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.
Open the evidence trail behind this score
- 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
- 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.
- June 10, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthVaccination Programme
Asked the Minister for Health if the shingles vaccine will be provided free of charge for patients with multiple myeloma as sought by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for DefenceDefence Forces
Asked the Minister for Defence her plans to review the structure of the Army following the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for DefenceDefence Forces
Asked the Minister for Defence the current position regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Schemes
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that adequate funding will be provided to enable all eligible applications under TAMS to obtain approval to proceed with work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDepartmental Projects
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 5 February 2026, the present status of this project (details supplied); when it will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDisability Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures that will be implemented without further delay to improve services for children with additional needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDisability Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress to date in addressing severe deficiencies in the provision of services for children with additional needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSpecial Educational Needs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the issue of a sanction letter for assistive technology support for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditureEU Programmes
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing the proposal to establish a successor programme to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditureFlood Risk Management
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if additional funding will be provided for small scale and large drainage scheme projects in 2026; his proposals for 2027, taking into account the value of smaller scale flood mitigation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchools Building Projects
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that approval issues at an early date in respect of a building project for a school (details supplied) taking into account the accommodation needs of this school which have been outlined clearly to the Department and that the school is seeking basic accommodation and replacement of a much outdated prefab which was, in effect, a multi-purpose room; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Policy
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to introduce additional measures and incentives to facilitate the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureTree Remediation
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give urgent consideration to the introduction of grant aid for landowners to remove roadside trees that have ash dieback disease and pose a danger to public safety taking into account the substantial costs in removing such trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for TaoiseachNorthern Ireland
Asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit in his Department.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseEmployment Rights
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an employee working as a live-in carer may have a deduction made from their wages in respect of bed and board; and if so, what constitutes a reasonable deduction; if there is a prescribed limit or cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseWork Permits
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a non-EEA national, specifically a carer from India, may be granted an employment permit where the employer is a private individual; the criteria for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingNational Planning Framework
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied).
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingWaterways Issues
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the works that will be undertaken this year and planned for 2026 on a restoration project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingNational Parks and Wildlife Service
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review of the memorandum of understanding between the NARCG and NPWS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingWildlife Regulations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to reinstate the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignNorth-South Ministerial Council
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on her attendance at the thirty-first plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council on 8 May 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignBritish-Irish Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which she is engaging with the UK Government to ensure that the measures announced in The Legacy of the Troubles: A Joint Framework are faithfully implemented in both jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for RuralRural Schemes
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the level of funding provided for the local improvement scheme in 2026; if further consideration will be given to the provision of additional funding in 2026 for this scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for RuralRural Recreation Policy
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when details of the next outdoor recreation investment scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 20, 2026PQ to Minister for RuralRural Schemes
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the expected timeline for the publication of the new "Our Rural Future" Strategy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for TaoiseachCabinet Committees
Asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland will meet next.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignTrade Relations
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of bi-lateral Ireland/Taiwan trade on an annual basis 2020-2025; the measures that will be introduced to support an increase in such trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialSocial Welfare Eligibility
Asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person on disability allowance and in receipt of a free travel pass, on taking up employment will have no restrictions on retaining this travel pass as they have a long-term disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureWildlife Protection
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he proposes to introduce legislative measures as requested by beekeeping organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeCross-Border Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the issues discussed at the most recent cross-Border police conference on organised and serious crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeCross-Border Co-operation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to effectively tackling cross-Border crime; if it is proposed to introduce new initiatives to strengthen existing collaboration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dáil contributions
- 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