Results 11,181-11,200 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their work. This is an important Bill and, as I said earlier, other reforms will be introduced in this area, particularly for those in long-term accommodation. I hope the Minister of State will return to us with further details on these.

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State. This debate is very important and, as the Minister of State knows, we have it every few years. It is very interesting to note what has been said about the extra money that will be made available because of this Bill. It is obviously very welcome. I have raised on a number of occasions an issue pertaining to the IDA and the associated Bretton Woods agreement....

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003, No. 8 on today's Order Paper. The subject matter of the Bill is the advancement of loans to developing countries and is welcome. I also welcome the initiative taken by Superquinn in respect of Fair Trade coffee and tea and perhaps other products. I hope the fair return to producers will happen and that other...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: When I contributed to the Bill on Second Stage I referred to the fact that many local authorities had national monument advisory committees. I was a member of one such committee. As Senator Ó Murchú said, the committees did more than just list national monuments. They wrote short histories of the monument and put a plaque on it and provided walkways to monuments that were difficult to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I remind Senator McHugh that we have done more for the less well-off than any other Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support Senator Daly's remarks regarding Aer Lingus and the mid-west. Shannon Airport serves all of the west of Ireland as an international airport and it is important that we discuss it. It is also important that Senator Daly mentioned Shannon Development. Aer Lingus has turned its fortunes around and credit is due to the management of the company for that. However, talk of a management...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I spoke about student accommodation on Second Stage because I am extremely concerned about it. The question goes beyond the involvement of local authorities in this issue because there is a big responsibility on third level colleges to provide more campus accommodation. NUI Galway has a land bank of 100 acres, for example — a fact that was mentioned when we met with the college authorities....

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Second Stage. (2 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: It is all about control.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Second Stage. (2 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State. This is one of the most important housing Bills to come before this House. While we have waited some time for this legislation, it is most welcome because it provides landlords and tenants with an effective means of resolving disputes, which arise between them. The Bill also addresses some of the long-standing deterrents to investing and residing in rented...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for a comprehensive overview of the question of national monuments and the need for this legislation. As he quite rightly said, the measure he has brought before us is necessary as a consequence of the court decision on the completion of the M50 at Carrickmines. He said clearly that there is a vacuum following the court's decision to strike down...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I join in thanking the Minister and his officials for bringing this Bill to the House and for the work they put into it. It is important to have this legislation consolidated. We have discussed the conservation, leakage and wastage of water, on which local authorities have, over the years, done much work. I hope the Minister will take on board our suggestions regarding old networks and...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support the Minister of State's comments as I too query the value of introducing fixed charges. My experience of looking at tenders as a member of a local authority is not the same as Senator Bannon's. I have seen the high and the low tenders. Contractors may not tender if a fixed charge is introduced. Senator Bannon should withdraw this amendment as it is against the public procurement...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: I support what the Minister of State said. There was a discussion on the Order of Business this morning about water wastage, including leakages and old water schemes. A Senator described major leakages in the midlands. If the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government means anything, it must mean it is concerned about this issue. Metering is one way of dealing with the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Senator should stick to the amendment.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Senator is walking on water.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Senator is indulging in Inspector Clouseau behaviour.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)

Michael Kitt: Yesterday there was a call for a debate about the National Roads Authority and the cost of new roads and motorways. Senator Ryan referred to this matter. I would welcome such a debate, but it is also important to remember the communities that are being affected by the proposed new roads. There is one area in east Galway, New Inn, in which a new motorway, a landfill site and a gas pipeline are...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the following issue and I thank the Minister for attending. I congratulate him too on the success of the Luas and I hope he has good news for me just as he had for Senator Brian Hayes. Some years ago, Ballaghlea national school near Ballygar in County Galway was keen to get an extra classroom. As a former Minister for Education the Minister...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: I appreciate that things have improved. If the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, can get more money for the Western Health Board, I will be glad if he invests it as soon as possible. I have been a member of the board for two of the last five years. There have been significant developments in the health board area during the last five years, especially increases in day activity cases and...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Michael Kitt: He owes it to the board members, who have worked with two CEOs over 34 years, to provide services in the western region. He owes it to the board members and the staff to open those units. I welcome the developments in the GP out-of-hours service in the western region, which is known as WestDoc. It has been very successful.