Results 10,841-10,860 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

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

Michael Kitt: Somebody is checking it for me.

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

Michael Kitt: Yes.

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

Michael Kitt: It seems that I am paired after all.

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

Michael Kitt: I thank the Acting Chairman for his co-operation. I welcome Senator O'Toole's participation in the debate on amendment No. 1 because he has been involved in the social partnership process for many years. I value his contribution and the contributions of others to this discussion. I have listened to the comments which have been made. As I said earlier, I am keen to examine the proposals for...

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

Michael Kitt: Of course. A genuine argument has been made for better scrutiny of the many complex aspects of national agreements. Such agreements now extend into many areas, including child care and parts of the social and voluntary pillars. I understand the argument made by many Opposition Deputies and Senators that they need to be involved in this process. If there is something I can do in this regard in...

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

Michael Kitt: I welcome this debate, a crucial part of which is getting Houses that are as full as possible. This is an area in which I have a significant interest, having been very privileged to be Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs some years ago. In that role I got to know many of the parties in the partnership process. I echo the words of Senator Ryan, who has rightly commented on...

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

Michael Kitt: The problem is that we need consensus.

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

Michael Kitt: On Senator Ryan's point about representation, section 14(2)(f) provides that the Taoiseach may nominate a person to represent the category in question. I will convey the Senator's remarks to the Taoiseach in the context of that provision. With regard to gender balance, the Taoiseach wrote to all parties on foot of a previous debate on that issue. The letter, which I will forward to Senator...

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

Michael Kitt: I understand that criteria for membership are based on the ability and commitment of individual Members. The issue of gender balance has also been raised in this regard.

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

Michael Kitt: The party leaders are involved in selections there. Senator Ryan kindly informed me of a possible amendment to a section later on for which I thank him. I understand we are concluding approximately now. We would be glad to examine that in the meantime. I am pre-empting something that may happen. The Senator knows what I am talking about. I see a reference to Dáil and Seanad Members. It...

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

Michael Kitt: As Senator Brian Hayes is aware, the bodies in question are all up and running and what is involved is simply a matter of formalising the position. There is nothing controversial about this legislation. The three bodies, the NESC, the NESF and the NCPP will become the National Economic and Social Development Office. A date needs to be appointed for this to take effect. The Bill states that...

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

Michael Kitt: They are all working legally on an independent basis. From a legal perspective, this Bill will bring the bodies together as one entity.

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

Michael Kitt: Yes.

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

Michael Kitt: This is a standard provision regarding the expenses incurred in the administration of the Act and their payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. As the Senator said, it is a standard provision in legislation.

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

Michael Kitt: I can only presume that the reference is to the Taoiseach because the legislation is sponsored by the Taoiseach's office. The Taoiseach's Department is the one involved. This is a standard section.

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

Michael Kitt: I have been assured this was approved and drafted by the parliamentary counsel. I have been told it follows the normal procedure but I will double check it. I must press ahead with the Bill but again I assure the House I will double check it.

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

Michael Kitt: We do not have any specific ideas or proposals at this stage. What the Taoiseach and the Government would have in mind is that if there was a need for the establishment of a new body in the social-economic area, for example, following a national agreement and after consultation with the various parties, the option would be there. This is not something the Taoiseach would do lightly or...

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

Michael Kitt: This issue emerges later with regard to consultation and the democratic deficit which has been referred to in the other House and we can deal with it then. The same answer applies here. Governments are there to govern but there is always provision for debate and for matters to be brought before the Houses. Issues such as this would be well aired and well signalled. Regardless of who is in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I would welcome a debate on the outcome of the Supreme Court and High Court decisions. There is widespread concern about these issues and we need legislation, which I hope can be brought to the House soon. The worst thing we could do would be to remain silent on two very serious decisions that have been handed down and an informed debate would be very welcome. Approximately two weeks ago we...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements. (30 May 2006)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister. As a resident of the BMW region I am glad of the opportunity to discuss this issue, which we have raised a number of times. I would like to repeat what Senator MacSharry said about the 20th anniversary of the opening of Monsignor Horan International Airport, which is being celebrated today. At the time it was a great step forward in western development. As a Galway...