The Agenda

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.

Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee and Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has accused Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan of showing little willingness to resolve the ongoing dispute over criminal legal aid payments.The dispute centres on a new flat-fee payment system introduced in July, which solicitors say does not adequately reflect the time and complexity involved in criminal cases. The Minister maintains that the reforms are necessary.Criminal defence solicitors have widened their withdrawal of services, leading to significant disruption across the courts system, with thousands of cases reportedly adjourned. The action has also affected serious criminal proceedings, raising concerns about delays for defendants, victims and witnesses.Deputy Carthy is calling for meaningful engagement between the Minister and the legal profession to resolve the dispute and minimise further disruption to the administration of justice, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Residents of The Steeples apartment complex in Navan are expressing anger and frustration as they remain unable to return home following a fire last July.Some residents are still living in emergency accommodation, with no clear timeline for when they can return to their apartments.John Murphy, who is staying in a B&B in Trim, says the situation is taking a toll on his mental health and leaving him feeling isolated, as residents continue to seek answers from Meath County Council and the management company.He says he is frustrated by the lack of communication and is concerned about the cost to taxpayers of keeping residents in emergency accommodation while they wait for answers.Councillor Alan Lawes has described the situation as outrageous, saying residents should not be left in limbo months after being evacuated.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by John Murphy and Councillor Alan Lawes to discuss the ongoing situation, the impact on residents and when they might finally be able to return home.

The Government is considering a further clampdown on vape shops, with proposals that could give local councillors greater powers to prevent them from opening in towns.Junior planning minister John Cummins has asked officials to examine whether national planning rules need to change, amid concerns about the rapid growth of vape shops and potential links to money laundering by criminal gangs.More than 5,100 licences have been granted by the HSE for shops selling vapes and tobacco since new licensing rules were introduced last February.Seanad leader and Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn says he intends to introduce legislation to give councils greater control over the number of vape shops opening in their areas, arguing that their rapid expansion is having a significant impact on town centres, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The new Boyne Link Road in Drogheda has officially opened, with the project expected to improve traffic flow, road safety and access to local businesses and employment centres.The road connects the Newtown Link Road with Boyne Business Park and the adjacent L-2307, providing improved infrastructure for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.The project was funded by Louth County Council, the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport, and is also expected to reduce traffic on the existing L-2307.Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda, Councillor Declan Power, has welcomed the investment, saying it will support economic growth, improve connectivity and enhance the quality of life for people living and working in the area.Declan Power joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the benefits of the new road and what it means for the town.

Problem gambling cases in Ireland have more than doubled in four years, according to new HSE figures, with 352 people accessing publicly funded treatment in 2025 where gambling was their primary issue, compared with 159 in 2021.The number of cases where gambling was one of several issues also nearly trebled, rising from 269 to 748 over the same period. However, addiction specialist Professor Colin O’Gara says the figures reflect the number of people seeking treatment rather than the true scale of problem gambling, warning that stigma remains a major barrier to accessing support.He says typically only one in ten people affected by severe gambling disorder will seek treatment, highlighting the need to improve access to services and encourage more people to come forward, and Professor O’Gara joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.