The Agenda

Residents, commuters and businesses in Julianstown are being encouraged to attend a public meeting this week to discuss plans for a traffic relief scheme for the village.The Julianstown Traffic Relief Scheme is currently at Phase 2, with four western road corridors now out for public consultation. However, questions have been raised about how the options were assessed and why other possibilities, including direct access between the M1 and R132, are not included in the current consultation.Traffic analysis suggests around 60% of morning traffic travelling south through Julianstown continues towards Junction 7 of the M1. The current proposals would also require new crossings of the River Nanny, bringing additional engineering and cost considerations.A public information meeting will take place at the CityNorth Hotel on Thursday at 7.30pm. Emma Haran from the group joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public transport is not nearly as dangerous as people think it is, according to the Commuter Coalition.New figures from the NTA show that 46% of people believe antisocial behaviour on buses, trams and trains has increased this year, with concerns around safety continuing to affect how people view public transport.However, Commuter Coalition spokesperson Lochlann Gallagher says those fears need to be put into context. He argues that while people may encounter antisocial behaviour from time to time, it remains relatively rare across the thousands of journeys made every day.Lochlann also says regular users tend to view public transport as “much, much safer” than those who rarely or never use it, suggesting that people’s perceptions may not always reflect the reality of travelling by bus, tram or train.Lochlann joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A survivor of a mother and baby home who was subjected to vaccine trials and sexually abused as a child says he is devastated that vulnerable children are still being failed by the State.Francis Timmons, who spent the first years of his life in Madonna House mother and baby home in Blackrock, Dublin, says there are serious concerns about the safety and stability of children currently in State care.It comes after figures revealed that more than 1,100 children in Tusla care were placed in unregulated emergency settings last year, while hundreds experienced multiple care placements. Internal records also show children in Tusla-run homes were reported missing almost 7,000 times between January 2020 and September 2025.Mr Timmons is now calling for urgent Government action to address what he describes as systemic failures in the care system. Francis joined us on The Agenda this morning to share his story and discuss his concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dáil is being recalled early from its summer break this Friday, as the ongoing war in the Middle East continues to push up fuel prices.The government is expected to postpone planned excise duty increases on petrol and diesel, which were due to come into effect in September and October.However, Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty says the recall must be about more than simply delaying the increases. He is calling on the government to commit to not restoring the taxes while fuel prices remain high, and says Budget 2027 must provide wider relief for families facing the rising cost of living.Deputy Pearse Doherty joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the planned changes and what he wants to see from the government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is carrying out a new study looking at male attitudes towards masculinity and consent.The research, which is part of the DRCC’s We-Consent campaign, will explore the attitudes of males aged between 16 and 65, including the influences shaping those attitudes – from friends and sport to the online world.It comes after research last year found that young men aged 18 to 24 were the least confident when it came to understanding consent, with 16% unsure what consent means. The study also found that 27% of those surveyed agreed that sometimes people say no when they want convincing.The DRCC says understanding how masculine norms are formed is key to preventing violence and will help shape future education and prevention campaigns.Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the research, as well as the organisations plans to protest Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staff at Oberstown Children Detention Campus are set to stage a 48-hour work stoppage next week, as an ongoing dispute over staffing and resources escalates.Fórsa members will stop work from midnight on Monday, August 31st, until Tuesday night, following a series of weekly stoppages which began earlier this month. Members are also due to hold a 12-hour stoppage and picket outside the campus beforehand.The union says its members are taking action over what they describe as inadequate staffing levels at the State’s only child detention facility, which is regularly operating close to capacity.However, Oberstown director Damien Hernon has called for a “ceasefire”, warning that the industrial action could increase risks at the facility.Fórsa’s Media Relations Director Niall Shanahan joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the dispute and the reasons behind the planned escalation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A woman has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into an organised crime group in County Louth.The development follows a Garda operation targeting the group in Dundalk on Friday, during which guns and viable improvised explosive devices were seized.The woman, who is in her 30s, is due before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court this afternoon.Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the latest developments and the wider concerns around organised crime in the area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Businesses in the Drogheda area are being urged to take steps to prevent pallets, tyres and other materials being taken for bonfires ahead of Halloween.An Garda Síochána in Louth, together with Louth County Council, has been visiting businesses in the Drogheda area as part of an early awareness campaign.Gardaí say teenagers have already begun collecting materials such as pallets and tyres, which can later be used in bonfires, and businesses are being reminded to store and dispose of these materials securely and lawfully.This is also a major problem in Drogheda every year, and there are already reports of stockpiling taking place.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Labour Councillor for Drogheda, Pio Smith, who says he has already witnessed this activity earlier this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MEP Barry Andrews is warning that TikTok could potentially face a temporary suspension in Europe if the social media platform fails to comply with EU law.TikTok has been invited before the Oireachtas Media Committee to answer questions about videos showing wrong-way and dangerous driving on Irish motorways, following the M9 crash in Kildare.The European Commission has also issued preliminary findings in three separate investigations into TikTok over the past year, raising concerns about whether the platform is meeting its obligations under EU law.Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews says that if TikTok does not comply with those findings, and any resulting fines fail to change its behaviour, the Commission must consider activating the relevant legal powers.Barry joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the concerns and what action could be taken against TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louth County Council’s proposed Active Travel Scheme for the dual carriageway in Drogheda is being described as a development that will benefit cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.Chairperson Noel Hogan says cyclists will have a safe, segregated route to and from Drogheda train station, while pedestrians will benefit from safer crossings and shorter crossing distances at junctions.He says the benefits for motorists are sometimes overlooked, with cycle lanes encouraging people to leave their cars at home and helping to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Hogan also points to research suggesting that improved cycling infrastructure can help traffic flow.With the ongoing fuel crisis, he believes more people will turn to active travel and says Drogheda needs to prepare for that change.Noel joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The pace of rent increases has slowed, according to the latest Daft rental report, but rents are still rising sharply across much of the country. Market rents increased by 1.4% between March and June, a significant slowdown from the record 4.4% increase in the first quarter.Annual rent inflation outside the major cities remains between 9% and 10%, with the pressures particularly relevant for counties such as Louth and Meath, where demand for rental properties remains strong.So what does the latest data tell us about rents and the availability of homes in Louth and Meath? Ronan Lyons, Associate Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of the Daft report, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the figures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This morning on The Agenda, we were joined in-studio by Drogheda Mayor Declan Power, who says he’s had enough of the town being constantly portrayed in a negative light.Declan spoke about the positive things happening across Drogheda, from local businesses and community groups to the people working hard to make a difference, and why he believes the town deserves to be celebrated for the good as well as challenged on the bad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Sun has launched a new investigative series examining Ireland’s children-in-care crisis, looking at serious failures within the State care system and the experiences of some of the country’s most vulnerable children.The series, ‘State of Neglect’, examines cases involving children going missing from care, grooming and sexual exploitation, as well as unexplained deaths and concerns around the protection and oversight of children known to the State.One of the cases at the centre of renewed scrutiny is that of local boy Kyran Durnin, whose disappearance and presumed death raised serious questions about the systems in place to protect vulnerable children.The Irish Sun is calling for greater accountability from Tusla and for an independent statutory body to investigate all child deaths in Ireland.Keith Faulkner, journalist with the Irish Sun, joined us on The Agenda to discuss the investigation, the case of Kyran Durnin and what needs to change to better protect children in State care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This morning on The Agenda, we were joined by Labour TD Alan Kelly, who has hit out at TikTok for refusing to appear before an Oireachtas Committee to answer questions about how it protects users, particularly young people, from dangerous and harmful content.Deputy Kelly says the company needs to take responsibility, especially following concerns over social media content glorifying dangerous behaviour in the wake of the tragic M9 incident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are growing calls for social media companies to take greater responsibility for content that glorifies dangerous, reckless and illegal behaviour, including dangerous driving.The issue has come into sharp focus