Cavan-Monaghan — week of Mon, 13 May — Watch Them Work

What your Cavan-Monaghan TDs did this week

Mon, 13 May – 19 May 2024 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 77 questions · 39 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages

2024-05-15 · 4 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 49–61

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 49–59

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 33–74

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

The motion · motion passed 77–34

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Voted against 1 Pauline Tully

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

Affordable Housing

2024-05-15 · 3 votes

A sub-amendment · motion failed 47–65

Voted for 1 Pauline Tully

Voted against 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 66–47

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Voted against 1 Pauline Tully

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

The motion · motion passed 66–47

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Voted against 1 Pauline Tully

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors

2024-05-15 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 66–47

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Voted against 1 Pauline Tully

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

The motion · motion passed 66–47

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys

Voted against 1 Pauline Tully

Did not vote 4 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell · Matt Carthy · Niamh Smyth

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2024-05-14 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 68–53

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · Heather Humphreys · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Matt Carthy · Pauline Tully

Did not vote 2 Cathy Bennett · David Maxwell

Brendan Smith — Fianna Fáil 10 votes · 7 questions · 8 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 7 total

Health 2 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the full complement of staff providing an important health service will be in place in Cavan-Monaghan without delay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21770/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a request for improved services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/24]
Defence 2 questions
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the reopening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central Border area, further consideration will be given to the reopening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks, given the recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/24]
Housing 1 question
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any view or if any formal public policy exists in relation to the role public representatives might play in the governance or management of voluntary housing bodies in the context of the positive ongoing development of the voluntary housing sector; if it is the policy to discourage public representatives from serving on the boards of approved housing bodies or if the experience of public representatives might be considered a benefit to such boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/24]
Transport 1 question
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/24]
Rural 1 question
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce specific funding provision in her Department's Estimates for the local improvement scheme in view of the long delays in having such roads brought up to a proper standard for local residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22080/24]

New lobbying 8 returns

Alcohol Action Ireland Health
- Sale of Alcohol Bill
Irish Petroleum Industry Association Ltd. Energy and Natural Resources
- Briefing (to which all Members of the Oireachtas were invited) to discuss how fuel price differentials between NI and RoI are impacting fuel retailers in border areas and urging Members to support calls to defer reinstatement of excise duty, and for the Minister for Finance to establish an expert group to comprehensively review fiscal policy in relation to liquid fuels in Ireland.
Kathleen O'Meara Public Affairs Consultant Transport
- Lobbying by a group of CIE pensioners for the Minister for Transport to require the Board of CIE to increase their pension
Dogs Trust Agriculture
- Oireachtas Members Briefing Session on Dog Breeding Establishments, Shock Collars, Microchipping and Breed Specific Legislation
Edelman Ireland Agriculture
- Oireachtas Members Briefing Session on Dog Breeding Establishments, Shock Collars, Microchipping and Breed Specific Legislation
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 2 returns EU Affairs · Agriculture
- EU Farmer Protests - Solidarity of Irish Farmers
- Pig Nutrient Movements
Respect Vapers Health
- Share international public health experiences and the results of a Red C survey on the imapct of a ban on flavoured vapes in Ireland

Cathy Bennett — Sinn Féin 0 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture
- Monaghan County Council - Enough is Enough Campaign

David Maxwell — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture
- Monaghan County Council - Enough is Enough Campaign

Matt Carthy — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 27 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 27 total

