Results 1,381-1,400 of 1,415 for speaker:Tom Kitt

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Tom Kitt: I thank Senators for their contributions. I want the issue of the humanitarian situation in Iraq to remain on the political and public agendas. This debate has been helpful in that regard. I thank Senators for giving strong support to the work we are doing. We will continue to play a role in meeting the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. As many Senators noted, this country is good at...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Tom Kitt: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address this House again today on the subject of Iraq. On the previous occasion when we discussed this issue in the Seanad, on 6 February last, I described the background to what was still an impending conflict. I expressed the hope that military action could be averted and I set out what was required of Saddam Hussein's regime. Unfortunately, and...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Tom Kitt: The Government's decision to continue to make the facilities of Shannon available was taken after long and serious consideration. It is a decision taken in Ireland's best interests and does not mark a departure from existing practice extending over several decades. The Government believes that the entire international community must unite in ensuring that the long-suffering people of Iraq...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Tom Kitt: I rarely get the opportunity to address the House.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Tom Kitt: This has been a long and worthwhile debate. I have always respected the views of this House and having listened to both sides of the argument there is no doubt that this has added to debates in the Dáil and those held here previously. This has been a difficult issue from the outset and there are strongly held views on both sides. I explained to Members the reason the Government has adopted a...

Seanad: Iraq Crisis: Statements. (6 Feb 2003)

Tom Kitt: I am happy the House is having this debate and I am anxious to hear what Members have to say. I will be happy to respond if they have particular queries they want addressed. Yesterday the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, presented to the Security Council the evidence which President Bush had promised in his State of the Union Address at the end of January. A considerable volume of...

Seanad: Iraq Crisis: Statements (Resumed). (6 Feb 2003)

Tom Kitt: I am privileged to have been involved in this debate and I am happy to have been present throughout because it has been profound and balanced. There was a diversity of views and opinions, which I expected, but the one over-riding message was that we should do everything possible to avoid war. For that reason, it is important the House debated the issue. It was timely, too, because additional...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: The Government is bringing before the House a Bill to amend the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999. I express my gratitude to the House for its recognition of the urgency involved in passing this important legislation. Given this urgency, the approval of the House for an earlier signature motion will also be sought. The Northern Ireland Assembly was temporarily suspended on 15 October. This...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: Did the Leader not go by boat on that occasion?

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: We probably meant in the broader sense.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: I will try to cover as many points as I can. We will deal later with any outstanding issues. The parliamentary authority issue was raised by Senator Ryan. The bodies are jointly responsible to their respective Ministers, North and South, and each Minister is responsible to the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively. The annual reports of the bodies are laid before the...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: Is the Senator saying the Executive, not the Taoiseach, should not have the power to—

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: Yes. We can go through it section by section. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: We are moving a little ahead of ourselves. On the earlier question, I can now confirm that it is the intention of the Government that the Bill, once enacted, shall expire upon restoration of the Assembly. The Bill provides that an expiry order is to be made as soon as practicable following restoration of the Assembly. At the same time the Government will notify the British Government of the...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: I can confirm that there is a precedent in this case. The Bill is a temporary and remedial measure to get us over some of the practical difficulties posed by the suspension. It serves its purpose and will allow the North-South bodies to continue to operate in a meaningful way pending the restoration of the institutions in the North and full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: That is right.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: Both of my colleagues are historically correct. On the agriculture question, the Food Safety Authority comes under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children, but there is a great deal of co-operation at agriculture ministerial level also. Question put and agreed to. Section 6 agreed to. SECTION 7. Question proposed: "That section 7 stand part of the Bill."

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: If elections have taken place but the ministerial council has not been restored, the position is that the Bill will not be in force at that time.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: It refers to the restoration of the Assembly.

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Nov 2002)

Tom Kitt: UK Ministers would have to take responsibility in that situation.