Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed the publication of the Government’s “Our Rural Future” strategy that looks to transform and develop rural Ireland.   

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “The Our Rural Future plan is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural regional development in decades. It will see the targeted revitalisation of Rural Ireland within 5 years.  

“We have seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has presented changes to living and working patterns and the significant opportunities this presents for communities across Cavan and Monaghan. This policy reflects those opportunities, from remote working and revitalising our town centres to job creation, developing a green economy and enhancing our outdoor amenities.   

“Putting communities first is a priority for Fianna Fáil in government and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this policy will have on communities across Ireland.”  

Deputy Smith outlined some of the key investments being undertaken to maximise investment and meet the long-term needs of villages and towns:  

• €2.7 billion in the delivery of high-speed broadband to rural areas.  
• €1 billion under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to support ambitious projects to regenerate towns and settlements of less than 10,000 people.  
• €100m for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme – addressing vacant properties and encouraging more people to live in our town centres.  
• Over €72m in 2021 for high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure targeted at towns and villages across the country.  
• 400 IDA investments for the regions  
• 19 Advance Technology Buildings in regional locations by the IDA  
• Significant investment will be made in remote working facilities, building on more than €50 million invested in the last five years by the Department of Rural and Community Development.  
• €555m for the maintenance and renewal of the regional and local roads network in 2021 alone.  

ENDS 

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed funding of €435,000 for Cavan Monaghan ETB, which has been announced today. 

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Under this funding programme, Cavan Monaghan ETB will be in a position to make decisions around small-scale Further Education Training (FET) investment priorities locally, and to ensure that projects can be advanced quickly and efficiently.  

“The grant also allows Cavan Monaghan ETB an opportunity to consider future accommodation needs and to procure professional expertise to conduct condition surveys of existing buildings, with a view to a strategic approach to estate planning and development. 

“In addition, funding has been provided for the introduction of an emergency health and safety works programme and further detail will be announced in the coming days.” 

The investment announced today of just over €8 million nationally forms part of Project Ireland 2040 and will be provided via SOLAS for the delivery of small-scale and necessary infrastructure and improvement works, and for the purchase of equipment.   

Fianna Fáil colleague and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins added: “The current National Development Plan, part of Project Ireland 2040, provided a dedicated capital envelope for the FET sector for the first time.  

 “The Devolved Capital Allocation is a priority investment within this context because it assists the ETBs to carry out minor infrastructural improvement works, make small but important improvements across their estates, and to procure equipment, including ICT equipment.  I am confident that these measures will support an enhanced learning environment within the sector.” 

ENDS 

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith has called on the European Commission to provide clear answers on a range of issues relating to the vaccine rollout, including details on deals made with pharmaceutical companies. 

Speaking in the Dáil, ahead of a meeting of the European Council this week, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “The European Commission has questions to answer at the highest level. When did it commence its purchasing and procurement programme and what is its strategy? Why were agreements to deliver to the EU first not made with pharmaceutical companies?  

“Some of these companies have shown very bad faith in the way in which they have dealt with Europe so far. Another question which needs to be answered or addressed is whether the EU has facilitated or, more importantly, ensured increased manufacturing capacity for these pharmaceutical products? Everything points to the world facing different variants of this virus for some time to come. We need short-term and medium-term planning to deal with Covid-19.” 

Deputy Smith stated that EU citizens deserve to get their “fair share of vaccines”. 

He explained: “The EU cannot be accused of vaccine nationalism while it has allowed massive exports of vaccines to outside countries. Indeed, it is preferable and essential to ensure the EU gets at least its fair share of vaccines. I fully appreciate that, as the Taoiseach has said, supply chains have to be protected. I do not believe in trade disruption.  

“Nobody benefits from it and the most vulnerable suffer the most. However, I also believe that we, as EU citizens, need to get the best possible protection from this deadly virus. We therefore need our leaders at EU level to ensure an adequate supply of vaccine and that the vaccine programme is given impetus and is rolled out more quickly. All of us have spoken to constituents who have had the vaccine administered to them. We have seen how much it has changed their lives and outlooks.” 

25th March 2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the allocation of €2,310,000 Million to Cavan County Council and €3,985,620 to Monaghan County Council to develop high quality walking and cycling facilities.

This funding, allocated by the Minister for Transport, will also enable an extensive programme of footpath repairs and also the implementation of safety measures at a number of locations.

This is a significant investment in developing travel facilities in rural Ireland.

Fianna Fáil TD and Chair of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, Brendan Smith has stated that it is “absolutely essential” that the all-island economy is protected post-Brexit. 

