Newstalk Breakfast

Ireland needs a “resilience-focused” Budget to allow the economy to deal with energy shocks and the growing threat of AI in the workplace. That’s the warning from IBEC, who are launching their pre-Budget submission today.  Anton discusses this further with Gerard Brady, Chief Economist and Head of National Policy of IBEC. 

From sustainably harvested crab to the revival of poitín, Ireland’s top food producers were honoured at the 2026 Euro-Toques food awards last night.  Gary O’Hanlon, Executive Chef at the K club and member of Euro-Toques Ireland spoke to Anton about these awards.

Former DUP Leader Jeffery Donaldson is at Newry Crown Court after being charged with 18 historical sexual offences, including one count of rape.  Speaking to Anton this morning with more on this was James McCarthy, Political Reporter with Belfast Live and The Daily Mirror Northern Ireland. 

Clare County Council has passed a motion to make high-vis jackets mandatory for pedestrians and cyclists. The local authority will now write to Minister for Transport requesting that it be enshrined in law.  The motion was proposed by Fine Gael Councillor for Whitegate Pat Burke who spoke to Anton this morning.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Owen Reidy, General Secretary, ICTU.

A delegation of 9 MEPs will undertake a three-day fact-finding mission in Dublin to examine challenges linked to access to housing and to review policy responses at local and national levels. With more on this fact finding mission Anton spoke to Aodhán Ó Ríordaín, Labour Party MEP for Dublin.

Temperatures are notably hotter on the continent with temperatures in Portugal and Spain approaching forty degrees. That is unlikely to break any May temperature records, but a little further north in France, temperatures are heading north of thirty degrees and highly likely to break May records. Elaine Cobbe is a Paris Based Correspondent and joined us with the latest. 

The Occupied Territories Bill is set to be put before Cabinet today as Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee aims to enact the bill before the Summer recess. For more on this Anton spoke to Karol Balfe, CEO of Action Aid. 

The trial of former DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and ‘trial of facts’ of his wife Lady Eleanor will begin today in Newry Crown Court. Both trials will run alongside each other.  To discuss further Anton was Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter. 

John Carney, the director of Once and Sing Street, is back with his new film “Power Ballad”. Coming out May 29th, the film stars the great Paul Rudd as a wedding singer in Ireland who has one of his songs stolen by a fading popstar, played by Nick Jonas.  Both Paul Rudd and John Carney chatted to Anton about the new movie.

Google's search has changed dramatically over the last few days, with Gemini taking control.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

42 athletes from across the world competed in the controversial Enhanced Games in Las Vegas overnight, the event which permits athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs.  Anton spoke about this event with Bruce Wardrop Accredited Advanced Sports Scientist of the Irish sport and Exercise Science Association. 

Bin-raiding by people looking for bottles and cans to put through the Deposit Return Scheme cost Dublin City Council €857,000 over the past two years in collecting, and trying to prevent, rubbish being strewn on the streets.  Anton discusses this further with Colin O’Byrne, Project manager at VOICE Ireland. 

This weekend’s Dublin Central by-election was a roaring success for the Social Democrats, who saw Daniel Ennis take the seat over Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan. This brings the party’s number of TDs to 12.  This is also the first time the Social Democrats hold two seats in one constituency. Anton spoke to Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central. Also we heard from Grace Boland TD...

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has called on school principals to ease the financial burden on parents after some schools demanded the purchase of tablets and digital devices.  Anton discusses this further with Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland .  

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Harry Browne, Media Lecturer TUD and Host of The Ditch podcast.

With a week of sun ahead, we ask how can you save your skin?   With advice and guidance was Peter Meagher is a Senior Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

Forecaster with Met Eireann Donal Egan gave us a look ahead to what the weather will bring us for the week. It is good news!

US President Donald Trump says he has instructed negotiators "not to rush into a deal" with Iran, after earlier suggesting an agreement was close.  Anton discusses this further with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Dáil has two new TDs after this weekend’s by-elections –Social Democrat’s Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central and Fine Gael's Sean Kyne in Galway West. It was a disappointing weekend for both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.  To explain more is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent .  

It is no secret that many people associate the trait of empathy as naturally feminine. Now scientific research tells us that's not the case. Anton discusses this further with Senior clinical psychologist Amy Watchorn.

Last night Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of ‘The Late Show’. The popular franchise, debuted by David Letterman, came to an end under controversial circumstances, believed to be related to Colbert’s opposition to President Trump. How did the last show go? Anton asked Terry Sheridan, News Director WSHU Public Radio.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has welcomed an agreement on the use of the first tranche of the Local Bargaining Fund for teachers and principals working in primary and special schools.  We get reaction to this with John Boyle, General Secretary INTO. 

Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor want witnesses to contact them if they believe they have information about alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, fraud or the sharing of confidential information involving the king’s brother.  For more on this Anton spoke to Jennie Bond Royal Commentator .

Lawyer Suhad Bishara has alleged flotilla activists experienced systematic violence, humiliation and mistreatment in detention, with some reportedly hospitalised, while Irish officials said there were no reports of serious injuries among the Irish citizens involved.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Caoimhe Butterly, a human rights campaigner who sailed with the flotilla for five weeks on a...