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.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD welcomes the decision by his colleague, Norma Foley TD, to approve the provision of additional permanent accommodation at Bailieborough Community School

The additional accommodation will consist of 4x General classroom, 4x SET rooms, 1x Music room, 1x Textiles room, 1x Art room,1x Art Project store, 1x Science lab,1X Library, 1x GP/Dining. This is in addition to the accommodation that was approved by Minister Foley last September.

This is very welcome news for Bailieborough Community School, the Board of Management, The Parents’ Association and the wider school community.

8/03/2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the announcement by his colleague Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien TD of funding of  €14.49 million for Abbeylands Regeneration Project Cavan Town and €13.11 million for Dublin Street Monaghan Town Regeneration Project.

“This major State investment in the Abbeylands Project will enhance considerably the infrastructure in the centre of Cavan Town, our county town.  This project includes the provision of a remote working centre, community and cultural facilities and open spaces and will be a great boost to the Town Centre.

In these very difficult times it is heartening to have such major projects given the go ahead with very substantial state funding.  Investment in our town centres is long overdue and these projects will be welcomed by local communities.

I compliment both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils on their initiatives and work in progressing both projects to this stage.  I am very glad to have supported both applications and I appreciate Minister O’Brien’s support for these regeneration projects”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has slammed the decisions of Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland to close branches in towns across his constituency, adding that “once again, it is vulnerable people who will suffer”. 

Speaking this week, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “The Financial Services Union made the very strong point that the Bank of Ireland decision will result in the removal of vital services from elderly people, those with no Internet access, those who lack confidence in doing business online, and people with literacy and numeracy problems. The decision is a hammer blow to staff, customers and communities.” 

The announcement by the Bank of Ireland on Monday last will result in the closure of branches in Arvagh, Cootehill, Kingscourt, Clones and Castleblayney. 

“It is deplorable that the Bank of Ireland is making this decision during a pandemic when, of necessity, there has been a dramatic reduction in footfall in our towns and villages and, understandably, fewer people attending branches owing to public health guidelines.” 

Deputy Smith added: “This means a further dramatic reduction in banking competition and shows no regard for staff and local communities that have been loyal to the Bank of Ireland over many decades.” 

The Cavan-Monaghan TD also spoke about the impact on the border region of the decision by NatWest to exit the Irish market and close its Ulster Bank operation here. 

“The Border region has had a strong presence of Ulster Bank over many years. The recent decision will result in the closure of branches in Ballyconnell, Ballyjamesduff and Cavan town and in Monaghan town, which are four branches in my constituency.  

“This followed on from the bank exiting towns such as Belturbet, Killeshandra, Kilnaleck, Swanlinbar, Clones and Castleblyaney in 2013-2014 and Arvagh and Cootehill in 2017. This shows the dramatic change in the landscape of Ulster Bank services over the past number of years. In a number of months, there will be no branches or presence in many of those towns. It is a dramatic change, and for the worse, unfortunately”. 

Looking to the future, and a post-Covid world, Deputy Smith said these banking decisions will deprive “communities of a necessary banking service”.  

He stated: “When the Covid crisis is over, we all hope there will be an opportunity to create more jobs in rural Ireland through people being afforded the opportunity to work from home and from digital hubs. However, at the same time that we are encouraging private employers and the public service to give opportunities for employment in smaller towns and villages in rural Ireland, major institutions are exiting those towns and villages and depriving communities of a necessary banking service.” 

END

Please see attached comments from Deputy Brendan Smith made in Dáil Eireann debate.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the allocation of government funding towards greenway and walkway developments.

Projects to benefit in Cavan and Monaghan, with grant aid of €600,000 include –

Cavan Way re-routing near the Shannon Pot

Development of Dromore Greenway Cootehill

Walking trail from Lough na Glack

Ballybay Trail/Path Networks

“This government funding will support the work of local community groups and Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in developing worthwhile  recreational amenities which will benefit local residents and visitors to the region” stated Brendan Smith TD

4^thMarch 2021