The Agenda

Tensions Explode Live on LMFM as Councillors Clash During Heated Immigration Debate - 22/05/2026

What started as our Roundtable Panel debate about immigration today on The Agenda quickly turned into one of the most heated arguments we’ve ever had on air. We were joined in studio this morning by Councillor Alan Lawes, Councillor Ejiro O'Hare Strattan and Aontu rep Peter Whelan... and things took a very unexpected turn. During a very explosive topic on immigration, voices were raised, tempers exploded and the councillors could barely get through a sentence without interrupting each other. This was extrememly heated start to finish. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Enoch Burke Officially Sacked After Appeals Panel Upholds School’s Decision - 22/05/2026

Jailed anti-transgender teacher Enoch Burke has finally had his employment terminated by Wilson’s Hospital School, over three years after it decided to sack him for gross misconduct. The move was confirmed by a lawyer for the board of management of the Co Westmeath school in the High Court on Thursday and came after a panel on Wednesday dismissed his appeal against his sacking. After the developments were revealed, two of Mr Burke’s siblings, Simeon and Jemima, were ejected from the courtroom for what Mr Justice Brian Cregan described as “disruptive behaviour”. Both sought to raise objections and continued to talk over the judge, despite being directed to stop. We got the latest on all of this on The Agenda this morning. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Fuel Protesters Left Unions Feeling "Upstaged and Under Scrutiny" - 22/05/2026

It’s amazing what a convoy of tractors and trucks on O’Connell Street can do…. At least, that’s what many union leaders must have been thinking after the recent fuel blockades. Last month a group of relatively unknown protesters got such swift and sizable results that they were surely the envy of any union official locked in talks for months with little to show for it. The protesters’ success may have left them feeling not just upstaged, but facing more intense scrutiny about what they are delivering for members as pay expectations are mounting. Unions and the Government appear more at loggerheads now than at any time since the recession. Not long after the fuel protesters emerged with a massive half-a-billion-euro package, the leader of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), Owen Reidy, was keen to shift the spotlight to the 800,000 workers represented by unions in his organisation. Owen joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Concerns Raised Over Huge Increased Rat Activity in Drogheda - 22/05/2026

Residents in Drogheda are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of increased rat activity in recent days. Independent councillor Declan Power said he has been in contact with Louth County Council regarding the issue after concerns were raised by residents. Residents are being advised to report sightings promptly so locations can be logged and assessed. They are also encouraged to ensure household bins are properly sealed, avoid leaving waste bags outdoors and remove possible food sources such as uncovered pet food or bird feed spillages We found more about all of this on The Agenda this morning ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Louth Tenants Facing Rents Over €2000 a Month for Oroperties ‘Not Worth it’ Says Local Councillor - 22/05/2026

The soaring cost of private rents is “hurting” a generation of young people facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis, Louth councillors heard at their latest meeting. Councillor Kevin Meenan revealed he had been contacted by many constituents who spoke of the challenges sourcing affordable accommodation in Dundalk. “They are facing rents of up to €2000 a month.. and some of these houses are not even worth half that,” he told the May meeting of Louth County Council. The latest figures from Daft.ie found the average monthly rent in Louth is now: €1,466 for a one-bedroom apartment; €2,015 for a two-bedroom apartment; €2,476 for a three-bedroom apartment; €2,129 for a two-bedroom house; €2,642 for a three-bedroom house and €3,095 for a four-bedroom house.  Councillor Meenan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.