Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time in 24 hours last night amid efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

The Israeli prime minister’s return to the White House for fresh talks came after Qatari mediators warned it would take time to seal an elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at talks in Doha.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Paul Rogers, who is the Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, to get all of the latest on this. 

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Social Justice Ireland is advocating for a €25 increase in all weekly social welfare rates, alongside benchmarking these rates to average earnings, starting in Budget 2025.

This would bring the basic social welfare rate to €257 in 2025, according to the organisation.

Social & Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland, Michelle Murphy, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about this. 

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As part of the team who “worked so hard” to get the railway line/park and ride opened in Dunboyne during his time as councillor, former Fianna Fail Conucillor in the area, Noel Leonard, says he is very disappointed to see the car park at the Park and Ride fall into a state of “utter neglect”.

Noel spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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There is lower bed provision for those in mental health crisis in Louth and Meath than is the case across the rest of the State, with one case of a person being released from a facility in Dublin because there was no room in Drogheda, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil.

Deputy Ó Murchú joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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This morning on The Agenda we spoke to PwC partner and leader of the Global Trade and Customs team, John O’Loughlin, to find out how Trumps new tariffs will affect our pockets.

We also spoke to Cliff Taylor from The Irish Times to find out exactly what tariffs we can expect to see introduced. 

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Minister for Education Helen McEntee has said the religious groups involved in historical sexual abuse "will be held accountable".

The minister's comments follow the Government's commitment to establish a Commission of Investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools across the country.

Minister McEntee joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this

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Today Aontú will protest against plans to turn the GPO into so-called “cheap, tawdry commercial centre”.

Aontu Leader & Meath-West TD Peadar Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about the protest and why they are protesting

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The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has said anxiety is building among students due to the ongoing uncertainty over college fees.

Responding to the Government’s decision to discontinue a €1,000 reduction in third-level fees, Kathryn Walsh, NYCI director for policy and advocacy, said: “Students continue to face serious financial pressure, with the cost of education remaining a persistent burden on young people and their families.

Kathryn spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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Almost 20 per cent of families have cut back on or gone without heating in the past six months, research from Barnardos into the impact of the rising cost of living shows.

The data also show that two in five are going without other essentials, including food and medical appointments, already this year.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to National Policy Manager at Barnardos, Stephen Moffitt, to find out more about this. 

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