The Agenda

FIANNA FÁIL TD Malcolm Byrne has tabled a bill that would ban the sale of tobacco or nicotine products to anyone born on or after 2009, thereby creating a “smokefree generation”.Byrne introduce a Private Member’s Bill in the Dáil which would ban the sale and supply of tobacco products, nicotine products and nicotine inhalation products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

Sinn Féin Education and Youth spokesperson Darren O'Rourke TD criticized current school meal reforms as insufficient, urging fundamental changes to address food quality, high waste levels, and the dominant for-profit model.

A Louth mother whose two sons have remained in Egypt for almost four and a half years is calling on the Irish and Egyptian governments to use the arrival of a new Egyptian Ambassador as an opportunity to put a formal child-abduction agreement in place

 The movie dramatizes the true-life investigation by local historian Catherine Corless into the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in County Galway had its official Premier in Dublin over the weekendThe film explores Corless’s investigation into the former Bon Secours-run mother and baby home in Tuam and the children who died there.Irish Examiner reporter Alison O’Reilly who also portrayed in the film, reflecting her role in reporting on the story and bringing the events in Tuam to a wider audience

News paper reported Mark MCCadden has said he wont travel to report on the game 

US President Donald Trump said he is banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them without specifics of reporting "fiction and lies".Mr Trump added that "other Fake News Media Outlets" would face a similar fate, but did not say which ones."I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW... and Politico... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" Mr Trump said on his Truth Social network.

There could be improvements on the 103, 105 and 109 bus routes serving Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin, following a meeting between local Independent TD Gillian Toole, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority and Minister for Transport Canney.Deputy Toole says she was given an update on the ongoing problems with cancelled and so-called ‘ghost’ buses, with faulty vehicles and scheduled maintenance among the reasons for services not operating as planned.She says more spare parts are now becoming available, a third emergency contractor is being brought in, and additional buses are due to be purchased.There are also plans for a review of the Eastern bus corridor, with a public consultation expected before the end of the year, while a trial bus link to the M3 Parkway railway station is also imminent.Deputy Toole joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about the meeting and what commuters can expect over the coming months.

A government minister was sent an anonymous letter threatening that they would “receive a bullet through the head” — but the sender has never been traced by gardaí.The threat is one of a number of serious incidents involving members of the Oireachtas, revealed as part of an investigation into the abuse and harassment being experienced by politicians.It comes as Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae recovers in hospital after being assaulted through the window of his car in Dublin this week. Several TDs are now increasing security at their homes and constituency offices, with some installing cameras and panic buttons.Wicklow-Wexford Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne says politicians want to remain accessible to the public, but a “vocal and dangerous minority” is making that increasingly difficult.Deputy Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk about this some more.

The Garda Representative Association is calling for an independent statutory tribunal to examine how protected disclosures are being handled within An Garda Síochána.It follows claims that the force’s Protected Disclosures Policy is not being properly adhered to, along with allegations reported by RTÉ that Garda whistleblowers believe senior management attempted to stifle reforms introduced following the treatment of Maurice McCabe.The GRA says an independent examination is needed to establish how protected disclosures are dealt with and whether current procedures are working effectively.Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Matt Carthy says the Justice Minister must reassure the public that allegations of wrongdoing within the Gardaí are being properly investigated and addressed.Deputy Matt Carthy joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the concerns being raised.