Results 11,241-11,260 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: High Level of Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Jim Walsh for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State's comments. This debate is welcome and I hope we return to this subject on another occasion. The Minister of State mentioned other issues related to the population in general, rather than just young people. We should talk about the abuse of alcohol generally throughout the country. Many good organisations have tried...

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (31 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Will the Minister contact the Western Health Board on that issue?

Seanad: Ambulance Service. (31 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for the opportunity to raise the important issue of an ambulance base in Tuam, County Galway. As the Minister of State knows, for many years the Bons Secours Sisters ran a hospital in Tuam. Sadly, we no longer have that hospital because the order had to leave Tuam some years ago. I was delighted that the Western Health Board purchased the entire property in Tuam,...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister and in particular I welcome the good news——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I wish to share time with Senator MacSharry. I welcome the good news announced by the Minister last week and in this House today. As a leading light in LAMA are Senator Bannon's views representative of the association? They are not the views of those with whom I have met. I would like to put on the record that the General Council of County Councils has welcomed the guidelines introduced by...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Senator Bannon's comments about blatant and cynical moves——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Senator Bannon stated that the guidelines offered no hope to people in need of housing in rural Ireland. That could not be further from the truth.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, is giving rural Ireland back to the Irish people. That is what we want to see happening.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister said in the guidelines: "People who were born in an area, who live in an area, who contribute to an area will be entitled to build their home in that area."

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: That was endorsed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am sure that having lived there I know more about it than Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Most of my remarks relate to County Galway. I am sure Senator Burke is aware that Galway has had and continues to have difficulties.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: However, changes made by councillors to the previous county development plan have helped in terms of planning in rural Ireland. I will provide an example. Under the previous system, only one child of a farmer with four or five children was entitled to permission to build. That situation has now changed in County Galway. Councillors have done a good job in tackling that issue.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: The Minister spoke of proper planning and sustainable development. This is important whether it relates to the building of one or more houses in the countryside. Galway has encountered difficulties as regards heritage towns, an important status for many towns such as Athenry and Gort.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am speaking about County Galway. One cannot refuse permission to people because they live in or near a heritage town. The Minister touched on these issues earlier. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, spoke of the environs of protected structures, aspects of heritage, natural habitats and SACs. They are important issues which need to be considered. The...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I am giving an example of the situation in a heritage town. No planning is granted within one and a half miles of a heritage town. I hope the two issues to which I have referred will be dealt with. The Minister has made a good start in that regard. I compliment the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who has campaigned on this issue for many years.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: He has brought together councillors and public representatives in County Galway to deal with this problem.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Galway, as the second largest county in the country, is facing many problems in this area. The holding of early discussions will help to alleviate the problem. The Minister has done a good day's work.

Seanad: Drainage Schemes. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon. I have discussed this issue previously with him and also with the Minister for Finance. I ask that the work which was started over 40 years ago on the River Nanny would be completed. One of the reasons for stopping the work is that the river was involved in providing a water supply for the town of Tuam. However, the water supply in north Galway...

Seanad: Drainage Schemes. (10 Mar 2004)

Michael Kitt: Will the Minister of State consult the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to see if this issue could be considered under the new western river basin management project announced last week?