Newstalk Breakfast

Ireland will play Austria this evening as part of their UEFA Nations League Campaign. This comes ahead of the controversial match against Israel in Serbia on Sunday. In a week that's seen huge criticism to everyone involved. Speaking to Ciara was Keith Treacy, Former Irish International Footballer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will get to the “root” of the co-pilot behind a foiled attempt to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Adding that Israel may join the investigation  For the latest on this we heard from Mark Weiss, Israel Correspondent with the Irish Times.

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

Students from across Ireland will protest today, calling on Government to “Fund Our Future” and put students at the centre of its plans.  Speaking to Ciara ahead of the protests today was Daniel Walsh, President of AMLE. 

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has launched an investigation into nine online gaming companies. This comes around concerns such as hidden costs, pressure to spend and protection of young people.  We get reaction to this with Ollwyn Moran, neurodevelopmental therapist founder of Cogni Kids. 

Irish Penal Reform Trust have today launched their report with their annual assessment of Ireland's penal system. It comes with a focus on mental health and overcrowding. Joining Ciara to look into the report was Saoirse Brady IPRT Executive Director.

Today marks the beginning of National Breastfeeding Week led by the HSE to celebrate families and promote feeding support.  We get the details of the campaign with Lynn Carroll, La Leche League Leader. 

Portadown Orangemen have said they are “not doing any deal” surrounding their  plan to march down Garvaghy Road at Drumcree in Co Armagh as a standoff continues with residents.  Speaking to Ciara with an update was Ciaran Dunbarr from the Belfast Telegraph.

Madonna called Sabrina Carpenter out for taking a week to reply to her text. But why does it take some people so long to reply to texts?   Jonathan asked Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin .

This afternoon, members of the Irish Blue Cross, DogsTrust and other charities will speak to the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. They will discuss the changes that could be made to the proposed Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2026.  To discuss further was Dr Claire Corridan, Director for the Irish Blue Cross, a Vet and has a doctorate in Animal Welfare and Behaviour. 

New research from Royal London Ireland shows one in seven adults are receiving financial support from family. Nearly half use the money to cover everyday living costs, while three in ten say it helps them keep their heads above water  Jonathan discusses this research findings with Mark Reilly, Pensions Proposition Lead, Royal London Ireland.

The Orange Order delegation in Portadown has said they had a “very positive and constructive meeting” with UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant last night. The Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition has said there will be “no parade” down their road, and have lodged a legal challenge against the ruling that sought to allow it in the first place.  Jonathan got the latest with Al...

Today, the Social Democrats will be proposing a windfall tax on the excess profits of energy companies. Which they say would provide a targeted energy credit of €400 for households with incomes of less than €70,000.  Speaking to Jonathan was Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Environment and Energy. 

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

From feathers to foam your pillow can determine the quality of sleep you get. How do you find your perfect pillow? To tell us was Chris McCarthy Clinical Lead Manchester Metropolitan University.

SIPTU members to begin industrial action over pay today. It comes over the failure to establish formal negotiations on a new public service pay agreement.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Brendan O Brien, SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill over the continued Garvaghy Road stand-off.  For the latest on this, Jonathan spoke to Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent at The Irish Examiner. 

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern gives his view on the on the continuing stand-off at Drumcree.

Running costs rather than climate considerations are what gets Irish drivers considering moving from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles. This is according to new research from Done Deal.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications at Done Deal.

Food research has shown that if the product has smooth edges, it tastes sweeter and you'll eat more of it. Speaking to Jonathan to chat more about this was Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity. 

The Cabinet is expected to discuss the continuing stand-off at Drumcree over the Orange Order parade when it meets later this morning  We get the latest on this situation with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor for The Irish Times. 

A visitor levy in Ireland could raise more than €200m for central government and local authorities according to new research from the University of Galway.    To bring us the details was Dr Gerard Turley Lecturer in Economics University of Galway.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Gabija Gataveckaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent.  

From hotter summers to wetter winters, Ireland must stop reacting to individual events and instead start preparing systematically for a climate of greater extremes. This is according to the Climate Change Advisory Council.  For more on this Jonathan spoke to Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Adaptation Committee. 

With cremations becoming more and more popular. Cork County Council has been asked to create more columbarium walls in its cemeteries. Speaking to Jonathan was PRO of The Irish Association of Funeral Directors and the General Manager at Lakeside Memorial Park.