Newstalk Breakfast

Dublin City Council should consider creating a council-owned childcare delivery company.  That’s according to a new draft plan published by Dublin City Council’s Childcare Provision and Infrastructure Working Group. Speaking to Jonathan with more on this was Working Group Member and Social Democrats Councillor Cian Farrell.

More people were on trolleys waiting for a hospital bed last month than any June since 2022 during the pandemic.  That’s according to new figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Their General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha discussed this further with Jonathan.

The President of the EU Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen will visit Cork to mark the opening of Ireland’s six-month EU Presidency. But protesting this visit are staff and students at University College Cork. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Ciarán Dawson, Spokesperson for UCC Staff Together for Palestine. 

Riad Bouchaker has been found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of the attempted murder of three young children at Dublin’s Parnell Square in November 2023.  Jonathan spoke to Siobhan Kearney, who witnessed the attack.

Some parents find it tough to switch from hyper-involved parenting to a more laissez-afire approach as their kids grow older. How should you manage it? Jonathan askes Richard Hogan, Family Therapist and Author.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo.

Housing output has increased by a third so far this year.  That’s according to a new report from The Banking and Payments Federation. Their Chief Economist Ali Ugur discussed the report findings this morning with Jonathan Healy.

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon confirmed that he has signed the commencement order providing for a substantial increase in litter fines.   From the 1st of  September the fixed-payment on-the-spot fine for littering will rise from €150 to €250. Speaking to Jonathan with reaction to this was Conor Horgan, Spokesperson for Irish Busi...

Drink spiking has become an increasing concern in recent years, and many incidents may go unreported. The government wants to introduce stronger laws to tackle the spiking of drinks and related offences.  To discuss the measures the government can implement was Séamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central. 

Riad Bouchaker has been found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of the attempted murder of three young children at Dublin’s Parnell Square in November 2023.  Joining Jonathan for a recap on the trial was Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan .   

Over one million Irish households will see their energy bills increase today. As price hikes from Electric Ireland, the country’s biggest electricity supplier, and Yuno Energy come into effect.    We get recaction from Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

Nearly seven thousand units of teeth-whitening products were detained by Irelands health product regulator last year. This was because of the illegal and unsafe levels of hydrogen peroxide found in them. Dr Caroline Robbins, owner of Kiwi Dental explained why people have to be careful of the products they use.

ESB have admitted that not all of their EV chargers can be used at the same time because of technical limitations in its network. But why is this the case?    We asked Motoring Editor at the Sunday Independent, Ger Herbert .

As we enter the EU Presidency, the Irish Government will be hosting some of Europe’s top diplomats and politicians for the next 6 months. So how will it all work?  We heard from Newstalk's Political Correspondent live from Dublin Castle and also in studio with Anton was Minster for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Helen McEntee.

Reintroducing rent caps for new builds and new tenancies, scrapping the M50 toll. Alos ending increases in the carbon and fuel tax are among the proposals Aontu have on the table today.   Joining Anton to explain the proposals was Paul Lawless, Aontu TD.

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 Irish Times columnist. 

Parenting may permanently improve brain health for mums and dads.  That’s according to a series of new studies published recently.  Joining Anton to discuss further was Dr Sabina Brennan Health Psychologist & author of "Still Me" A Neuroscientist’s guide to caring for someone with dementia .  

The US Supreme Court has ruled that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship. This rejects Donald Trump's bid to end the 150-year-old policy. Anton discusses this further with Professor & Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin Scott Lucas.

The number of boil water notices and water restriction notices both increased during 2025, impacting almost 200,000 people. That’s according to the new drinking water report from the Environmental Protection Agency.   Anton looks into the report findings with Noel Byrne is Programme Manager of the EPA’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Enforcement Programme.  

Officials from the HSE, Department of Health and the Rotunda Hospital are to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee later this morning. The the issue of the public only consultant Contract is up for discussion. Speaking to Anton ahead of the meeting was the Committee Chair and Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central Pádraig Rice.

Today marks the start of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. What will that mean in practice and what should the Government expect in the role? Anton askes Irish Times reporter Jack Power.

Flight passengers are being warned not to pack power banks or vapes in their hold luggage ahead of the busy summer holiday travel period beginning for parts of the UK.  The fire risk posed by lithium batteries is now the number one safety risk to aircraft, according to the aviation regulator, as the number of devices found in hold bags has nearly doubled in a year.  Pete Hutchison also k...

Fianna Fáil Councillor Daryl Barron has been elected the 359th Lord Mayor of Dublin, launching his "Our Dublin" agenda focused on restoring civic trust through practical local action.   Daryl joined Anton this morning to discuss his new position.

Changes in the rules around importing products from non-EU countries are set to kick in tomorrow, and could lead to a €3 tax on each item worth less than €150.   In 2025 alone, almost 5.9 billion of such low-value items were directly shipped from third countries to consumers in the EU, without paying customs duties.  Joining Anton to discuss how these rules will impact you was John O’Lou...

The Coalition leaders have decided to extend the current excise reductions on petrol and diesel until 1 September 2026.  After this date the previous rates will be gradually restored over the following four months.   The Cabinet will today consider the measures which will cost €270 million.  Anton was joined by Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, Kevin McPart...