Speaking in the Dáil, ahead of a meeting of the European Commission this week, in which it is expected there will be discussions with US President Joe Biden on EU-US relationships, Deputy Smith commented, “It is absolutely essential the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is implemented in a practical manner and there is partnership with Britain to ensure the difficulties that exist are ironed out in a practical manner.”  

The Cavan Monaghan TD added: “Trade disruption in Northern Ireland means trade disruption throughout all of the island. We need to protect the all-Ireland economy. It is essential the Northern Ireland protocol is dealt with in a practical way and those problems are eliminated.” 

ENDS 

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed the launch of a new Regional Skills Information Campaign. 

The campaign is aimed at businesses of all sizes and offers a range of services and supports available across the education and training system and a structure for employers to become more involved in promoting employment roles and opportunities for career progression in their sectors. 

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Skills Northeast is one of the nine Regional Skills Fora and covers Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. As we have all seen, COVID-19 has had a serious impact on employers throughout the country.   

“The Regional Skills Fora work with enterprise to identify immediate, new and emerging skills needs and work with further education and training providers to help people reskill and to best position themselves for our post COVID-19 economy.” 

Deputy Smith added: “The Fora have already helped thousands of businesses across the country. They are there to assist, free of charge – please take advantage of it.” 

The network of Regional Skills Fora is in place to help businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to be prepared and have the necessary skills for the challenges ahead. Whether it’s identifying the skills gaps in a business, upskilling, or accessing Government funding, Regional Skills helps to facilitate and future-proof companies nationwide. 

With nine Regional Skills managers across the country, employers can be assured that they can access the necessary expertise from a professional who is familiar with the business landscape on both a local and national level. Regional Skills can also help businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 and guide them to education and training providers and government supports.  

They are guided by, and work closely with, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and with the National Skills Council, to ensure that skills challenges, and responses to them, are addressed coherently and comprehensively. 

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation that, on a 12-month interim basis, people with a terminal illness who have unfortunately received a prognosis of 24 months will be awarded a medical card. 

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Having asked the Minister for Heath if arrangements have been put in place to expand access to medical cards, making them available to all who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of up to 24-months, I have been informed that an interim arrangement for 12 months will make this possible, with legislative options being developed to extend discretionary medical cards to those with a terminal illness.” 

The Cavan/Monaghan TD added: “I have also been informed that these applications will not require a means assessment, nor will they be reassessed. The Department of Health stated that it has been actively engaging with the HSE’s National Medical Card Unit to ensure all necessary processes and communications to operationalise the scheme are in place very shortly.” 

In relation to the current processing times of applications, the HSE has a system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e. in circumstances where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care and also for persons receiving end of life treatment – that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional. 

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil Brendan Smith TD has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that the vaccine supply for the Swanlinbar Health Centre will now enable the roll-out of the vaccine programme commencing with the over 85’s.

‘Having spoken to some local residents who were 85 and older I know that the delay was a cause of concern to them and the availability of the vaccine now is warmly welcomed.
Along with Councillors Sean Smith and John Paul Feeley we had raised with the HSE the need to have the Swanlinbar delay addressed and I thank the HSE Officials with whom we engaged with on a regular basis to get this programme up and running.

I wish the Doctor In Charge in Swanlinbar and his support staff all the best in this very important work’, stated Brendan Smith TD.

18/03/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith has praised the tireless and brave work of front-line workers throughout the pandemic but has also stressed the huge importance of getting the vaccine rollout programme right. 

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Frontline workers continue to do a marvellous job in what are still difficult circumstances. I compliment all our front-line workers and all workers providing different services for us through challenging times.  

“I highlight again the particular role of our healthcare workers. They have spent a difficult year dealing with a deadly virus. We all know they have been working in highly challenging circumstances, oftentimes with a reduced staff complement because of colleagues being out sick, etc.” 

Deputy Smith also addressed the ongoing rollout and the issues that have presented themselves in recent weeks. 

“Some practices have not yet received their vaccines for those aged over 85. I appeal to the Minister for Health to insist to the HSE that these practices get the vaccines this week. I believe it is only a small number. I have also heard from constituents who are concerned that they have not yet been called for the vaccine because the GP practice has not yet received it.” 

On the issue of the placing of different groups of people into certain cohorts, Deputy Smith feels An Garda Síochána members need to be reviewed in this regard. 

“I am amazed that members of An Garda Síochána have not been given a higher prioritisation in the roll-out of the vaccination programme. Along with other front-line workers, members of the force have done exceptionally good work over the past 12 months in dealing with this pandemic. I appeal to the Minister and whomever makes the recommendation to review the placing of An Garda Síochána in the particular category.” 

