Bus Connects

There is just a week to go for the public to give their views on the proposed redesign of bus transport for Dublin city and the commuter belt. Lead designer of Bus Connects, Jarrett Walker and by Dermot O'Leary, General Secretary of the NBRU spoke to Drivetime.

Regional Papers

Dave O'Connell joined Mary Wilson from the Galway studio for our weekly round-up of the regional newspapers.

Clifden Update

As repairs continue across the country in the wake of Storm Ali last Wednesday, new details are emerging about the Swiss tourist who lost her life when the caravan she was staying in was swept into the sea in North Connemara. John Fallon of Media West had the latest.

Brexit

The summit at Salzburg might yesterday have brought humiliation but today, the British Prime Minister Theresa May woke up defiant. Brian Hayes is a Fine Gael MEP for Dublin spoke to Drivetime.

Democratic School

No classrooms, no homework and kids do what they want! John Cooke has been visiting Sligo's new Democratic school.

Brexit

Day Two in Salzburg but any progress on Brexit? George Parker, Chief Political Editor with the Financial Times who was at the press conference with Theresa May today spoke to Drivetime.

Commission on the Future of Policing

On Tuesday this week, the Commission on the Future of Policing recommended sweeping reform of policing in Ireland. Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan spoke to Drivetime.

Spinraza

Parents of Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy appealing to the Health Minister for access to a 'Miracle Drug'. Lisa McHugh, whose son Glen is sixteen-years-old and was first diagnosed when he was fifteen months old, and Dr Declan O'Rourke, a consultant paediatric neurologist at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin spoke to Drivetime.

Suspicious Approach

Gardai in Shankill, Co. Dublin, are investigating reports that a man made a 'suspicious approach' to a young woman on Tuesday night. Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor at the Sunday World spoke to Drivetime this evening.

Presidential Finances

Expenditure at the Office of the President is to be scrutinised by the Dail's Public Spending Watchdog next week. But there's controversy - as it'll come just a day before the Presidential Election Campaign officially begins. Our reporter Barry Lenihan jad this report.

Future of Policing Report

Call it root and branch reform, call it radical, call it just another report on how to transform An Garda Siochana into an organisation that functions more effectively. Superintendent Noel Cunningham who is President of the Association of Garda Superintendents discussed the report with Mary Wilson this evening.

The Ploughing Championships in the wake of Storm Ali

Anna Marie McHugh joined Mary Wilson on the line this evening to clarify the situation at the Ploughing Championships following the cancellation of the event today.

EU Informal Summit

British Prime Minister Theresa May comes face to face with EU leaders in Salzburg today at an informal summit. This is her first time meeting the leaders since she presented them with her Chequers proposal. Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee who is in Salzburg with the Taoiseach spoke to Drivetime.

Storm Ali and the Ploughing Championship

the organisers of the National Ploughing Championship made the decision to cancel today's events at Screggan due to public safety concerns. Suzanne Campbell joined the programme from Tullamore.

Clifden Death

One woman has been killed after Storm Ali battered the country today. The woman died after the caravan she was sleeping in blew off a cliff in Co Galway. Our Western Correspondent Pat McGrath had this report.

Colm O'Regan

In his weekly column, Colm O'Regan is off to where people feel 'handy'.

Kathleen O'Toole

Kathleen O'Toole, Chair of the Future of Policing Commission joined Mary Wilson in studio this evening to discuss the publication of the report into the Gardaí that was published today.

National Ploughing Championships

Pp to 300,000 people are expected in Screggan, Co. Offaly over the next three days, as the Ploughing gets underway. Amii McKeever is Editor of Irish Country Living Magazine, at The Farmers' Journal and Daragh Brophy, Assistant News Editor at the Journal.ie spoke to Mary Wilson this evening.

National Broadband Plan

In 2012, a 'National Broadband Plan' was announced by the government, with the goal of providing access to high-speed broadband for every home and business in the country. RTÉ Science and Technology Correspondent, Will Goodbody, spoke to the programme about where the plan is at today.

Garda Report

As you have no doubt been hearing throughout the day the commission on the future of policing has recommended what it says itself is 'sweeping reform' of An Garda Siochana. But first Philip Boucher-Hayes has been reading it, and he was here to tell us what it says and probably as importantly what does it not address?

Telepsychiatry

Psychiatric services are under pressure but could digital technology be part of the answer? Dr John Hillery, Consultant Psychiatrist and President of the College of Psychiatrists and by Dr Bobby Smyth, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist in the HSE discussed this with Drivetime this evening.

Occupation of Vacant Properties

The occupation of a house on North Fredrick Street in Dublin City by activists last week led to criticism over the policing of the protest, and the presence of a private security firm. Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan and Ciaran Cuffe Green Party councillor for the North Inner City for Dublin discussed this with Drivetime.

Brexit

Six months to go to Brexit and news in today suggests that EU officials have been redrafting the Irish backstop protocol, in a bid to make it a little more palatable to London. David Phinnemore, Professor of European Politics at Queens University Belfast, spoke to Drivetime.

The Race for the Presidency

Six local authorities met today to decide on potential candidates. Kerry County Council officially backed the businessman and Dragon's Den entrepreneur Peter Casey. Our Midlands Correspondent Ciaran Mulooly and Drivetime's Barry Lenihan had these reports.

