The Agenda

Speaking on 'Statements on Energy Costs' in the Dáil, Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke, has today lambasted the Government for its heartless and economically incoherent decision to scrap vital energy credits, despite clear official warnings of soaring arrears and rising bills Internal documents, revealed by Sinn Féin and reported today, prove departmental officials made a strident case...

To mark the United Nations' international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, is organising a live webinar examining the role of alcohol in such violence  The keynote speakers, Prof Anne-Marie Laslett and Dr Ingrid Wilson, are joint authors of a major review paper – Harms to women...

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was given a standing ovation while addressing a joint meeting of the Dáil and Seanad, in which he thanked Ireland for the assistance it has given his country and people since it was invaded by Russia almost four years ago. He thanked TDs and Senators for their "steadfast support" for Ukraine, adding that there is a "real chance" for peace if the whole world i...

Another rush hour protest by taxi drivers against Uber’s new fixed rates is set to take place across Dublin this afternoon. Organisers of the protest said that they “apologise again” in advance for the disruption, but insisted the action is necessary to “secure the future for all the drivers and families suffering with uncertainty”. The drivers have accused Uber of undermining the regulated taxi f...

Supermodel David Gandy recently argued that there isn’t enough conversation around “good men,” suggesting that profiles such as Andrew Tate promote a disruptive version of masculinity. The supermodel has also been backing the Centre for Social Justice's Lost Boys campaign in the UK, which aims to raise awareness on the issues boys and young men are facing. We are joined on the programme now by Eog...

Walk around any part of Dublin city and remnants of the British empire remain in the names of the streets. Wellington Quay, Marlborough Street, North King Street, Queen Street, Henry Street, Grafton Street. All are named after members of royalty, aristocracy or landowners in the city when the locations were developed. There are a few disputes over the origins of the names of streets. North Great G...

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fianna Fail Senator, Alison Comyn, who lives in Drogheda.  This morning we are going to be talking about a photograph which was posted on Twitter over the weekend of West Street in Drogheda with the caption “just your average Saturday afternoon on the main St of Ireland's largest town”. The picture shows a range of shops closed down and empty on th...

A criminal investigation is under way into a video threat against politicians in the Newry, Mourne and Down council area. The threat was made in a video posted on social media of three masked men with what appear to be handguns and a rifle in front of the Tricolour. A statement read by one of the men said a group, calling itself 'The New Republican Movement', is frustrated with "mass immigration"...

Just 10% of Ireland’s historic landfills have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over 15 years since the regulations were introduced, despite evidence some are polluting waterways. The rules are meant to ensure that these old landfills – found in every county in Ireland – are not causing or are likely to cause environmental damage in the future. But the failure to certify...

Experts warn that the next migration wave may not be inward, but outward. Journalist and climate commentator John Gibbons recently issued a stark warning: Ireland could one day face a future where we become migrants due to extreme climate change. “Iceland has already described this as a national security crisis,” Gibbons said, referencing recent government concerns about dramatic changes to Atlant...

A pilot programme for equipping frontline gardaí with Tasers will begin this week. Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will bring a memo to Cabinet noting the beginning of the project that allows around 120 specially trained frontline gardaí in Dublin central, Waterford, and Kilkenny to carry conducted energy devices, commonly known as Tasers. Specially trained frontline gardaí will be given the devi...

**TRIGGER WARNING: UPSETTING/DISTRESSING CONTENT** Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion has said she “did the right thing” in speaking publicly about her experience of coercive control by a former partner, because it had encouraged many women and their families in similar situations to seek help. She has also said politics had become so toxic for women that she thinks she wouldn’t get involved if s...

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro offer hope to millions as obesity becomes one of the most serious global public health challenges, affecting up to two billion people by 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. The WHO, which has launched its first guidelines for use of skinny jabs, warned that medicines alone will not solve the challenge as it called on governments to create...

Recent statements by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, and the government’s approval of a new package of asylum and citizenship reforms, have dominated headlines across Ireland over the past number of weeks. Abolish Direct Provision Ireland (ADPI) are welcoming efforts to reform the asylum system — they say they believe a fair, transparent process is important. What they are calling for now, howev...

Ireland's bail system is "cumbersome", "inefficient" and "haphazard", according to a new review recommending key changes. Commissioned by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and carried out by senior counsel Lorcan Staines, the review makes 15 recommendations. They include allowing Gardaí to immediately arrest someone suspected of breaking their bail conditions, introducing new laws around house arre...

Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke TD, recently commended representatives from the Widow and Bereaved Partners Ireland (WBPI) advocacy group, who he hosted in the Audio Visual Room in Leinster House earlier this week, for their courage in sharing their personal stories and advocating for improvements within the system.  The 2022 census showed that there are 210,083 people widowed in...

Sinn Féin TDs Darren O’Rourke and Joanna Byrne, alongside Councillor Maria White, last night launched a set of proposals to address the Garda recruitment and retention crisis, at a public meeting on Garda resources held in Bettystown. The meeting heard that Meath has the lowest number of Gardaí per head of population in the state, a situation that is having a direct impact on community safety. The...

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has issued a warning that consumers are being targeted by "increasingly sophisticated online scams". The warning comes as Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales kick off the busiest shopping period of the year. With recent CCPC research revealing that around one in four people expect to make a purchase in the sales, the watchdog is advising consumers...

Louth councillors have hit out at the controversial €1.2 million bill left behind after Drogheda hosted the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2018 and 2019. The council confirmed at their Budget 2026 meeting that it will begin to make annual payments of €100,000 to clear the debt accumulated by the Fleadh taking place in the Louth town. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr. Maeve Yore said she and other counc...

Most countries regard a declining population as a threat, and a rising population as a good thing. This is one reason why the ageing societies of Western Europe have welcomed millions of immigrants in recent decades, as their native populations have declined. At Government buildings on Wednesday, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan was at pains to frame Ireland’s problem as one of immediate capac...

We are joined on the programme now by Aontu councillor in Navan, Emer Toibin, who took to social media yesterday to voice her anger and frustration over what she says are “serious issues” with the NX and 109 bus routes from Navan. Councillor Toibin says that Navan commuters are now at “breaking point” because of it.  Councillor Toibin has been in touch with the NTA over this issue, and she jo...

Hundreds of tricolours erected across Dublin city by anti-immigration groups will not be removed. Dublin city council will instead launch initiatives to promote a deeper understanding of the Irish flag according to the Irish Times. It follows concerns that any large-scale removal would provoke an angry response and could put council workers in dangers We were joined on The Agenda this morning by I...

Gardaí are investigating after a stag was beheaded in parklands attached to a popular family tourist attraction in north county Dublin. A spokesperson said the force was investigating “a reported incident of wildlife crime” in the area in the early hours of this morning. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has also launched an investigation into the incident, which happened at Newbridge House...

More children and families turned to Barnardos in 2024 than in any previous year. Through practical, emotional and therapeutic supports delivered in family homes, schools and communities across Ireland, the charity worked with over 35,600 children and families, a number set to rise before the end of 2025.  Barnardos mission is to ensure every vulnerable child in Ireland receives the support t...

Bank of Ireland (BoI) will pilot a new loan product allowing people to trade down to a smaller home. The product is similar to bridging finance and is likely to appeal to people whose children have left home and who want to downsize. Previous suggestions that older people in large properties whose families have left should move to free up houses for younger families have drawn a furious backlash f...