Defence 14 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware of any personnel not discharged from the Defence Forces operating as private military contractors in Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21339/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has ever engaged with companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21340/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the contribution of the Defence Forces to missions enforcing a United Nations mandated arms embargo on Libya; if he is aware of any activities by any Irish citizens in breach of the arms embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21341/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his proposals to support veterans' associations; the progress made implementing related recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22055/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the working group established to review the process of awarding medals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22056/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the number of personnel required under level of ambition 2 of the Commission on the Defence Forces; the total current number of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force; his targets for net recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22057/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to meet the capital allocation required to meet level of ambition 2 as outlined by the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22058/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence where he intends to deploy Irish troops in the event that he is successful in progressing legislation that would remove the triple lock neutrality protection, considering the Government has withdrawn from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, peacekeeping mission due to capacity constraints. [22123/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Naval Service; the strength as of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the current strength of the service; the number of personnel required under level of ambition 2; and the current number of ships that can simultaneously be put to sea. [22124/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the further consultation he intends to carry out regarding the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024. [22043/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress he has made on ending the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the working time directive. [22046/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of volunteers secured to participate in an EU battle group. [22047/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to publish a draft scheme in relation to his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; and if he intends to conduct both a public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. [22044/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he expects to conclude considerations regarding the need for further legislation to strengthen safeguards in relation to former members of the Defence Forces selling their expertise. [22045/24]
Health 5 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health how he proposes a person (details supplied) can get a GP, following the retirement of their own GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21333/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to the failure of the HSE to answer Parliamentary Question No. 641 of 16 April 2024, and the subsequent failure of the HSE to answer Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 2 May 2024, if he will specify, in tabular form, the new MRI scanners that have been provided in each relevant Irish hospital since 1 January 2019; the cost associated with the provision of each; the instances therein when it was the first MRI scanner provided in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21506/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to the failure of the HSE to answer Parliamentary Question No. 642 of 16 April 2024, and the subsequent failure of the HSE to answer Parliamentary Question No. 291 of 2 May 2024, if he will specify, in tabular form, the new CT scanners that have been provided in each relevant Irish hospital since 1 January 2019; the cost associated with the provision of each; the instances therein when it was the first CT scanner provided in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21507/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to conduct a feasibility study relating to the provision of a CT scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21508/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to conduct a feasibility study relating to the provision of an MRI scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21509/24]
Enterprise 3 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will immediately suspend the granting of export licences for dual-use items to Israel in light of the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution demanding an arms embargo on Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21468/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21469/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the engagements he has had with Cabinet colleagues in relation to the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023; the work completed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21470/24]
Foreign 3 questions
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the passport service contacting witnesses to passport applications on weekends when the persons commonly used as witnesses, such as GPs, may be inaccessible; his proposals to ensure this does not unnecessarily result in new witness forms being sought, thereby unduly delaying the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the new Garda roster resulting in members who witness passport applications being unavailable over multiple subsequent days and that this is leading to applicants being obliged to submit new witness forms and unduly delaying the processing of applications; his proposals to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22054/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 14 February 2024, if Irish election monitors observed the 2023 Turkish general election; the related findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22059/24]
Environment 2 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings he has had and-or the briefings he has received in respect of the North-South interconnector. [21467/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his engagements with EirGrid at which he has received an update on the North-South Interconnector. [21466/24]

New lobbying 2 returns

BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. Justice and Equality
- Co-signatory to letter from the Coalition Against Hate Crime requesting clarification on Sinn Féin's position on the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA EU Affairs
- EU Farmer Protests - Solidarity of Irish Farmers

Niamh Smyth — Fianna Fáil 1 vote · 37 questions · 10 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 37 total

