An investigation is under way into a suspected arson attack which caused extensive damage to a pharmacy in Co Meath.

Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating an alleged criminal damage incident in Oldcastle.

The pharmacy is owned by Donna McQuaide, who has been running it for over 20 years.

It is understood that an accelerant, believed to be petrol, was poured around the shop before being set alight. It is not believed any goods were stolen.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by local Sinn Fein TD, Johnny Guirke, who gave us the latest on all of this.

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The Government has rolled back on its plans to disband the Road Safety Authority (RSA), The Journal revealed this week.

The announcement that the RSA would be disbanded and split into two separate organisations was made in late 2024 by then Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, James Lawless. 

At the time, Lawless said it was a “binding” decision that was being made because the operational side of the RSA (which is responsible for driving tests and coordinating the NCT) was “not working” and because the organisation’s safety promotion remit was “also not where it needs to be”. 

Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports & Independent TD, Sean Canney, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence has said an immediate, coordinated, all-of-Government approach to AI is required.

In its first interim report, the committee said this new approach should be led by the national AI Office, which is due to be up and running by August 2026.

The committee held hearings in June, July, September, October and November, with members hearing evidence from a broad perspective of voices and sectors of Irish society.  The interim report contains 85 recommendations including establishing the AI Committee on a permanent basis.

Committee Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne said it will continue to publish interim reports along with a final report at the conclusion of its work.

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

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The bill to ban fox hunting in Ireland, proposed by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, has been defeated in the Dáil.

The bill was defeated by a large majority.

Twenty-four TDs voted to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes, and to provide for related matters - however, 124 TDs voted against.

People Before Profit Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger says she will continue to fight foxhunting despite a setback in the Dail last night.

She says 85 per cent of people oppose fox hunting and it's not the first time the Dáil has been "poles apart from the population".

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

We also spoke to animal welfare advocate and My lovely Horse Rescue volunteer Martina Kenny, to get her reaction to this.

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The harrowing stories of four Meath families in homeless accommodation were highlighted at the December meeting of Navan Municipal Council by Cllr Alan Lawes.

Councillors heard of cockroach and rat infestations, and of a family with nowhere else to go, sleeping on the floor of a local business.

Cllr Lawes asked at the meeting that before his fellow councillors and officials broke up to go off to celebrate Christmas with their families, that they take a few moments to listen to the stories of some Navan based families and individuals who are homeless and staying in emergency accommodation.

The families in question attended the meeting.

Councillor Lawes joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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Changes to the National Childcare Scheme will result in thousands of families receiving more subsidies.

Children’s Minister Norma Foley launched the government’s new Action Plan on Childcare this morning, which sets out a pathway to getting to the election promise of setting childcare costs at €200 per month per child.

She said she is confident the government will deliver on its €200 pledge within its lifetime.

The ‘Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan’ commits to actions in 2026 to make services more affordable and accessible, while also pledging to improve quality.

Chairperson at Federation of Early Childhood Providers, Elaine Dunne, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us in more detail about this.

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It's been confirmed that Louth County Council is asking the government to pay for one of the next phases of the Port Access and Northern Cross Route in Drogheda.

Its Deputy Chief Executive, and Director of Services, Economic Delivery Thomas McEvoy told the local authority's monthly meeting that they will need State intervention.

He was responding to Independent Councillor Paddy McQuillan who had sought an update.

Speaking afterwards, Councillor McQuillan said he believes they should consider the approach adopted by Fingal County Council for Donabate, where a bridge was also required for a new road to cross the Dublin Belfast railway line.

Councillor McQuillan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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As the 50th anniversary of the Dundalk bombing approaches (tomorrow, December 19th), renewed attention is being drawn to the tragic event. 

In the Dáil, Louth TD Deputy Erin McGreehan raised the issue with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in the Dail.

The 1975 bombing, widely believed to have involved loyalist paramilitaries and elements within British security forces, remains officially unsolved. Over the decades, allegations of state collusion have persisted, but without resolution.

County Council driver, Jack Rooney, and well-known and highly respected local tailor, Hugh Watters, died in the Dundalk bombing, which happened when a device placed in a car outside Kay’s Tavern went off.

A short time later, three people, including a father and son, were murdered just across the border. The notorious Glenanne Gang, said to be responsible for over a hundred murders during the Troubles, have been linked to the local atrocities.

Deputy McGreehan is calling on the Department of Justice to take direct engagement with the Northern Ireland authorities in relation to these crimes.

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

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Over 120 uniform gardaí have been issued with tasers to respond to an increase in violent attacks, particularly on gardaí.

An average of 300 gardaí have been attacked each year for the past ten years.

The tasers are being issued as part of a pilot programme in four designated stations in Dublin and Waterford.

Tasers are less lethal force option weapons, which shoot an electrical current that temporarily incapacitates a person by disrupting their muscle control, making them unable to move or attack.

Assistant General Secretary at Garda Representative Association, Tara McManus, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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Ciaran Mullooly MEP has welcomed the move by the French and Italian Governments to defer the vote on the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which had been scheduled to take place in Strasbourg this week.

Following months of consultations with French and Italian MEPs on the significant dangers associated with the Mercosur trade agreement, a coalition of like-minded, anti-Mercosur countries has indicated that it formally requested a deferral of the vote in Strasbourg.

Mr Mullooly said he strongly welcomes this development and hopes that the postponement will allow for further negotiations, greater clarity, and a genuine recognition of the serious concerns held by Irish and European farmers, including those in Ireland, France and Italy, in relation to the trade agreement.

He added that food safety and traceability concerns will also need to be fully addressed in the coming weeks, particularly in light of differing production standards between the EU and Mercosur countries.

Ciaran Mulooly joinsed us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

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