The Agenda

A new survey about the Government's hot school meals programme has found that three-quarters of respondents reported their children do not enjoy the variety of food.The survey, commissioned by Fine Gael, also found that parents were very critical of how the food is presented as well as the nutritional content.There were also concerns about the origin of ingredients used for the meals, including meat. The survey ran from 6 January to 18 February and received almost 8,000 responses.Fine Gael senator Linda Nelson Murray says that the survey was extensive and showed that as well as having more choice, children also wanted more time to eat their school meals.Senator Nelson Murray joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

There is "no plan" for residents around Dublin Airport if the existing passenger cap is lifted, an Oireachtas committee has been told.The Oireachtas transport committee met to discuss new laws brought to Cabinet last month, which would end the existing restrictions at the capital's airport.The legislation will give the transport minister powers to either revoke or amend the existing 32m passenger cap. It also precludes the introduction of a future cap on passengers for Dublin Airport.Dublin Airport operator Daa has repeatedly called for the cap to be lifted, stating there is a need to increase the number to 40m per year.The Children’s Rights Over Flights group said that the Government's bill was bad for the environment and the health of local people, and called for it to be withdrawn.Celestine O’Reilly from Children’s Rights Over Flights joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this and about how the hearing went yesterday.

The Government will finalise “an appropriate intervention” to rising fuel and energy prices next week, the Tanaiste has said.Simon Harris said measures would be signed off at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.The Tainaiste said that "fairness" must be at the centre of the response. The Tánaiste said the Government understands the pressures that families and businesses are under.Fuels for Ireland says fuel-pricing cannot be managed through periodic interventions in response to each new crisis.CEO Kevin McPartlan says they welcome the government's planned response to rising fuel prices - but the greater challenge is how to provide for long-term decision-making.Kevin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

There are currently no plans for a swimming pool in the Ratoath Municipal District, councillors have been told.At the March meeting of the MD, Sinn Féin councillor Fionnan Blake called on Meath County Council to fund and deliver a public swimming pool for the area, saying the lack of leisure facilities has been raised with him on several occasions.In a response, the local authority said the swimming pool project is not included in its Capital Investment Plan and therefore will not be assessed within the next 12 months.Councillor Blake said there are a limited number of pools available across County Meath, noting that there are eight in total when hotel and gym facilities are included, but only three local authority pools — located in Kells, Navan and Trim.Councillor Blake joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

A new initiative aimed at attracting more businesses to Drogheda town centre has been launched by Drogheda & District Chamber, in partnership with Louth County Council, the Local Enterprise Office Louth and Love Drogheda BID.The initiative is designed to make opening a business in Drogheda more achievable by connecting entrepreneurs with practical guidance, local expertise and financial supports available to new businesses.A key incentive is Louth County Council’s Commercial Rates Waiver Scheme for 2026, which offers substantial savings for businesses locating in eligible vacant town centre premises.The scheme applies to commercial premises that have been vacant for more than 12 months and aims to encourage a wider range of businesses to locate in the town centre.We were joined in-studio this morning on The Agenda by President of Drogheda's Chamber of Commerce, Miriam Simon, to find out more about this.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s plans to roll out electronic tagging for certain prisoners by the end of last year have been delayed once more because no viable responses were submitted for a tender to supply the service.The devices, which would track inmates on temporary release or bail, were due to be rolled out by the end of last year, but no viable responses were submitted for a tender to supply the service.The Irish Independent reports the Department of Justice has since made changes to the request for tender, with a pilot expected to be operational this year.Fianna Fail MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

A Meath couple's almost 20-year battle to save their 6,220 sq ft home - built without planning permission - looks to have come to an end after Meath County Council took possession of the property.In a statement released yesterday, Meath County Council said it is "currently acting on foot of a High Court order issued on Monday 16th March 2026, in relation to the property at Bohermeen."The Court directed that An Garda Síochána assist the Council in taking possession of the property, which has now been secured.The owners of the property lost a last ditch legal bid last August aimed at preventing the demolition of their large Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, home built in “wilful breach” of planning laws almost 20 years ago.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Public Affairs Correspondent at The Irish Independent, Amy Molloy, to find out more about this.

Nivedita Shukla spoke to us about rasicm the Indian community have received