Results 10,721-10,740 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

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

Michael Kitt: In short, the question of digitisation is a matter for the National Library.

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

Michael Kitt: Regarding section 9(2)(b) which states that "nothing in this Act shall be read as affecting section 11(16) of the Local Government Act 2001", this, as Members have said, ensures we preserve the ceremonial powers and functions of mayors in their offices.

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

Michael Kitt: Regarding the question raised by Senator Mooney, specific additional provisions are also included to deal with issues that arose during the drafting process, especially the question of preserving any extant orders under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922. In the period during which the State moved towards independence transitional orders were...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (14 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is my first request to him and I hope he can give me an update on the position of Cahergal National School, near Tuam in County Galway. The board of management, the parents' committee, the teachers and the students of this school have been trying for many years...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (14 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Can he inform me when the transfer of the existing site from Cahergal National School to the Department will be completed? That is vital to the development of the school.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I support Senator Brian Hayes's call for a debate on the issue of postal voting. The register of electors has been printed and at first glance appears a big improvement on the old register. The issue of giving votes to people going on holidays reminds me of the debate we used have about immigrants voting. Some people are away so long on holidays that we could not really give them a vote....

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: Senator Ryan mentioned Brehon law. This was an oral tradition rather than a statute law. After the Norman-English introduced statute law to Ireland, the Brehon Law was suppressed during the 17th century and no such laws survived in the legal system. I thank Members for participating in this short debate. More time is required for debates of this nature. I remind them to let me know if...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2007: Second Stage (7 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: They were getting ready for the Leader.

Seanad: School Closures. (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach has allowed me to raise this issue because it is unique for him to allow two Members from one constituency to raise a common issue. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, who is the most important man in our constituency, for coming into the House.

Seanad: School Closures. (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: We held a meeting with the Minister for Education and Science on budget day, 6 December last, with parents, teachers, and public representatives from Galway and Clare because this problem affects north Clare too. I wish to raise a slightly different point from that raised by Senator Ulick Burke. We brought what I believe was new information to the Minister that day. I would like the report...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House and I am glad to contribute to this welcome Bill. The explanatory memorandum refers to provisions on pyramid schemes. I assume the provisions are new, as there have been many warnings on this issue, particularly in respect of last year's scam in County Cork. In terms of consumer protection, advertising is of concern. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Michael Kitt: I join in the call for a debate on MRSA and other hospital-acquired bugs and viruses of which we hear. I bring to the notice of the House the fact that three wards closed in University College Hospital Galway because of such illnesses. More than one year ago, I gave to the HSE the names of products which could deal with these issues. However, I received no response from the HSE on whether...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me raise this matter and the Minister of State for coming in to reply. I wish to share time with Senator Ulick Burke.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Kitt: With other public representatives, including Senator Ulick Burke, I attended a meeting last Monday in St. Catherine's Hall, Aughrim, Ballinasloe, County Galway, concerning St. Catherine's national school. The condition of the school, as outlined at the meeting, is appalling. The school which is 59 years old this year has an enrolment of 120 pupils. Parents and teachers say the school is a...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister for confirming there will be a principal and eight mainstream teachers in the new school. I urge him to send the technical team to Aughrim in the next few weeks. We cannot wait any longer.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I congratulate the Minister on the Bill. Senator Terry referred to the qualified adult allowance for those over 66 years of age and under 66 years of age. This payment is a right and there is no pressure on people to be dependants. The increase in pensions, with the contributory State pension rising to €209.30, is welcome. Increasing the qualified child allowance to a standard rate of...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome Senator Leyden's amendment. I understand there is a "make a will" week. My parish priest reminds people at least twice a year to make a will but that cannot always be included in legislation. We could, however, insert something to remind people of the week designated for that purpose. I support Senator Leyden's comments.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue and the Minister of State for coming to reply. For many years the town of Kinvara has been in need of a sewerage scheme which comes within the small schemes projects. I hope we can get approval and funding for the scheme. The people of Kinvara have waited many years for such a scheme. While the town is a tourist area,...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Industrial Development Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Dec 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister to the House and I also welcome the Bill. There are numerous precedents to bringing one agency under another. There were some worries about this case, but those worries have since been eased and I wish the people of Shannon Development the best of luck. Coming from Galway, I often looked on in envy at Shannon because we did not have the same development until the...