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It was “deeply disappointing” and a “jaw-dropping surprise” to hear Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae suggest that a lack of vitamins causes autism, an autistic advocate has said.

Concern has grown in the community since Mr Healy-Rae made the comments in the Dáil on Wednesday during a discussion on a Sinn Féin motion on special education.

Autism activist Aaron Lowry, who is autistic himself and has two autistic daughters, was stunned by the comments, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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The international aid system is facing an enormous funding crisis, and the closure or reduction in life-saving projects due to budget cuts will result in “more unnecessary suffering”, the Government is to argue.

Ministers will say on Friday that Ireland is spending more on international development assistance than ever in the 50-year history of Irish Aid at a time when other large donor countries are cutting back.

In a speech to mark the launch of Irish Aid’s annual report, Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond will say that while Ireland is spending record amounts, it is “a source of great regret that other donors appear to have chosen different paths”.

The new report will say that Ireland’s official development assistance (ODA) in 2024 amounted to a total of €2.35 billion, representing 0.56 per cent of gross national income (GNI).

Minister Neale Richmond joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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Councillors have been told that Louth County Council has reached a dead end in terms of securing funding to reinstate a road that has been closed since a major flooding event almost two years ago.

The road had been used to access Shelling Hill beach but so far funding has been ruled out as there are no residential properties along it.

Sinn Féin Councillor Antoin Watters, sought the update at the local authority's monthly meeting, which heard that officials had contacted the OPW but were told that they could not fund it.

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

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A Fine Gael councillor carrying out voluntary work last year was accosted by a man who called him a “traitor” and threatened him over his work in support of Ukraine, a District Court has heard.

Cllr Alan Tobin, elected in Ashbourne for Meath County Council, said the incident made him think twice about continuing as a public representative.

Ciaran Starrs was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act with threatening to kill or maim Mr Tobin at Castle Street, Ashbourne, on June 10th, 2024.

In court, Mr Tobin said the defendant produced a hammer and he had a “certain breed of dog” in his vehicle. When an apology was offered in court Mr Tobin said he accepted it but “there should be a zero-tolerance approach to this”. He said his wife heard about the altercation “and shouldn’t be subjected to this”.

“Every time a vehicle pulls up beside me now I get nervous,” Mr Tobin said. He said a crime-prevention officer was in his house to make sure his house was secure.

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

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Passengers at Dublin Airport can keep liquids in their luggage at security from today, thanks to new scanning technology.

The old 100ml or less liquid rule requiring clear plastic bags is being relaxed too and departing passengers will be permitted to carry up to two litres in their hand luggage.

Around 30 new C3 scanners and body scanners have been rolled out in Dublin Airport’s two terminals. The C3 scanners use technology similar to CT scanners in hospitals, generating 3D images of bags, which make it easier to detect what is inside.

Lead travel writer & journalist Eoghan Corry joined us on The Agenda to tell us more about this.

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More than eight in 10 people are now worried about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis as biting cost rises hit harder across the population.

It has been revealed in a new survey that some 84% of people are significantly concerned and many blame Government failures to address it. The analysis for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) revealed that the crisis is now impacting deeper and affecting more homes.

Its chief Liam Herrick claimed the poll showed "an Ireland pulled in two directions". He said: "On one hand, growing inequality and increasing reports of discrimination. On the other, a resilient and deep commitment in our society for values of fairness, solidarity and justice.

Liam joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about this.

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There is a call on the Department of Education, teaching unions and child welfare experts to sit down with parents and try and formulate clear and practical guidelines for schools around the issue of ‘pronouns’.  

That’s according to Aontú Cllr Emer Tóibín, who says she has been contacted by a number of teachers seeking guidance on how to respond if a student requests to be addressed by  ‘preferred’ pronouns.

Councillor Toibin contacted Kieran Christie, the General Secretary of ASTI, to ask if there was any formal guidance for teachers, but his response was that the organisation can only discuss this matter directly with its members. This has left many teachers without the clarity they are looking for.

Emer says that some teachers are simply not comfortable using anything other than a student’s given name and biological pronouns, and they would appreciate clear direction, so they are not left to navigate this sensitive issue alone.

Councillor Toibin joins us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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