The Agenda

Councillor Shane McGuinness is continuing his calls for any new housing developments to have a lot more green space.He wants to see much stronger provision for green open space, recreational areas, pitches, play areas and community facilities planned from the very beginning — not promised after hundreds of homes have already been built.For larger developments, he believes we should aim for around 20% meaningful, usable green open space, rather than simply meeting minimum percentages with grass verges, small unusable areas or leftover pieces of land.Shane also had a recent visit to Brussels as part of a Fianna Fail delegation led by Senator Aidan Davitt. Shane met with MEP Barry Cowan and discussed Agriculture, Housing and the Cost of Living.

Talks between the three associations appear to have broken down following Dr Mary McAleese’s resignation as chair of the integration committee.Joanna Byrne is the Sinn Fein spokesperson for sport. What does this mean for ladies participation in Gaelic games? What is the road map to successful integration? Is the prospect of integration still realistic? Minister Thomas Byrne said Dr McAleese’s resignation will have done the cause a favour by highlighting the flawed process that was taking place.

The annual Fine Gael think-in takes place later.The party's TDs and Senators are meeting in Wexford today and tomorrow, to prepare for the return of the new Dail term.Simon Harris will address the party ahead of his first budget as Finance Minister, when he's expected to emphasise the importance of rewarding 'hard work' and delivering better public services.Fianna Fail held their Think-in at the beginning of the week. Today is day two of Sinn Fein’s. What is the messaging coming from each party this week? 

A Dundalk councillor has said she was subjected to abuse on two separate occasions after challenging motorists who were parked in disabled parking bays in the town.Speaking at the September meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, Independent councillor Maeve Yore said the incidents occurred during the summer when she saw vehicles in designated disabled spaces.

Guest: Frances Haworth - CEO Willow Domestic Abuse Services in County MeathWillow Domestic Abuse Services (formerly known as Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services) launched its 2025 Annual Report, showing an increase in contact from women affected by domestic violence. There was a 20% increase in helpline calls from 1,376 to 1,661 between 2024 and 2025. A total of 188 women and children leaving situations of domestic violence and abuse stayed in refuge and a further 588 women were supported in the community through outreach and court accompaniment services. Their specialist children and youth team supported a further 77 children in the community.

In 2024 the three Associations announced the timetable to deliver full Integration by 2027. It was lauded as a momentous step towards unity, equality and inclusivity.The three bodies had been set to hold a Special Congress next month, with an agreed plan to complete integration by the end of 2027.It's understood the GAA was keen to push that date back by five years while remaining "fully committed" to the projectFormer President McAlesee said that change would create a "roadblock" and create "significant uncertainty" about integration.

Local TD and Minister, Thomas Byrne has sought firm assurances from ESB Networks that its programme of improvement works serving Bettystown, Laytown and Mornington will be completed within the promised timeframe and with the minimum possible further disruption to customers. ESB Networks has confirmed that the area experienced six unplanned outages during 2026, affecting all or a significant portion of the three communities. It has attributed the outages to several separate faults across the local network and indicated that major capacity and continuity works, including projects at Julianstown, are expected to be completed by the end of September.

the traffic again this morning and what a morning it has been on the roads. My next guest, Mayor of Drogheda Declan Power, had been booked this morning to highlight the issues of traffic congestion in Drogheda even before this morning's madness on the roads took place. He also wants to highlight the issue surrounding the M1 Retail Park and the constant build-up of traffic that we continue to see in that area.