Gemma O'Doherty

The presidential hopeful 'doesn't understand' why Jimmy Guerin is offended by her claims about the murder of Veronica Guerin

Colm's Column

Colm is here with his Drivetime column but today, he's worried about being replaced.

Cervical Check

Barry Lenihan reports on the latest developments around the Cervical Check Controversy after the leaking of an expert report by Dr. Gabriel Scally.

The Presidency of Michael D. Higgins

Barry Lenihan reports on Michael D. Higgins' tenure as President, as he seeks a second seven year term.

Swedish Elections

As Sweden goes to the polls on Sunday, could the country synonymous with progressive politics, lurch to the right? The Guardian's Richard Orange has been visiting the party's regional strongholds and he had this report.

Social Housing Policy

Tom Dunne, Head of the School of Construction Management, DIT and Michael McGrath, Fianna Fail spokesperson on Finance spoke to Drivetime about the mystery of social housing, why some councils succeed, and others are failing.

Regional Papers

The former editor of the Longford Leader, Sheila Reilly joined the programme this evening to take us through the stories that are making the news in the regional papers.

Fine Gael Think In

The Fine Gael think in has ended in Galway, with undertakings from the Taoiseach that the housing crisis is being managed. The party has also expanded on its criticism of local authorities for not playing their part in providing social housing. Fergal Keane had this report.

Ryanair

Unions representing Ryanair workers across Europe have threatened to hold the 'biggest strike the company has ever seen' before the end of this month if the airline's board and shareholders do not change its business model. RTÉ employment and Industry Correspondent Ingrid Miley spoke to Drivetime.

The Achill Island School With No Pupils

Barry Lenihan reports on the Achill Island Primary School with no Pupils.

Holles Street Verdict

The High Court has quashed a decision by the Minister for Health to order an inquiry into patient welfare at the National Maternity Hospital. Mary Carolan is Courts Correspondent with The Irish Times joined Drivetime for the latest on this.

Simon Coveney

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste Simon Coveney, spoke to Drivetime from Fine Gael's Party Think-In at the Galway Bay Hotel.

Fine Gael Think In

The Fine Gael conference got underway in Galway this afternoon with an address to party members form the Taoiseach. He spoke about reducing income tax, the delivery of new homes and the improving the health services as key aims for the government in the next few months. Fergal Keane had this report.

Paycuts at Stormont

Belfast journalist Amanda Ferguson had the latest on the news that MLAs in Stormont are facing pay cuts in a bid to restart powersharing.

Dolores O'Riordan Inquest

An inquest in London has heard that the Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan died by drowning due to alcohol intoxication. RTÉ London Correspondent Fiona Mitchell had this report.

Budget Negotiations

The Governor of the Central Bank Says the Government should call time on the9% VAT rate for the hospitality industry. Sheila Killian, Professor at the Kemmy Business School in UL spoke to Drivetime.

Childcare Costs

Childcare costs restrict employment choices and family size. John Cooke has been hearing from parents under pressure at a busy creche.

Youth Mental Health Survey

The largest ever study of Ireland's youth mental health was launched today by UCD in partnership with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Della Kilroy was there and had this report.

Ryanair Pilots Agreement

Irish based pilots at Ryanair have voted in favour of the negotiated agreement with the company. For more on this, Simon Calder, Travel Editor with the Independent of London spoke to Drivetime.

Novichok Suspects Named

British investigators have released names and photographs, of two men, who visited the UK on official Russian passports, who they wish to charge in connection with Novichok poisoning in Salisbury, last March. Sky News Correspondent, Enda Brady had the latest.

Colm O'Regan Column

This week, Colm O'Regan finds there is a need for that kind of language...

Public Pay Commission

Pay is not a key factor in recruiting nurses acccording to the newly published Public Pay Commission report. General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Phil Ni Sheaghdha and The Irish Times' Martin Wall spoke to Drivetime.

Josepha Madigan on Confidence and Supply

The Fianna Fáil Leader, Micheál Martin, has said he would discuss reviewing the Confidence and Supply Agreement with Fine Gael once the Budget was announced. Cabinet Minister for Culture, Heritage & Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan spoke to Drivetime this evening.

Post Office Closures

The Chief Executive of An Post has been before the Oireachtas Committee on Communications this afternoon answering deputies' questions on the closure of 159 post offices across the country. Edel McAllister had this report.

Lambert Puppet Theatre

There is sad news in the Irish Examiner this morning, with reports that the Lambert Puppet Theatre is to be sold. Everybody of a certain age will recognise some of the voices in this montage which begins with Lambert describing the importance of the Theatre as a base of operations.

Commissioner Drew Harris

The new Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, the first commissioner appointed from outside the force, has been setting out his priorities at his first press conference today. Fergal Keane was at the the press conference and he had this report.

Inspectors Appointed to INM

The President of the High Court has agreed to appoint inspectors to Independent News and Media following an application by the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Our Legal Affairs Correspondent, Orla O'Donnell had this report.

Sinn Féin Vote of No Confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy

Sinn Féin confirmed today that they will be tabling a motion of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. Their Spokesperson on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Pearse Doherty spoke to Drivetime.

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