I welcome the allocation of€192,000 by Minister Malcolm Noonan to a number of projects throughout Cavan and Monaghan under the government’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
This funding is important in assisting the preservation and restoration of our built heritage. The Heritage Minister stated that this year’s funding represents 12.5% increase on the 2022 allocation and it underlines this government’s continuing commitment to protect and preserve our built environment. I also compliment Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and their Heritage Officers in progressing these applications.
I wish all the successful applicants every success with their projects.
Members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly have unanimously adopted a motion on the contribution of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement while recognising that more needs to be done to address the impact of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The interparliamentary body that consists of lawmakers of all parties in the UK’s legislatures and the Houses of Oireachtas agreed the motion at an extraordinary meeting ahead of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the deal.
Press Eye – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 06th March 2023 – Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
The members at the 63rd plenary meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement at the Assembly Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
The 63rd Plenary of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) will begin in the Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Belfast, tomorrow to mark the 25th anniversary year of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
The special session of British and Irish lawmakers will be addressed by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Sir John Holmes. Sir John was Principal Private Secretary to Sir John Major, who helped establish the text of the deal, and Tony Blair who signed the Agreement alongside Ahern. Sir John Holmes was knighted for his services to peace in Northern Ireland. Both will speak to the significance of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and its enduring importance.
They will then take Q&A from an audience consisting of members of both houses of Oireachtas and Parliament, the devolved legislatures, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.
Women’s Coalition members Kate Fearon, Bronagh Hinds, Dr Avila Kilmurray and Jane Morrice will then take part in a discussion hosted by British Vice-Chair Karin Smyth.
Dr Jonny Byrne of Ulster University’s School of Criminology will address the forum on policing under Agreement.
The United Kingdom’s Co-Chair to BIPA Karen Bradley MP said, “I want to welcome all our friends from across the island of Ireland, the British Isles and even further afield. This plenary, only our second in Belfast, would not have been possible without the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement which we are gathering to mark.”
“The historic importance of the Agreement cannot be understated. It has provided an enduring peace that though at times fragile, remains uncontested. We want the relations built here between to help contribute to that process.”
Brendan Smith TD, the Irish Co-Chair, said, “I’m grateful to be able to bring my Irish colleagues to Belfast to mark a quarter of a century of peace brought about by the Agreement.”
“Coming together is a reminder that we cannot take the advances made for granted and that we must do all we can to strengthen bi-lateral ties.”
BIPA meets twice a year studying areas of mutual interest of the UK and Ireland to identify areas of cooperation while strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Notes to Editors
You will find a full business programme attached to this email.
Plenary details:
Date: Monday 6 March
Time: From 09.30
Place: Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast
Press access: Proceedings from the Assembly Chamber will be streamed live here. Press can view the plenary from the Press Gallery in Parliament Buildings.
Footage requests: Footage of proceedings or any part of the plenary can be obtained by emailing sound&vision@niassembly.gov.uk with time stamps of the clipping.
Pictures stills: No cameras will be allowed in the Chamber or the gallery apart from those employed by BIPA. The images taken will be shared with media and are also available on request from Tim West (wesstb@parliament.uk) or Áine McMahon (aine.mcmahon@oireachtas.ie). Cameras are however allowed in the media pen in the Great Hall. Please note, that the Great Hall is also a public space.
Interviews: With either of the Co-chairs, Karen Bradley MP and Brendan Smith TD, can be arranged by emailing
Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has welcomed the decision by his party colleague Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue that all valid ACRES applications will be approved.
This announcement represents more than 46,000 ACRES applicants being accepted into the scheme for 2023.
Funding had initially been budgeted for 30,000 applicants however Fianna Fáil Minister Charlie McConalogue has now confirmed that over 46,000 applicants will be accepted into the scheme.
Deputy Smith said: “I’m delighted to see this announcement by Minister McConalogue that over 46,000 applicants will be accepted into ACRES 2023. Farmers are firmly behind becoming more environmentally sustainable and this announcement from Government is evidence of Fianna Fáil supporting farm families to do that.
“ACRES applicants will be contacted by the Department in the next couple of days to formally issue letters of approval. I’d like to thank Minister McConalogue for this work on this and his strong commitment to farm families and rural Ireland.”
