Newstalk Breakfast

Could getting your hands dirty actually be good for your health? Research suggests that contact with soil and nature may boost our skin microbes and support our immune system  Selene Daly Tarpey, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Tutor explained all to Anton. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Fionnuala Corbett, Presenter on Dave and Fionnuala on Today FM.

Retail Excellence Ireland is calling for the Government to cut employers’ PRSI in the next budget, including no employers’ PRSI for workers under 25.  To discuss further with Anton was Jean McCabe, CEO Retail Excellence. 

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission are calling for human rights, equality, digital and media literacy to be embedded across education. They also say we need a designated lead Department, clear accountability mechanisms, and independent monitoring. For more on this Anton spoke to Dr Niamh Sammon, Assistant lecturer and Programme Chair of the BA in jour...

While the capital costs of retrofitting and renovating your home is well-documented. New research from the ESRI considers the less-discussed “hassle costs”.  Anton discusses this further with Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist ESRI.

Have you ever found yourself laughing at yourself after doing something silly, or for being clumsy or maybe even in a social setting? Well don’t worry because it is actually good for you. Joining Anton this morning was Dr Sonja Heintz a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Plymouth who has a research focus on humour.

French police are hunting two thieves who escaped with two Renoir paintings worth nine million euro from a museum on the French Riviera.  This is the latest in an increased string of heists in Europe over the last year. Speaking to Anton this morning was Eamonn McEnaney, Former Director of Waterford Museum of Treasures. 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke to Anton this morning ahead from the party’s think-in in Malahide.

Dublin Airport passengers are being warned of delays. This comes after a major UK air‑traffic control fault caused widespread disruption at airports including Heathrow, grounding flights and triggering hundreds of cancellations.  We get the latest on the situation in the UK and home with Eoghan Corry, Travel Commentator and Owner of Travel Extra. 

Oasis are back and they’re on the big screen! Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger has premiered in Venice and hits cinemas today, ahead of its Disney+ release later this year.  We get the details from Deputy Editor of Hot Press, Stuart Clark. 

Farmers should be supported with land-specific climate information, technology and practical advice to prepare for a changing climate. That is according to the Climate Change Advisory Council. Alex White, Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council.

There is an increasing risk in Financial Crime and not enough ways to deal and combat the challenges around it.   Anton discusses this further with Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute. 

The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has opened an investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X. This comes amid concerns over its age assurance measures and parental controls.  Speaking to Anton was Melissa Ingle, Data Scientist and former X employee in content moderation. 

An Aer Lingus pilot has reported seeing a large drone close to Dublin Bay. At around 5pm yesterday, the pilot of the Aer Lingus Regional plane told Dublin Air Traffic Control that the drone was spotted at the same altitude as the plane, around 6,000 feet in the sky. Speaking to Anton with reaction was Security and Defense Analyst, Declan Power .

Most workers who report saving time by using AI say they use it to work more. Rather than using it to achieve a better work life balance.    That’s according to the 2025 Working in Ireland Survey. To discuss the findings with Anton was Professor John Geary, from the School of Business at University College Dublin and lead author on the research .   

Used EV values are up for the first time in three years, according to a new report from DoneDeal  Electric also took the largest single share of the new car market for the first time in July. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications at Done Deal. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Anton this morning from the Fianna Fáil party think-in.

There has been a decrease of 1,663 people with health insurance compared with the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest report from the Health Insurance Authority.  This marks the first decline in insurance market membership since 2020. We get reaction from Brian Lee, the CEO of the Health Insurance Authority. 

Today marks one year since Daniel Tatlow-Davelly first went into German pre-trial detention.   Daniel is on trial in Germany for trespassing and criminal damage to an Israeli-owned arms factory. Speaking to Anton this morning was Mimi Tatlow-Golden, Daniel’s mother.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Harry Browne Media Lecturer in TUD and Host of Ditch Podcast.

While the sight of a large house spider racing across the living room floor can be alarming. There are simple steps households can take to make their properties less inviting to spiders and other insects.  To tell us more wasTrevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control.

Could social media health warnings actually change young people’s habits? New research suggests they might. To discuss this further with Anton was Matthew Sadlier President of the Irish Medical Organisation. 

Two killed in Russian missile strikes on Ukraine and Kyiv considers legalising pornography to raise money for war against Russia. We get the latest on the war on Ukraine with Former Fighter pilot and now Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix podcast Sean Bell.

The number of children living in households below the poverty line grew to 200,000 by 2024, an increase of almost 30,000 compared to 2023.  That’s according to the ESRI’s latest report on poverty, income inequality and living standards in Ireland. Naomi Feeley, Senior Research and Policy Manager at the ESRI discussed the findings with Anton.

New research from Irish Life shows only one in five adults expect a traditional retirement. More people would actually prefer to gradually reduce their hours or reduce them down to part-time rather than finish up in one day.  To discuss further with Anton was Oisin O'Shaughnessy, Managing Director of Employer Solutions at Irish Life.