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Ratoath Woman Bravely Opens Up About Five-Year Battle With Anorexia and her Road to Recovery - 07/08/2026
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A young woman from Ratoath who developed anorexia during the Covid-19 pandemic is sharing the deeply personal story of her illness and recovery, as she urges others struggling with eating disorders not to suffer in silence.
Elsa Jane Johnson was just 14 when she began restricting her food intake during lockdown. What started as an attempt to eat “healthily” quickly developed into a serious eating disorder, affecting every part of her life and leaving her family struggling to understand the extent of what was happening.
Now 19, Elsa is speaking openly about the reality of living with anorexia, including hiding food and concealing the severity of her illness from those closest to her. Alongside her mother Brigid, she says seeking support was a turning point in her recovery journey.
Her story comes as the Bodywhys 2025 Annual Report highlights the growing demand for eating disorder services in Ireland, with thousands of people and families accessing support.
Elsa Jane Johnson joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to share her story….
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Action Plan for Women and Girls Marks Major Step Forward in Turning ambition into action
10:19|The Government has published the first Action Plan under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025–2030, setting out how it plans to deliver on commitments aimed at improving the lives of women and girls across Ireland.The plan outlines the actions that will be taken between 2026 and 2028, identifies the Government departments and agencies responsible for delivery, and introduces measures to track progress in areas including political participation, employment, caring responsibilities, sport and personal safety.It has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil Senator and Chair of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus, Alison Comyn, who says the plan is an important step in turning commitments into practical action.Senator Comyn joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Did Social Media Influence the Mass Influx of People to Spain's Ceuta? - 07/08/2026
08:32|A deadly migrant surge at Spain’s Ceuta enclave has raised urgent questions about how misinformation and social media can influence real-world events.At least 88 people are reported to have died during a mass attempt to cross from Morocco, with tens of thousands believed to have been caught up in the unprecedented movement.As authorities examine what drove such a large-scale crossing, attention is turning to the powerful role of online platforms — and whether rumours, false information, and viral messages helped fuel expectations of reaching Europe.How much influence can social media have over moments of crisis? And how can misinformation shape human decisions on such a dramatic scale?We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning.
Pressure Mounts on Government Over Planned Fuel Tax Increase - 07/08/2026
13:08|The Government is facing renewed calls to postpone the planned reintroduction of full excise duties on fuel, amid concerns the move could place an even greater financial burden on motorists and businesses already dealing with high transport costs.The temporary excise reductions were introduced to help offset soaring energy prices, but the final phase of their reversal is due to take effect from September. Critics argue the timing is wrong, given continued instability in global oil markets.The national average price of diesel is currently around €1.90 per litre, but there are warnings it could rise to as much as €2.20 per litre once the higher excise rates are restored.Independent motoring expert with Carzone, Conor Faughnan, believes the Government should delay the increase, citing the ongoing conflict in Iran and the uncertainty it continues to create for international fuel prices.Conor joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Where Will We Go?’ Ukrainians Forced to Find New Accommodation as State Scheme Ends - 06/08/2026
09:43|More than 1,500 Ukrainians are facing uncertainty as almost 90 hotels prepare to end their accommodation contracts with the State by the end of October. The move is part of the Government’s plan to wind down commercial accommodation arrangements for people who arrived under the Temporary Protection scheme before March 2024.Many of those affected have been given notice that their current accommodation will come to an end, leaving them searching for alternative arrangements in an already pressured housing market. We examine what the changes mean for Ukrainian families living in Ireland and the challenges ahead.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning.
Protests Planned Ahead of Trump's Upcoming Visit to Ireland - 06/08/2026
10:31|Protests are being planned ahead of an expected visit to Ireland by US President Donald Trump next month. Mr Trump is expected to attend the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort in County Clare, with a possible visit to Dublin also being considered for talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.The Irish Neutrality League has announced plans to demonstrate against the visit, citing concerns over President Trump’s policies and Ireland’s relationship with the United States. Jim Roche, PRO of the Irish Anti-War Movement and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the planned protests and the reasons behind them.
Louth Councillor Warns That Free Bins Could Push Up Bills - 06/08/2026
06:54|A Louth councillor has raised concerns that a proposed free waste collection allowance for low-income households could lead to higher bin charges for other customers.Louth County Council has backed a Sinn Féin motion calling for a means-tested Waste Collection Allowance to support households struggling with rising refuse and recycling costs. However, Independent Councillor Ciarán Fisher says subsidising a privately-run service could have unintended consequences, while also highlighting the ongoing costs associated with illegal dumping.Councillor Fisher joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
New Public Campaign Warns of Dangers of Terms Like ‘Tradwife’ and ‘Manosphere’ - 06/08/2026
07:34|The Government is set to challenge online trends that it says can reinforce restrictive gender roles, as part of a new awareness campaign under the National Strategy for Women and Girls.The strategy highlights concerns around so-called “tradwife” influencers, who promote traditional roles for women as homemakers and carers, as well as “manosphere” content which can spread misogynistic attitudes towards women. The campaign aims to encourage greater awareness of how online content can influence attitudes around gender equality.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning .
Just 20 Homes Left: HAP Renters Locked Out of the Market - 06/08/2026
08:18|A new report has exposed the scale of the struggle facing people relying on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), with just 20 rental properties available within limits across 16 areas surveyed in June. Of those, 17 were located in Dublin, with no suitable properties found in 12 areas including Cork, Galway and Limerick.The Simon Communities of Ireland says the findings show that HAP is failing many households on lower incomes, with people increasingly locked out of the private rental market. The organisation is calling for urgent reform and higher payment limits to reflect the reality of rising rents.This morning on The Agenda, we spoke to Simon Communities Executive Director, Ber Grogan, to find out more.