Cavan-Monaghan — week of Mon, 14 Dec

What your Cavan-Monaghan TDs did this week

Mon, 14 Dec – 20 Dec 2020 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 95 questions · 2 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Planning and Development Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages

2020-12-16 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 52–80

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 3 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys · Niamh Smyth

Did not vote 3 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 52–79

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 3 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys · Niamh Smyth

Did not vote 3 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions

2020-12-16 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 78–59

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Matt Carthy · Pauline Tully

Did not vote 2 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell

Prohibition of Sulky-Racing Bill 2018

2020-12-16 · 1 vote · Independent PMB

A bill to prohibit sulky racing where no lawful permission has been granted

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 57–75

Voted for 2 Matt Carthy · Pauline Tully

Voted against 3 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys · Niamh Smyth

Did not vote 2 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell

Brendan Smith — Fianna Fáil 4 votes · 43 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 43 total

Health 5 questions
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number on waiting lists for assessments of need in counties Cavan and Monaghan to date; the proposals to reduce the waiting lists and provide more timely appointments for children in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43991/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to have an orderly resumption of day services for persons with a disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43993/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there will be no costs on persons with a disability availing of transport to day services or training centres in any region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43994/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional resources and increased hospital capacity will be provided to reduce waiting times for patients in counties Cavan and Monaghan awaiting orthopaedic assessments and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44001/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if increased funding will be made available in 2021 to the drug task forces in view of the increased demand for services in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44463/20]
Foreign 4 questions
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the need to implement the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44037/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the UK Foreign Secretary about the unanimous motions passed in Dáil Éireann on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44038/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated in 2020 for peace and reconciliation projects; the expected expenditure at the end of 2020; the funding provided for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44039/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the introduction of a bill of rights in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44040/20]
Environment 4 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Cavan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44411/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress expected in rolling out the national broadband plan in 2021 throughout County Monaghan; the areas that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44412/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with telecommunications providers and the communications regulator on the need to improve mobile telephone coverage in different parts of the country, including areas in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an agreement is in place with the UK authorities to ensure there will be no imposition of mobile telephone roaming charges from 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44440/20]
Agriculture 4 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the issues discussed at the most recent meeting of the beef forum; the date and agenda for the next meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in ensuring that approved merchant stores will continue to sell veterinary medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in reducing the delays in processing forestry felling applications which have adversely affected the supply of timber products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44397/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated acreage of forestry affected by ash dieback disease; the costs incurred in implementing measures to counteract the spread of this disease; the further measures to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44398/20]
Justice 3 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 10 September 2020, if she will ensure further investigations are carried out into the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 following the submission of a report to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43504/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the improvements she plans to implement to the closed-circuit television, CCTV, scheme due to difficulties encountered by community groups in availing of it as structured at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44469/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that adequate policing resources are provided in the Border region to deal with cross-Border criminal activity by persons and organised gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44522/20]
Finance 3 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he will implement to counteract the illegal and cross-Border trade in tobacco and drink products and household fuel products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44401/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures he will introduce to protect and support legitimate businesses trading in household fuel products due to the difficulties they face with illegal cross-Border trade in such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44402/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the most recent discussions with a bank (details supplied) in relation to the need to retain a banking service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44425/20]
Public 3 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding to Cavan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44415/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure an increase in funding to Monaghan County Council in 2021 for flood alleviation measures in view of increasing problems with flooding due to heavy rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44416/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected timeline for each stage in the provision of new public service accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44424/20]
Housing 3 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to enable persons who are in receipt of a pension and have the financial resources to buy out their council home avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44433/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income eligibility limits will be improved for social housing for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in which the existing limits are very low and causing difficulties for many families who have little hope of obtaining a mortgage or home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44434/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units built directly by local authorities in 2019 and 2020; the projected number of such units for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/20]
Education 3 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a planned building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44471/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a building project application by a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44485/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if school bus capacity will be increased without further delay in light of the large number of students unable to access transport at present due to a much reduced capacity in the 2020-21 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44510/20]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to enhance co-operation between colleges of further education and colleges of a similar status in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43181/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to the opportunities to enhance and intensify co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43182/20]
Rural 2 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timescale for the commencement of an interim LEADER programme in 2021; if this programme will be funded through the national Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43926/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provision for an extension in 2021 of the existing LEADER programme and the proposals to fund the work of local development companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/20]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which his Department is continuing to support the development of new markets for Irish exports in the current Covid-19 and Brexit environment; his plans for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43848/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in the Action Plan for Insurance Reform in relation to the Personal Injury Assessment Board; the number of recommendations that have not been implemented to date; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43849/20]
Transport 2 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the road works programme to Cavan County Council in 2021 for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the provision of funding to local authorities in 2021 for the local improvement scheme due to the long waiting lists in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan and the unacceptable delays for households in rural areas having laneways accessing their homes brought up to an acceptable standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/20]
Defence 1 question
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if a person or persons with detailed knowledge of the work of and demands on the Defence Forces over the years in the Border region and the unique security issues in that area will be appointed to the commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44076/20]
Tourism 1 question
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available from the Exchequer and EU sources for tourism projects in 2021 under a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44462/20]
Children 1 question
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided in 2021 to ensure the provision of a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/20]

