The Agenda

Ireland is moving ahead with controversial new legislation that would ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank — a move that’s already drawing strong international reaction. Foreign Affairs Minister and Meath-East Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee says the Government hopes to have the legislation passed by mid-July, as Ireland continues to take one of the strongest pos...

A row broke out in the Seanad this week after an Irish MEP claimed that Brazilian and UK beef was being used in school meals. Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly was part of a delegation of Midlands-North West MEPs addressing the Upper House on Wednesday.  They had met with European Commissioner for health and animal welfare Oliver Varhelyi about the safety of Brazilian beef. His comments...

Last month on The Agenda, we spoke to Fine Gael councillor in Ashbourne Alan Tobin about ongoing concerns around anti-social behaviour in the town, including reports of intimidation, threats and racial abuse directed at local shop workers and elderly people, which has left many residents worried about safety in the area. At the time, Councillor Tobin warned that some pregnant women had expressed f...

Yesterday on the programme we heard from frustrated residents in Ballivor who have been left without water since Sunday, with many locals saying ongoing supply issues have become a regular part of life in the area. We spoke to Peadar Tóibín, who described the latest outage as ‘a disgrace in the modern era’, warning that repeated water failures are impacting families, schools, businesses and even d...

Frustrations are growing in Ballivor after a number of housing estates were left without water since Sunday, with criticism mounting over ongoing problems with water infrastructure across south Meath. This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Aontú leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Tóibím, who described the latest outage as “a disgrace in the modern era” and says repeated supply issues over the past...

A local councillor has issued a strong appeal to the public following a disappointing surge in littering at Clogherhead Beach during a recent spell of good weather.  Despite the majority of visitors behaving responsibly, a number of beachgoers have left behind rubbish including bottles, cans, food waste and disposable barbecues, causing damage to the dunes and posing a risk to wildlife. The s...

Slushies are not suitable for children under 10 years old, the Food Safety Authority has said, as temperatures soar to the high 20s. The glycerol-containing ice drinks could cause side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting, for this age group. The FSAI’s previous advice was not to give slushies to under-4s, but it now includes older children, in line with new European guidelines. We wer...

Uisce Éireann crews are working to restore water to customers in Dunbin and surrounding areas following an outage due to issues at Hilltop Pumping Station.  Customers in the Dunbin, Kilkerley, Mullaghboy, Sheelagh, Philipstown, Deerpark, Rathmore, Balrobin, Thomastown, Ballybarrack, and surrounding areas are affected. Alternative water supplies, in the form of bulk tankers are now available a...

Yesterday on The Agenda , we spoke to Meath-based Independent Senator Sharon Keogan, who criticised plans to offer just €30,000 to the Slane community ahead of the upcoming two-day concerts at Slane Castle, saying local residents deserve far more given the scale of disruption involved. Now, concerns are continuing to grow among residents, with questions being raised around consultation, transparen...

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan is calling on the Government to follow the lead of several European countries and ban Israeli ministers from entering Ireland. Deputy McGreehan says Ireland should take a clear stance ahead of assuming the EU Presidency, pointing to recent moves by France and Slovenia to bar Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering their countries. Sh...

The promoters of the Slane Castle concert starring country legend Luke Combs for two nights in July have offered to donate €30,000 to the local community. They have previously paid €10,000 for each concert to be spent in the village. They have proposed increasing this to €15,000 per concert and since there are two consecutive concerts this year on July 18 and 19, they are offering €30,000. However...

A cross-border ferry service that linked counties Louth and Down across Carlingford Lough has announced it will not operate in 2026. The news of the halted service is a blow for cross-border tourism in the Cooley Peninsula and Mourne Mountains region. A notice posted on the Carlingford Lough Ferry website stated that the service between Greenore in Louth and Greencastle in Down would not run on an...

