Results 1-20 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (12 Sep 2002)

Michael Kitt: I congratulate the new Cathaoirleach, Senator Kiely. I also congratulate the new Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, our Chief Whip, Senator Moylan, and everybody else who achieved promotion. I also congratulate my colleague, Senator Ulick Burke, who is the Fine Gael Whip. There has been much debate about the role of small nations in relation to Ireland and the smaller countries that wish...

Seanad: European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage. (16 Oct 2002)

Michael Kitt: Prioritisation will be required also. Senator McDowell is correct in this respect. I was a member of a similar committee in the early part of my parliamentary existence and there was too much documentation coming through. Therefore, Members and committees will have to prioritise. However, I accept that it involves a new workload and that new resources will be required.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Michael Kitt: I support what was said by Senators about the Stay Safe programme and compliment the Leader on the work she has done. I read reports in a newspaper during the week to the effect that the Department of Education and Science had abolished the exploring masculinities programme. One report stated there was a concern that the programme would turn young men into a bunch of sissies.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Michael Kitt: It is regrettable that the programme has been withdrawn. We might get a reply from the Department as to what is happening regarding the programme on which a good deal of money has been spent on related literature and videos. Regarding another issue in education, successive Governments talked about setting up a college of music in Galway, a matter on which we should get a response from the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2002)

Michael Kitt: The role of music in education and the difficulties facing students who wish to take music as a subject are matters to which we should return.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (23 Oct 2002)

Michael Kitt: I join in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. It is important to have the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works in the House when we are discussing hospital building and development. I am glad extra funding has been provided for the health service this year. As the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, said, health is the biggest area of...

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I thank Senator Mansergh for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward, to the House and congratulate him and his colleague, Deputy Treacy, on their appointments. I also thank the Minister, Deputy Joe Walsh, for the work he has done. Many Senators have referred to the fact that the Minister has recognised the adverse effects the recent difficult weather conditions have had...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Swimming Pool Projects. (6 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: As the Minister knows, Tuam swimming pool has been listed for redevelopment since 1998. In November 2000 a new set of plans was prepared by Galway County Council with the objective of building a new pool, adjacent to the existing pool, in the palace grounds at Tuam. This led to the completion of the requisite preliminary report on the project and the submission of this report to the...

Seanad: Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, 2001: Statements. (7 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House and congratulate him on the work he has done in a very short time. He has made a very significant mark on the Department. I also compliment his predecessors like Dr. Tom Moffatt and Senator Terry Leyden, people with whom I have worked in relation to health services. The Minister for State at the Department of Health and Children does...

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to the House and I thank the Minister, Deputy Cullen, for the contribution he made at the start of this debate. We certainly owe a profound debt of gratitude to Mr. Justice Flood on the interim report he has produced. He has established very clearly in that report the facts regarding happened in respect of certain planning matters and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I realise that we will be discussing the railways tomorrow, but I sought an Adjournment Debate on this topic because of the dismantling of part of the line at Athenry and the disconnecting of the signal. I am sure the Cathaoirleach is well aware of the problems on the Sligo-Limerick line but it is appalling that an excuse being given to disconnect the signals at Athenry, County Galway, is...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the Minister to the House for this very important discussion on tourism. The Minister has told us the successes of Irish tourism and the employment it provides. We look at everything in the context of the good figures for 2000, but there were some difficulties last year. I welcome the additional €3 million for marketing activities which the Minister was able to secure. It is...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: The standards were even higher in Napoleon's time. I know there is an issue about cruelty to animals but I will not get into that. It is a good fair and is very important to Ballinasloe and surrounding areas. The Minister said he was in discussion with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, regarding new air routes. He has also spoken about the proposals for a second, independent...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises the Government's decision in regard to the first-time buyer's new house grant as one of the measures necessary in order to ensure a sustainable match between Government resources and expenditure and supports the continued action and commitment by the Government to focus housing...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: The focus of housing expenditure is, therefore, to respond to the needs of these groups with special housing needs through a range of targeted initiatives. The provision was €38 million for this year. In regard to the grant scheme the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, stated: Grants have been a contributing factor in pushing up both house and land prices. It...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Rail Network. (20 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this issue and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I am a member of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee which has been campaigning since 1979 to restore the railway from Sligo to Limerick and on to Rosslare as an important transport infrastructure for passengers and freight servicing the west. Such a viable...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002, and I welcome the Minister to the House. It is not long since he was last here to discuss issues relating to tourism. On that occasion we referred to this new tourism development authority. I welcome the fact that the functions of Bord Fáilte and CERT will be transferred to the new...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I very much welcome the competition in respect of airlines and visitors coming to this country. Obviously, I compliment Ryanair on the work it is doing, as well as Aer Lingus, our national carrier. There have been many complaints about the congestion at Dublin Airport. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Transport has talked about a second terminal, for which many have looked because of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Nov 2002)

Michael Kitt: I welcome the call for a debate on the national spatial strategy. There is, by and large, good news for what is known as the BMW region in the strategy. However, I find it hard to understand why, when the Government is talking about improved services and improved infrastructure in rural Ireland, Iarnród Éireann is at the same time dismantling part of the railway line at Athenry and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2002)

Michael Kitt: I support the call for a debate on the abuse of alcohol which should not be confined to opening hours and closing times. It is a far bigger issue, and includes the question of advertising. The drinks industry has hijacked many of our sports events, including the club championships with which the Cathaoirleach will be familiar. There have been moves by successive Governments to tackle the...