The Agenda

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, discovered that decomposing seaweed was releasing dangerous fumes linked to deaths of both people and animals, and warned that Louth should take preventative action before similar problems develop here. She also said that beaches including Blackrock, Port Beach and Clogherhead were badly affected last summer, with strong odours impacting visitors throughout the season.Councillor Hall joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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 Government introduced a Holiday Hunger Pilot Programme worth €1.3 million, supporting approximately 40,000 children, but no decision has yet been made on whether the scheme will continue this year.There are now growing calls for the initiative to be expanded and made permanent, amid warnings that too many families face additional financial pressure during the summer months due to increased food, childcare and household costs.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who has been calling on Government to strengthen supports for families and tackle child food poverty during school holidays.

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 exploded and the councillors could barely get through a sentence without interrupting each other. This was extrememly heated start to finish.

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 developments were revealed, two of Mr Burke’s siblings, Simeon and Jemima, were ejected from the courtroom for what Mr Justice Brian Cregan described as “disruptive behaviour”.Both sought to raise objections and continued to talk over the judge, despite being directed to stop.We got the latest on all of this on The Agenda this morning.

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 have left them feeling not just upstaged, but facing more intense scrutiny about what they are delivering for members as pay expectations are mounting.Unions and the Government appear more at loggerheads now than at any time since the recession.Not long after the fuel protesters emerged with a massive half-a-billion-euro package, the leader of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), Owen Reidy, was keen to shift the spotlight to the 800,000 workers represented by unions in his organisation.Owen joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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 household bins are properly sealed, avoid leaving waste bags outdoors and remove possible food sources such as uncovered pet food or bird feed spillagesWe found more about all of this on The Agenda this morning

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 not even worth half that,” he told the May meeting of Louth County Council.The latest figures from Daft.ie found the average monthly rent in Louth is now: €1,466 for a one-bedroom apartment; €2,015 for a two-bedroom apartment; €2,476 for a three-bedroom apartment; €2,129 for a two-bedroom house; €2,642 for a three-bedroom house and €3,095 for a four-bedroom house. Councillor Meenan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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 opportunities to volunteer across Europe, with funding available for major expenses.According to the Central Statistics Office Census 2022, more than 30,000 people in Meath regularly volunteer. Irish projects received at least €1.56m in funding through the programme in 2024.Speaking from Brussels, Ms Carberry said the initiative gives young people the chance to travel, meet new people and gain valuable skills while living abroad.Nina joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.