Picture the scene: a quiet summer evening, you’re sitting in your garden soaking up the sun, when a drone flies overhead carrying your neighbour’s groceries. That scenario could soon become reality in Dundalk, as Louth County Council has heard that drone delivery company Manna Aero, already operating in Dublin and Cork, is planning to launch services in the town. At the latest council meeting, Cou...

Bus Eireann has announced an extension to the extension to the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles contracted by the company under the School Transport Scheme, from age 70 to 72. While the measure has been welcomed, Fine Gael Councillor in Dundalk Carlingford, John Reilly, feels that it doesn’t reflect the realities of special education needs school transport.  The ext...

The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, says he intends to continue taking a firm approach toward non-Irish nationals who commit serious criminal offences in the State, following the deportation of 34 men to Poland and Lithuania on Sunday. The Minister was speaking at Dublin Airport yesterday during the launch of upgraded eGate facilities, part of the Department of Justice’s border management s...

Last month on The Agenda we spoke to a resident from Avourwen estate in Drogheda, who told us about some issues that he and other residents are having since they moved into their homes a number of years ago.  We were then contacted last week then by a resident of Lagavooren estate, which is attached to Avourwen, and he told us about how their side of the estate is also affected by the layout...

Concerns are being raised over large amounts of seaweed washing ashore on beaches across Louth and the potential health risks if it’s left to rot during the summer months. Labour councillor Michelle Hall is calling on Louth County Council to test seaweed found on local beaches following reports in France linking decomposing seaweed to toxic fumes. She said authorities in Brittany, France, discover...

As the school summer holidays approach, concerns are once again being raised about the issue of “holiday hunger” and the impact the long break can have on families already struggling with the rising cost of living. While the Hot School Meals Programme has expanded significantly in recent years, many children lose access to a reliable hot meal once schools close for the summer. Last year, the Gover...

What started as our Roundtable Panel debate about immigration today on The Agenda quickly turned into one of the most heated arguments we’ve ever had on air. We were joined in studio this morning by Councillor Alan Lawes, Councillor Ejiro O'Hare Strattan and Aontu rep Peter Whelan... and things took a very unexpected turn. During a very explosive topic on immigration, voices were raised, tempers e...

Jailed anti-transgender teacher Enoch Burke has finally had his employment terminated by Wilson’s Hospital School, over three years after it decided to sack him for gross misconduct. The move was confirmed by a lawyer for the board of management of the Co Westmeath school in the High Court on Thursday and came after a panel on Wednesday dismissed his appeal against his sacking. After the developme...

It’s amazing what a convoy of tractors and trucks on O’Connell Street can do…. At least, that’s what many union leaders must have been thinking after the recent fuel blockades. Last month a group of relatively unknown protesters got such swift and sizable results that they were surely the envy of any union official locked in talks for months with little to show for it. The protesters’ success may...

Residents in Drogheda are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of increased rat activity in recent days. Independent councillor Declan Power said he has been in contact with Louth County Council regarding the issue after concerns were raised by residents. Residents are being advised to report sightings promptly so locations can be logged and assessed. They are also encouraged to ensure...

The soaring cost of private rents is “hurting” a generation of young people facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis, Louth councillors heard at their latest meeting. Councillor Kevin Meenan revealed he had been contacted by many constituents who spoke of the challenges sourcing affordable accommodation in Dundalk. “They are facing rents of up to €2000 a month.. and some of these houses are n...

Young people in Meath are being encouraged to consider EU-funded volunteering placements across Europe, including farming projects in Germany, with funding provided for travel, food and accommodation. Meath MEP Nina Carberry said the European Solidarity Corps is “one of the best opportunities for young people that you’ve never heard of”. The programme is open to people aged 18 to 30 and offers opp...

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that he is appalled and shocked at the manner in which activists on board an aid flotilla to Gaza have been treated by the Israeli authorities. Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among at least 12 Irish citizens on board the flotilla that were detained by Israel, according to organisers. Hundreds more participants from other countries...