Local Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan has stated that upgrades to the electricity grid will be crucial ahead of the winter.

By way of Parliamentary Questions, Deputy Brendan Smith asked party colleague, and Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien what measures are being implemented to strengthen critical infrastructure including energy supplies.

In his reply Minister Darragh O’Brien stated that he had asked the ESB Networks to prepare a Winter 2025 Resilience Plan to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations, and it has been progressing since April.

Deputy Smith is greatly encouraged by the proactivity of the Minister and the ESB, saying that it is crucial we prepare for winter weather events.

“Following the devastation and issues arising for the grid from Storm Éowyn last year, it is crucial that we remain diligent towards adverse weather conditions. We are heading into another winter now, and we must be prepared.

Deputy Brendan Smith went on to say the actions being taken by the ESB are encouraging, highlighting that lessons have been learned since Storm Éowyn.

“The Minister informed me the ESB have worked on a number of actions since April of this year to ensure we have the critical infrastructure in place. These include making hazards safe and progressing remedial works needed to refurbish the network, working with Coillte and the Department of Agriculture to pinpoint high-risk network areas, and emergency stocks of spare parts and materials are being replenished, among others.

He added, “The increased number of access officers to engage with landowners on forestry work is encouraging also. It is clear to me that the Minister is committed to pulling every lever at his disposal to ensure the grid and the ESB are ready for Winter 2025 through the Winter 2025 Resilience Plan.

“It’s good to see through the Minister’s Department that they have enhanced ESB’s powers to manage vegetation, place the dimensions and conditions of corridors through forestry on a statutory footing, and establish principles for the compensation of affected landowners.

Concluding, Brendan Smith said the significant development in the grid should be highlighted and that the newly publish National Development Plan provides for up to €3.5 billion in additional equity to support the grids infrastructure.

“I think it is a source of hope that the significant investment of €3.5 billion in the newly published National Development Plan 2026-2030. €2 billion will be provided to EirGrid and €1.5 billion to the ESB. Harsh lessons have been learned from Storm Éowyn, and we must avoid such issues heading into this winter. 

“In Dáil debates and in meetings with the ESB I emphasised very strongly the need to protect the electricity supply in rural communities which have suffered so much due to storm damage.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan Brendan Smith has welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Authority of the enhancement of Route 862 between Longford Town and Cavan Town.

“From Monday 29th September Route 862, formerly Route 975, servicing areas including Arva, Coronea, Crossdoney, Moyne, Drumlish, Ballinamuck and Legga, will be enhanced to operate five daily return services Monday to Saturday with extra evening services on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, and for the first time, the enhanced route will operate on a Sunday with four daily return services.

“This service will be of great benefit to local communities and will facilitate people travelling for work or study, for shopping or for visiting family and friends,” said Deputy Brendan Smith.

Local Councillor Philip Brady also welcomed this enhanced bus service. 

 “The provision of improved public transport services for rural communities is an important issue that I have raised at Council level and with the National Transport Authority,” Councillor Philip Brady told the Angle Celt. 

The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced the start of the Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2025/26 Season.

Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks to 410,000 households across the State.

The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments of €462 each.

The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more households to qualify.

From January 2025, the over 70s enhanced qualifying conditions were extended to people aged 66 and over.

These enhanced conditions include:

– A person aged over 66 no longer has to be in receipt of a Social Protection payment to apply for Fuel Allowance.

– A single person aged 66 or over can have means of €524 per week while a couple can have means of €1,048 per week.

In addition, the amount of capital that is disregarded was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.

From January 2025, Carer’s Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to the applicant meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the means test.

€7 MILLION has been announced by Minister James Browne TD for the re-adaptation of St Louis Chapel on the St Louis Lands. This will bring new life to a beautiful heritage building and will benefit the town and the whole region.
Well done to Monaghan County Council and Northern & Western Regional Assembly

Expansion of initiative delivers on key Programme for Government commitment

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed today’s announcement that children aged 5 to 8 will now be eligible for free travel on all Transport for Ireland (TFI) services.

From today, some 263,000 children nationwide can travel free with a TFI Leap Card, following confirmation from Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The scheme applies to all TFI public transport services, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, and LUAS. Children under 5 already travel free, and this expansion ensures no child is charged for public transport until their ninth birthday.

Deputy Smith said: “This is a really positive development for families in counties Cavan and Monaghan and right across the country. Providing free travel for children up to their ninth birthday eases the financial burden on households and makes public transport a far more attractive option for families.

“It also delivers on a clear commitment in the Programme for Government to make transport more affordable, more accessible, and more sustainable.

Deputy Smith highlighted the broader benefits of the measure, “This initiative is about more than cost savings. It encourages the use of public transport from an early age, helping to build sustainable travel habits and reduce emissions.

“Families in both urban and rural areas will benefit, and I believe this will be warmly welcomed across Cavan and Monaghan.”

Encouraging families to take up on the initiative, Smith added, “The Leap Card is available to all children up to their ninth birthday. Families can apply today at leapcard.ie.

