Brendan Smith TD
Fianna Fáil · Cavan-Monaghan constituency
Accountability scorecard
These are public-record signal scores, not findings of criminal wrongdoing. The evidence trail shows the inputs behind each score.
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- 2 declared interest record(s)
- property/landlord public-record signal
- 1297 lobbying/public-official contact record(s)
- EUR 302,380 in member payment records
- 23 chamber attendance day(s) in 2026
Source links
All recent activity captured from oireachtas.ie's public open-data feeds — debate contributions and parliamentary questions. Links open the official record on the Oireachtas website.
Parliamentary questions
- July 09, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureForestry Sector
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in reviewing forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electricity and energy networks, the timeline for the publication and implementation of new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 09, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Supports
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of his most recent discussions at the Agriculture Council and with members of the commission in relation to the need to ensure that adequate funding is provided for CAP post-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 08, 2026PQ to Minister for TaoiseachEU Meetings
Asked the Taoiseach the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with the President of the European Commission.
- July 08, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDisability Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure that measures are implemented without delay to improve inadequate services and put in place adequate residential places and supports for persons with an intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 08, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenChildren in Care
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in the 2027 pre-Budget submission of a national association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditureFlood Relief Schemes
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if it is proposed to intensify the level of co-operation on a cross-Border basis in relation to flooding and draining issues; if there are specific proposals to deal with flooding difficulties in County Cavan caused by the river Erne; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 07, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditureDepartmental Programmes
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing a proposal to have a successor to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 07, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignHumanitarian Aid
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support the Government can and is providing to Venezuela following the tragic earthquake they experienced on the 24 June 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 02, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationFurther and Higher Education
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional measures that will be implemented to intensify collaboration and delivery of further and higher education on a cross-border and all-Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 02, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignBritish-Irish Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on her engagement with the UK government to ensure that the measures announced in the Legacy of the Troubles: A Joint Framework are implemented in both jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 02, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignInternational Relations
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on her engagement with the UK government regarding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 02, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationFurther and Higher Education
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that will be made in 2026 and 2027 in delivering upgrades and new accommodation for the Further Education Sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeCross-Border Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has had any recent discussions with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the introduction of additional measures to counteract cross-Border criminality; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeDepartmental Policies
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the proposals there are to increase the emphasis on community policing, which is a very highly regarded policing measure in communities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignUnited Nations
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (31.10.2025), which reaffirms Morocco's autonomy plan as the optimal solution within the Moroccan sovereignty; if in line with Ireland's strong commitment to multilateralism, the Government is considering an updated assessment of its current position on Western Sahara; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignEuropean Union
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the recent expressions of support within the European Union for Morocco's autonomy plan as a credible and pragmatic basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute; whether the Government intends to consider the EU stance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignUnited Nations
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has considered the diplomatic efforts undertaken (details supplied) to facilitate negotiations aimed at advancing the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 concerning the Western Sahara issue; whether Ireland has engaged with these initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationOideachas trí Ghaeilge
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is satisfied that there is an adequate number of Gaelcholáistí across the country, and therefore an adequate number of young people with the sufficient language skills, to ensure that 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationOideachas trí Ghaeilge
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available for establishing a Gaelcholáiste.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationOideachas trí Ghaeilge
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available for a secondary school wishing to transition to a Gaelcholáiste.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationIrish Language
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s plans to assist in meeting the target of 20% of recruits to the public sector to be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030.
- July 01, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationOideachas trí Ghaeilge
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is satisfied that there is an adequate number of Irish language medium schools across the country, and therefore an adequate number of young people with the sufficient language skills, to ensure that 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030.
- June 30, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDisability Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if services will be established at an early date (details supplied) in view of the large number of parents seeking such services for their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 30, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHealth Services
Asked the Minister for Health if better healthcare information and services and a comprehensive public health campaign will be introduced in respect of a debilitating condition (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationIndustrial Relations
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the recommendations of the Labour Court will be implemented (details supplied); if he will ensure that the payments due to employees will be back dated to the time recommended by the Labour Court; if this matter will be finalised without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 30, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationIndustrial Relations
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a Department decision will be implemented by a statutory agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 25, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Schemes
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a specific scheme of investment in water and sewerage services in smaller towns and villages which would enable housing and other developments, taking into account that such locations have in most instances good infrastructure in areas such as education, sport and community facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 25, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingHousing Policy
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to increase the income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 24, 2026PQ to Minister for TaoiseachBritish-Irish Co-operation
Asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent UK-Ireland summit.
