The Agenda

Ireland is moving ahead with controversial new legislation that would ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank — a move that’s already drawing strong international reaction.Foreign Affairs Minister and Meath-East Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee says the Government hopes to have the legislation passed by mid-July, as Ireland continues to take one of the strongest positions in Europe on Israel’s actions in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territories.Also, we heard about the water outages in Ballivor and across county Meath & Louth.We also discussed what is going on in Slane at the moment between local residents and promoters MCD in relation to the upcoming 2-day concert at Slane Castle…. The Minister says that she fully supports the residents of Slane and that she believes the €30,000 offer for the community is just not enough.

A row broke out in the Seanad this week after an Irish MEP claimed that Brazilian and UK beef was being used in school meals.Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly was part of a delegation of Midlands-North West MEPs addressing the Upper House on Wednesday. They had met with European Commissioner for health and animal welfare Oliver Varhelyi about the safety of Brazilian beef.His comments sparked anger from Meath-based Fine Gael senator Linda Nelson Murray, who was co-author of a report on school meals. We were also joined by Senator Nelson Murray.

Last month on The Agenda, we spoke to Fine Gael councillor in Ashbourne Alan Tobin about ongoing concerns around anti-social behaviour in the town, including reports of intimidation, threats and racial abuse directed at local shop workers and elderly people, which has left many residents worried about safety in the area.At the time, Councillor Tobin warned that some pregnant women had expressed fear about leaving their homes due to intimidation from groups of youths, with growing calls from the community for stronger action and accountability.We were joined on The Agenda again this morning by Councillor Tobin, who says the situation is still ongoing despite increased Garda patrols. He says there are now additional concerns around the impact on mental health, continued incidents of fire alarm activations over a number of weeks, and significant vandalism, including the burning of several bins in the town centre — costing the council an estimated €50,000 — raising further alarm among local residents.We also discussed concerns about the future of Ashbourne’s town centre, following a number of recent shop closures in the town…

Frustrations are growing in Ballivor after a number of housing estates were left without water since Sunday, with criticism mounting over ongoing problems with water infrastructure across south Meath.This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Aontú leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Tóibím, who described the latest outage as “a disgrace in the modern era” and says repeated supply issues over the past decade are having a serious impact on families, schools, businesses and housing development in the region.We also spoke to furious locals who are sick of the ongoing issues with water in Ballivorm and nothing being done about it.

A local councillor has issued a strong appeal to the public following a disappointing surge in littering at Clogherhead Beach during a recent spell of good weather. Despite the majority of visitors behaving responsibly, a number of beachgoers have left behind rubbish including bottles, cans, food waste and disposable barbecues, causing damage to the dunes and posing a risk to wildlife.The scenes come just days after Clogherhead regained its Blue Flag status, alongside Port Beach and Templetown Beach — a recognition of the coastline’s high environmental standards and the efforts of the local community to maintain them.Drogheda Rural and Clogherhead Independent Councillor Declan Power says the latest incidents are deeply disappointing and is urging visitors to take responsibility for their waste when visiting the beach.Councillor Power joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Slushies are not suitable for children under 10 years old, the Food Safety Authority has said, as temperatures soar to the high 20s.The glycerol-containing ice drinks could cause side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting, for this age group.The FSAI’s previous advice was not to give slushies to under-4s, but it now includes older children, in line with new European guidelines.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Director of Food Science and Standards at Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dr Wayen Anderson, to find out more about this.

Uisce Éireann crews are working to restore water to customers in Dunbin and surrounding areas following an outage due to issues at Hilltop Pumping Station. Customers in the Dunbin, Kilkerley, Mullaghboy, Sheelagh, Philipstown, Deerpark, Rathmore, Balrobin, Thomastown, Ballybarrack, and surrounding areas are affected.Alternative water supplies, in the form of bulk tankers are now available at Kilkerly National School and Shelagh National SchoolCustomers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption.We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning.

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan is calling on the Government to follow the lead of several European countries and ban Israeli ministers from entering Ireland.Deputy McGreehan says Ireland should take a clear stance ahead of assuming the EU Presidency, pointing to recent moves by France and Slovenia to bar Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering their countries.She also says the treatment of Irish and European citizens detained by Israeli forces, along with ongoing concerns surrounding settlements in the occupied West Bank, means Ireland must now consider taking similar action.Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this mornign to talk to us some more about this.