Newstalk Breakfast

For the first time, Ireland is appointing military officers as Defence Attachés to its embassies in Britain, the US and France. A move the Government says will strengthen Defence cooperation with key international partners.  Joining Anton to discuss further was Cathal Berry, Former Independent TD and former member of the Defence Forces. 

Former Irish Nationwide Building Society chief executive Michael Fingleton, a central and controversial figure in Ireland's financial crisis, has died aged 88. We look back on his career with Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post. 

This week, firefighters across Europe have been battling strong wildfires from France to Greece. But what is involved in order to get on top of these fires? Pete Hutchison, also known as Pete the Irish Pilot on social media, joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss.

A “once-in-a-generation” solar eclipse is coming this August, and it will be the strongest Ireland has seen since 1999. Leo Enright, Space Commentator, joined us on the show with the details.

Over half of child car seats checked by the Road Safety Authority service were found to be fitted incorrectly in first six months of 2026. Ron Richardson, Lead Checker with The RSA Check and Fit Service joined us on the show.

Hamas says it has agreed to its complete disarmament and the withdrawal of Israel from the strip. The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump but Israel is yet to comment. Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at London School of Economics and Political Science joined us on the show to discuss.

FIFA has defended its controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA goes ahead with these plans.  Professor of football finance at Liverpool University, Kieran Maguire, joined Anton Savage on the show this morning....

The Irish Prison Service has bought a new bulletproof escort van ahead of Daniel Kinahan’s expected extradition from Dubai. The vehicle will be used to move high-risk prisoners as security preparations intensify. Journalist and Author, Paul Williams joined Anton Savage to discuss.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent. 

For the first time, people who can't physically climb Croagh Patrick can make the journey thanks to a new immersive experience that enables people of every age and ability to experience the holy mountain, and it will officially open today in County Mayo. Senior Project Manager at Mayo North East, Orlagh Denneny joined us on the show this morning.

More than 1,500 migrants, including adults and children, have swum from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in recent days, overwhelming reception centres and border services. Greta Ruffino, Freelance journalist reporting on the story for EuroNews joined Anton Savage on the show.

The Government has signalled a tougher approach to public spending ahead of Budget 2027, with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers warning that departments exceeding their spending limits will face stronger sanctions.  Anton Savage was joined by Dr Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin, to discuss.

FIFA has defended its controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.  UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA goes ahead with these plans. Former Irish Footballer Keith Treacy joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss.

The US military said it completed a “heavy wave of strikes” against Iran on Thursday in response to so-called “surprise attacks” from Tehran against American bases in Jordan.  Nicholas Hopton,  Former Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council joined Anton on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the latest moves made in the conflict

While enthusiasm for learning and speaking more than one language is growing, why do people in Ireland speak so few of them?  Anton was joined by Dr Paul Gillespie, research fellow with the School of Politics and International Relations at UCD and former foreign policy editor with The Irish Times and Columnist to discuss this more.

Writing in The Irish Times this morning Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin  says that e-scooters can play a role in sustainable transport   Brian spoke to Anton about this.  

As a group protesting against the Israel vs Ireland soccer match occupied the Department of Sport offices, Anton spoke to Cllr. Cieran Perry, Dublin City Councillor, about the ongoing protests

Three firefighters die in Crete as wildfires threaten parts of southern Europe, Anton was joined by Damian Mac Con Uladh, Irish journalist based in Athens 

Climate Change Advisory Council are calling for urgent action to address household emissions and reduce exposure to fossil fuel price volatility Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council  Alex White joined Newstalk Breakfast to explain this

Simon Hunter, a freelance journalist in Spain & veteran Paris-based journalist John Lichfield joined Anton to discuss the ongoing Wildfires that are blazing across many parts of France and Spain.

The Minister for Justice has announced changes to the controversial criminal legal aid scheme, agreeing to split payments so solicitors receive two-thirds of their fee at the start of a case and the balance at the end of proceedings or 12 months later. So is this enough to stop the row? Solicitor Michael Finucane discussed this with Anton

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced he is preparing to open state owned grocery stores which will sell essentials at a discount of thirty percent.  People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy joins Anton to share his view with him.

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. 

What do you do if your teenager suddenly becomes obsessed with their weight or starts avoiding food?  Harriet Parson, CEO of Bodywhys.ie joined Anton to discuss how parents can handle this

With the last Cabinet before the summer break taking place today, we hear what will be discussed at the meeting. Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent, gave Anton the details