Newstalk Breakfast

Farming groups are calling for urgent supports from the Government over the impact of high temperatures on farmers' livelihoods.   To discuss further with Anton was Francie Gorman, Irish Farmer's Association President .  

Back-to-school costs can really add up, but there are ways to keep the spending under control.  With top tips on saving for those back-to-school costs was Robert Whelan, Managing Director at Rockwell Financial Management.

When someone objects to an infrastructure project or big housing project in their locality. Why don’t we just pay them to withdraw their objection?   Anton discusses this further with Gavin Lawlor President of The Irish Planning Institute .   

The cost of Ireland’s new National Train Control Centre could rise to €205 million. It comes in at almost €60 million over budget.  To discuss with Anton was Professor in Transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College, Brian Caulfield .  

Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times brings us the latest from the Clacton-by-election where Nigel Farage was declared the winner.

This Saturday, August 15th marks the start of National Heritage Week 2026. There will be thousands of events across the country shining a light on Irish heritage. Anton found out all about the events with CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan. 

A new Pure Telecom survey suggests around 370,000 adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot in the past year. With almost half a million more wouldn’t rule it out. So, why are we becoming emotionally attached to technology?  To discuss with Anton was Psychologist, Author, Academic and Life Coach, Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska .  

Meta have announced that they will donate 15-thousand of their Ray-Ban AI glasses to Vision Ireland, the country’s national sight loss charity.   We got the details of this donation from Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Alison Chawke has been released from prison after serving four weeks of a two-year-two-month sentence. For more on this Anton spoke to Sinn Féin Justice Spokesman, Matt Carthy .  

Farming groups are calling for urgent supports from the Government over the impact of high temperatures on farmers' livelihoods.   Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Francie Gorman, Irish Farmer's Association President.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Frances Fitzgerald a Member of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee to the G7, former Minister, MEP and Tanaiste. 

Littering caused by people raiding public bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans is costing Dublin City Council almost €1,000 a day. This is since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme.  We get reaction to these figures with Daryl Barron the Lord Mayor of Dublin. 

King Puck is back on his throne in Killorglin as one of Kerry’s biggest and most cherished traditions continues. The annual festival continues to draw in huge crowds.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Gerry Boland, Animal Advocate and Founder of Animals Behind Closed Doors .

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was David McRedmond, CEO of An Post.

Last night over one hundred people gathered at Dunsink Observatory in West Dublin to witness the solar eclipse. Our reporter Cian Burns went along and sent us this report.

A man recovering in hospital after being bitten by a shark on a vessel off the coast of Co Waterford has said that he is okay and hopes to recover "quickly".  We get the details of the incident with Eanna Ni Lamhna, Biologist and Author of Wild Dublin  

Count Binface, Nick the Incredible Flying Brick and, of course, Nigel Farage, will be among the candiates on the ballot for the Clacton-on-Sea by-election, To look ahead to the day of voting was James Lyons, Former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer. 

Touchscreen controls are out, and buttons are back in! China has decided enough is enough. From 1st July 2027, all newly manufactured cars in China will have to use physical controls for 19 core safety functions. To explain what this will mean for the Irish market is Motoring Editor for the Sunday Independent Geraldine Herbert. 

Soccer returns to Croke Park this evening for the first time since 2009 with Manchester United facing off against Leeds United in a pre-season friendly. It will mark the first soccer match with a non-Irish team at GAA headquarters. British Ambassador Kara Owen discusses the significance of this. 

Pakistan says the US and Iran could be close to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But there are still major differences remain between the two sides.  Anton discusses further with Alexander Dragonetti a Former British diplomat who worked in Gaza. 

C-Section rates in Ireland are continuing to rise with more than four in ten women giving birth by the surgical delivery rate last year. To discuss this rise in numbers was Professor Maeve Eogan is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital. 

The long-awaited solar eclipse is just hours away and people will be gathering all over the country to watch it happen. We get the facts about the eclipse with Dr Ray Butler, Head of Physics at the University of Galway. Also speaking to Anton with advice on protecting your eyes today was Liz Grennan, President Optometry Ireland .  

The Butt Face Toy designed to be as bizarre as its name suggests, it has sparked plenty of negative reactions and questions about who, exactly, this product is supposed to appeal to.  We get reaction to this toy with Psychotherapist who specialises in parenting support, Bethan O’Riordan .  

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant and Former Senior Political Advisor.

A Swiss flight from Zurich to Boston was diverted to Dublin after smoke was reported in the cabin, reportedly caused by a power bank trapped in a passenger seat. More than 200 passengers were on board, with no injuries reported. The AAIU is investigating.  To explain what happened on the fight was Pete Hutchison who is Pete the Irish Pilot on social media.