Brendan Smith

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. NESC is doing comprehensive studies in very important areas. I want to again mention an issue that I flagged with the Taoiseach's predecessor, and with the Taoiseach when he held the office previously. Will NESC carry out an assessment of the all-Ireland economy, particularly in the context of cross-Border trade, where there has been development and growth to t…

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [18745/25]

I again raise the issue of the need for the British Government to repeal and replace the legacy legislation. This deplorable legislation gives murderers and terrorists the opportunity to absolve themselves of the most heinous of crimes regardless of whether they worked for British state forces or for paramilitary organisations. We need to see progress in replacing that legislation. We are days awa…

I understand that at the end of February there were in excess of 7,500 personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force. This is just over 4,000 short of the ambition outlined in the programme for Government. We need to increase enlistment by 50%, which is a substantial target to achieve. Would the Tánaiste have any indication at this stage when he would hope to at least get the enlistment above …

It is good to know there is stabilisation. Hopefully, stabilisation and an increase in enlistment would give more momentum to recruitment and obviously to the important retention aspect as well. The programme for Government has a welcome commitment to build on improvements in the recruitment process, including a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students and better represen…

I thank the Tánaiste for his further response. I genuinely believe that if we had a stronger Reserve Defence Forces, it would be a great conduit for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force. I represented two Border constituencies during many bad years on this island. I saw the importance of the Reserve Defence Forces along the Border working in the communities that I have the privilege of repres…

I ask this question on behalf of Deputy O'Meara. As the Tánaiste will know, Uachtarán na hÉireann today paid tribute to members of the Civil Defence. Ireland's Civil Defence has been in existence for 75 years. I am sure we all compliment them on the great work they do in our local communities. I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement during the week regarding instructor allowances for officers in th…

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I will ask just one further supplementary question, given that other Members are waiting to ask questions also. The Tánaiste will be aware of another issue of interest to Defence Forces' organisations, which is the finding of the defence sector arbitration board on 18 November. It upheld a ruling that the terms and conditions the director of military prosecution…

The geoblocking of RTÉ and TG4 programmes in Northern Ireland where many television and mobile app viewers cannot access RTÉ coverage of Irish sporting events must be stopped. The unavailability of RTÉ programming, including the broadcasting of GAA and other sporting fixtures, is the cause of much annoyance and frustration for many people throughout Northern Ireland. Last Saturday evening and Sund…

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the engagements he has had with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group in the days before, during and after storm Éowyn. [10847/25]

I agree with colleagues who have spoken about the need to prepare for the next storm or the next major weather event. For a number of years I have been highlighting the dangers posed by falling trees every year. My west Cavan area, along with Deputy Eamon Scanlon's area in south Leitrim, have for many years annually suffered due to trees falling and interfering with and damaging ESB transmission l…

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the British Government the need for full co-operation into investigations concerning the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974. [15539/25]

As the Taoiseach knows there are huge cost pressures on small- and medium-sized businesses. Irish retailers support more than 370,000 jobs in every part of our country. Many retailers I have spoken to are concerned about the medium- and long-term viability of their businesses. Our retailers provide a great service to their customers and to our local communities. The landscape of the Irish high str…

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the engagements he has had with the National Emergency Coordination Group in the days before, during and after Storm Éowyn. [10847/25]

118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice how he intends to address the prevalence of drugs in rural Ireland and its consequences on community safety and criminality in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/25]

I wish the Minister and Ministers of State well in their new roles. I compliment An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and other statutory agencies on the work being done locally and nationally to deal with the scourge of drugs. As we all know, drug addiction and drug abuse are very complex issues and we need a multifaceted approach that includes health services rehabilitation as well as th…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I look forward to more youth justice projects being rolled out. They are a great investment in our young people and a great investment in communities where there is particular disadvantage. As the Minister of State will be aware, this issue needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency. It is really heartbreaking to listen to parents, siblings and fami…

I thank the Minister of State and again welcome his emphasis on the need for intensified cross-Border co-operation because we know these evil criminals who are peddling drugs across borders. There should be no tolerance for people who are peddling drugs and passing around cannabis or a line of cocaine, whatever social stratum they come from. We have all listened to presentations where professional…

There are welcome proposals in the programme for Government on the very urgent need to improve services and supports for children with additional needs. Every day I talk to parents who are utterly frustrated and very concerned about the lack of timely interventions through appropriate therapies. We need a common application system and enough special classes to enable children attend schools in the…

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any recent discussions with Prime Minister Starmer. [1681/25]

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the 42nd British-Irish Council in Edinburgh in December 2024. [1682/25]

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I sincerely hope that in any discussions with the British Government, Prime Minister or members of the British Government, regardless of the agenda, that the British Government’s despicable and deplorable legacy legislation is discussed. Many times in this House and within meetings of parliamentary parties and Oireachtas committees, we have unanimously called f…

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the plans in place to increase staffing levels in the shared island unit within his Department. [1683/25]

I welcome the additional substantial funding being provided for the shared island unit. There is a particular need in the less developed areas of the central border region, including my counties of Cavan and Monaghan, as well as counties Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh, as they do not have the critical mass of a major population. The programme for Government refers to developing the full potential of…

I take this opportunity to compliment all the front-line workers, the ESB and local authority workers, the fire services, the Civil Defence and the many people in our sporting and voluntary organisations who really rose to the challenge of helping people, particularly people who are vulnerable and those who were without power, connectivity or a water supply in their homes. There is a lesson for th…