The Agenda

Frustrations are growing in Ballivor after a number of housing estates were left without water since Sunday, with criticism mounting over ongoing problems with water infrastructure across south Meath.This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Aontú leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Tóibím, who described the latest outage as “a disgrace in the modern era” and says repeated supply issues over the past decade are having a serious impact on families, schools, businesses and housing development in the region.We also spoke to furious locals who are sick of the ongoing issues with water in Ballivorm and nothing being done about it.

A local councillor has issued a strong appeal to the public following a disappointing surge in littering at Clogherhead Beach during a recent spell of good weather. Despite the majority of visitors behaving responsibly, a number of beachgoers have left behind rubbish including bottles, cans, food waste and disposable barbecues, causing damage to the dunes and posing a risk to wildlife.The scenes come just days after Clogherhead regained its Blue Flag status, alongside Port Beach and Templetown Beach — a recognition of the coastline’s high environmental standards and the efforts of the local community to maintain them.Drogheda Rural and Clogherhead Independent Councillor Declan Power says the latest incidents are deeply disappointing and is urging visitors to take responsibility for their waste when visiting the beach.Councillor Power joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Slushies are not suitable for children under 10 years old, the Food Safety Authority has said, as temperatures soar to the high 20s.The glycerol-containing ice drinks could cause side effects including headaches, nausea and vomiting, for this age group.The FSAI’s previous advice was not to give slushies to under-4s, but it now includes older children, in line with new European guidelines.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Director of Food Science and Standards at Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dr Wayen Anderson, to find out more about this.

Uisce Éireann crews are working to restore water to customers in Dunbin and surrounding areas following an outage due to issues at Hilltop Pumping Station. Customers in the Dunbin, Kilkerley, Mullaghboy, Sheelagh, Philipstown, Deerpark, Rathmore, Balrobin, Thomastown, Ballybarrack, and surrounding areas are affected.Alternative water supplies, in the form of bulk tankers are now available at Kilkerly National School and Shelagh National SchoolCustomers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption.We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning.

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan is calling on the Government to follow the lead of several European countries and ban Israeli ministers from entering Ireland.Deputy McGreehan says Ireland should take a clear stance ahead of assuming the EU Presidency, pointing to recent moves by France and Slovenia to bar Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering their countries.She also says the treatment of Irish and European citizens detained by Israeli forces, along with ongoing concerns surrounding settlements in the occupied West Bank, means Ireland must now consider taking similar action.Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this mornign to talk to us some more about this.

The promoters of the Slane Castle concert starring country legend Luke Combs for two nights in July have offered to donate €30,000 to the local community.They have previously paid €10,000 for each concert to be spent in the village.They have proposed increasing this to €15,000 per concert and since there are two consecutive concerts this year on July 18 and 19, they are offering €30,000.However some community organisations in the village are still unhappy with the proposed amount and believe the organisers should be paying at least €100 000 to be spent among sports groups in the village.Many of the community groups said they have no objection to the concerts but are annoyed at what they feel is the lack of consultation with local people. The issue was raised by the East Meath Senator Sharon Keogan in the Seanad last week.Senator Keogan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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.