Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said that a State-backed Credit Guarantee Scheme to help housing developers bridge the gap in financing should be explored by the Irish Government in order to stimulate house building in the State.

Billy Kelleher, a member of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee, has written to the Competition Commissioner, Teresa Ribera, seeking changes to the current state aid rules to ensure that such a scheme would be permitted.

Billy Kelleher spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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A psychedelic drug, used by teenagers and party goers, could be bought by Irish shoppers on popular online sites. 

The Journal Investigates found large canisters of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, on online classified ad sites and even the Irish version of Amazon.

During the investigation, investigators found that they could also buy it directly from brands who sell the gas online, revealing just how easy it can be for anyone, including children, to obtain it.

Investigative Journalist at The Journal Investigates, Conor O’Carroll, spoke to us this morning on The Agenda to tell us more about all of this. 

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Yesterday Regina Doherty, MEP from Meath, voted in the European Parliament’s Transport Committee backing a series of reforms to improve air passenger rights across the EU.

Regina welcomed the successful vote on a proposal she has long championed, to ensure that families are not charged extra to sit together. The amendment, passed today, aims to make sure parents can sit beside their children without facing sky-high fees.

Regina Doherty spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this

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Patients undergoing surgery were put at risk of a superbug infection or kidney damage because they were given preventative antibiotics for too long, a HSE internal audit has revealed.

The audit looked at how three hospitals were implementing guidelines around use of antibiotics for patients undergoing surgery to reduce their chance of an infection setting in around the surgical site.

One of the hospitals involved is Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, and Aontu Leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Toibin spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this. 

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has said that attempts by Fine Gael to shut down questions in relation to profiteering in the provision of IPAS accommodation were unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

Deputy Carthy was speaking after a Fine Gael member of the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Louth TD Paula Butterly, repeatedly interrupted him as he questioned the Minister for Justice in relation to the costs for IPAS accommodation as part of the examination of revised estimates for public service in relation to the

Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Deputy Carty spoke to us about this morning on The Agenda.

We were also joined by Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly, who had much to say about Deputy Carty’s comments.

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This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Meath farmer Podge Howard about a meeting between grain growers in Louth and Meath who are concerned by the falling prices of grain in Ireland.

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Sinn Féin TD and member of the Oireachtas Media Committee, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has responded to the staff sentiment survey, reported in the Irish Daily Mail, which found high levels of distrust of RTÉ’s leadership among staff. 

The party’s Arts and Culture Spokesperson said the breakdown of trust was clear in responses RTÉ gave at Committee in recent weeks when he questioned them over contracts for performers.

Teachta Ó Snodaigh spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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US President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire.

The announcement comes after Iran launched an attack on American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, in what it said was retaliation for US strikes on three of its nuclear sites over the weekend.

The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran - Qatar said it ‘successfully intercepted’ the missiles targeting the US base.

Meanwhile, Israel once again struck Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo nuclear facility, according to Iranian state media, and Political Columnist Larry Donnelly joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O'Rourke, has raised the need for one-to-one support and engagement for Wellman's workers with the Minister for Social Protection in the Dáil.

Deputy O'Rourke says while the immediate focus is on securing as many jobs as possible at Wellman's, it is equally important that the Department of Social Protection provide comprehensive support.

Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss this further

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Louth County Council are taking steps to “shutter” vacant social houses at risk of vandalism or anti-social behaviour, councillors heard at their monthly meeting.

Cllr. Sionainn McCann highlighted a number of incidents in the county where tenants had left a property “and very quickly they became subject to anti-social behaviour.”

She told the council that in one instance gardai had to be called to a social house that had previously been occupied by an elderly person who had moved into a nursing home.

Councillor McCann spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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