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Louth TD Steps Up Campaign for New Drogheda Railway Station - 29/09/2026
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A new demand has been made on the Government to look at providing a new train station on the north side of Drogheda, as well as developing a station in mid-Louth.
The call has been made by Fine Gael TD for Louth, Paula Butterly, through a series of parliamentary questions submitted last week. She has asked for feasibility studies to be carried out into both projects, as she continues to push for a commitment from the Government.
There has been no train station in mid-Louth since Dunleer station closed many years ago, and there have also been calls for improved rail connectivity on the north side of Drogheda as the area continues to grow.
Deputy Butterly is a strong supporter of both projects and has been lobbying for progress on the proposals.
Deputy Paula Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk more about the plans and what she wants to see happen
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Julianstown Residents Seek Relief from Heavy Traffic - 01/10/2026
10:20|Residents in Julianstown have formed a new association to campaign for progress on the R132 Traffic Relief Scheme, amid concerns over the growing volume of traffic through the village.More than 22,000 vehicles pass through Julianstown each day, with residents highlighting concerns around congestion, noise, pollution and pedestrian safety. There are also fears about the impact on the village’s heritage and surrounding rural roads as the population of East Meath and south Drogheda continues to grow.Residents say they have been seeking a permanent solution for more than 40 years. Fred Logue, Chairperson of the Julianstown Village Association, has lived in the village all his life and joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss this further.
Calls for Tougher Enforcement of Dog Fouling Laws as Vision Ireland Launches Campaign - 01/10/2026
10:54|There are calls for much tougher enforcement of dog fouling laws, with the fine for failing to clean up after your pet in a public place recently increased to €250.However, Vision Ireland says only 44 fines were issued across the country last year, raising concerns about how effectively the rules are being enforced.The organisation says dog fouling can create a particular hazard for people who are blind or visually impaired, making it more difficult and potentially dangerous to navigate public spaces independently.As it launches its Clear Our Paths campaign, Vision Ireland is calling for greater awareness and stronger action to tackle the problem.Madeleine McNamara from Vision Ireland joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about the campaign and what needs to change.
Budget 2027: The Political Battle to Frame What is Announced - 01/10/2026
13:46|With Budget 2027 now less than a week away, the political parties are already preparing how they will frame what’s announced — and what it will mean for households across the country.The Government is presenting the Budget as one focused on protecting Ireland’s finances amid global uncertainty, while also trying to ease some of the pressures facing working people.Opposition parties, meanwhile, are expected to argue that the measures being signalled so far don’t go far enough for households dealing with rising costs, housing pressures and financial uncertainty.So, with plenty at stake ahead of Budget Day next Tuesday, we were joined on The Agenda this morning by political correspondent Sean Defoe to look at what we can expect when the Minister for Finance gets to his feet.
Meath East TD Calls for Windfall Tax on Energy Companies - 01/10/2026
10:32|Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke is calling on the Government to introduce a windfall tax on the excess profits of energy companies, with the proceeds used to support households facing high energy bills.Deputy O’Rourke says the Government can no longer point to the EU as a reason for delaying action, following comments from the EU Commissioner for Climate and Taxation that individual member states can introduce their own measures.Sinn Féin is calling for a 75% tax on excess energy profits, with the money raised returned to households through a new energy credit. Deputy O’Rourke says families are continuing to face rising electricity and gas bills while energy companies make significant profits.Deputy Darren O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the proposal and what he wants to see in next week’s Budget.
Sinn Féin Meet Taoiseach and Tánaiste to Urge Intervention on Garvaghy Road - 30/09/2026
17:52|The political standoff over the Drumcree parade in Northern Ireland is continuing, with a second round of talks failing to produce a breakthrough.Northern Secretary Chris Bryant has been meeting separately with the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition, with further talks expected. The dispute has also led to heated exchanges at Stormont, while Sinn Féin is calling for intervention to prevent the parade from going ahead.Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Northern Secretary to use his powers to intervene. Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk about the situation and what he believes needs to happen next.
Why Reddit Might Be One of the Internet’s Nicer Corners - 30/09/2026
13:41|If you’ve ever had a very specific question or problem and thought, “Surely someone on Reddit has been through this before,” you’re probably not alone. From health worries and cooking tips to hobbies, relationships and some of the most niche interests imaginable, there seems to be a Reddit community for almost everything.And while social media can often feel like a pretty negative place, Reddit can sometimes offer something different — people genuinely taking the time to share their experience, advice or simply a few kind words with a stranger.Irish Independent columnist Saoirse Hanley has been looking at why Reddit has become such a go-to source for advice and community, and whether it might actually be one of the nicer corners of the internet. Saoirse joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.
Louth TD Demands Better Support for Women Living with PMOS - 30/09/2026
12:06|A new call is being made for earlier diagnosis and better access to care for the thousands of women in Ireland living with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS.The condition, formerly known as PCOS, affects around one in ten women and can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Mental health challenges are also common, yet many women still face difficulties getting a diagnosis and accessing appropriate care.Louth Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan is hosting a briefing on the issue, where former Miss Ireland Chelsea Farrell will share her experience of living with PMOS, alongside Professor Michael O’Reilly, Consultant Endocrinologist at Beaumont Hospital. Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.
Tensions Return to Garvaghy Road as Orange Order Parade Blocked - 29/09/2026
17:34|There has been a tense weekend in Portadown, following a decision to allow an Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road for the first time in 28 years.The Parades Commission gave permission for 35 members of the Orange Order to take part in the march, but the route was blocked by protesters, including Sinn Féin representatives.The decision has brought back memories of the clashes and tensions surrounding the route during the 1990s, which attracted international attention.Sinn Féin has criticised the decision, while the DUP says the rule of law must apply equally to everyone.DUP MLA Gareth Wilson has criticised the actions of Sinn Féin representatives over the weekend, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk more about the situation.