The Agenda

This morning on The Agenda, Minister Helen McEntee joined us for a wide-ranging conversation on Ireland’s changing security landscape, the war in Ukraine, the situation in Lebanon and the growing importance of maritime security and space in defence.She also responds to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments that a United Ireland referendum is “off the table”, and discusses Ireland’s relationship with the UK and the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.With the Dáil returning and major challenges facing the Government at home and abroad, Minister McEntee gives her take on Ireland’s defence priorities, international security and the big political issues facing the country.

The dispute between criminal legal aid solicitors and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan continues, with tensions escalating over proposed changes to the way criminal defence solicitors are paid.The row has already had a significant impact on the criminal justice system, with solicitors withdrawing their services in protest over the reforms. The Minister has criticised the Law Society’s approach, saying that every concession he makes is followed by demands for more.But the Law Society has firmly rejected those comments, accusing the Minister of mischaracterising the position of criminal legal aid practitioners and describing his remarks as “fundamentally unhelpful”.With concerns remaining over the impact on the courts and access to justice, criminal defence solicitor in Drogheda, Paddy Goodwin, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the dispute and what happens next.

A new nationwide levy to help fund flood insurance is facing criticism from Sinn Féin, with the party arguing that homeowners should not be forced to pay more to address the growing problem of flood risk.Insurance Ireland says a sustainable flood insurance fund is needed to provide cover for homes that are currently unable to get insurance because of the risk of flooding. Central Bank research has found that around 5% of households have difficulty finding flood cover, which can also make it difficult for homeowners to sell their properties.With climate change expected to bring more frequent and severe flooding, there are growing questions about who should bear the cost of providing insurance and protecting homes in high-risk areas — homeowners, insurers, or the State.Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the proposed levy, the insurance gap and what he believes should be doneWe also discussed comments by British Prime Minister Amdy Burnham that a referendum on a United Ireland is "off the table".

Less than two weeks after the deaths of five teenagers in the M9 crash, concerns are growing over the amount of dangerous driving and suspected car theft content still being shared on TikTok.The Journal has identified more than 30 accounts appearing to show stolen cars, reckless driving and Garda chases on Irish roads, with some of the videos continuing to be promoted through the platform’s ‘For You’ algorithm. Some of the accounts have been removed, but new ones have appeared, with many featuring teenagers and content linked to car thefts and other illegal activity.Eimer McCauley from The Journal us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about the shocking facts that they have uncovered

An examination of child deaths linked to violence, abuse and neglect in domestic circumstances could help identify gaps in the supports available to vulnerable children.The Minister for Justice has confirmed that his department is developing a Domestic Homicide Review model for Ireland, which will examine the circumstances surrounding deaths linked to domestic and family violence and how agencies responded.Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the move, saying every effort must be made to understand what happened in these cases and learn lessons that could help prevent future tragedies.The proposed review will include cases where children have died through violence, abuse or neglect, as well as children killed during incidents of domestic or family violence.Deputy Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to speak to us some more about this.

At least 23 children in Carlanstown and North Meath have been left without a place on the school bus to O’Carolan College in Nobber, just days before schools reopen.Sinn Féin TD for Meath East and Education spokesperson Darren O’Rourke is calling on the Government to urgently provide additional places, saying key recommendations from the School Transport Scheme review have not been implemented.He says the affected families are facing significant stress, with some parents potentially having to change their working arrangements as a result.Deputy O’Rourke has written to the Minister for Education, Michael Moynihan, seeking approval for extra capacity on the affected routes.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Deputy Darren O’Rourke, and also by Audrey, whose daughter is one of the children without a place.

A group of parents say they are being left with no option but to look for their own solutions after their children were offered school places but cannot access school transport.Edite Miloslavska from Dundalk is one of those parents. She says she applied to three local schools for her daughter, but all were full, leaving her to accept a place further away. Without a transport option, getting her daughter to school has become a daily problem.The parents have contacted the Department of Education and the School Transport Section, while also exploring a private bus service. But with only around 17 families committed to paying €35 a month, the company said it would need around 25 children to make the service viable.Despite those efforts, Edite says there is still no solution — leaving parents asking what they are supposed to do when their child has a school place but cannot get to school.Edite joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

A young man has died following a fatal hit-and-run involving a van and a bicycle in Kells last night.The collision happened at Nugentstown at around 8.05pm, with the cyclist, who was aged in his late teens, pronounced dead at the scene. The van failed to remain at the scene following the collision.Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke has described the news as “absolutely heartbreaking” and is urging anyone who was in the Nugentstown area between 7.30 and 8.30pm last night, or who has any information, to contact Gardaí.Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning with his reaction to the tragedy.We will also be hearing about Deputy O'Rourke's calling for an end to the reliance on the goodwill of staff to mask systemic failures in our education system.