following the recent incident on the M9 motorway, where a car was reported to have travelled in the wrong direction. There are now concerns about the role social media can play in promoting or glorifying this type of behaviour, particularly among younger users.TikTok has refused an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Media Committee to answer questions about the safeguards it has in place and how it deals with content that could encourage dangerous or illegal activity.Sinn Féin is calling for social media companies to be held accountable, but Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy says that while the incident was shocking, introducing new legislation is not necessarily the answer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardaí in Louth are investigating an assault on a volunteer at Blackrock Haggardstown Community Centre on Tuesday evening.The incident happened at around 5.20pm, with the centre committee saying one of its volunteers was physically and verbally attacked by a young man.The volunteer was left badly shaken and will require time off to recover. Gardaí are investigating, and the incident was captured on CCTV.The community centre has now taken the decision to keep its front door locked, saying it is not the first time staff and volunteers have faced abuse from groups of teenagers. As a result, the centre’s toilets will also no longer be accessible to the general public.The volunteer who was assaulted, Paul Kavanagh, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about what happened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An appeal representing thousands of objectors has been formally lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála against plans for more than 1,000 homes on lands near Cúchulainn’s Castle in Dundalk.The appeal follows what campaigners have described as “unprecedented opposition” to Louth County Council’s decision to grant planning permission to Grandspect Ltd for a Large Residential Development close to the historic site of Dún Dealgan.The council received 240 submissions on the development, with musicians Jim and Andrea Corr, Charles and Andrew Hendy of The Mary Wallopers, Jinx Lennon, Gerry O’Connor and Zoe Conway among those opposed to the plans.The campaign was spearheaded by local photographer Nicola Bishop, whose petition against the development attracted the support of more than 10,000 people.Stephanie Kent, Secretary of the committee, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the appeal and the campaign against the development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has announced what he describes as a major new campaign targeting Iran’s economy, threatening “tremendous” consequences for any country that continues to do business with the Islamic Republic.The move comes as the war approaches its sixth month, with the Strait of Hormuz still significantly disrupted and no immediate diplomatic or military resolution in sight.President Trump says the new measures will amount to an unprecedented level of economic warfare and isolation, targeting activities including oil smuggling, cash transfers and the use of front companies.His announcement also comes as the war faces renewed scrutiny in the US over its impact on consumers and the cost to the military.Law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, Larry Donnelly, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the latest developments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is growing concern over the rising cost of fuel and the impact it could have on school transport, with bus contractors still waiting for clarity on Government support payments.Despite almost €7 million being allocated for fuel supports, school bus contractors have told Irish Country Living they could be forced to park up their vehicles as diesel prices approach €2 a litre, potentially leaving children without transport to school.With the exemption on fuel excise due to be reversed next month, contractors say they need to know what support they will receive from Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.They are also calling for greater transparency around the payments, so they can plan ahead for the coming school year.Jacqueline Hogge from the Irish Farmers Journal joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is calling for urgent action over the use of sulky horses on public roads, warning of serious risks to both animals and other road users.The NSPCA wants a legal ban on racing, training and high-speed sulky activity on public roads, along with stronger enforcement powers, additional Garda resources and a coordinated approach involving Government departments, local authorities and animal welfare organisations.It is also calling for better systems for reporting incidents, including an online portal for submitting video evidence, as well as greater support for the safe seizure, rehabilitation and rehoming of horses where necessary.The NSPCA says almost 22,000 people have already signed its petition, following a number of serious incidents involving horses and sulkies on Irish roads.Conor Dowling, Chief Inspector with the NSPCA, joined us on The Agenda this morning to explain why the organisation believes urgent action is needed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can a new Ireland protect the values it has developed over the past century while also creating a culture where northern unionists and immigrant communities feel included?That will be one of the key questions explored at this year’s Darcy Magee Summer School in Carlingford, which will focus on culture, identity and inclusion, and the growing challenges of racism, xenophobia and anti-immigration violence.The event will bring together academics, politicians, activists and journalists to discuss issues