Transport 8 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to reduce the age for obtaining a HGV licence which is currently at 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the rollout of electric car chargers nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21324/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the local link services currently available in counties Cavan and Monaghan, respectively; his plans for additional routes or an expansion of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21828/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the plans and strategies being introduced to reduce waiting times in Cavan’s driving test centre; if he is aware of the lengthy waiting times at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the funding for the redevelopment of rail lines, particularly the Navan line, in conjunction with Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17514/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has been contacted about providing funding for the east-west link road; if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17515/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the funding for the redevelopment of rail lines, particularly the Navan line, in conjunction with the Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19495/24]
- 2024-05-16 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has been requested to allocate further money to the Department of Transport to help fund the repair of the rural road network, which is in bad need of repair urgently. [19496/24]
Environment 7 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need for a licence to be required to erect a battery storage facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has had discussions with the HSA on the enforcement of the Seveso III Directive in relation to battery energy storage systems. [21387/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll out of the national broadband plan specifically in relation to counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he will outline what percentage of both counties have received connections under the scheme; how much is left to do, and the timeframe for same. [21190/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need to classify batteries as dangerous substances when it comes to the building of large battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21381/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will reclassify batteries as dangerous substances for the purposes of mass storage facilities in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21383/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the rollout of high-speed broadband in Cavan and Monaghan. [21323/24]
Health 6 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department is taking to assist and support an initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21187/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the embargo on hiring health care assistants in Killarney Community Hospital, which is due to open in November 2024. [21421/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if any analysis has been conducted by the Government on pharmacy fees per item between 2015 and 2023. [21422/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a matter (details supplied); if he will provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to provide additional resources for survivors of stroke and other cardiovascular conditions in the community who are supported by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22013/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the current process for cancer patients to obtain a medical card; if the emergency medical card application via a GP in the only avenue; if his Department plans to review this scheme regarding cancer patients who need supports like a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/24]
Education 4 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education what assistance is available to parents who cannot obtain a school place for their autistic child in their area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21188/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she is reviewing sick leave for a section of staff based on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21936/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed, given that Bus Éireann has been made aware of the issue regarding the special class in this case and has requested that the case be referred to her Department for review. [22001/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking to target a shortage of special needs units and early prevention units in national schools throughout Ireland, and particularly in the areas of Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22014/24]
Housing 3 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out a review of fire personnel in Cavan or Monaghan in light of a number of battery storage facilities being granted planning permission in the counties; and if Ireland is equipped to deal with such facilities. [21384/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the grant are not eligible for same as they are not located in the so-called buffer zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/24]
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a matter (details supplied); if there are any allowances or financial support that can be given in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/24]
Justice 2 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice how many applications are currently in the system for the join family (sponsor is an Irish citizen) visa. [21423/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice to review an application (details supplied); to provide an update on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21474/24]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his Department’s actions to combat items being sold as Irish produce in supermarkets that do not have the Bord Bia logo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21192/24]
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that incentivised schemes under his Department are seeing battery energy storage systems erected on farmland, without the proper safety facilities in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21385/24]
Foreign 1 question
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21883/24]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures his Department is taking to address vacant or derelict retail units in small towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21186/24]
Rural 1 question
- 2024-05-14 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures her Department is taking to address vacant or derelict retail units in our small towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21185/24]
Finance 1 question
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the steps his Department is taking to assist with the increasing price of insurance premiums, despite the fact claims are going down. [22025/24]
Children 1 question
- 2024-05-15 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new regulations for childminders; if he is aware of the concerns being expressed regarding these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/24]

New lobbying 10 returns

Age & Opportunity Justice and Equality
- Call for stronger and speedier implementation of policy commitments relevant to positive ageing and services for older people. (1) The call to establish an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People and (2) the need for stronger and speedier implementation of policy commitments relevant to positive ageing and services for older people.
Screen Producers Ireland Economic Development and Industry
- Email outlining SPI Position on Regional Development of audiovisual industry
Premier Lotteries Ireland Designated Activity Company Public Expenditure and Reform
- Public policy and legislation concerning the National Lottery
SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland · 2 returns Justice and Equality
- Refuge Development Cavan/Monaghan
- General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill.
Early Childhood Ireland Children and Youth Affairs
- Early Childhood Ireland's proposals for Early Years and School Age Care
Dogs Trust Agriculture
- Oireachtas Members Briefing Session on Dog Breeding Establishments, Shock Collars, Microchipping and Breed Specific Legislation
Edelman Ireland Agriculture
- Oireachtas Members Briefing Session on Dog Breeding Establishments, Shock Collars, Microchipping and Breed Specific Legislation
Third Age Health
- (1) The call to establish an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People and (2) the need for stronger and speedier implementation of policy commitments relevant to positive ageing and services for older people.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA EU Affairs
- EU Farmer Protests - Solidarity of Irish Farmers