Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Brendan Smith has condemned the car bomb attack on a prisoner officer in East Belfast this morning.

Deputy Smith said, “This is a despicable act which I and the Fianna Fáil party wholly condemn. While it is too early at this stage to know who perpetrated this attack it nevertheless serves as a reminder that the peace secured in Northern Ireland is fragile and it must not be taken for granted.

“Today’s appalling attack underscores that individuals and groups still exist who seek to destabilise the peace process.  Public representatives and political parties both North and South of the Border need to redouble and renew their efforts to ensure that those who seek to undermine the peace secured in Northern Ireland do not gain traction.

“Fianna Fáil is committed to Northern Ireland and to the full realisation of the peace process. This will be a priority for us as a Party in the 32nd Dáil”.

-Ends- 4/03/2016

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil T.D. Brendan Smith has expressed his regret with the decision to close the sub offices of Cavan Credit Union in Ballinagh, Belturbet, Kilnaleck and Killeshandra.

Deputy Smith stated that the Credit Union sector provides an invaluable service for so many communities around the country. He added that unfortunately Fine Gael and Labour in government placed additional regulatory burdens on Credit Unions which impacts on the viability of different Offices and results in additional costs for this sector. The Fianna Fáil T.D. stated that he fully supports good governance in the financial services sector but due regard must be given to try and lessen the burden on the Credit Union sector.

Deputy Brendan Smith complimented the voluntary members of Credit Unions throughout Cavan/Monaghan who contribute very significantly to the success of this sector at local level. He stated that he will be asking the Irish League of Credit Unions if arrangements could be made with Post Offices in smaller towns to transact Credit Union business which would be beneficial to rural communities.

ENDS 3/03/2016

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Brendan Smith has called for an investigation under the auspices of the UN into the killing of three Palestinians in Israel.

Deputy Smith commented, “It is shocking to hear about three more people being killed by Israeli authorities in the city of Jerusalem. Despite claims from the Israeli authorities that the Palestinians were carrying concealed weapons, this level of violence is not acceptable.

“These killings need to be independently investigated. The EU and the rest of the world cannot stand on the sidelines while the possibility of retaliation killings becomes common place again. There needs to be direct intervention at the highest possible diplomatic level to prevent more killings”.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Brendan Smith has been informed by the Minister for Education and Skills that the major building project proposed for St. Clare’s National School, Cavan Town is at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a – Developed Design Stage.

The Minister in her reply to Deputy Smith’s Parliamentary Question in Dáil Éireann stated -“The Stage 2a Report has recently been received and is currently being reviewed by my Department. Following this review, and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to progress to Stage 2b – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents and prequalification of contractors. This project was included in the six year programme announced on 17th November and is scheduled to proceed to construction in 2016”.

Deputy Smith stated that there is an urgent need to progress this project as quickly as possible in view of the huge increase in enrolment in this school over recent years. He complimented the Board of Management, the Principal and Staff, the Parents’ Association on their work in advancing the project to this stage.

Uimhir:319

Ceist Pharlaiminte

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha To the Minister for Education and Science To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for new permanent accommodation by a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Brendan Smith. St. Clare’s National School, Cavan Town * For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 28th January, 2016. Reference Number: 3604/16

Freagra

Minister Jan O’Sullivan The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a – Developed Design Stage. The Stage 2a Report has recently been received and is currently being reviewed by my Department. Following this review, and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to progress to Stage 2b – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents and prequalification of contractors. This project was included in the six year programme announced on 17th November and is scheduled to proceed to construction in 2016.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has hit out at the Health Minister for the latest in a string of broken promises by this Fine Gael led Government.  Minister Leo Varadkar has admitted that the Government has now completely abandoned its policy to deliver free GP care for all citizens.

Deputy Smith commented, “Minister Varadkar’s announcement brings to a close a disastrous five years for our health service.  As a result of botched policies and a series of bogus budgets waiting lists are now longer, Emergency Departments are in chaos and rural services have been decimated by Fine Gael and Labour.