including the ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theory, the rise of ethno-nationalism and the challenges of building a more inclusive all-Ireland culture.One of the speakers is Sunday Independent Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride, who was recently assaulted at a Belfast race riot. Sam joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the summer school, the issues it will explore and the wider debate around identity and inclusion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social media companies are facing growing questions over their responsibility to remove videos showing illegal and dangerous activity, particularly following the recent M9 tragedy.Under Irish and EU law, platforms must remove illegal content once they become aware of it, but there is a grey area when videos show potentially illegal activity rather than being illegal in themselves. That has become particularly relevant with the large volume of videos showing joyriding and dangerous driving appearing on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.The sheer amount of content being uploaded makes moderation difficult, with companies relying on a combination of artificial intelligence and human moderators to identify and remove material.We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Fine Gael backbench TD is calling for the Government to reconsider plans to phase out temporary fuel supports, warning that rising prices and ongoing instability in the Middle East mean now is not the time to increase costs for motorists.From September 1st, petrol is set to rise by around 9 cent a litre and diesel by 10 cent as the Government begins restoring fuel excise rates. Fuels for Ireland has warned that diesel could rise above €2 a litre, while also suggesting further protests could follow.Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan says the planned increase should be stalled, particularly given the impact higher fuel costs could have on agriculture, road haulage and families in rural communities.Deputy Brennan joined us on The Agenda this morning to explain why he believes the Government needs to rethink its position. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A long-awaited new park for Bettystown is set to take another step forward, with Meath County Council due to provide a detailed update on the project in the coming weeks.The six-acre site on the new Tara Road has been in the pipeline for years, with the formal planning process now underway.The proposed park is set to include a learn-to-cycle track, orchard, outdoor classroom, pump track, padel and pickleball courts, basketball court and a new community centre, along with changing facilities, parking and a café.The new chairperson of the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District, Councillor Maria White, says she is hugely excited about the plans and believes the area badly needs the new facilities.Councillor White joinED us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dundalk’s Kate O’Connor spoke to LMFM about her remarkable weekend in Birmingham, where she became European heptathlon champion. The 25-year-old produced a superb performance across the seven events, finishing with 6,751 points and adding European gold to her Commonwealth title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Julianstown community group is calling for greater transparency over how a wide range of possible solutions to the village’s traffic problems was narrowed down to the four western bypass routes now before the public.Project documents show that options including direct M1 access, public transport improvements, an East-West Link Road and changes to the M1 toll were also considered.The group is particularly asking what happened to the proposed direct M1-to-R132 link, which a September 2025 report recommended for further consideration, subject to additional traffic modelling.The group says it is not alleging anything improper, but wants to see the evidence explaining why that option was dropped while the western bypass routes progressed.Emma Haran from the group joined us on The Agenda this morning to explain their concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Garda Representative Association is calling for “proper training” for Gardaí following the horrific collision on the M9 motorway in which five teenage boys lost their lives.The crash happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at Junction 3 of the northbound M9 at Moone in Co Kildare, when a car travelling in the wrong direction collided with another vehicle.Four people in the second car, including a seven-year-old boy, were taken to hospital and remain in serious to critical condition.The tragedy has raised fresh questions about wrong-way driving, Garda training and how officers can respond safely to incidents involving dangerous driving, and Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary at the Garda Representative Association, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín is calling for an immediate Government response following the horrific collision on the M9 motorway which resulted in the deaths of five teenagers and left a family seriously injured.Deputy Tóibín says the tragedy has highlighted the dangers of people deliberately driving on the wrong side of motorways, particularly when that behaviour is being filmed and shared on social media for likes, views and attention.He is calling for greater action from social media companies to remove this type of content, while also questioning whether An Garda Síochána is making sufficient use of videos posted online as evidence when investigating dangerous and criminal behaviour.He also wants greater investment in Garda training around pursuits, as well as technology such as wrong-way driving alerts and