Deputy Smith also called on the Minister to improve internal communications with the HSE for GPs across the country, to help aid a swifter and more effective rollout. 

“I know from speaking with GPs that there was utter frustration at times with making calls and calls not being returned. Those who called never got to speak to the same person a second time.  

“When there is a dedicated helpline, there should be identified officials to deal with particular counties. If a general practitioner from Cavan rings, that GP should be able to talk to a small team of people rather than someone with whom he or she has not spoken previously or someone who claims to have no knowledge of the particular queries.” 

The Cavan/Monaghan TD added: “I spoke to a GP in a small practice who was starting to make calls to some patients to whom he had arranged to administer vaccines tomorrow. Unfortunately, he does not have enough vaccine to administer to all of them. That is a source of great disappointment for those people. I appeal to the Minister to ensure that such administrative difficulties are resolved.” 

ENDS 

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Brendan Smith has again called on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to carry out a proper review of the proposed North South Interconnector.  He added that Minister Ryan’s response to him in Dáil Éireann recently that the option of under-grounding the North South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed is far from adequate.

“The previous government did not carry out the comprehensive assessment in relation to the option of under-grounding the transmission cables as requested through motions in Dáil and Seanad Éireann in February 2017.  The comprehensive assessment as requested by those motions should now be ordered by Minister Ryan.

There has been a clear and consistent message from communities North and South that if this project is to proceed it needs to have buy in from communities and local landowners.   None of us are against the further development of an all island electricity market.  If this project is to proceed the transmission lines should be put underground and I have emphasised that clearly in Dáil Éireann on numerous occasions.

Through further Parliamentary Questions I outlined clearly to Minister Ryan the need for his Department and Eirgrid to listen to local communities in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath who need to have their concerns addressed and their rights respected.

Modern technology is available to enable the transmission cables to be put underground which is happening in other parts of Europe.  Departments and statutory agencies should follow proper procedures and the underground alternative to the present proposal has never been given an objective analysis by Eirgrid or the Department.  The under-grounding option must be properly examined and the concerns of local communities must not be dismissed.  This is the clear message that I have once again outlined to Minister Ryan and his Department”, stated Brendan Smith T.D.

Copy of reply by Minister Ryan to Parliamentary Question I tabled in Dáil Éireann following a motion passed by Monaghan County Council.

______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 03/03/2021
Question Number(s): 95 Question Reference(s): 12158/21
Department: Environment, Climate and Communications
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

[Ref No.: 12158/21]

*  To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will have issues raised by a local authority given urgent consideration in view of the widespread concerns in local communities in relation to the proposed north-south interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Brendan Smith.

Dear Minister/Deputy/Senator,

At the February Council meeting the following resolutions were passed by the Council and I was directed to forward same to you for attention. 1. That this Council notes with deep concern the excessive spending of taxpayers money by Eirgrid on advertising as exposed at the Public Accounts Committee and that we write to Minister Eamonn Ryan, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Eirgrid & the Oireachtas members for this constituency requesting a response on this issue. 2. That this Council notes with deep concern no change in policy from Minister Ryan – Eirgrid – or Government in relation to the undergrounding of the North South interconnector. That this Council further notes that Government – Minister Ryan – & Eirgrid are in breach of Government policy – Re Community acceptance (Government policy 2012) – in relation to infrastructure such as electricity infrastructure etc. That we write to Minister Ryan – An Taoiseach Michael Martin & the Oireachtas members for this constituency requesting a response to this motion I would be grateful if you would consider the resolutions outlined above and let me have a reply for the Council members in due course.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 3rd March, 2021.

(1667  Received on 25th February, 2021.)

REPLY

EirGrid as a commercial state company is accountable to the independent energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, under the Price Review process for all expenditure, including advertising, that it incurs in the discharge of its responsibilities.

The North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards 70% renewable electricity, a commitment made in the Programme for Government. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. 

The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure  states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. 

The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions.  Most recently, and fully in line with the resolution of Dáil Éireann of 16 February 2017, my Department commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the north-south interconnector. The report from the International Expert Commission was published in October 2018 and it found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this piece of critical electricity infrastructure. I do not intend ordering a further such review.

The Government takes the commitment to community engagement seriously. EirGrid and ESB Networks seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders in the delivery of electricity infrastructure. Both companies are engaging with those living closest to the route of the interconnector. In that regard I note that EirGrid has already set in place a variety of engagements locally, including the appointment of community liaison officers and a mobile information unit active in the area. I expect such engagements to intensify in the coming weeks and months, subject of course to national public health guidelines on Covid-19.