools vary in their type and size. Students may be spoiled for choice in some instances. They can often move from a large to a small school within the same catchment...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Michael Kitt: They were in the parade last Saturday.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: My officials tell me the figure is 100% in terms of the existence of the Act.