British Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Hamish Falconer MP has said that the UK and Ireland’s relationship has never been stronger and is built on deep friendship, shared values and renewed cooperation through annual summits, joint infrastructure projects and energy security work.

In his speech to a gathering of members from the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Sheffield on Sunday evening, he reiterated that the UK government remains committed to protecting and building on the Good Friday Agreement, including through the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, record funding for Northern Ireland, and continued partnership between London and Dublin as equal co-guarantors of peace.
 
On the UK’s relationship with Europe, the Minister said that the UK will use the upcoming UK-EU Summit to set out how greater cooperation can deliver enhanced security and economic growth for both the UK and its European partners.
 
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Hamish Falconer MP said: “The UK and Ireland are more than neighbours – we are close friends, bound by history, shared values and a determination to build a better future together. From the deep connections across our people reflected in the Common Travel Area to close cooperation on energy security and critical infrastructure, we are showing what strong partnership can deliver. As we approach thirty years of the Good Friday Agreement, our commitment to peace – and the people it was built to serve, has never been stronger.”

Gill Furniss MP, British Co-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, said: “It is an enormous pleasure to extend a traditional south Yorkshire welcome to the BIPA family this week and to hear from the minister. His contribution reflects the importance the UK government attaches to the relationship between the UK and Ireland. As a city renowned for its warmth and strong sense of community, Sheffield provides a fitting backdrop as we come together once again to play our part in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation across our islands.”

Brendan Smith TD, Irish Co-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, said: “I am pleased to be in Sheffield for this meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. At a time of considerable international uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we continue to strengthen the relationships between our islands through dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.

BIPA provides a valuable forum for parliamentarians to exchange perspectives, build trust and advance practical cooperation on issues of shared importance, from economic development and energy security to reconciliation and community connections. By continuing to invest in these relationships, we can help deliver tangible benefits for people across these islands.”

📢 Good news today with the announcement of capital funding for ungrades to UBU youth services nationwide.

I welcome the allocation by Government of this funding which will benefit Youth Services catering for the Cavan Monaghan area.

💶 Bounce Back in West Cavan has been granted €19,999 which will be used towards improvements to their Centre in Belturbet, and in particular for the upgrade of windows.

💶 The Bounce Back service in the South East of the county is to receive €11,091 which will also be used for the enhancement of youth facilities in the Bailieboro area.

🎉 Attending the recent 10th anniversary of Bounce Back Youth Services in Ballyjamesduff, it was clear to all of us the importance of these services for young people.

I will continue to appeal for more investment in youth services throughout Cavan Monaghan in recognition of the the vital work that is being done and the very important role of youth work in supporting young people in our local communities.

“I welcome the approval by Minister Dara Calleary of funding towards the purchase of vehicles for community use under the Clar Programme.

The successful applications were submitted by –

Bailieboro Cancer Comfort with funding of €32,000 approved for purchase of Van providing transport for patients having cancer treatment-

Breffni Integrated approved funding of €41,000 for purchase of Bus for Mobility Transport.

I know these vehicles will provide a good community service and I compliment all involved in providing these essential and much needed services.  The Van for Bailieboro Cancer Comfort will be Wheelchair Accessible and will provide transport for patients across the general Bailieboro area” stated Brendan Smith TD

Deputy Brendan Smith said this year’s Fuel Allowance will provide good assistance for people to heat their homes, as 15,900 households in Cavan and Monaghan set to benefit from the payment this winter.

The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, today announced the start of the Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2026/27 Season.

Payments will commence this week for over 465,000 households nationwide, representing one in four households, and are paid at a weekly rate of €38 or two instalment payments of €532 each. 

Deputy Smith said:

“Fuel Allowance is a vital support for households across Cavan and Monaghan facing higher heating costs over the winter. It will make a real difference for older people, carers, and those on fixed incomes, ensuring they can keep their homes warm during the colder months.”

The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more people to qualify. Since January 2026, people receiving the Working Family Payment who satisfy the relevant qualifying criteria have been eligible for the scheme. Almost 50,000 Working Family Payment recipients qualify for Fuel Allowance.

Deputy Smith said:

“The cost of keeping the home warm can place significant pressure on a family’s weekly budget. Fuel Allowance helps meet these costs and ensure that people can heat their homes with greater peace of mind.

“Minister Calleary expanded eligibility for the scheme in Budget 2026,so that more households can benefit from this support. Fianna Fáil’s is committed to ensuring that those who need help with their energy costs can access it.”

Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD that the Shared Island Unit of his Department will commission a study by the National Economic and Social Council to review the opportunities and challenges facing the Central Border Region on a cross-border basis.

“The Shared Island Initiative of the Department of the Taoiseach provides a €2 billion commitment to support investment and co-operation across all sectors on cross-border and all-Ireland projects up to 2035. This is bringing to fruition many projects that many of us thought would never be realised,” stated Deputy Smith.

