The Agenda

In a year marked by economic uncertainty, international conflict and an accelerating pace of global change, international and national crises are sources of increasing concern to Irish people, new survey findings have revealed. According to the 2025 Annual Attitudes to Mental Health and Stigma Survey published by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, almost half of respondents (48%) say international conflict, such as the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, is of greatest concern to them as a societal challenge, while economic concerns, housing concerns and climate change are all noted as issues influencing mental health and wellbeing. Against the backdrop of these findings, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Ireland’s largest independent mental health service, is reminding everyone of the importance of seeking support for their mental health as we navigate these challenging times. We were joined on The Agenda this morning by CEO of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Paul Gilligan, who told us more about this survey and its findings. 

Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has said that cabinet approval to publish the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a major step in improving the technology available for the Gardaí.Deputy Butterly said:“Gardaí can often be left spending countless hours searching through videos or CCTV searching for evidence.“We want to equip An Garda Siochana with the technology they need to tackle crime and we need to be constantly looking to upgrade and improve what’s available. This technology will significantly improve efficiency and ensure Gardaí can progress a case faster”. Deputy Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke, alongside party representatives from across County Meath, last week met with officials from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to confront the escalating transport crisis facing the county’s growing population.The meeting, held at Leinster House, covered a comprehensive list of deficits and required interventions across all modes of public and active travel.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Sinn Fein TD for Meath-East Darren O'Rourke, who told us about the key issues that were raised by the delegation.

A flurry of new social housing will be advertised on Louth County Council’s letting portal ‘CBL’ in the run up to Christmas, it emerged this week.Dundalk councillors were provided with an update on the units coming on stream across the county in the final weeks of 2025.These include Approved Housing Body (AHB) developments in both Dundalk and Drogheda.Councillor Kevin Meenan told the meeting councillors had welcomed an email from the Director of Services, Ger Murphy, outlining the upcoming schemes.Councillor Meenan joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this

Louth County Council has opened public consultation on the Draft Town Centre First Plan for Clogherhead, and locals are being strongly encouraged to take part in shaping the future of the seaside village.The plan, developed in collaboration with the Clogherhead Town Team, community groups, local stakeholders, elected members and specialist urban designers — sets out a long-term vision for revitalising the village centre and improving amenities, accessibility, public spaces and services.Councillor Declan Power said it was “a very important moment” for anyone living in, working in, or connected to Clogherhead.Councillor Power joinsed us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has announced the allocation of €3.2 million to expand domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services.The allocation follows a targeted funding call by Cuan, the national agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Nearly 300,000 euro worth of funding has been granted to Louth and Meath with services in Louth to receive funding.One of the services receiving funding is the Drogheda’s Women’s Refuge, and that will receive €92,307.CEO of Drogheda Women’s & Children’s Refuge, Susan Keogh, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this funding and how it will help their services.

Drug-driving prosecutions in our district courts have surged, with 2,050 people before the courts up to October 2025 alone for drug driving offences, according to figures supplied to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú by the Irish courts service. A total of 1,499 people faced district court proceedings for drug driving in 2024, but this has already risen by 37% in the first 10 months of 2025, with 2025 marking the highest level on record for drug driving prosecutions in our district court system. Cynthia said the trend reflects a steady rise since 2020 — but warned that this year’s sharp escalation is particularly alarming.Cynthia joined us us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Farmers will be setting off later this morning to join their colleagues from across Europe at a protest in Brussels later in the week.They're concerned about the CAP budget, trade deals including Mercosur and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business.They'll be driving tractors today from the Irish Farm Centre to Rosslare and will get on a ferry to France for the demonstration in Brussels on Thursday.Irish Farmers Association President Francie Gorman set out what farmers want from the next EU budget, and Francie joined us on The Agenda this morning tell us more about this. 

Last week on the programme, we heard about “authoritarian” moves by Donald Trump’s administration to ask travellers, including from Ireland, to hand over five years of social media history.The new policy has been branded “a massive overreach” that would damage relations with the US.Under the new policy announced this week, all tourists, whether they require a visa or not, may have to undergo social media screenings to enter the US.nThe proposal, which is open for public consultation for 60 days, comes as the Trump administration has ramped up scrutiny of foreign travellers.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson, who says that the policy amounts to a “direct attack on privacy, free speech and freedom of expression” and would represent “a setback” for relations between Ireland and the US.