Results 10,961-10,980 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Hospital Accommodation. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for sharing his time and the Minister of State for attending this debate. The Senator said there is a great need for beds for the elderly, to which the waiting list alone is testament. The reduction in the number of patients from 220 to 80 is significant. The Minister of State will probably say in her reply that Ballinasloe has been earmarked for another centre,...

Seanad: Iraq War: Motion. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this debate. Like other Members, when this matter was discussed briefly on the Order of Business last week, I condemned the use of chemical weapons in Iraq and I am glad the Government amendment refers to that issue. It is ironic that the issue which Members originally debated, namely, the...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister. I am glad of the opportunity to discuss housing matters. The Minister has clearly set out the approach that the Government and he have taken on housing. I agree with what he said regarding any influence that we, as Oireachtas Members, can have on local authorities. When the dual mandate was abolished, we had the opportunity to have meetings at least annually with our...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I support the calls for a debate on western development. Taking Senator MacSharry's comments we could have a good debate on what is needed and what is happening with the spatial strategy and transport policy. There is an investigation into the lack of response to an ambulance call in the south west. However, this problem exists in many parts of the country. The ambulance service in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: Senator Burke forgot about the voice that "like thunder spake, The west's awake! the west's awake!"

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: There is not even romance in Fine Gael now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I support the call for a debate on Iraq, the use of chemical weapons and chemical warfare. I refer to a campaign which has been ongoing for some time in NUI, Galway. I understand there is still a compulsory Irish requirement on those applying for certain professorships in the college and that legislation is on the Dáil Order Paper. Will the Leader inquire as to whether the legislation could...

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Senator Ulick Burke.

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. There have been reports of the selling off of surplus lands in County Galway for housing. I understand a Government decision was taken in respect of surplus lands held by Departments and agencies. I am aware some lands in the ownership of Departments and agencies are not in use. I often wonder if...

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am somewhat disappointed by the reply of the Minister of State as I thought he would have been able to tell us what was happening to health projects such as the one in Portumna. Can the Minister of State confirm that housing will not be developed on these sites? The intended use is the most important issue. Plans existed for Tuam and also for Portumna, which involved South East Galway...

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: Both.

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am surprised the Minister of State did not ask for what use the land in Tuam had been intended. I can tell him it was intended for a hospital.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister and support the amendment. I do not know any Minister for social welfare who has done as much work and spoken as much on pensions as Deputy Brennan. As the Minister has pointed out, we have a serious problem. Of the 2 million people in the workforce 900,000 have no private or work pension and a high proportion of those are women. I would like the Government to do more...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: With the agreement of the House I wish to share time with Senator Ó Murchú. I am delighted Senator Leyden has brought this Bill forward and congratulate him on doing so. It is unique and historic that a Senator from the Government side has a Bill before the House. As the Minister of State said, much data are available on computer, such as PPS numbers for children, but we need to do much...

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am glad to contribute to the debate and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. We are all aware that after the derailment in Knockcrockery in November 1997, the then Minister commissioned an independent review on safety. Like other Senators, I compliment the former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, who fought hard at Cabinet level for funding for her Department and to try to make...

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: The decision was taken in 1975 to abolish these services on this line.

Seanad: Railway Safety Bill 2001: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am sure the then Minister, Peter Barry, did his best but Iarnród Éireann, unfortunately, had, and always has, a very negative attitude. We will have a battle with Iarnród Éireann to try to provide this service which is so badly need. When I think of the railway lines and safety, I think of the Asahi plant in Mayo and the dangerous goods which were transported to it by rail. It was very...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State for coming before the House. I refer to two issues concerning the town of Ballygar, County Galway, that have been raised with me by many people in the town and its surrounding areas, namely its water supply and sewerage system. As far as the water supply is concerned, major concerns have been expressed about its...

Seanad: The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (11 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to the House and congratulate him and the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the work they are doing on this very important issue. I read with interest and very much welcomed the Minister's statement on this motion in the Dáil. I compliment Senator Mooney and the Members of this House who have travelled to the United States on a number of...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Michael Kitt: I am privileged to have been present for most of this debate and am proud of the pivotal role the Fianna Fáil Party has played in bringing peace to this island. I wish to be associated with the remarks of those who referred to the work of Senator Maurice Hayes and Senator Mansergh. The latter Senator has worked with many leaders of our party. I echo the words of those who praised the work of...