Newstalk Breakfast

Irish Penal Reform Trust have today launched their report with their annual assessment of Ireland's penal system. It comes with a focus on mental health and overcrowding. Joining Ciara to look into the report was Saoirse Brady IPRT Executive Director.

Today marks the beginning of National Breastfeeding Week led by the HSE to celebrate families and promote feeding support.  We get the details of the campaign with Lynn Carroll, La Leche League Leader. 

Portadown Orangemen have said they are “not doing any deal” surrounding their  plan to march down Garvaghy Road at Drumcree in Co Armagh as a standoff continues with residents.  Speaking to Ciara with an update was Ciaran Dunbarr from the Belfast Telegraph.

Madonna called Sabrina Carpenter out for taking a week to reply to her text. But why does it take some people so long to reply to texts?   Jonathan asked Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin .

This afternoon, members of the Irish Blue Cross, DogsTrust and other charities will speak to the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. They will discuss the changes that could be made to the proposed Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2026.  To discuss further was Dr Claire Corridan, Director for the Irish Blue Cross, a Vet and has a doctorate in Animal Welfare and Behaviour. 

New research from Royal London Ireland shows one in seven adults are receiving financial support from family. Nearly half use the money to cover everyday living costs, while three in ten say it helps them keep their heads above water  Jonathan discusses this research findings with Mark Reilly, Pensions Proposition Lead, Royal London Ireland.

The Orange Order delegation in Portadown has said they had a “very positive and constructive meeting” with UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant last night. The Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition has said there will be “no parade” down their road, and have lodged a legal challenge against the ruling that sought to allow it in the first place.  Jonathan got the latest with Al...

Today, the Social Democrats will be proposing a windfall tax on the excess profits of energy companies. Which they say would provide a targeted energy credit of €400 for households with incomes of less than €70,000.  Speaking to Jonathan was Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Environment and Energy. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Ralph Riegel Southern Correspondent, Irish Independent.

From feathers to foam your pillow can determine the quality of sleep you get. How do you find your perfect pillow? To tell us was Chris McCarthy Clinical Lead Manchester Metropolitan University.

SIPTU members to begin industrial action over pay today. It comes over the failure to establish formal negotiations on a new public service pay agreement.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Brendan O Brien, SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill over the continued Garvaghy Road stand-off.  For the latest on this, Jonathan spoke to Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent at The Irish Examiner. 

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern gives his view on the on the continuing stand-off at Drumcree.

Running costs rather than climate considerations are what gets Irish drivers considering moving from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles. This is according to new research from Done Deal.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications at Done Deal.

Food research has shown that if the product has smooth edges, it tastes sweeter and you'll eat more of it. Speaking to Jonathan to chat more about this was Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity. 

The Cabinet is expected to discuss the continuing stand-off at Drumcree over the Orange Order parade when it meets later this morning  We get the latest on this situation with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor for The Irish Times. 

A visitor levy in Ireland could raise more than €200m for central government and local authorities according to new research from the University of Galway.    To bring us the details was Dr Gerard Turley Lecturer in Economics University of Galway.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Gabija Gataveckaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent.  

From hotter summers to wetter winters, Ireland must stop reacting to individual events and instead start preparing systematically for a climate of greater extremes. This is according to the Climate Change Advisory Council.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Adaptation Committee. 

With cremations becoming more and more popular. Cork County Council has been asked to create more columbarium walls in its cemeteries. Speaking to Jonathan was PRO of The Irish Association of Funeral Directors and the General Manager at Lakeside Memorial Park.

The Garvaghy Road standoff is continuing into its 3rd day.  Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean reports live from Portadown.

Meta and YouTube have now confirmed they will run ads for a new documentary on Elon Musk, after initially rejecting them.   Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

After months of pushback and weekend of chaos, First-half goals see Republic of Ireland past Israel in controversial fixture in Debrece. Ben Symes Football reporter with Off the Ball in Debrecen looked back on the match with Jonathan.

The UK Secretary for Northern Ireland has said it is not his job to decide if the law is broken after protestors, including Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill. Blocked a planned Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh.  Joining Jonathan this morning was Gareth Wilson, DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh and Pádraig MacLochlainn, Chief Whip of Sinn Féin and...

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Derek Mooney Former Fianna Fáil Advisor and Public Affairs Consultant .