The Agenda

Dublin’s drugs debate has erupted, with councillors rejecting calls for the decriminalisation of currently illegal drugs and demanding a tougher approach to the crisis.Independent Councillor Malachy Steenson says communities have already paid a heavy price from decades of drug abuse, and argues the focus should be on enforcement, tackling drug gangs and increasing access to treatment. Malachy joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the future of Ireland’s drug policy and his thoughts on decriminlisation of drugs for personal use.

Meath meets Italy as Ireland prepares to take on the EU Presidency. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee joins us to discuss a special county partnership bringing together Meath and Italy through culture, education and community connections. We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Minister McEntee.We also discussed the news that there will be €1.5 billion available for reducing tax in the Budget in October, according to the Government's Summer Economic Statement.

New rules coming in for e-scooter users have opened up a wider conversation about road safety and whether similar measures could one day apply to cyclists. This morning on The Agenda, we looked at the debate around mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, and whether extra safety requirements would make our roads safer for everyone. We spoke to a Cycling group who told us why they oppose any laws on helmets and high0vis vests for cyclists.

Water outages continue to cause frustration for many households across County Louth, with residents in some areas experiencing repeated disruptions to their supply.Communities including Shelagh and parts of Kilkerley have been particularly affected, with locals saying they're often left waiting the longest for water to return after problems elsewhere on the network.The latest issues have again highlighted concerns about the resilience of the local water infrastructure, with residents questioning why the same problems continue to happen.We

A row has erupted over a missed TV opportunity for Drogheda and the Boyne Valley, after Dowth was ruled out as a filming location for hit show The Traitors. The decision has sparked debate over whether Ireland’s heritage sites should be protected at all costs or whether carefully managed opportunities like this can help showcase them to a global audience. This morning on The Agenda, we heard about all of this.

A Dublin to Ibiza flight has sparked controversy after passengers reported scenes of chaos in the skies, including claims of heavy drinking, toilet sex, harassment and shocking behaviour onboard. Concerns were raised before take-off, but passengers say the situation escalated once the plane was airborne. This morning on The Agenda, we heard more about the incident.

A sharp rise in e-scooter and e-bike injuries has sparked a warning from doctors at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. New figures show almost four times as many people have attended the Emergency Department this year compared with all of last year, including dozens of children under 16. This morning on The Agenda we found out more about this.

Shocking new figures have reignited the debate over greyhound racing in Ireland. Campaigners claim thousands of racing greyhounds have died or remain unaccounted for, raising fresh questions about animal welfare, industry oversight and continued State funding. We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning.