Results 10,821-10,840 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate that Senator Ryan is not objecting to the amendment. As Senator Mansergh stated, it is not only civil servants but also Ministers who listen to our debates and peruse the results of our deliberations. I take heed of what has been said and of the legitimate point with regard to consistency. I take on board Senator Ryan's point and will raise the matter at Government level with the...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: The purpose of amendment No. 6 is to delete the words "by the Taoiseach" from section 5, which deals with the expenses incurred in the administration of this Act. I am advised that this amendment will make the Bill consistent with the similar section, section 6, of the Statistics Act 1993. I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 7 to 17, inclusive, the effect of which would be to airbrush...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: The Bill should read as it is, namely, "expressed by the Office or the Taoiseach to be confidential". I realise the Senator has no amendments tabled on this section. Similar language applies to other such initiatives. The section states: . . . a person shall not, without the consent of the relevant body, disclose any confidential information obtained by him or her while performing, or as a...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: To add to what Senator Mansergh said, there is another safeguard. The section states: "Save as otherwise provided by law", which also covers the Freedom of Information Act. Other protections exist but, as Senator Mansergh stated, in this case the reference is to public disclosure.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Mansergh for clarifying one aspect of this matter. We are talking about dissolution. There is nothing unusual about this measure. Section 35 states "The Taoiseach may, after consultation with the Office and any relevant Minister of the Government who has representation on the body concerned, by order dissolve the Council, the Forum, the Centre, or any body established under...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: Níl aon ghá glacadh leis an leasú seo a bhaineann leis an Teideal fada. Tá sé ar leathanach 6. The advice from the Parliamentary Counsel is that the reference made to the Irish Title on page 6 is sufficient. It is not proposed to amend the Long Title as it merely details the scope of the Bill. That is the advice from the Parliamentary Counsel. The Senator made some interesting...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Tuffy for affording me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the July education programme. The support package of the Department of Education and Science for the July education programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism which choose to extend their education services through...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I understand the points of view expressed by the Senators and this issue has arisen before. I agree with much of what has been proposed however the problem is it may be somewhat impractical. I am confident we can work towards the equitable balance referred to in the Bill. Appointments to a body may not always be at the discretion of the Government as they may be nominees of representative...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: In a spirit of——

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: ——openness and the debate so far I genuinely empathise but empathy is not great is this case. Certainly I can stand over decisions I made in the area of gender balance in previous Ministries. Following on from what Senator Moylan has said the Taoiseach's letter, which can be accessed by Members, refers to a requirement on all nominating bodies to State boards to nominate both male and...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I had asked to see the percentages. The NESDO board has 50% female representation, the NESF board has 43.5% female representation, the NESC board has 18.75% female representation, the NCPP board has 35.7% female representation and the NESDO staff has 48% female representation. In summary female representation on the NESC board needs to improve.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: Are all the amendments grouped?

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ryan for bringing a particular matter to my attention, and my officials have done some work on it. I hope what we have done will be to the Senator's satisfaction. Some of the amendments brought in are minor, but one is substantial and came about as a result of what Senator Ryan highlighted. I thank the House for the opportunity to make these amendments. Before I go on to deal...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (20 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: There is no mistake.

Seanad: Health Services. (14 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for coming into the House. He takes a particular interest in disability. I met the Brothers of Charity Services and the Galway Association last Monday regarding issues they brought to my attention, chiefly, what they describe as serious emergencies in their region. They pointed out that as many as 75...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the proposal for a debate on health services. I recently met representatives of the Brothers of Charity and the Galway Association on funding in the area of disability. It is outrageous that the system is the same as that under the health board whereby in the western region, for every euro Roscommon receives Mayo receives two and Galway three. It is based on a mathematical formula...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: Media reports, especially in The Irish Times last week, referred to the abandonment of the western rail corridor, which represents only 1% of the total budget of €31 billion under Transport 21. I hope there will be a debate on this issue as it is relevant at the moment and it is relevant to a motion I tried to raise on the Adjournment, which the Acting Chairman had to refuse, relating to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jun 2006)

Michael Kitt: I support what has been said regarding the national broadcaster, however I am still not clear about the future of the section on farming matters on the "Five Seven Live" programme on RTE Radio 1. Senator Dardis presented it in the past and it provided necessary information to people in the farming community. Will RTE allow this to continue in the autumn schedule?

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I also warmly support the principle of Oireachtas reform to achieve the greatest possible degree of accountability and democracy. We are considering some initiatives regarding committees and interaction with the public via the Internet. I have, however, to disagree with the case well made by Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan. The Government has a duty to implement its programme for Government. I...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I note there is a vote in the Dáil.