tyre-deflation systems to help prevent these incidents.Deputy Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For any parent, the fear of something happening to your child is overwhelming. But for Dervla Burke O’Connor, that fear is part of everyday life.Her nine-year-old son Paul is nonverbal, has an intellectual disability and needs round-the-clock care. Every day brings its own challenges — from helping him with the simplest tasks to dealing with meltdowns, the risk of injury and the constant worry that he could come to harm.Dervla says caring for Paul is something she and her family do with enormous love, but the physical and emotional toll has been immense. She says the stress and anxiety became so overwhelming that she ended up in hospital herself.She says families like hers can feel isolated and exhausted, while also carrying a deep fear about what the future holds for their children.Dervla Burke O’Connor joined us on The Agenda this morning to share her story — of loving her son deeply, while trying to cope with the extraordinary demands of caring for him every single day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s being described as one of the worst years for drought in decades, with farmers across the country facing mounting pressure after weeks of hot and exceptionally dry weather.Louth IFA Chair Kevin Sweeney, a dairy farmer from outside Ardee, says he can’t remember such a prolonged dry spell since he began farming. While he says Louth is better off than some parts of the country, the lack of rainfall is still having a significant impact.Potato and vegetable growers are among those worst affected, with irrigation becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. Dairy and drystock farmers are also struggling, with grass in short supply and some cattle already being fed indoors.Farmers are also having to keep a close eye on livestock for signs of heat stress and ensure there is enough water available. Kevin says he expects to be using additional feed for his cows right through the autumn and winter.Kevin Sweeney joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new estimate suggests around 19,000 people attended emergency departments in the first six months of this year for treatment of a condition they were already on a waiting list to have treated.The Irish Patients Association based its assessment on a HSE review of almost 4,900 patients who attended Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last January. The review found that a number of patients were seeking emergency treatment for the same condition they were waiting to have addressed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Concerns are being raised that potential evidence relating to alleged genocide and other serious crimes is being removed from Gaza, with Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor claiming that almost 100 trucks carrying rubble and debris are leaving the territory every day.The organisation estimates that at least 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023, while questions are now being raised about what happens to potential evidence contained within the rubble and destruction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five teenage boys have been killed when their car ploughed into a family on their way to the airport.The tragedy happened at 3am on Saturday morning when a BMW car drove on the wrong side of the M9 motorway at Moone, Co Kildare.It’s understood the vehicle had earlier failed to stop for Gardai and entered the motorway in the wrong direction. Gardai suspect the vehicle was stolen but have yet to confirm its status. After entering the motorway, the BMW crashed into a Hyundai.The male teenagers, some of whom were related to each other, were wearing balaclavas, or were otherwise masked. The deceased were aligned to a large group known to gardaí around the Carlow-Kildare region. Crime Editor at The Irish Sun, Stephen Breen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s growing anger in Drogheda over plans by Louth County Council to remove trees from West Street, with campaigners claiming the proposal is yet another example of the town’s main street being allowed to decline.Drogheda City Status group now says it has been contacted by a number of residents who are shocked at the plans, particularly amid concerns that there is no funding available for permanent replacement planting. Instead, temporary tree containers are being proposed.The group says that if the trees have to go, there needs to be a proper long-term plan and investment to replace them, while residents are being urged to make their views known to the council and local councillors.PRO of the Drogheda City Status group, Anthony Murphy, joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about all of this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staff processing asylum applications are at risk of anxiety, depression and insomnia due to exposure to traumatic personal stories and graphic material.A formal risk assessment at the International Protection Office found staff could experience emotional distress and “empathy fatigue” because of the nature of their work.It warned psychological injuries could build over time or result from a single exposure to particularly disturbing material. Staff can encounter traumatic content while interviewing applicants, reading case files or viewing images.Measures to protect employees include rotating them away from sensitive material and taking account of the number and type of cases they handle.