The Agenda

Aontú leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Tóibín is calling on the Government to provide clarity on the movements of the man charged in connection with Monday's knife attack in Belfast.Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Tóibín criticised what he described as a lack of information from the Government regarding the suspect's time in the Republic before travelling north. He says unanswered questions about the individual's journey through Ireland risk undermining public confidence in border security and immigration procedures.The comments come after the Chief Constable of the PSNI said the accused had travelled from Paris to Dublin before making his way to Belfast. Deputy Tóibín is seeking further details on what checks, if any, were carried out while the suspect was in this jurisdiction and whether he had any interaction with Irish immigration authorities.Deputy Tóibín joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the issue and the questions he believes still need to be answered.

In the wake of this week's knife attack in Belfast and the violence that followed, Independent Meath Senator Sharon Keogan says serious questions need to be asked about the operation of open borders on the island of Ireland. The Senator says the incident has raised questions about border security and immigration controls on the island of Ireland. She argues that Ministers with responsibility for justice and immigration should examine what implications the EU Migration Pact may have for the safety and security of the population.While condemning the rioting and disorder seen in Belfast, Senator Keogan has also called on the Government to strengthen immigration and border procedures, saying there must be greater scrutiny of those entering the country.Senator Sharon Keogan joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss her concerns and why she believes a review is needed.

A major overhaul of Ireland's asylum system comes into effect today, with the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026.The legislation implements key elements of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and is designed to streamline the processing of international protection applications. However, a coalition of civil society organisations has raised concerns about its impact on people seeking refuge in Ireland.Critics argue that the new system places too much emphasis on speed and efficiency, potentially at the expense of safeguards, legal advice and the rights of vulnerable applicants. They have also criticised the pace at which the legislation was brought through the Oireachtas.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, to find out more about this.

People in Ireland who use pornography websites could be required to use a digital Government ID to prove they are over 18.The Department of Communications confirmed the new digital wallet, which the Government will shortly trial with some members of the public, will be used to “support compliance” with Ireland’s Online Safety Code – including a requirement that websites restrict pornography access to those aged under 18.It comes after Cuan, the State agency tasked with tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, suggested the Department of Justice consider introducing new age limits for pornography websites, similar to a law enacted in the UK last year.We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning.

Knife crime has become a "scourge on Irish society" and requires urgent action from both the criminal justice and public health systems, according to Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVIC). The victims' advocacy group renewed its call for stronger measures following the death of Qayyum Balogun, saying it had warned as far back as 2015 about the growing prevalence of knife carrying and the increasing use of weapons in violent assaults. Qayyum (21), who was living in Dundalk, was fatally attacked after attending a gig at a premises on Grafton Street in the early hours of June 1st. AdVIC co-founder Joan Deane said the organisation's concerns from more than a decade ago are "more real than ever" and urged policymakers to take action to prevent further families from experiencing the devastating loss caused by homicide. Joan, whose son Russell was murdered in Drogheda in 2003 by his ex-girlfriends brother, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Northern Ireland saw a second night of unrest with police using water cannons on rioters, as the Belfast stabbing attack victim’s family said they were “disgusted” by the disorder.Police were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs by balaclava-clad rioters in Co Antrim on Wednesday evening in the latest disorder following the Belfast knife attack on Monday.Footage showed dozens of men dressed all in black and wearing face coverings gathering on Antrim Road, where they could be seen tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles to throw at policeThis morning on The Agenda, we went live to Belfast, where we got all the latest on this.

Longstanding concerns about safety on Sean O'Carroll Street in Ardee have once again come under the spotlight, but efforts to address the issue have hit an unexpected obstacle.At this month's meeting of Ardee Municipal District, councillors were told that Louth County Council cannot currently introduce measures such as weight restrictions on the street because parts of it are not actually in the council's ownership.The revelation came as councillors continued to raise concerns about the volume of large vehicles using the route and the potential risks for road users in the town centre. While the council says a process can begin to bring the street under its control, questions remain over how long that could take and what can be done in the meantime.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fine Gael Councillor and the new Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District, Rachel Kerley, to tell us more about this.

People were forced to flee their homes as multiple cars and homes were set alight during a serious disorder on Tuesday night in the wake of a serious knife attack in the city.Businesses were also attacked by groups of masked young men, with several hundred turning out in the city following calls on social media for anti-immigration protests.We went live to Belfast on The Agenda this morning to find out more about this.