“The two key promises of Universal Health Insurance and free GP care have now been completely abandoned by this Government, which appears to have no health plan whatsoever.  The health service is under staffed, under resourced and under huge strain – all because of the Fine Gael’s failures for vision and failure to deliver.

“We cannot allow Fine Gael and Labour put our health service at risk.  We need real policies, real plans and concrete measures that will put community services and patients first.  Fianna Fáil believes in a publicly funded, publicly delivered health service that puts the patient above the structures.

“It’s time for a fresh start in health and a government that recognises the importance of investing in public services instead of presiding over their consistent deterioration.  There is a clear choice in this election and Fianna Fáil will put investment in services and dignity for patients back at the heart of our health service.”

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Border Region Development Brendan Smith has called on the Government to outline the implications of the draft Brexit deal for Ireland.  It follows the publication of a draft settlement for Britain ahead of a referendum on its EU membership.

Deputy Smith commented, “Over the past five years the Government has had a consistent policy of excluding the Irish people from basic information on the likely impact of EU proposals on Ireland.  This deal is far too important for this to be allowed to continue.

“All of the proposed changes are potentially significant for Ireland – including cross-border welfare entitlements.

“Fianna Fáil is calling on the Government to publish details of the likely impact of the deal on Ireland before the Taoiseach signs off on it in Brussels later this month”.

A report published today by the ESRI highlights the possible economic implications of a British exit from the EU for Ireland across four areas – trade, foreign direct investment, energy and migration. The findings make for sobering reading and it is clear from the Report that the consequences for Ireland are far reaching and wide ranging.

Among the findings of the Report it is estimated that a Brexit could reduce bilateral trade flows between Ireland and Britain by 20 per cent or more. In addition, less Foreign Direct Investment is likely to result in slower economic growth in Britain, which in turn would impact negatively on Ireland’s economic growth. The Report also highlights that the all-island electricity market has existed since 2007 and if the electricity market in Britain remains independent of the rest of the EU, interconnection with Britain only would leave Ireland vulnerable to any problems in the British market.

In terms of migration the report underscores that a British exit from the EU opens up the possibility of restrictions on the free movement of people between Ireland and Britain for the purposes of work. As we all know, Britain has long been a destination for many Irish seeking work, particularly during times of high unemployment, and an exit from the EU could have significant repercussions for the Irish labour market.

The findings of the ESRI report are stark and underscore the seriousness of this issue. This Referendum is taking place in the not too distant future and it is clear that we need to start a national conversation on the implications of Brexit and what it would mean not only for Ireland, but for the EU as a whole. If Britain was to leave the European Union, the nature of the most successful transnational organisation ever created would be irrevocably changed.

We in Fianna Fáil believe that awareness needs to be created across all of this country of the gravity of this particular issue in relation to trade, employment, tourism, agriculture, fisheries and food, free movement of people and of course Northern Ireland. Britain is our nearest neighbour and our largest trading partner. If Britain votes to leave the EU the knock-on effects will be felt the length and breadth of the country, but particularly in the border counties and my own constituency of Cavan/Monaghan.

Farmers and food processors both North and South depend on access to the EU Market of 500 million people.  The business community would suffer badly from a situation where a new border springs up across the 6 counties, a regulatory border that would divide this island once more.

We must re-establish EU solidarity. This is vital if we are to convince Britain and Northern Ireland to remain part of the European Union. The normal EU spirit of solidarity and co-operation between Member States is best illustrated in the border region.

Peace funding has been vital in supporting the fledgling agreement framework. Co-operation between North and South, between Ireland and Britain has been the engine of the Good Friday Agreement. Our role as co-guarantors of the Agreement binds us together. North and South we have to maximise the potential of the Good Friday Agreement for the good of all of the people on all of this Island.  Those links were forged in the common ground of the EU and need to last.

Breaking this link by a unilateral British and Northern Ireland withdrawal would deal an immense blow to our capacity to work together. We must do everything we can to safeguard Ireland’s political and economic future. We in Fianna Fáil will be vocal in supporting Britain remaining a full Member State of the EU.

-Ends-