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents and families outside Drogheda, are facing disappointment after a request for a new school bus pick-up point in the area was refused.The request was made by Deputy Ged Nash following representations from local families in the Monasterboice area, who are concerned that some children are having to walk too far to reach their existing school bus stop.However, Junior Minister for Education Michael Moynihan has said there are currently no plans to extend or change the school transport route in the area. The Department says routes are planned so that, where possible, eligible children should not have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point.Deputy Ged Nash joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government is again being urged not to increase excise duties on fuel from September 1st.The reintroduction of the charges, announced by Government in June, will also see the gradual restoration of all fuel levies by December 1st.The Irish Farmers’ Association says the planned increases will add further pressure to farmers and other motorists already facing high operating and living costs. IFA’s Bill O’Keefe argues the Government has already collected significant revenue from fuel and says now is not the time to increase the cost of filling a tank.He is calling on the Government to reconsider the planned increases and maintain the current fuel supports to help protect farmers, businesses and households from further cost pressures.Bill joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about all of this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Motorcyclist Association says car drivers are a major reason for the dangerous conditions on Ireland’s roads, as the number of people killed in road crashes continues to rise.So far this year, 113 people have lost their lives on Irish roads — 12 more than at the same point last year — including 16 motorcyclists. The figures have renewed concerns about the safety of motorcyclists, who remain among the most vulnerable road users.The Road Safety Authority has launched a new campaign urging drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists, particularly when emerging from junctions. Figures show that 954 motorcyclists were injured between 2021 and 2025, with failure to observe being the main cause of most crashes.Irish Motorcyclist Association PRO Michael Noonan says the group has worked closely with the RSA on its latest campaign and believes it is an important step forward, but he says the behaviour of some car drivers continues to put motorcyclists at serious risk.Michael joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working from home has transformed how many of us do our jobs, offering greater flexibility, saving time on commuting and allowing people to spend more time at home. But there are growing concerns that the shift away from the traditional workplace could also be contributing to what some are describing as an epidemic of loneliness.For some people, remote working means fewer face-to-face conversations, less social interaction with colleagues and fewer of those everyday connections that come with being in a workplace. With more people spending large parts of their working week at home, there are concerns about the longer-term impact on our mental health, social lives and sense of connection.So is working from home making us lonelier, and are we losing an important part of our social lives by spending less time around other people?Clinical Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the issue and what people can do to stay socially connected while working remotely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s shock and concern in Trim after local mental health services stopped operating without notice, leaving people who rely on the service being asked to travel to Navan instead.For many service users, that journey simply isn’t practical, raising serious concerns about access to vital mental health supports and what the closure means for vulnerable people in the Trim area.We’ll also be talking to Deputy Toibin about rising fuel prices and the amount the Government is expected to collect in VAT on fuel this year. The Government is forecast to take in around €1.67 billion in VAT on fuel, as energy prices continue to rise.Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has accused the Government of “giving money to people in one hand and taking it out of their pockets with the other”.Deputy Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about all of this, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new report from the Crime Victims Helpline has highlighted the human impact of crime across Ireland, with assault, harassment and stalking accounting for almost half of all crime-related contacts to the service last year. The figures show the demand for support is not just about reporting a crime — many victims are looking for emotional support, practical advice and help navigating the criminal justice system after what can be a deeply distressing experience.This morning on The Agenda, we looked at the latest figures tell us about the crimes causing the greatest distress, why so many victims need ongoing support, and whether enough is being done to help people in the aftermath of crime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new report looking at the dating habits and attitudes of Gen Z has put a fresh spotlight on a surprisingly old question — who should pay on a first date? Research suggests younger people are increasingly challenging traditional ideas about relationships and gender roles, with splitting the bill or having the person who arranged the date pay becoming more acceptable.But despite Gen Z’s more progressive attitudes towards equality, traditional expectations around men paying for dates haven't disappeared. That creates an interesting tension between modern ideas of equality and old-fashioned dating etiquette — particularly when money and the rising cost of dating are also factors.So, is splitting the bill the fairest approach, or does