The Agenda

A leading campaigner says 'we're doing nothing' to curb deaths on Irish roads.Already this year 1837 people have died in road collisions, more than in all of last year.Leo Leighio of the Irish Road Victims Association says there have been lots of promises to tackle road deaths, but nothing delivered, and Leo joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Féin TD for Louth, has called for increased powers for local authorities to evict "chaotic" tenants.Deputy Ó Murchú told the Dáil he does not believe local authorities like Louth County Council, have the necessary powers to deal with tenants involved in "criminality and drug-dealing".He said approved housing bodies (AHBs) have greater levels of power in comparison to local authorities in relation to the "nuclear action of eviction."AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable rental housing for those who can't afford to rent in the private sector. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, disputed the claim that AHBs have more power, but said they have "a different way of operating." Deputy Murchú joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this, and we also heard about Deputy Ó Murchús calls for answers in The Dail yesterday in relation to the recent flood in Blackrock in Louth. Deputy Ó Murchú has asked for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for some engagement between the OPW and local authorities and other relevant Departments in relation to the Blackwater River and Ramparts River, Dundalk, regarding flood management and waste water management; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Over 16% of homes in one County Louth housing estate are not registered with a refuse collection service, it emerged at the monthly meeting of Louth County Council.Councillor Ciaran Fisher highlighted a pilot project which has begun in Castleross, Dundalk. where it was identified that 16.5% of households in this area “do not have a kerbside waste collection.”The council’s Waste Enforcement Team are corresponding with each household identified in the survey, but in the Chief Executive’s monthly report it was confirmed that “engagement has been poor.”Councillor Fisher queried how this pilot project will work, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

An investigation is under way into a suspected arson attack which caused extensive damage to a pharmacy in Co Meath.Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating an alleged criminal damage incident in Oldcastle.The pharmacy is owned by Donna McQuaide, who has been running it for over 20 years.It is understood that an accelerant, believed to be petrol, was poured around the shop before being set alight. It is not believed any goods were stolen.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by local Sinn Fein TD, Johnny Guirke, who gave us the latest on all of this.

The Government has rolled back on its plans to disband the Road Safety Authority (RSA), The Journal revealed this week.The announcement that the RSA would be disbanded and split into two separate organisations was made in late 2024 by then Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, James Lawless. At the time, Lawless said it was a “binding” decision that was being made because the operational side of the RSA (which is responsible for driving tests and coordinating the NCT) was “not working” and because the organisation’s safety promotion remit was “also not where it needs to be”. Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports & Independent TD, Sean Canney, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence has said an immediate, coordinated, all-of-Government approach to AI is required.In its first interim report, the committee said this new approach should be led by the national AI Office, which is due to be up and running by August 2026.The committee held hearings in June, July, September, October and November, with members hearing evidence from a broad perspective of voices and sectors of Irish society.  The interim report contains 85 recommendations including establishing the AI Committee on a permanent basis.Committee Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne said it will continue to publish interim reports along with a final report at the conclusion of its work.Deputy Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The bill to ban fox hunting in Ireland, proposed by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, has been defeated in the Dáil.The bill was defeated by a large majority.Twenty-four TDs voted to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes, and to provide for related matters - however, 124 TDs voted against.People Before Profit Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger says she will continue to fight foxhunting despite a setback in the Dail last night.She says 85 per cent of people oppose fox hunting and it's not the first time the Dáil has been "poles apart from the population".Deputy Coppinger joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. We also spoke to animal welfare advocate and My lovely Horse Rescue volunteer Martina Kenny, to get her reaction to this.

Changes to the National Childcare Scheme will result in thousands of families receiving more subsidies.Children’s Minister Norma Foley launched the government’s new Action Plan on Childcare this morning, which sets out a pathway to getting to the election promise of setting childcare costs at €200 per month per child.She said she is confident the government will deliver on its €200 pledge within its lifetime.The ‘Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan’ commits to actions in 2026 to make services more affordable and accessible, while also pledging to improve quality.Chairperson at Federation of Early Childhood Providers, Elaine Dunne, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us in more detail about this.