ACRES is Ireland’s new agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. This new €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment scheme is a farmer-friendly scheme to help address biodiversity decline while delivering an income support for up to 50,000 farm families in Ireland.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has said society cannot tolerate terrorism in any shape of form as he condemned the “despicable” shooting of an off-duty PSNI officer in Omagh.
The Cavan-Monaghan TD made the comments after the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell on Wednesday. Police have blamed dissident republican group the new IRA for the attack.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday Mr Smith said: “The despicable shooting in Omagh reminds us starkly of that awful era in our country when so many innocent people lost their lives and so many were seriously injured.
“This horrific incident strongly reinforces the message that the Government must always ensure every necessary resource is provided to An Garda Síochána and all other relevant statutory agencies to rid our society of this small number of criminals and thugs who shamelessly masquerade as so-called republicans.
“It is also essential we continue to have the best possible cross-border collaboration in policing and security issues.”
Deputy Smith also said An Garda Siochana needs to have the ability to apprehend terrorists who may come in to its jurisdiction.
“There are unique policing demands in border regions,” he said. “Garda authorities at national level in allocating resources must be mindful of those additional demands on our Garda personnel. I sincerely hope the PSNI does the same in Northern Ireland.”
“The political vacuum in Northern Ireland serves the interest of nobody and it is to be hoped we will have progress quickly in that respect.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, in response, said he “wholeheartedly” agreed with Deputy Smith “who has a long-standing commitment to peace on the island”.
“In his work as a public representative over many years he has been a significant contributor to peace on the island, particularly in the Border region, so I know his comments are heartfelt,” Mr Martin added.
The Tánaiste told the Dáil he was “shocked at the callous and depraved manner” of the attack on Wednesday, which he said “injures society as a whole within Northern Ireland and on this island”.
He described Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell as “highly respected” among his peers and among the Garda for his “extraordinary work in detecting many serious crimes”.
“He is a very significant person in his own right, in policing terms and in terms of community support as well. That idea of ensuring the proper resources and proper co-operation, which is at a high level between the PSNI and the Garda, is without question,” he added.
Fianna Fail TD for Cavan Monaghan Brendan Smith has urged farmers to apply for a new 60% grant to install solar panels on their farms.
He said the grant is a great opportunity for farmers in Cavan and Monaghan to invest in their future.
It is part of the Government’s new €370 million Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3).
The TAMS 3 scheme, which will run until 2027, provides funding for capital investments on farms. It was launched by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue on Monday.
There are a range of new improvements to the TAMS scheme including increased grant aid rates, investment ceilings, new investments, and new support categories.
This includes enhanced grant-rate of 60% compared to a lower rate of 40% in TAMS II in respect of investments under the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment, Organic Capital Investments and Farm Safety Investments.
Deputy Smith said: “TAMS is a hugely beneficial scheme, which has been significantly expanded this year, so I would encourage all farmers to apply and avail of these very beneficial grants.
“The latest scheme will continue to support productive farming but it will also be used to align more with climate and sustainability goals through renewable energy, low emission spreading equipment and higher grant rates for organic farmers.
“The new solar panels and battery storage measures have a separate €90,000 ceiling with a 60% grant. Solar panels can now be placed on farm homes as well as on sheds and buildings, which is a dynamic step forward. There will also be a separate €90,000 ceiling for Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment.”
“The scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.”
TAMS 3 has an investment ceiling of €90,000, and all farmers, even if they have reached their maximum under TAMS 2, will have access to the full €90,000 ceiling under TAMS 3.
The scheme features almost 100 new investment items compared to its predecessor, including underpasses, farm roadways, supports for the equine sector, cattle fencing, milk recording equipment, PTO generators, and pasture management machinery.
It aims to increase the number of young farmers and women farmers as well as improve farm safety with higher grant rates for these areas.
This scheme will be a huge driver of economic activity in rural Ireland and a key component of the new €9.8bn Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Deputy Smith added: “TAMS funding futureproofs farms and farmyards for the next generation. This scheme is clear evidence that the Government is committed to rural Ireland and Irish farm families.”
TAMS 3 will run for five years and will include 10 schemes; it is will open for receipt of applications on a phased basis by scheme.
Applications for solar grants are now available.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Under the On-farm Capital Investment Scheme know as TAMS 3 there will be 10 individual schemes. These are as follows:
Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme (PPIS) at 40% grant rate, with a €500,000 investment ceiling.
Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Organic Farming Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.
Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling that is separate from other schemes.
Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme (LESS) at 60% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling that is separate from other schemes.
The full range of investments and the Reference Cost Documents are also be available here.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has confirmed Cavan and Monaghan will receive over €666,000 in once-off funding for voluntary and community health providers to assist with energy inflation costs.
The funding from the Government’s Inflation Fund will go towards various community-based organisations in the region who have faced serious cost-of-living pressures.
The Department of Health has worked with the HSE to finalise the scope and basis for distributing the funding. More than 1,450 organisations nationwide will receive payments, ranging from local community groups to major national service providers.
Deputy Smith said: “I am delighted to confirm this funding for Cavan and Monaghan, which will go a long way towards recognising the increased costs incurred by community-based and voluntary health and social care providers in our region. These organisations play a vital role in providing frontline services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and it is important that they are supported during these challenging times.”
“The impact of high inflation on costs related to energy prices has been a major challenge for community groups across the region. This additional funding will help to ease some of the financial pressures faced by these organisations and enable them to continue delivering essential services to those who need them most.”
The allocation of €81m from the Government’s ‘Inflation Fund’ was announced by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton on Monday 20th February.
The funding is a once-off payment in recognition of inflationary cost increases incurred over the course of 2022, and the impact of these on the cost of delivering services under each organisation’s relevant agreement with the Department of Health.
Eligible organisations will receive a letter from the HSE shortly confirming the amount they will receive and the terms of the fund.
Deputy Smith added: “I’d like to thank Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and his colleagues, for their support and commitment to the health and wellbeing of our communities. This funding will go a long way towards supporting the invaluable work of community-based and voluntary health and social care providers in Cavan and Monaghan.”
“I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in Government to ensure that our communities have access to the resources and support they need to provide the best possible level of services.”
I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Transport of additional and enhanced public transport services for Cavan/Monaghan. There needs to be a substantial increase in such services particularly connecting our smaller towns and villages. This is clear evidence of the government’s commitment to the improvement of public services in rural Ireland. Connectivity to our towns is particularly important for persons accessing education and health services and facilitating people travelling to employment
The new services include: 171 Shercock – Dundalk 170 Cavan – Dundalk Cavan – Kells – Gibbstown Bailieboro – Cootehill Cootehill – Shercock – Bailieboro – Virginia Clones – Newry Sligo – Cavan
I have asked the Minister to have these services put in place at the earliest possible date. Additional capacity is also needed on the Cavan/Dublin route.
Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith has welcomed the major allocation of €38.8M for the National Roads and Greenways Programme in Cavan and Monaghan for 2023. “This very substantial funding will enable a very comprehensive programme of improvement works to be carried out on our primary and secondary roads in both counties. I very much welcome the specific allocation of €2M for the N3 Virginia Bypass and this will mean a significant step forward for this important and much- needed road project.
€10M is also being allocated for the Corduff to Killydoon roadworks on the N55.
€4.4M is also being allocated for the N54 road from Butlersbridge to the border.
€3.6M will be invested on the N3 on the Whitegate to Maghera stretch.
€400,000 is also being allocated for the Cavan Railway/Cavan Town greenway
€150,000 is also being provided to support the work of Cavan County Council in progressing greenway projects. Other significant road improvements will be carried out with this much-needed and welcome government investment in our national primary and national secondary roads which carry a very heavy volume of traffic on a daily basis” stated Brendan Smith TD.
Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the allocation of €17.5 Million for Cavan County Council and €16.2 Million for the Non National Roads Network Programme for 2023. This substantial allocation of government funding has been confirmed by my Party colleague, Minister of State Jack Chambers TD.
“This funding will enable much needed improvement works to be carried out throughout all of both counties and there are some specific grant allocations including bridge repairs and safety works. There is also a specific allocation of €400,000 towards the Assan Bridge and Road realignment. Another welcome allocation is funding of €250,000 on the R118 Rathkenny Cavan Cootehill Road which is part of the East-West route. Major investment is needed in our road network in both Cavan and Monaghan as the condition of many roads in both counties had deteriorated. This year’s allocation plus the substantial Road Works Programme undertaken in 2022 will make a real difference in the quality and condition of roads for many communities”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.
