The Agenda

The Accord capped pension increases, breaking the pay parity link. It was intended as a temporary compromise, not a permanent erosion of rights. An Post's contribution to the fund dropped by 14% to 8% and for a period, the company made no contributions, while pensioners were asked to accept limits.

Campaigners and domestic violence organisations argue that the proposed three-year limit for an abusers' name to remain on the new public domestic register is too short. Inspired by the campaign for 'Jennie's Law' following the 2021 murder of Jennifer Poole (whose killer had a past conviction of assault she was unaware of), the register is being progressed by the Government

Senator Comyn was encouraged by the council's positive and practical response, stating the discussion was ''solutions-focused''. She believes the market has huge local goodwill and can become a vibrant hub for shoppers, tourists, and small businesses with the right support. She added that the market's revitalisation complements wider town centre regeneration, supports local enterprise, and enhances tourism. Senator Comyn concluded by expressing her commitment to continuing the work with traders and the Council to implement these proposals

Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó'Murchú challenged Minister for Disabilities, Emer Higgins, over the 'disaster' of the assesment of need waiting list, expected to top 22,000 this year. Expressing ''much unease'' about new government proposals, Ó'Murchú questioned the plan to remove assesment requirements for entry to special schools/classes, stressing the need for a clear process for assessing children for appropriate education. He also highlighted children being ''bounced around lists'' in the HSE and the failure to fill an estimated 300 Childreen's Disablilty Network Team (CDNT) positions.

The Journal investigates can today reveal high level concerns that children and young people are being prosecuted for damage to property in residential care placements - including in unregulated Special Emergency Arrangements

Garda Catherine Patterson from Dundalk Garda Station's Community Policing Unit spoke to LMFM's Adrian Kennedy on The Agenda this morning regarding:An arson attack in Dundalk last Wednesday morning. A road traffic collision in Drogheda on New Years' Eve.'Dangerous' Driving in Dundalk on New Years' Eve.

A Meath councillor has said residents are being “left in the dark” about major housingprojects, claiming that the current planning system for Large-scale ResidentialDevelopments (LRDs) allows developers to proceed without providing a “presentation”to councillors or the public.

Labour is calling for the introduction of a targeted wealth tax to support poverty reduction.

Growing unease among clubs and counties at Allianz' continued sponsorship of the NationalLeagues, manifested itself at Monday night's January meeting of the Louth County Board afterthe matter was raised by the St Fechins club.