The Agenda

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Drogheda resident Maureen Morgan, who got in touch about ongoing illegal dumping at Barrack Lane in Waterunder, Drogheda. Maureen has also sent us photographs showing the latest incident, saying the lane has been used as a dumping ground for the third time since July 29th. She says that on the first occasion, the rubbish was removed following contact wi...

More than 100 professionals from across County Meath have come together for the county’s first interagency conference aimed at strengthening the response to domestic abuse. The two-day event took place at the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan on October 14th and 15th, bringing together representatives from organisations including Willow Domestic Abuse Services, An Garda Síochána, Tusla, the HSE and Meath Co...

The European Court of Justice has ruled that the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport can be considered when allocating airline slots, potentially meaning airlines could lose slots they have previously held. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien is facing criticism over the situation, with Social Democrats Councillor for Clontarf, Karl Stanley, accusing him of failing to think things through. S...

New figures from online safety charity CyberSafeKids show that more than a third of primary school children and two-thirds of secondary school children have no time restrictions on their online activity. The findings coincide with CyberBreak 2026, which encourages families to switch off smart devices from 7pm today and take a 24-hour break from the online world. The research also found that many c...

SpaceX chief Elon Musk says any restrictions affecting Ukraine’s use of the Starshield satellite communications system are the responsibility of the US government, not his company. The comments come amid concerns that connectivity issues could affect Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks and operate interceptor drones. The situation has sparked criticism in Washington, with bo...

Plans to develop a campervan park at Dundalk’s Navvy Bank are facing growing opposition, with 109 submissions made to Louth County Council objecting to the proposals. The plans include serviced campervan facilities, a playground and mini-golf, but local sporting clubs and residents have raised concerns about the loss of valuable community space, as well as potential noise, traffic and anti-social...

The possibility of a new train station on the north side of Drogheda has received a boost, with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, indicating that he understands the case for the proposal and that it remains under review. The issue was raised in the Dáil by local representatives, including Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne and Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly. The Minister said that while a new stati...

More than 300,000 public sector workers took part in a 24-hour strike over delays in reaching a new pay agreement, causing widespread disruption to schools, hospitals and public services. This morning on The Agenda, we spoke to Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, and Tom Fitzgerald, Unite’s Deputy Regional Secretary, about the unions’ demands and the prospect of...

The number of people applying for Irish citizenship has surged by 236 per cent, following the Government’s announcement of plans to tighten the application process. More than 8,700 applications were received last month, compared with just over 2,600 in August. The proposed changes include extending the residency requirement from five years to eight, introducing a civics exam and new financial requ...

Sinn Féin has condemned threats made against a councillor representing the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Paul Duffy’s name, along with a crosshair symbol, was spray-painted at his place of work. The councillor has supported local residents during the recent Drumcree stand-off. The graffiti has been condemned by senior Sinn Féin figures, including Stormont Finance Minister John O’Dowd and First Minis...

Yesterday on the show, as part of our Local Challenge, we looked at youth facilities across the North East, asking whether young people have enough places to meet, socialise and take part in activities in their own communities. We explored what’s available locally and whether more needs to be done to give teenagers positive outlets and safe spaces. Today, we’re bringing that conversation to Droghe...

Aontú has threatened to table a motion of no confidence in Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee unless she comes before the Dáil to answer questions about her time as Justice Minister and her handling of protected disclosures by gardaí. It follows an RTÉ Investigates documentary featuring four current and former gardaí, including allegations that whistleblowers were punished and forced out of th...

A human rights lawyer is calling on social media companies to restrict access to the planned livestream of the execution of an American mass shooter, warning that vulnerable people and children could be exposed to deeply distressing content. Nidal Hasan was sentenced to death in 2013 for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas, in which 13 people were killed. US President Donald Trump has now authori...

There’s been growing frustration among residents in Navan following the announcement of an increase in parking charges at Navan Town Centre. From Monday, October 19th, motorists will be charged €2.20 per hour, prompting concerns about the rising cost of shopping locally at a time when many households are already under financial pressure. The increase has sparked debate about whether higher parking...

Households across Louth are being encouraged to prepare for severe weather, with government-issued emergency advice leaflets recently delivered to homes. But if a major storm causes power cuts or disrupts water supplies, where can people go for help? Louth County Council has identified five Community Support Centres to act as emergency hubs during severe weather or other local emergencies, but the...

The European Commission has proposed a €1.76 trillion budget for the EU for the seven-year period from 2028 to 2034, but difficult negotiations lie ahead over how that money will be spent, where cuts may fall and how the EU will raise additional revenue. Ireland, as holder of the EU presidency, faces the challenge of finding agreement among all 27 member states at a time of significant geopolitica...

A homemade comic, created by two young brothers, Conor and Darragh, and influenced by their little sister Carla, has now inspired a children’s book. The central character was a boy called Prestin, and the comic was full of the wonderfully silly, mischievous humour of childhood. Now, that original idea has become Prestin and the Booger Oath , a book for children aged 8 to 12. Behind the book is a d...

Public service workers across the country are set to strike next Wednesday, with disruption expected across hospitals, schools and Government services as part of an ongoing pay dispute. The Labour Party says its TDs will not cross the picket line at Leinster House and is calling on other politicians to do the same. The issue has also been raised at the Oireachtas Business Committee, with some Oppo...

A DUP MLA has claimed there is a “clear precedent” for criminal proceedings over protests on the Garvaghy Road, as the PSNI investigation moves to its next phase. More than 100 prosecutions for road-blocking offences have been brought in Northern Ireland over the past decade. A number of Sinn Féin representatives and party members have received letters from police, including First Minister Michell...

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee for not meeting with residents of the Garvaghy Road, two weeks after the latest tensions began. He says the peace built over the past 28 years is at risk, following warnings from 11 nationalist residents’ groups that agreements around contentious Orange Order marches could unravel. Deputy T...

World Mental Health Day takes place this Saturday, with this year’s theme focusing on lived experiences being heard and the importance of real voices driving real change. Aware is marking the day by sharing stories from people who have experienced mental health difficulties and who have used its services and supports as part of their own journeys. One of those people is Peter Johnson from Dundalk,...

The Department of Justice is projecting savings of €682 million next year, largely due to changes in accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says the savings reflect reforms introduced by the Government, while Budget 2027 also provides for increased Garda recruitment and measures to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based viol...

The housing crisis is being brought directly to the European Parliament, with Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly highlighting the experiences of families struggling with rising rents and house prices. During a debate in Strasbourg on the EU’s proposed Affordable Housing Act, Ciaran Mullooly pointed to families in Meath and Galway who are struggling to afford housing despite working and earnin...

School principals are warning that the free schoolbooks scheme is creating an “unmanageable administrative burden”, despite strong support for the scheme itself. A new survey by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, which received 300 responses from school leaders, found that 90 per cent believe the administration involved is creating major burden, while 78 per cent say the...

€660,000 in recurring annual funding has been announced for new mental health crisis services in Louth. The funding will provide four crisis nurses at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, offering specialist support during key out-of-hours periods. A further €300,000 will fund a new Solace Café for Louth, providing a free, safe and non-clinical space for adults experiencing mental health dist...