Newstalk Breakfast

A research study done by an online meeting company has reported that almost 50 per cent of Gen Z believe that being between five and 10 minutes late is the basically the same as arriving to work on time.   So what’s behind Gen Z’s failing time management? Irish Independent columnist Brenda Power has looked into this. 

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 Brown Media Lecturer in TUD and host of the Ditch podcast.

US President Donald Trump is currently on his way to Beijing where he begins a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trade and Taiwan are likely to be high on the agenda, but they may be surpassed by the war with Iran. To preview the visit was Dan Mulhall Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States .

A motion passed by Tipperary County Council has called on the Government to phase out the Universal Social Charge.  The Council will now write to Finance Minister Simon Harris urging him to begin the process of abolishing the charge.  Independent Councillor Liam Browne who tabled the motion explained why to Anton.

As over 61,000 students prepare to sit the Leaving Cert, the National Association of Principals and Deputies say CAO points are being treated as currency rather than a reflection of ability.    Anton discusses this further with the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, Paul Crone. 

The UK Labour Party has descended into open division over Keir Starmer’s future, as four ministers resigned and joined at least 80 MPs urging him to quit. Anton gets the latest with Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times.

20 years ago, Congolese computer technician Guy Goma went to the BBC for a job interview. He didn’t get the job, but he did go viral when he was mistakenly put on air as Guy Kewney. Elliot Gotkine and Guy Goma told Anton about that faithful day.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold a crucial cabinet meeting this morning after members of his government told him he should set a timetable for his departure.  We get the latest on this with James Lyons former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer.    

Rural pubs will be a thing of the past unless the Government step in. So say The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland. Anton spoke to their Chief Executive Pat Crotty.

New legislation from Sinn Féin aimed at tackling ‘price gouging’ in the electricity sector is to be debated in the Oireachtas today.  To discuss further Anton spoke to Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry and spokesperson on Climate, Energy, Environment and Transport and also Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist ESRI.

IPTU and UNITE members of the National Ambulance Service have begun their first twenty four hour work stoppage. Ciarán Sheridan of the SIPTU Health Division spoke to Anton from the picket in Letterkenny. 

A petition requesting equal parenting or time/shared parenting to become the default in Irish family law has been put forward for the consideration of the Oireachtas.  Anton gets more detail on this petition with Michelle Browne Senior Family Mediator and Author  .

When it comes to interacting with a chatbot, be it ChatGPT or Gemini, are we all sacrificing too much control? Anton discussed this further with Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska is a Psychologist, Author, Academic and Life Coach.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Valerie Cox, Author and Journalist. 

While millions of fans will be tuning into the first Eurovision semi-final in Vienna tonight, Ireland is one of five countries boycotting Israel’s participation. Chatting to Anton live from Vienna was Journalist Daniel Rosney.

Do we need more red light cameras and are we likely to see them anytime soon? Anton asked Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone .

The National Ambulance Service has warned that today’s 24-hour strike by SIPTU and Unite members will severely impact emergency response times, with over half of staff unavailable. Speaking to Anton was Conor Deasy, President of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine .   

The term ‘dynamic pricing’ hit the headlines around the time of the Oasis gigs, but could that model be coming to a supermarket near you? Anton asked Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly .

Newry-born University of North Carolina punter, Adam McCann Gibbs is set to make his college football debut in Dublin at the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Adam joined Anton on the show this morning.

The Government is considering a plan to pay for Ukrainians to return to their home country once reconstruction begins.  Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed the plan would be brought forward following reporting in yesterday’s Sunday Times. We get reaction to this from Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú.

Last year over 20 undergraduate courses determined their entry by random selection. With the number of students reaching maximum points growing over the past few years, we talk to Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless about the impacts of this. 

Strike action begins today among some members of the National Ambulance Service. UNITE and Siptu members commence a work to rule today with a twenty four hour work stoppage beginning tomorrow. Speaking to Anton was Eoin Drummey is a Regional Officer in Waterford with the UNITE Union.

Two Irish passengers who were onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship that was hit by an outbreak of hantavirus have arrived back in Ireland. For the latest Anton spoke to Dr Eoghan de Barra Senior Lecturer in the RCSI and Infectious Diseases Consultant in Beaumont Hospital.

On-the-spot litter fines are to increase by €100 as part of a government crackdown on littering and illegal dumping. Speaking to Anton for more on this was Conor Horgan Spokesperson for Irish Business Against Litter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes the war in Ukraine is “coming to an end”, despite earlier vowing victory during Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations.     We discuss further with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for France 24.