“Through the office of An Taoiseach and in various parliamentary questions, I have asked if the National Economic and Social Council would undertake a study of the challenges facing the Central Border Region, North and South, and also identify the opportunities for further economic and social development. We need to plan in an ambitious, inclusive and positive manner and ensure that we prepare to realise the great potential of our region and develop our economy and create additional job opportunities.

“I have been a representative in the southern Ulster counties for some time. I saw the challenges with the currency fluctuations and the movement of trade that devastated our local economy over many years. We should be prepared for turbulence in the economy that may arise but that nobody can readily predict. The current global geopolitical uncertainty clearly shows the economic challenges that can arise from such turbulence. In this context, a robust cross-border strategy needs to be put place to ensure we can react in a coherent and effective way.

“While there has already been significant developments in the area of the Dublin-Belfast corridor and also in the Derry-Letterkenny cross-border region, I am concerned that there needs to be a specific focus on the Central Border Region of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh. This area can be vulnerable because it is highly dependent on a small number of sectors, such as food, farming, construction products and tourism. Thankfully those sectors are vibrant, providing valuable employment and doing business in the domestic and international markets.

“I have consistently emphasised that we should undertake a comprehensive study to identify the challenges and also the opportunities and ensure that our Central Border Region is not disadvantaged.

“I am very glad to have now received confirmation from the Taoiseach that this study is to be undertaken and it will allow us to put in place a development strategy for the Central Border Region that is evidence-based and focussed on achievable and quantifiable objectives. We need to plan in an ambitious, inclusive and positive manner and ensure that we prepare to realise the great potential of our region and develop our economy and create additional job opportunities,” concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.

I welcome the allocation of a full-time Community Garda to Killeshandra. I am glad that this new Officer will take up duty with effect from September 1st. This is a welcome additional policing resource for the wider Killeshandra area.

I have consistently raised with the Minister for Justice through Parliamentary Questions and in other Dáil Debates the need to provide additional Garda resources for the Cavan Monaghan area.

Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly informed the Cavan Community Safety Partnership that he is committed to getting the best possible resources for the smaller Garda stations and I welcome the recent additional allocations for both Killeshandra and Kilnaleck.

#Killeshandra #Kilnaleck

I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan TD, that the Education Therapy Service (ETS) has been expanded to a further 19 special schools, including the Holy Family Special School in Cootehill.

This announcement marks a significant next phase in the Government’s commitment to strengthening therapy supports for children and young people with special educational needs.

These schools will have access to therapy supports by the end of the first school term of the 2026/27 academic year.

The provision of appropriate and timely therapeutic supports is absolutely essential for children with Special Needs and this additional commitment of resources by the Department of Education will be very beneficial for the pupils and staff at the Holy Family Special School.

Uisce Éireann to lift Water Conservation Order for Co Cavan and thanks the public for efforts to help protect supplies 

Customers are still encouraged to use water wisely and report leaks to help protect essential supplies into the autumn

Monday, 24 August 2026 – Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the Water Conservation Order will be lifted for Co Cavan following an improvement in the availability of water for supply, and increased rainfall. 

The nationwide Water Conservation Order currently in place is due to expire at 23:59 on Wednesday, 26 August. It was introduced on 24 July following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use and increasing pressure on public water supplies. 

The decision reflects the positive impact of public water conservation efforts and improved conditions in many areas. In parts of the east and south however, water sources and public water supplies remain under pressure and require continued protection. 

Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor water sources, demand and the availability of water for distribution. We are also encouraging customers to continue their efforts to conserve water and report leaks even in areas where the order is being lifted.

Mairead Conlon, Asset Strategy Senior Manager with Uisce Éireann, thanked the public for the positive way they have responded to the Water Conservation Order. “We have received great support from the public for our water conservation appeal, which has seen demand reduce significantly in many areas. The collective efforts of communities to reduce unnecessary water use have made a real difference in protecting our essential supplies. 

“The improvement in conditions means we can now lift the Order across many counties. That is a positive outcome and reflects the real difference people and businesses have made by reducing unnecessary water use. 

“We are asking customers in these areas to continue to use water wisely. Simple steps such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaks and leaking toilets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using a watering can instead of a hose can help protect supplies.”

Uisce Éireann is continuing to take operational measures to protect supplies, including maximising water production, repairing leaks, moving water by tanker where necessary and managing the network to reduce the risk of outages.  

The public can help by reporting visible leaks on the public water network to Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or through water.ie. Additional water conservation advice is available at water.ie/conservation.   

I welcome confirmation by the Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton of initial project approval for the provision of 2 Special Education Needs Classrooms at Butlersbridge National School.

This accommodation will be modular and I know that the Principal, Mr Clerkin, his staff colleagues, the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association are anxious to progress the provision of this much needed accommodation for children with additional needs.  I compliment all involved in progressing this project to this stage.  I will be glad to continue to support the Butlersbridge School community.