The Agenda

This morning on The Agenda, we dsicussed the growing frustration over illegal and dangerous parking in Dundalk, after a local man told us that the situation is spiralling out of control.Gary contacted the show to tell us about what he describes as a frustrating pattern in Dundalk town, where he says he regularly has to ask motorists to move from loading zones just to be able to carry out his deliveriesWhen he challenged a motorist yesterday about her illegal parking, he was met with abuse and threats.Gary believes the chronic parking situation in the town is having a real impact on people.

Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has said it was an "oversight" not to declare that she had received payments under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme while questioning the Justice Minister about proposed changes to that very scheme at an Oireachtas committee this week.Deputy Butterly, who is a practising barrister, received €2,667 under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in 2025. Under Oireachtas rules, TDs and Senators are required to declare any material interest when participating in debates or committee discussions if that interest has not already been declared in the Register of Members' Interests.The matter has prompted questions about transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and whether the current rules governing declarations are sufficiently robust.Deputy Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

A jury has found a man guilty of the attempted murder of three children following the knife attack outside a school in Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023.Riad Bouchaker was also found guilty of causing serious harm to crèche worker Leanne Flynn, along with assault causing harm to two other children and a teenager. The attack left one young girl with life-changing brain injuries and sparked riots across Dublin city.The jury rejected the defence's argument that Bouchaker did not have the intent required for attempted murder, bringing the high-profile trial to a close.This morning on The Agenda we recapped on the trial and verdict that gripped the nation.

It was announced this week that the Government is to introduce paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage before 23 weeks of pregnancy.Under proposals being examined by Enterprise Minister Peter Burke, women would be entitled to five days' paid leave following an early miscarriage. It is also understood the same entitlement would apply to women who undergo an abortion.For many women, miscarriage remains a deeply personal experience, with many returning to work almost immediately because there is currently no dedicated statutory leave available.We were on joined on The Agenda this morning by Meath-based Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who bravely spoke to us about her own experience of multiple miscarriages.Senator Nelson Murray has been campaigning for greater support for women affected by pregnancy loss.

The political fallout following Jeffrey Donaldson’s guilty plea to child sex offences continues, with fresh details emerging in recent days about aspects of the former DUP leader’s private life while he was one of the most prominent figures in unionist politics.Media reports have highlighted allegations relating to affairs, the use of gay saunas and excessive drinking, prompting further questions about how Donaldson was able to maintain what critics have described as a double life while serving as an MP and later as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.The revelations have reignited debate about accountability in public office, the culture within political parties, and whether there were warning signs that were missed during Donaldson’s decades-long political career.Former DUP MLA Jim Wells has been outspoken in his criticism, describing Jeffrey Donaldson as an "unmitigated liar" and accusing him of deceiving colleagues and the public for years. Jim Wells joined us on The Agenda this morning.

The Irish Government has officially passed legislation to scrap the contentious 32-million annual passenger cap at Dublin Airport, a limit originally set in 2007. Ministers say the move will allow the airport to meet growing demand and support future growth.But critics argue that removing the cap alone won't solve the airport's capacity problems. Dublin Airport Terminal 3 Limited says unless the Government also commits to building a second access route via the proposed M2 western link, congestion and transport bottlenecks will continue to limit the airport's potential.So, is lifting the passenger cap enough, or does Dublin Airport need major infrastructure investment before it can expand any further?We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Ulick McEvaddy, founder of Dublin Airport Terminal 3 Limited,We were also joined by Graeme McQueen from the DAA.

Today marks a significant moment for Ireland as the country officially takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time since joining what was then the European Economic Community in 1973.Over the next six months, Ireland will chair meetings, broker negotiations and help steer some of the EU's most important legislation through the decision-making process. With Europe continuing to face challenges ranging from security and defence to competitiveness, migration and the cost of living, this is expected to be one of the most demanding EU presidencies in recent years.So, what are Ireland's priorities, what can we expect from today's opening events, and what will the Presidency mean for Ireland both at home and on the European stage?Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, and Meath East Fianna Fáil TD, Thomas Byrne, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about this.

The number of boil water notices and water restriction notices issued across Ireland increased significantly last year, according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency. In total, 100 public water supplies, affecting almost 200,000 people, were impacted in 2025—an increase of almost 20 per cent on the previous year.Despite the rise in notices, the EPA says the overall quality of Ireland's public drinking water remains very high, with 99.8 per cent of samples meeting the required safety standards. However, the findings raise questions about the resilience of the country's water infrastructure and the challenges facing public water supplies.EPA Inspector Ruth Barrington joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Residents and regular visitors are calling for urgent action to repair the road leading to Benhead Beach near Gormanston, saying its condition has deteriorated to the point where it poses a serious safety risk.The access road, which serves one of the north-east's most popular and secluded beaches, has become badly damaged with large potholes, prompting concerns from locals that someone could be injured if repairs are not carried out soon.The issue has been highlighted by the Benhead Babies swimming group, whose members use the beach throughout the year. They have been lobbying local councillors and Meath County Council to address what they say is a long-standing problem.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning.