The effects of the foster care shortage on vulnerable children

Taoiseach Michael Martin has been visiting Irish peacekeeping troops this weekend in Lebanon. Justin McCarthy reports from Camp Shamrock in Southern Lebanon where he has been speaking to Ltt Col Mark Lennon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, two Opposition TDs lost their High Court challenge to the attendance of junior ministers at Cabinet meetings. James McDermott, barrister and lecturer at UCD's Sutherland School of Law, goes through the case for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the US, there is widespread reaction to the release of documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The previously sealed documents were made public for the first time on Friday by the US Department of Justice under the Epstein Transparency Act. We speak to Eric Hamm, political analyst with CTV in Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week saw over 3,200 recorded cases of flu with some hospitals introducing visitor restrictions to restrict the spread. We hear from Dr. Sean Underwood, consultant in emergency medicine at Cork University Hospital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There will be a record number of children in homelessness this Christmas in Ireland. For the kids living in a Focus Ireland-run centre in Finglas, Santa arrived a little early to give these homeless children the gift of a book. Eithne Dodd reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With more than 5,000 children in the care of the state, there is a huge reliance on foster care. A shortage of foster carers remains a continuous problem however. We are joined by the Chief Executive of the Irish Foster Care Association, Corrinne Hasson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around 2,000 people have gathered at Newgrange to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The ancient passage tomb is aligned for the rising sun on the shortest day of the year to shine into the inner chamber. Colman O'Sullivan reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, one week on from the attacks in which 15 people were killed, a national day of reflection was held. Phil Mercer, Sydney-based journalist, gives us the latest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The social media platform X has responded after the EU Commission fined it under the new Digital Services Act. Liz Carolan, publisher of The Briefing newsletter, explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders in Berlin in the latest efforts to end Russia's war with Ukraine. Christopher Miller, Chief Ukraine Correspondent with the Financial Times, speaks to This Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.