The Agenda

The Dáil has voted to progress legislation to remove the triple lock governing the deployment of Irish troops overseas, with 79 TDs voting in favour and 71 against. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 will now move to committee stage, amid concerns over the implications for Irish neutrality.The Government says the changes are needed to protect Irish sovereignty, while opposition parties argue they could undermine Ireland’s longstanding position on neutrality. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for a referendum on the issue. Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the vote and what happens next.

Stand-up comedy has long pushed boundaries, but where do we draw the line between a joke and an insult? American comedian Shane Gillis has sparked criticism following his appearance on Saturday Night Live, where he made comments about women wearing revealing gym clothes.In a recent piece for the Irish Independent, columnist Saoirse Hanley argues that this kind of humour risks reinforcing outdated attitudes towards women, particularly at a time when more women are being encouraged to feel confident and strong in the gym. She questions why women should feel self-conscious about what they wear while exercising, and whether comedy should come at the expense of women’s confidence.Saoirse Hanley joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss comedy, misogyny, and whether we’re becoming too sensitive to jokes — or simply less willing to laugh at the expense of others.

New research suggests there is significant public opposition to giving the Government access to private messages on encrypted apps such as WhatsApp and Signal.A survey of more than 1,000 Irish adults found that two-thirds would not trust the current or a future government with the power to access encrypted communications.The findings come amid plans by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to introduce legislation allowing law enforcement to intercept communications, including encrypted messages.The survey was commissioned by the Centre for Democracy and Technology and published in Ireland by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, and Olga Cronin, Head of Policy at the ICCL, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the findings and what they mean for privacy rights in Ireland.

Ghana is set to open an embassy in Dublin next year, in a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.Minister of State Neale Richmond confirmed the plans during a visit to West Africa this week, saying there is significant potential to build closer relations between Ireland and Ghana.The new embassy is expected to strengthen diplomatic links and help develop cooperation across areas such as trade, education and investment.The announcement comes as both countries look to build on their existing relationship and explore new opportunities for collaboration, with the embassy providing a dedicated point of contact for future engagement.Minister of State Neale Richmond joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Movember has launched its 2026 fundraising campaign, “Make a Growmitment”, encouraging men across Ireland to use the power of friendship to support better men’s health.New research shows that 52% of Irish men consider male friendships important to their wellbeing, yet more than one in four believe men are still expected to cope with problems without asking for help.The charity says everyday interactions, from checking in by phone to spending time together, can encourage important conversations and help men seek support when they need it.The research also highlights that while many men feel comfortable supporting a friend who is struggling, openly expressing affection and discussing personal difficulties can still be challenging.Sarah Ouellette, Country Director of Movember in Ireland, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the campaign and how friendships can improve men’s health.

Opposition parties are putting pressure on Fianna Fáil backbenchers to oppose the Government’s plans to abolish the Triple Lock, with legislation due to be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday.The proposed changes, brought forward by Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee, would replace the current system with a Double Lock, removing the requirement for UN Security Council approval for certain overseas deployments by the Defence Forces.Opposition parties have criticised the move, arguing it could undermine Irish neutrality, while calling on Government TDs to reject the legislation.Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence and Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East, joins us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the proposed changes and the Government’s position on the Triple Lock.

We’re turning our attention now to concerns around a number of robberies and attempted robberies reported in Kells on Monday night, with cars and wallets among the items targeted.Peter Devin, Aontú representative in Kells, got in touch to highlight the incidents, saying this is not the first time similar events have occurred in the area. The reports have raised concerns about what’s happening locally and the impact these incidents are having on people living in the community.With a number of incidents reportedly taking place, there are questions around safety in the town and the concerns of local residents following the events. Peter Devin, Aontú representative in Kells, joins us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Uisce Éireann is facing criticism over concerns that new housing developments in north Drogheda have been approved without sufficient water infrastructure to support the area’s growing population.Local Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne is calling for cast-iron assurances that there will be enough water supply capacity to meet Drogheda’s future housing and development needs. She has secured a commitment to meet with the utility’s CEO after raising the issue at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.Deputy Byrne says she raised concerns about the capacity of the Staleen water treatment plant during a visit in August 2018, when she was told it would not be able to supply the increased volumes of treated water needed to meet Drogheda and south Louth’s projected growth.Deputy Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.