- June 24, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureSocial Media
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the outcome of his most recent discussions at EU level in relation to the introduction of social media restrictions for children which are urgently needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 24, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureSocial Media
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the proposals to advance the introduction of social media restrictions for children during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialCommunity Employment Schemes
Asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide increased flexibility to local community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialCare Services
Asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of carers in Cavan and Monaghan that are currently in receipt of the carer’s allowance; the equivalent figures for each county in 2020; the further increase in the numbers of recipients he expects in each when forthcoming changes to income disregards take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportRoad Projects
Asked the Minister for Transport when a project will proceed to the next stage (details supplied), taking into account the absolute need for this new infrastructure to be put in place as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportBus Services
Asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will consider introducing additional Local Link routes in Cavan and Monaghan; if such additional services will be introduced in 2026 and 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseEU Regulations
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Ireland’s position on an EU proposal to phase out the use of lead in shotgun cartridges (details supplied) given the views of a national organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureForestry Sector
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 10 April 2025, and the commitments made to review forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electrical network, the reason replanting of forestry is being allowed at present, that will clearly not conform with the new regulations and also taking into account that forestry in such locations caused damage to transmission lines previously which impacted severely on many rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 17, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialSocial Welfare Benefits
Asked the Minister for Social Protection the scale of payments under the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance; the equivalent figures for each county in 2020; the expected further increase in the numbers of recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 17, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Industry
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 10 April 2025, the progress made in reviewing forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electrical network and updating forestry related requirements; when the new regulations will be published and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 17, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Industry
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of widespread concerns in some rural communities that replanting of forestry is continuing close to critical infrastructure such as electricity lines which will inevitably cause further problems for the electricity network in the future as evidenced by the widespread damage caused to transmission lines by falling trees particularly in recent years following storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 17, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Industry
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is proposed to amend legislation and regulations in relation to forestry, taking into account the widespread concerns of communities regarding power outages which have occurred as a direct result of trees falling on power lines and telecommunication lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseEnterprise Support Services
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific additional financial supports that will be introduced in 2026 and 2027 to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and SMEs, and the contribution from same to the overall economy particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseEnterprise Support Services
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in view of the importance of enterprise centres in providing workspace for start-up businesses and SMEs, the incentives and grant aid available for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialSocial Welfare Fraud
Asked the Minister for Social Protection the arrangements with other countries to check if persons in receipt of payments from his Department are not in employment outside this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for ClimateLegislative Process
Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the timeline to enact the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureSports Funding
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the expected timeline for the opening of the next Community Sports Facilities Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureSports Funding
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider increasing the level of grant aid in the next Community Sports Facilities Fund taking into account the substantial increase in construction costs since the last round of grants were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportElectric Vehicles
Asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to increase the number of EV charging points throughout the country and in Cavan Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSpecial Educational Needs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a special class will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 10, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeDepartmental Investigations
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 501 of 20 November 2025, if he will give an update on the current position regarding an investigation into the Belturbet bombing of December 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dáil contributions
- July 07, 2026OrderofbusinessAn tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
- July 02, 2026QuestionFurther and Higher Education
- June 30, 2026OrderofbusinessAn tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
- June 30, 2026DebatePetition on Equality for Parenting Standards in Ireland around Benefits: Discussion
- June 24, 2026QuestionBritish-Irish Co-operation
- June 16, 2026DebateDecisions on Public Petitions Received
- June 11, 2026QuestionLegislative Process
- June 11, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- June 10, 2026DebateGeneral Scheme of the Technological Universities All Island University Group (Amendment) Bill 2026: Discussion (Resumed)
- May 28, 2026QuestionSchools Building Projects
- May 27, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- May 26, 2026QuestionNorthern Ireland
- May 21, 2026DebateAccessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion
- May 21, 2026DebateAccessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion
- May 19, 2026QuestionCabinet Committees
- May 19, 2026DebateDecisions on Public Petitions Received
- May 13, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions
- April 29, 2026DebateEngagement with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- April 28, 2026DebatePetition on Mandatory Mental Health Breaks in Schools: Mr. Jonathan Howe
- April 23, 2026DebateLocal Training Initiatives: Discussion
- April 22, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 16, 2026QuestionNational Development Plan
- April 15, 2026DebateStudent Accommodation: Discussion
- April 14, 2026DebatePetition on Insurance Reform for Thatched Heritage Properties: Discussion