The Agenda

Earlier in the show, we spoke to Fine Gael TD for Louth, Paula Butterly, about Simon Harris’s comments on social welfare and his call for penalties for those who refuse to engage with employment opportunities.However, the remarks have drawn criticism from opposition parties, with Sinn Féin describing them as an attempt to shift blame onto people experiencing long-term unemployment.Sinn Féin’s Social Protection spokesperson has accused the Tánaiste of “Thatcherite” politics, arguing that long-term unemployment is often rooted in deprivation, a lack of opportunity and leaving education at a young age.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Sinn Féin TD and Social Protection spokesperson Louise O’Reilly to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has set out a centre-right direction for the party, calling for a tougher approach to social welfare, immigration and public spending.Speaking at the party’s Ard Fheis in Cork, he said the dole should be a safety net rather than a way of life, and called for penalties for people who refuse to engage with employment opportunities.He also outlined plans for more gardaí, additional prison spaces and greater investment in defence capabilities. The comments have drawn criticism from opposition parties, but Fine Gael says it wants to ensure public money is spent responsibly and that people are supported into employment.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fine Gael TD for Louth, Paula Butterly, to get her reaction to the Tánaiste's speech and what this direction means for the party.We were also joined by Research And Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland, Susanne Rogers, who is furious over the comments made by Simon Harris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardaí are being urged to stand firm on a five-day work-to-rule this week, despite growing security concerns ahead of more than 50 European leaders arriving in Dublin for high-level meetings.The Garda Representative Association says members are being asked to work long and demanding hours without sufficient action from management to resolve the ongoing dispute over working conditions.The industrial action comes at a particularly sensitive time, with Ireland preparing for what has been described as the biggest security operation in the history of the State, following a series of hoax bomb threats targeting airlines and media organisations.The GRA is encouraging members to report for duty at their assigned home stations and not to use their own vehicles for official duties, and Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A public meeting on Ireland’s neutrality and the future of the Triple Lock mechanism is taking place in Navan this evening. Organised by Aontú, the meeting will be held at the Newgrange Hotel at 8pm.The party says it wants to highlight the importance of protecting Ireland’s military neutrality and will discuss concerns around proposed changes to the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas.We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín to discuss the meeting, the future of Irish neutrality and why his party believes the Triple Lock should be protected.We also discussed the postponement of a PSNI interview with Deputy Tóibín over his presence at a protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The interview, which was due to take place in Belfast on Friday, has been rearranged after he requested to be interviewed through the Irish language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent opinion poll suggests almost half of people in Ireland are opposed to removing the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas.The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll found that 48% want to retain the safeguard, while 39% support its removal. Opposition to Ireland joining NATO is even stronger, with 60% against membership.The findings come amid an ongoing debate about Ireland's military neutrality, with the Government arguing that removing the Triple Lock would give the country greater flexibility to participate in international peacekeeping missions.Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about all of this… We also got the Minister's reaction to the hoax bomb threats which affected 25 flights yesterday, and we discussed the abuse and harassment regularly faced by female politicians in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin is in Drogheda today as part of a nationwide tour looking at the housing crisis and hearing directly from people affected.The visit will include meetings with Louth County Council, Drogheda Homeless Aid and the Peter McVerry Trust, with discussions focusing on homelessness, social housing standards, dereliction and the delivery of new homes.The aim is to hear from frontline services, local organisations and those working within the housing sector about the challenges facing communities and what changes are needed.The visit will also explore the pressures on local housing services and the practical steps needed to improve housing provision and affordability in the area.Deputy Ó Broin joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss what he's hearing in Drogheda and what solutions Sinn Féin believes are needed to tackle the housing crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a huge turnout at a public meeting in Tullyallen last night as residents, local representatives and campaigners came together to voice their opposition to plans for a 180MW gas-fired power station at Drybridge.The proposed development, which is currently being considered by Louth County Council, has raised concerns locally over its potential impact on the environment, the historic Boyne Valley landscape, tourism and surrounding communities.The meeting was an opportunity for residents to come together, share their concerns and discuss how best to coordinate a campaign against the plans.Sinn Féin Councillor for Drogheda, Eric Donovan, was among those in attendance and joins us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about the meeting and the strength of feeling among local residents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plans for the proposed Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway are facing renewed opposition, with 87 per cent of submissions to the latest public consultation objecting to the project.Louth County Council has published its preferred route corridor, but concerns remain over the impact on farmland, local homes, privacy and the future of rural communities.Some residents also fear the use of compulsory purchase orders if landowners refuse to voluntarily provide land for the development.Sinn Féin Councillor Antoin Watters says the proposals risk creating divisions between neighbours, warning that many landowners will be reluctant to give up their land for the development, and Councillor Watters joined us on The Agenda this morning discuss the latest plans, the strength of local opposition and whether the Greenway can move forward without further dividing the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Meath County Councillor has called for an urgent fire safety audit of all emergency accommodation facilities housing homeless families and individuals across the county.Councillor Alan Lawes attempted to bring an emergency motion before the Council at its November meeting, also calling for confirmation that appropriate insurance cover is in place.He raised particular concerns about one property in Meath where 25 people, including nine family units, are reportedly living in a five-bedroom house and two outdoor cabins.Councillors were asked to vote on whether the motion could be added to the meeting agenda for discussion, and Councillor Alan Lawes joined us on The Agenda this morning to explain his concerns and why he believes urgent action is needed to ensure residents' safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin city centre is set for significant disruption next week as Gardaí prepare for the largest security operation in the history of the State.The operation will run from Tuesday morning until Friday, as European leaders arrive in the capital for meetings linked to Ireland's EU Presidency.Security cordons will be put in place around key locations, including the Convention Centre and National Gallery, with a number of road closures and disruption to Luas and bus services expected.Gardaí say weeks of extensive planning have gone into the operation, which will involve a major policing presence across the city.So, what can the public expect, how will the restrictions affect commuters and businesses, and what does hosting these European leaders mean for Ireland?Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence and Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.