“This builds on the progress we’ve made in recent years to reduce fares and improve accessibility, and I’m delighted to see another initiative introduced that makes a real difference to people’s everyday lives,” he said.

Concluding he said: Fianna Fáil is committed to better connectivity, sustainable transport, and easing the cost of living for families – today’s announcement is another step in that direction.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has called on the Government to intensify its efforts at EU level to secure an extension of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation beyond 2025.

Deputy Smith was speaking after receiving detailed replies from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to two parliamentary questions he tabled on progress to date in negotiations with the European Commission.

Deputy Smith said, “The nitrates derogation is absolutely vital to Irish farming, particularly to family dairy and livestock farms in Cavan Monaghan and across the country. It underpins the viability of our grass-based production system and supports thousands of farm families and rural communities.

It is clear from the most recent correspondence from the European Commission to the Irish Government that significant additional environmental assessments are now required if Ireland is to secure a further derogation.

Smith commented, “I welcome the Taoiseach’s decision to establish a Cabinet Committee on water quality to coordinate this work, as well as the Minister’s ongoing engagement with Commissioners and EU counterparts. However, there can be no let-up in these efforts. Farmers need certainty well in advance of 2026 to plan for the future.”

Deputy Smith highlighted that the Commission has requested more detailed assessments of the environmental impacts of any new derogation, particularly regarding compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.

“The Government must ensure that these assessments are completed thoroughly and without delay, while also presenting the strongest possible case for Ireland’s unique grass-based system and the improvements already delivered in water quality,” he said.

Smith acknowledged that Farmers are willing to do their part, but added they need a clear and workable framework. Work to secure the nitrates derogation is ongoing.

Cavan County Council is actively considering the provision of affordable housing in Cavan Town. In order to help establish the level of interest in Cavan Town in acquiring an affordable home from the Council, interested parties are invited to complete a short survey at:

Cavan County Council Survey

A boost to local policing with two additional Gardaí for Cavan – Deputy Brendan Smith

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the deployment of 8 newly attested Gardaí to the Cavan/Louth/Monaghan Division, strengthening visible policing across the region.

Amongst the deployments there will be 2 new Gardaí for Bailieborough Garda Station.

Smith commented, “The deployment of additional Gardaí is welcome. We are fortunate that every community wants to see more Gardaí visible in their area. It is one of the most effective measures we have for preventing crime and making people feel safer.

The new Gardaí are among 154 recruits who graduated from the Garda College in Templemore today. This intake represents the largest allocation of probationer Gardaí to regions outside Dublin in the past year and reflects the government’s ongoing investment in building stronger, safer communities.

Deputy Smith said the arrival of additional Garda members underlines Fianna Fáil’s commitment to increasing Garda presence on the ground.

He noted, “This latest allocation shows that investment in Garda recruitment is making a real difference on the ground. Local stations are being reinforced so they can continue to serve and protect communities effectively.

Strengthening An Garda Síochána is a key priority for Fianna Fáil in Government, backed by a record €2.48 billion in funding in Budget 2025, a 27% increase since 2020.

A further 201 Garda recruits will begin training in Templemore this week, while another graduation is scheduled for November, ensuring a steady pipeline of new members entering the organisation.

He concluded: “More Gardaí on the beat is one of the most effective ways to deter crime and enhance public safety. This latest deployment is a clear signal that government is delivering on its promise to support communities with the resources they need to feel secure.”

Thursday, 21 August, 2025: Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Cavan Town and surrounding areas to conserve water with nighttime restrictions being introduced to help maintain a daytime supply.

From tonight (Thursday), restrictions will be introduced on the Cavan Public Water Supply from 10.30pm each night to 7am the following morning. These will affect customers in Cavan Town and surrounding areas. However, normal supply will be maintained to the local hospital.

Uisce Éireann’s Peter Gallagher explained that low rainfall levels and a recent significant leak coupled with an increase in demand for water has put pressure on the supply.

“I am appealing to all our customers in Cavan Town and surrounding areas to make a special effort to conserve water. I’m asking them to consider their water usage and reflect on the daily and easy actions they can take to play their part in ensuring our water resources are used wisely and in a way which benefits not only your own household but also the wider community.

“We understand the impact of overnight restrictions, but these measures are necessary to ensure continuous daytime supply for homes and businesses while we allow the reservoir levels time to recover,” added Peter.

Simple actions, such as taking a shorter shower, placing a basin in the sink and fixing leaking taps can all make a significant impact. Uisce Éireann has developed an easy-to-use conservation calculator to help people find out how much water they are saving and what they can do to save even more. Check it out at water.ie/calculator.ie

The Border Region Manufacturing Cluster, hosted by Atlantic Technological University, and comprising manufacturing companies North and South held very successful events offering practical insights and strategies for reducing energy usage, lowering costs and supporting sustainability in local manufacturing operations.
Delighted to participate emphasising necessity of cross-border collaboration.