The Agenda

A cross-border ferry service that linked counties Louth and Down across Carlingford Lough has announced it will not operate in 2026.The news of the halted service is a blow for cross-border tourism in the Cooley Peninsula and Mourne Mountains region.A notice posted on the Carlingford Lough Ferry website stated that the service between Greenore in Louth and Greencastle in Down would not run on any date this year.It said that tickets with outstanding trips valid for travel in 2026 would have their expiry dates extended, "so they can be used when the ferry is back in service".The notice did not state when the service would resume.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Sinn Fein Councillor in Dundalk/Carlingford, Fiona Mhic Choncoille, to find out more about this.We were also joined by Aidan Brady, owner of the Coast and Co café in Greenore, who told us that they are disappointed because they valued the service and the extra people it brought to their business

Picture the scene: a quiet summer evening, you’re sitting in your garden soaking up the sun, when a drone flies overhead carrying your neighbour’s groceries.That scenario could soon become reality in Dundalk, as Louth County Council has heard that drone delivery company Manna Aero, already operating in Dublin and Cork, is planning to launch services in the town.At the latest council meeting, Councillor Sionainn McCann said concerns have already been raised by community groups in Dublin about noise and disruption linked to drone activity, and warned that similar issues could arise locally.The proposed rollout in Dundalk is now expected to spark further discussion around regulation, privacy, and how the technology will sit within residential areas.We found out more about all of this on The Agenda this morning.

Bus Eireann has announced an extension to the extension to the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles contracted by the company under the School Transport Scheme, from age 70 to 72.While the measure has been welcomed, Fine Gael Councillor in Dundalk Carlingford, John Reilly, feels that it doesn’t reflect the realities of special education needs school transport. The extension applies only to vehicles up to 8 seaters.Crucially it excludes 16 seat mini buses, the very vehicle most commonly used to transport children with special needs. Councillor Reilly drives a bus transporting 6 autistic children to early intervention classes on a  daily basis and is also father to a 26-year-old son who has severe autism and has relied on school transport services for a number of years.Councillor Reilly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, says he intends to continue taking a firm approach toward non-Irish nationals who commit serious criminal offences in the State, following the deportation of 34 men to Poland and Lithuania on Sunday.The Minister was speaking at Dublin Airport yesterday during the launch of upgraded eGate facilities, part of the Department of Justice’s border management system. The 25 new and upgraded gates are aimed at strengthening security and improving passenger processing at Ireland’s busiest airport.The comments come amid growing debate around immigration policy, deportations, public safety and how Ireland balances enforcement with human rights obligations.We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning

Last month on The Agenda we spoke to a resident from Avourwen estate in Drogheda, who told us about some issues that he and other residents are having since they moved into their homes a number of years ago. We were then contacted last week then by a resident of Lagavooren estate, which is attached to Avourwen, and he told us about how their side of the estate is also affected by the layout of the estate, with anti-social behaviour now being a massive problem for the residents of Lagavooren.Local residents have endured drug dealing and public drinking in the estate. They have also had issues with scramblers and general anti-social behaviour. There was also an incident where a man was exposing himself close to where children were playing on a nearby green, and had to be removed from the area. There was also an incident involving a man with a machete. We heard more about all of this on The Agenda this morning and about what can be done to help the situation for locals.

Concerns are being raised over large amounts of seaweed washing ashore on beaches across Louth and the potential health risks if it’s left to rot during the summer months.Labour councillor Michelle Hall is calling on Louth County Council to test seaweed found on local beaches following reports in France linking decomposing seaweed to toxic fumes.She said authorities in Brittany, France, discovered that decomposing seaweed was releasing dangerous fumes linked to deaths of both people and animals, and warned that Louth should take preventative action before similar problems develop here. She also said that beaches including Blackrock, Port Beach and Clogherhead were badly affected last summer, with strong odours impacting visitors throughout the season.Councillor Hall joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

As the school summer holidays approach, concerns are once again being raised about the issue of “holiday hunger” and the impact the long break can have on families already struggling with the rising cost of living.While the Hot School Meals Programme has expanded significantly in recent years, many children lose access to a reliable hot meal once schools close for the summer. Last year, the Government introduced a Holiday Hunger Pilot Programme worth €1.3 million, supporting approximately 40,000 children, but no decision has yet been made on whether the scheme will continue this year.There are now growing calls for the initiative to be expanded and made permanent, amid warnings that too many families face additional financial pressure during the summer months due to increased food, childcare and household costs.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who has been calling on Government to strengthen supports for families and tackle child food poverty during school holidays.

What started as our Roundtable Panel debate about immigration today on The Agenda quickly turned into one of the most heated arguments we’ve ever had on air. We were joined in studio this morning by Councillor Alan Lawes, Councillor Ejiro O'Hare Strattan and Aontu rep Peter Whelan... and things took a very unexpected turn. During a very explosive topic on immigration, voices were raised, tempers exploded and the councillors could barely get through a sentence without interrupting each other. This was extrememly heated start to finish.