Results 11,141-11,160 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: I join with other Senators in calling for a debate on Northern Ireland. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú who talked about the example of good neighbours working together. That was clear from the positive press conference yesterday, despite the disappointing outcome. On another issue about good neighbours, I understand the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will sign a...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: Amendment No. 29, which was out of sequence, will be taken now.

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Order for Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister to the House. Like Senator Bannon, I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Justice Flood and Judge Mahon and the tribunal. The tribunal's work is very important. The Minister has explained to the House the reason the legislation is required. He made the point about the need to allow the tribunal discretion on the amended terms of reference. The Minister introduced motions which...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael Kitt: I join Senator O'Toole in asking for a debate on housing. The rate of construction of housing is very uneven across the country. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has received a number of applications from local authorities for affordable housing, which should be fast-tracked, particularly given that land is now becoming available from health boards and because...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to speak and I thank Senator Dooley for sharing his time. In 1980 the Fianna Fáil Government made plans to bring in the decentralisation programme and it was very successful. I was on the Committee of Public Accounts at the time when the Opposition told us we could not move the then Department of Social Welfare out of Dublin because it was so big, as were the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: ——particularly by the then Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, who consulted and was of course lobbied by Members on all sides of both Houses to give hub or gateway status to various regions and towns. I am glad that Tuam has hub status but it needs development. There are many issues we could discuss. The Minister of State has given a very good explanation of what is happening. I am glad we...

Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (30 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, for coming to the House. My question relates to the provision of a proper gymnasium at St. Raphael's College, Loughrea, County Galway. It was 28 years ago, in 1976, that the school first requested this facility. The physical education facilities in the school are poor, with no light,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support the call for a debate on the NRA and road safety. There was a debate on one particular road last week but there are other issues of safety, especially in light of the horrific accident on the M50 at the weekend. The NRA is described as having made a U-turn in today's newspapers, where it is working on safety barriers on the Athlone bypass, but more work is needed. I have called for...

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (24 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for coming to the House. I have raised the need for an ambulance base and a primary care unit in Tuam on a number of occasions with the Department of Health and Children and the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin. On 31 May last, the former Minister told me in a...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to the House and congratulate him on his appointment and the fine work he is doing. He is most committed to transport issues. We are all agreed on the need for an adequate roads infrastructure. I agree with what Senator Mansergh said regarding taking a balanced approach. He advised that we should not take a cavalier approach to road...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: Newspapers are reporting that the Government is seeking official status for the Irish language in the European Union today. I very much welcome this because the Seanad has called for Irish to be recognised as an official working language of the EU. I thank our MEPs for the support they have given us and I hope the application will be successful. Tugaim lán-tacaíocht don Rialtas as ucht an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: The 1970s was supposed to be a socialist era.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I again ask the Leader if there can be a debate on the western rail corridor. I am hopeful that when Mr. Pat McCann, chairman of the working group, reports next month, he will be able to recommend the re-opening of the line from Claremorris through Tuam and on to Galway. I am disappointed that Iarnród Éireann has not been positive about this issue. The company is talking in terms of...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, for attending the House to deal with this matter which I have tried to raise on the Adjournment over the past several weeks. It calls for the practical introduction of by-laws to allow telephone and electricity poles to be moved when roads are widened or bad bends are...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister of State may not have the answer now but I asked about by-laws. Perhaps the Minister of State could let me know if there is any need for by-laws or could return to me with some information on them from either his Department or some other Department.

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (10 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I also welcome the Bill. It is important that a system of statutory registration for health and social professionals is put in place. I am happy the emphasis of the Bill is on protecting the public. I received an e-mail from the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists which stated it has concerns regarding adequate protection of the public...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I also welcome this debate which is relevant to the health portfolio. A great deal has been said already today about the drugs strategy. People often inquire about attractions for young people in the sporting sphere and experts always say that if there are enough sport opportunities around, people will not become...

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Michael Kitt: We have a ladies' football team whose members are all-Ireland champions and a few players on the international rules team. I have been a strong supporter of the idea of a national stadium and it never mattered to me where it was located. If it was to be Abbotstown that was well and good. We should be blunt about describing the circumstances in which we now find ourselves as a mess. What will...