The Times reports that the Taoiseach remains adamant his preferred general election date is May 2020, despite forceful views across all political parties that an election before Christmas is now a real likelihood.

Bus and rail workers will carry out daily reviews of anti-social behavior from today to decide if services will continue in so-called 'black spots' in the weeks leading up to Halloween. This comes following a motion that was passed by members of the National Bus and Rail Union in August to withdraw services from certain areas if there were attacks on staff.

In Brexit news, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said that reaching a Brexit deal is still possible this week, even if it more and more difficult. Speaking to reporters before a meeting of EU ministers, Barnier said it was high time for London to “turn good intentions into a legal text.  Meanwhile, Transport Minister Shane Ross has come under fire for failing to bring Rosslare harbour — which is owned by a British company set up under UK statute — under full control of the State.

The Examiner reports that Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has acknowledged the “distress” experienced by adopted and illegally adopted people who are being refused access to personal information held by State bodies. It comes amid increasing anger among the adoption community which claims that Tusla is becoming increasingly restrictive in the information it releases due to GDPR. 

In further Tusla news, Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has said that children who need the help and support of Tusla are ultimately losing out under a “revolving door” of temporary social workers. Figures shown to the TD show the number of agency staff hired as social workers at Tusla has increased by 125 percent from 2016 to 2019.

Our Zen is an oldie but a goodie. Nineteen years ago today Radiohead went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Kid A'. The group's fourth album became the first Radiohead release to debut at No.1 in the US. Have a listen to it here.