The Agenda

There are now 15 shops selling vapes across just four streets in Drogheda town centre, according to Senator Alison Comyn.She has raised concerns with Louth County Council about the growing number of these outlets, calling for stronger laws to regulate where they can open and how they operate.Senator Comyn also claims some shops are selling vapes to underage children and has highlighted concerns around the sale of illegal HHC products.She is calling for a retail audit to establish the scale of the issue, alongside stronger enforcement to protect children and preserve the character of town centres, and Senator Comyn joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the concerns and what action she believes is needed.

Warnings have emerged over an increasing number of discarded needles being discovered during litter picks in Dundalk.The issue was highlighted by councillor Ciaran Fisher at the latest meeting of Louth County Council following reports of used needles being found in public areas, and councillor Fisher joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Louth Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has raised concerns over the slow rollout of pursuit training for Gardaí, warning that officers are not being adequately equipped to tackle dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour.Deputy Byrne raised the issue with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at a recent meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, highlighting incidents involving stolen cars, scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters.She says thousands of Garda drivers have only basic training, while progress on additional pursuit training is moving too slowly.The concerns come amid ongoing problems with scramblers in communities across Drogheda, despite the introduction of Grace’s Law, which bans their use in public places and on public roads.Deputy Byrne says Gardaí need the necessary training and protections to enforce the law safely and effectively, and Deputy Byrne joins us on the line now to discuss the issue and what needs to happen to address these concerns.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth, Darren O’Rourke, has warned that Government plans to remove diagnosis as a requirement for entry to special schools and classes could have serious consequences for children with additional needs if proper safeguards and resources are not in place.Deputy O’Rourke says no child should have to wait years for a diagnosis to receive educational support, but changing the rules will not address shortages of teachers, special needs assistants, therapists and specialist school places.He has raised concerns about how children’s needs will be assessed and whether schools will have the resources to provide appropriate support.Deputy O’Rourke is calling for meaningful engagement with schools, parents and disability organisations before the proposals proceed, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss what needs to happen to ensure children receive the support they need.

A judgment is expected following a legal challenge to the decision to ban the Drumcree Orange Order parade in Portadown.The Parades Commission had granted permission for the parade to travel along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years, sparking opposition and large crowds gathering at the site.Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant banned the parade on October 9th after talks between both sides failed to reach an agreement.Peter McVerry, Head of News at Onic Ireland and Station Manager at U105 in Belfast, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the case and what the judgment could mean.

The chairman of Athboy Celtic says he is in “disbelief” at the scale of the financial losses facing sports clubs, schools and charities following the collapse of construction firm Clearwater Construction and Landscaping last week.The Meath club could be left out of pocket by around €150,000 after the company, which was building a new all-weather pitch at its grounds in Athboy, went bust.A creditors’ meeting in Dublin heard that the company owed more than €2 million to clubs, schools, charities and suppliers nationwide, with little prospect of many recovering the money owed to them.Athboy Celtic had already seen around eight weeks of work completed on the new pitch before the project came to a halt. Other affected organisations include football clubs and schools across the country, as well as a charity supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.Bernard joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The number of Gardaí patrolling roads across the country is being increased as road deaths continue to rise.The latest recruitment drive has allowed experienced officers to transfer into Roads Policing Units, with further allocations planned nationwide.It comes as 153 people have died on Irish roads up to October 25th this year, 13 more than during the same period last year.With 188 road deaths recorded last year, there are growing concerns that the figure could reach 200 by the end of this year, particularly as November and December are traditionally among the most dangerous months on the roads.Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the increase in road deaths and whether additional Garda resources can help improve road safety.

Scrapping the triple lock: Is Ireland’s neutrality at risk? Consent and grandparents’ hugs: Are we teaching children boundaries or overcomplicating family affection? Should Ireland ban fruity-flavoured vapes to tackle youth vaping? The clocks go back this weekend: Do you welcome the extra hour or dread the darker evenings?