paying for a date remain an important gesture of interest and generosity?Dating expert and coach Frances Kelleher joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss whether Gen Z really is rewriting the rules of dating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents in rural areas are once again facing uncertainty over school transport ahead of September, with concerns that children living on dangerous country roads are being left without a safe way to get to school.Fianna Fáil Councillor Caroline O’Reilly in Ratoath says the same problems are coming up year after year, with families forced to chase places and deal with the issue on an individual basis.She wants children living on rural roads with no footpaths or safe walking and cycling routes to automatically qualify for a school bus place.She is also calling for a review of the concessionary ticket system, which she says can leave children from the same family being treated differently.Councillor O’Reilly joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us why she believes the school transport system needs to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new initiative in Dundalk is making cycling more accessible for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.Louth Disability Cycling Club has officially launched its new Inclusive Cycling Hub and Mobile Cycling Unit at Dundalk Sports Centre, providing access to a fleet of specially adapted bicycles.The project will not only operate from Dundalk but will also bring inclusive cycling directly to communities, schools and organisations across the north-east and Midlands.The aim is to remove barriers and give more people the opportunity to experience the freedom and enjoyment of cycling in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 2,000 children in Meath are being taught in primary school classes of 30 pupils or more, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth Darren O’Rourke TD has described the figures as “disgraceful”, saying overcrowded classrooms are making it harder for teachers to give children the individual attention they need.The figures show that 2,003 children in Meath are in classes of 30 or more, while 86% of primary school children in the county are in classes larger than the EU average of 19 pupils.Deputy O’Rourke is calling on the Government to use Budget 2027 to finally deliver on its promise of smaller class sizes, arguing that the removal of hundreds of classroom teaching posts this summer was a missed opportunity to reduce overcrowding.Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The number of suspected poisonings involving synthetic drugs reported to Ireland’s National Poisons Information Centre has doubled in just three years.Doctors are warning that these so-called designer drugs can be far more powerful than traditional substances and, in some cases, may not even show up on routine hospital drug tests.New figures show 30 enquiries were made to the National Poisons Information Centre about synthetic drugs last year, compared with 15 in 2023, while almost 200 people have been discharged from acute care in the past two years after requiring treatment.There are also growing concerns about drug-induced psychosis, with medics warning that hundreds of new synthetic substances are now appearing on the market.Investigative journalist with The Journal Investigates, Noel Baker, has been looking into the issue and joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A local Aontu rep and community activist in Drogheda says he was left deeply shocked after being assaulted on a public street earlier this week.Aontú representative Michael O’Dowd says he was walking along Peter Street with his daughter when a man kicked a wheelie bin in his direction, causing it to hit him. He says the same man had previously criticised him over his political views and had shouted at him on occasions over the past year.Michael O’Dowd says he cannot say with certainty what motivated the incident, but believes his previous interactions with the man give him serious reason to be concerned that he may have been targeted because of his political views and community work.He says his daughter was left shaken by what happened and is calling for greater Garda visibility and action to tackle anti-social behaviour in Drogheda town centre.Michael O’Dowd joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to tell us what happened and why he believes more needs to be done to transform Drogheda into what he says he knows it can be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burglary shock: Louth has been revealed as one of Ireland’s worst-hit counties for home break-ins.Despite burglaries falling nationally, Louth still recorded the third-highest rate in the country, with Dublin, Wicklow and Louth all more than 50% above the national average.With Dundalk seeing a 21% drop in burglaries, why is Louth still topping the burglary league — and should homeowners be worried?We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month on the programme, we spoke to Fianna Fáil Councillor for Bettystown, Stephen McKee, after a number of fires were deliberately started in the sand dunes at Bettystown Beach.At the time, there were serious concerns about the damage being caused to the dunes, which are an important natural habitat and a well-used part of the beach and coastline.Unfortunately, it appears the issue has not gone away. Over the weekend, there was another incident at Bettystown Beach, with sections of the sand dunes once again being set on fire. It comes after previous incidents in the area, and there are growing concerns about the repeated targeting of the dunes.Councillor McKee has been raising concerns about the fires and the condition of the dunes, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.