Results 11,281-11,300 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (4 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the third interim report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. The report refers to the investigation into the Baltimore school and is most important. Senator Fitzgerald dealt with some of the issues relating to Baltimore. The Government has listened to the victims of abuse and an apology has been made on behalf of the State. I hope we can take positive action to redress...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2004)

Michael Kitt: Many Senators have questioned the use of technology and computers. I am raising this issue to try to ensure computers are retained in some of our post offices. The Leader was the Minister for Public Enterprise and she dealt with post offices in the past. I am concerned at the move nationally to take computers and automation out of post offices and reduce them to postal agencies. This will...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that business be interrupted not later than 6.15 p.m.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister. I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute on this Bill, which I welcome. We have had much good news from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in recent days. I welcome the Minister's announcement of increased allocations for non-national roads and his efforts, with this Bill, to consolidate legislation. This has not been done for more...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: I will not give a similar tour of Galway, although I could. The Senator is very lucky to have a Minister of the calibre of Deputy Cullen in his constituency. I thank the Minister for the work he has done. For the first time, smaller towns and centres with a population of 1,000 are getting small sewerage schemes. I would like to see that figure further reduced in order to provide sewerage...

Seanad: National Educational Welfare Board. (21 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I wish to refer to the new National Educational Welfare Board which I welcome. As the House is aware, the Educational Welfare Act 2000 became fully operational in July 2002. I understand a budget of €5.4 million was allocated for 2003. My query relates to areas of concentrated disadvantage — for example, the RAPID areas — and to...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: Tá áthas orm seans a bheith agam labhairt ar an rún seo. Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a rá leis an Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú as an méid oibre atá déanta aige agus na hargóintí atá curtha aige le blianta ag iarraidh go mbeadh an Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil san Aontas Eorpach. Is dócha go bhfuil muid go léir aontaithe sa Teach seo mar gheall ar an...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: Rinne sé sin agus bhí an córas sin sa Dáil le blianta fada fosta. However, Councillor Ó Foighíl succeeded. I was glad because it is important that the Gaeltacht, a large part of which is in County Galway, is represented in that way. Native speakers are involved in local politics as well as national politics. We should also bear in mind areas outside the Gaeltacht where there is great...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Michael Kitt: We did not use Irish to try to bamboozle our friends from the House of Commons but when we can use the language in a committee or in the Oireachtas, we should be able to use it officially in the European Parliament where we have played such a significant role over the years. The motion before the House is excellent and I compliment the Members on putting it forward. I hope our efforts are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: I support the calls for a debate on electronic voting. People have talked about the possibility of inaccuracies but, to my knowledge, there have been many inaccuracies in the current system which were observed in the last number of elections.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: In principle, we should be in favour of electronic voting. The day of the long counts should not be allowed to continue. It is not a spectator sport for candidates. Senator Norris raised the matter of the Hospital Sweepstakes earlier in the week and I support what he said, but the Tánaiste provided a financial package to some of the workers. I have been making the same point for many years...

Seanad: Address by Mr. Seán Ó Neachtáin, MEP. (11 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: I join in welcoming Mr. Ó Neachtáin and compliment him on the great work he has done, particularly in the agricultural area and in fisheries. He is an MEP for Connacht-Ulster. I hope the people of Clare will not let him down next year in the newly realigned constituency in which it will be difficult for Members to retain their seats. He will need the physical health he has to represent the...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: I thought the Senator was known as the Longford slasher.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann acknowledges the achievements of the Government in: –increasing the resources provided to local authorities through the local government fund and through the buoyancy in their income from local sources due to the success of this Government's policies; –ensuring that local authorities...

Seanad: Order of Business. - Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Dec 2003)

Michael Kitt: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach agus tugaim tacaíocht don Bhille seo. Is ceart na cumhachtaí nua a chur ar fáil don Aire mar tá cuid mhaith de na hoileáin ina dháilcheantar agus is dócha go bhfuil obair le déanamh aige ansin. Níl aon oileán i mo dháilcheantar féin so b'fhéidir go mbainim tuilleadh pléisiúir as cuairt go dtí na hoileáin. Bhí an méid a dúirt...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

Michael Kitt: The Environmental Protection Agency report published today mentions the pollution of the environment by manufacturing companies. More than one third of these companies have special licences, but some of them are not complying with their terms. It is high time we debated that issue. I hope the EPA will follow up on the warnings it has given to those companies who are breaking the terms of...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

Michael Kitt: How stands the amendment?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael Kitt: I join the call for a debate on the question of levies on the building of new houses. In today's newspaper I read of a proposal to impose levies amounting to €28,000 on stand-alone properties. Galway County Council has confirmed that there are proposals for a levy of between €5,000 and €8,000. Irrespective of the amount of the levies, we should debate this issue. Levies and development...

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister who mentioned that agreement had been reached by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg on 26 June last. Reading some of the newspapers at that time I noticed that the Minister was being severely criticised by the farm bodies. An article from July states that farm bodies are turning on the Minister over reform. It was interesting to hear the IFA opinion that a very bad...