Cathy Bennett — Sinn Féin 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

David Maxwell — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Matt Carthy — Sinn Féin 2 votes · 33 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 33 total

Agriculture 16 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers by county and by each payment band who received ANC payments in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43265/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who will see increase in ANC payments in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43266/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the announced cull of mink will take place in line with the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43481/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the biosecurity protocols in place on mink farms generally; if these protocols have been expanded with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43482/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the animal welfare measures taken by Greyhound Racing Ireland in 2019 and to date in 2020; the monitoring mechanisms of same in place by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44526/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions taken by his Department and Greyhound Racing Ireland to address greyhound culling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44527/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the mandatory installation of CCTV in meat processing plants with a view to ensuring animal health and welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget measures introduced as part of budget 2021 to support suckler farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support the Irish seed potato sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support the Irish seed potato sector post Brexit should the import of seed potato from the UK no longer be possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44531/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has had in the development of the national marine planning framework; the consideration given to the inclusion of fisheries and aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44532/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date by which it is intended to have all farmed mink in Ireland culled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of mink intended to be culled in relation to Covid-19. [44534/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the manner in which it is intended to cull mink; the persons or bodies that will carry out the cull; the persons or bodies that will supervise them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44535/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mink have been culled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44536/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons or bodies that will be responsible for culled mink carcases; the way in which they will be disposed of; the persons or bodies that will supervise their disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/20]
Education 5 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the efforts made to ensure that issues pertaining to site acquisition to facilitate the new building for a school (details supplied) are resolved; the expected date for completion of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43269/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the needs of the pupils who currently attend a unit at a school (details supplied) considering the plans to close this unit in 2021; if she will examine the feasibility to keep this unit open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43487/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for the completion of an extension at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44511/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the needs of the pupils who have paid for school bus tickets but have yet to secure a seat on their local bus due to lack of capacity in view of the fact that schools remain open; her plans to put on extra buses to cater for these children such as persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44538/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if a dangerous school bus pick up point (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44606/20]
Health 3 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his views on the European Court of Justice decision that CBD is not a narcotic under EU law; the impact this will have for hemp cultivation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43264/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his position on the continued farming of mink in Ireland with regard to the demonstrated decreased susceptibility to antibodies of a strain of Covid-19 in persons previously infected as cited by the Chief Medical Officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43484/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of times a student nurse has been rostered to work a shift of eight hours or greater since 19 October 2020, by hospital by one hour increments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43485/20]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital projects his Department will fund in County Monaghan over the years 2020 to 2025. [43175/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated to Monaghan Institute in 2020; and the proposed allocation in 2021. [43174/20]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the interactions he has had with his EU counterparts in respect of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. [42651/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available to publicly-licensed houses that have been prevented from trading over the Christmas period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43914/20]
Environment 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will commission an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the north south interconnector in line with the resolution of Dáil Éireann of 16 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43268/20]
Housing 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the NPWS would continue to make use of a predator control contractor if its attention was drawn to the fact that the contractor accessed private land without permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43486/20]
Children 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the reason Tusla has not provided payment to a person (details supplied) will be investigated; if the payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43267/20]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach if the shared island unit in his Department will conduct an economic appraisal to ascertain the benefits and challenges that a united Ireland will present. [42652/20]
Rural 1 question
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to provide a new library at Ballybay, County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44515/20]

Niamh Smyth — Fianna Fáil 4 votes · 10 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Rural 4 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a CLÁR application by an organisation (details supplied); when a decision is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43130/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when interim funding will be allocated to LEADER in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43623/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of funding for organisations (details supplied); if transitionary funding is coming from her Department as previously outlined to allow applications proceed ahead of their respective EU allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43722/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43589/20]
Health 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans in 2021 for the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine on college campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43424/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if a reply will issue; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43765/20]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan that have availed of the Brexit loan scheme. [43721/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan that have applied for a ready for customs grant. [43720/20]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has contacted colleges regarding the failure by some accommodation quarters to issue refunds to students due to Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the issue; if so, the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43146/20]
Finance 1 question
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if correspondence from a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the steps he will take to engage with the mortgage provider on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44468/20]