Newstalk Breakfast

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

A new report is warning that festival drugs in Ireland could contain dangerous synthetic opioids known as nitazenes. They can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin and linked to fatal overdoses  To discuss the risks was Nicki Killeen, Project Manager for Emerging Drug Trends with the HSE.

While it is not quite as hot as the past few weeks, it is still incredibly dry. So what does this mean for farmers across the country caring for and trying to feed animals? Jonathan discussed with Denis Drennan, President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.

Record-breaking temperatures of up to 44 degrees are fueling deadly wildfires in Spain.. Thousands have been evacuated, firefighters are battling around the clock, Authorities have warned the worst may still be to come.  Freelance Journalist in Barcelona, Stephen Burgen gave Jonathan an update on the situation there. 

Forecasts now indicate a wetter weekend than we’ve seen for the last while.  To look ahead to the weather this weekend was Rebecca Cantwell, a meteorologist with Met Eireann. 

A wildfire continues to rage on the Slievenamon mountains. The fire saw a flare-up overnight, despite Tipperary County Council saying yesterday that the fire was substantially reduced  We get the latest with Carol Kennedy, the Acting Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service. 

“As the pauses on social media videos are cut to shreds, I wonder where the assault on our senses will end”. According to broadcaster and Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Day two of the withdrawal by criminal defence solicitors is underway across Dublin. With services continuing to be suspended in the District, Circuit and Central Criminal Courts in a dispute over changes to the legal aid payment system.  Joining Jonathan this morning to discuss this further was Social Democrats Justice Spokesperson TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon and Solicitor Michael Finu...

Finance Minister Simon Harris has said that improving people’s disposable income will be a core focus of Budget 2027. With cuts to income tax among key priorities for the government.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Michelle Murphy, Research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland and James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South .  

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Ronan McGreevy, News Reporter, Irish Times .  

At what age can you leave your child home alone and leave them to their own devices? Jonathan asked Senior Clinical Psychologist and past President of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Dr Anne Keogh .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has just landed down in Kyiv for a meting with Volodymir Zelenskyy. Covering his trip is Newstalk’s own reporter Emily Keegan. 

This week began using drones as part of operations targeting scramblers and e-scooters.  A total of 11 e-scooters, two e-bikes and one scrambler were seized during the operation in west Dublin on Tuesday. How easily can drones be rolled out to Gardaí at large?  Jonathan discusses this with Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Airport Safety and Security Officer. 

Dr Mike Ryan, former Executive Director of the World Health Organisation will be at this year’s MacGill Summer School. Discussing “The New World Disorder”, and Ireland’s role in the world in uncertain and fragmented times. Dr Mike Ryan spoke to Jonathan this morning on the show.

New figures from Geo Directory show more than 30,000 homes are now under construction across Ireland. While house prices continue to rise despite increased building activity.  CEO of Geo Directory Dara Keogh explained the findings of the report.

Criminal defence solicitors across Ireland are withdrawing their services in the District, Circuit and Central Criminal Courts today and tomorrow . This is happening over a dispute over changes to the legal aid payment system introduced by the Justice Minister.  Joining Jonathan to discuss was s Tony Collier a Partner at Ferrys Solicitor. 

Uisce Éireann have announced this morning that a hosepipe ban on six counties until the end of August has been extended nationwide. This is because pressure on water supplies continues.  Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU, Paul Davies explained why the restrictions are necessary. 

Before the Seanad rose for the Summer, Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher drew attention to recent NTA figures showing that 23 counties have seen a decline in taxi numbers. This is while facing population increases. How a decline in taxi numbers affecting the economy? Robbie Gallagher spoke to Jonathan this morning.

Did you wake up beside your furry friend this morning? And if so, is it actually hygienic to have your pet in bed with you? Jonathan asked Dr Jacqueline Boyd who is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science and Nottingham Trent University.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Sinead O Carroll, Editor, The Journal.

Experts are warning that the price of petrol and diesel is set to shoot up once again after the latest jump in crude oil costs.  We get reaction from Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association .  

Uisce Éireann is extending its Water Conservation Order nationwide from Friday. As hot, dry weather continues to put pressure on water supplies. Jonathan spoke to the Regional Water Operations Manager (Southwest region), Brian O Leary .  

Football legend Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75. The former Liverpool star, two-time Ballon d'Or winner and England manager is being remembered as one of the game's greatest figures.  Paying tribute was former Liverpool footballer and England captain, Phil Thompson.

Plans for an alternative access route to the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk could cost more than €350,000. Work could take up to four years to complete, according to engineering records released under the Freedom of Information Act.    We discussed further with Eugene Finnegan, Bray Business Area Representative on the Management Committee of the Cliff Walk. 

Insurance Ireland are launching their pre-budget submission today. They are calling for the Government to increase the cap on tax relief for Private Health Insurance from €1,000 to €1,500.  Ahead of the launch today Jonathan spoke to Moyagh Murdock, the Chief Executive of Insurance Ireland.