New Swords Surgical Hub Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Navan Hospital's Future - 09/07/2026

Ireland vs Israel Match: " Government and FAI Have Left the Players Out to Dry", Says Louth TD - 09/07/2026

The FAI says it has no regrets after a clear majority of delegates backed its decision to proceed with the Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixtures against Israel at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Almost 68 per cent voted in support of the Association's position, with FAI officials insisting they had no alternative but to move the home fixture to a neutral venue in Serbia, behind closed doors, amid concerns that protests in Dublin could have led to the match being abandoned and serious sanctions for Irish football. Despite the vote, the Stop the Game campaign says its opposition will continue, arguing the fixtures should not go ahead. Joining us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the outcome of the vote and what it means for Irish football was sports reporter Cathal Dervan. We also spoke to Sinn Féin TD for Louth & spokesperson on sport, Joanna Byrne, who has been a vocal supporter of the Stop the Game campaign. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Replica Mosque On Top of Loyalist Bonfire in Tyrone Condemned as 'Vile' - 09/07/2026

Police have been urged to intervene after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Co Tyrone. The model was visible on top of the pyre in Moygashel this morning. Signs saying "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam" have also been placed on the fire which is made up of pallets and is due to be set alight tomorrow night. Amnesty International described it as a "vile display" and a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families". We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

TD Ruth Coppinger Voices Anger as Overwhelming Majority of Dáil Vote Against Ban on Hare Coursing - 09/07/2026

The Dáil has voted overwhelmingly against legislation that would have banned hare coursing, with the proposed bill defeated by 125 votes to 24. The People Before Profit bill, which was backed by the Social Democrats, Labour and the Green Party, sought to outlaw the practice, arguing that it causes unnecessary suffering to hares, despite greyhounds being muzzled.  Supporters of the ban also point out that hares are a protected species under Irish law and that Ireland remains one of the few countries in the European Union where hare coursing is still legal. However, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin voted against the bill, meaning the practice will continue. People Before Profit Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who has been one of the most outspoken advocates for banning hare coursing, joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us her reaction to this. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Drogheda Solicitor Speaks Out about Criminal Legal Aid Crisis & The Impact It's Having Across the Board - 09/07/2026

The Courts Service has said 55 solicitors have resigned from the criminal legal aid panel after the Government introduced a flat fee for those representing clients in criminal cases in district courts.  Hundreds of solicitors have withdrawn their services from the free legal aid scheme in recent weeks in protest at the new payment system. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan introduced a new flat rate of €520 for solicitors for representing a legal aid client in a criminal case, which came into effect on July 1. The Law Society has warned the move could have a devastating impact on access to justice, with concerns that defendants could face delays in securing legal representation and that court proceedings will continue to be disrupted. To discuss the ongoing dispute, what it means for solicitors, and the potential impact on the justice system, we were joined in-studio on The Agenda this morning by Drogheda criminal solicitor Paddy Goodwin. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

New Swords Surgical Hub Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Navan Hospital's Future - 09/07/2026

The opening of a new HSE surgical hub in Swords, designed to reduce waiting times for patients across the Dublin North East region, has prompted fresh concerns about the future of services at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan. The Government says the new facility will expand day-case surgery capacity, reduce pressure on acute hospitals and deliver benefits for patients in Meath and Louth. However, while local representatives have welcomed the additional capacity, some fear it signals a further shift of healthcare services away from Navan and towards Dublin. Campaigners have also questioned why Navan was not chosen as the location for the investment, pointing to the long travel distances many patients in Meath already face and warning against any further downgrading of local hospital services. Chair of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign and Aontú leader, Deputy Peadar Tóibín, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss those concerns. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.