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Personal Details:

Born Cavan, June 1956. Married to Anne McGarry. Educated Bawnboy National School, St. Camillus College, Killucan, Co. Westmeath and UCD (B.A. in Politics and Economics). Full time Public Representative and former Advisor to Government Minister.

Member of Templeport Gaelic Football Club, the Cavan G.A.A. Supporters’ Club, Cavan Drama Festival, Cómhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Cumann Seanchais Bhréifne.

Political Record:

Brendan Smith has been a Member of Dáil Éireann since 1992 and in February 2011 he retained his seat in the 31st Dáil as a representative for Cavan/Monaghan. Deputy Smith has been appointed Fianna Fáil's Spokesperson on Education and Skills.

After the election of Brian Cowen T.D. as Taoiseach in May 2008, Brendan Smith was promoted to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where he remained until March 2011. From Jan 2011 until March 2011 he also served as Minister for Justice and Law Reform. Brendan was Minister for Children from June 2007 to May 2008.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with special responsibility for Food and Horticulture from Sept. 2004 to June 2007. Co-Chairman of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body 2002 – Sept. 2004 and also Member of the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges until Sept. 2004.

In the 28th Dáil, Brendan was Government Whip on Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Former Advisor to the former Tánaiste, John P. Wilson, for 15 years. Served as a member of the Co. Cavan Vocational Education Committee including Chairman of the Board of Management of Cavan College of Further Studies and Chairman of the Board of Management of Virginia Vocational School.

Smith calls for a Yes vote on the Stability Treaty referendum

Apr 30, 2012

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has called on the people of both counties to Vote yes in the upcoming stability treaty.

Deputy Smith commented: “There are 13,860 people unemployed in Cavan and Monaghan. I will be honest and say that the treaty will not cure all our economic woes but it will definitely allow Cavan, Monaghan and Ireland to have a more secure foundation for our future.

Smith calls for a Yes vote on the Stability Treaty referendum

Apr 30, 2012

Quarter of State exam Superintendents posts filled by retired teachers – Smith

Apr 28, 2012

Nearly one quarter of the superintendents hired by the State Examination Commission to supervise the Junior and Leaving Certificate Exams last year were retired teachers, according to new figures obtained by Fianna Fáil’s Education Spokesperson Brendan Smith.

Deputy Smith tabled a series of Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Education and Skills and the State Examinations confirmed to him that 1,147 retired teachers were appointed as exam Superintendents last year, out of a total 4,735. In addition to this 393 retired teachers were employed to correct exam papers out of a total of 5,168 and 192 retired teachers were hired as Leaving Certificate Oral Examiners out of a total of 1100.

Commenting on the figures, Deputy Smith said, “It is unacceptable that at a time when thousands of qualified teachers are looking for jobs, at least 1,732 jobs were handed over to retired teachers last Summer. These may be temporary positions, but they provide a real opportunity to offer newly qualified teachers a salary and valuable work experience while they continue to search for a permanent teaching position.

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