The Agenda

The Irish Motorcyclist Association says car drivers are a major reason for the dangerous conditions on Ireland’s roads, as the number of people killed in road crashes continues to rise.So far this year, 113 people have lost their lives on Irish roads — 12 more than at the same point last year — including 16 motorcyclists. The figures have renewed concerns about the safety of motorcyclists, who remain among the most vulnerable road users.The Road Safety Authority has launched a new campaign urging drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists, particularly when emerging from junctions. Figures show that 954 motorcyclists were injured between 2021 and 2025, with failure to observe being the main cause of most crashes.Irish Motorcyclist Association PRO Michael Noonan says the group has worked closely with the RSA on its latest campaign and believes it is an important step forward, but he says the behaviour of some car drivers continues to put motorcyclists at serious risk.Michael joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Working from home has transformed how many of us do our jobs, offering greater flexibility, saving time on commuting and allowing people to spend more time at home. But there are growing concerns that the shift away from the traditional workplace could also be contributing to what some are describing as an epidemic of loneliness.For some people, remote working means fewer face-to-face conversations, less social interaction with colleagues and fewer of those everyday connections that come with being in a workplace. With more people spending large parts of their working week at home, there are concerns about the longer-term impact on our mental health, social lives and sense of connection.So is working from home making us lonelier, and are we losing an important part of our social lives by spending less time around other people?Clinical Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the issue and what people can do to stay socially connected while working remotely.

There’s shock and concern in Trim after local mental health services stopped operating without notice, leaving people who rely on the service being asked to travel to Navan instead.For many service users, that journey simply isn’t practical, raising serious concerns about access to vital mental health supports and what the closure means for vulnerable people in the Trim area.We’ll also be talking to Deputy Toibin about rising fuel prices and the amount the Government is expected to collect in VAT on fuel this year. The Government is forecast to take in around €1.67 billion in VAT on fuel, as energy prices continue to rise.Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has accused the Government of “giving money to people in one hand and taking it out of their pockets with the other”.Deputy Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about all of this,

A new report from the Crime Victims Helpline has highlighted the human impact of crime across Ireland, with assault, harassment and stalking accounting for almost half of all crime-related contacts to the service last year. The figures show the demand for support is not just about reporting a crime — many victims are looking for emotional support, practical advice and help navigating the criminal justice system after what can be a deeply distressing experience.This morning on The Agenda, we looked at the latest figures tell us about the crimes causing the greatest distress, why so many victims need ongoing support, and whether enough is being done to help people in the aftermath of crime.

A new report looking at the dating habits and attitudes of Gen Z has put a fresh spotlight on a surprisingly old question — who should pay on a first date? Research suggests younger people are increasingly challenging traditional ideas about relationships and gender roles, with splitting the bill or having the person who arranged the date pay becoming more acceptable.But despite Gen Z’s more progressive attitudes towards equality, traditional expectations around men paying for dates haven't disappeared. That creates an interesting tension between modern ideas of equality and old-fashioned dating etiquette — particularly when money and the rising cost of dating are also factors.So, is splitting the bill the fairest approach, or does paying for a date remain an important gesture of interest and generosity?Dating expert and coach Frances Kelleher joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss whether Gen Z really is rewriting the rules of dating.

A new initiative in Dundalk is making cycling more accessible for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.Louth Disability Cycling Club has officially launched its new Inclusive Cycling Hub and Mobile Cycling Unit at Dundalk Sports Centre, providing access to a fleet of specially adapted bicycles.The project will not only operate from Dundalk but will also bring inclusive cycling directly to communities, schools and organisations across the north-east and Midlands.The aim is to remove barriers and give more people the opportunity to experience the freedom and enjoyment of cycling in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning.

More than 2,000 children in Meath are being taught in primary school classes of 30 pupils or more, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth Darren O’Rourke TD has described the figures as “disgraceful”, saying overcrowded classrooms are making it harder for teachers to give children the individual attention they need.The figures show that 2,003 children in Meath are in classes of 30 or more, while 86% of primary school children in the county are in classes larger than the EU average of 19 pupils.Deputy O’Rourke is calling on the Government to use Budget 2027 to finally deliver on its promise of smaller class sizes, arguing that the removal of hundreds of classroom teaching posts this summer was a missed opportunity to reduce overcrowding.Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The number of suspected poisonings involving synthetic drugs reported to Ireland’s National Poisons Information Centre has doubled in just three years.Doctors are warning that these so-called designer drugs can be far more powerful than traditional substances and, in some cases, may not even show up on routine hospital drug tests.New figures show 30 enquiries were made to the National Poisons Information Centre about synthetic drugs last year, compared with 15 in 2023, while almost 200 people have been discharged from acute care in the past two years after requiring treatment.There are also growing concerns about drug-induced psychosis, with medics warning that hundreds of new synthetic substances are now appearing on the market.Investigative journalist with The Journal Investigates, Noel Baker, has been looking into the issue and joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.