Newstalk Breakfast

U2 has toured the globe countless times, released 15 studio albums so far, sold 175 million albums and won numerous awards Danny McElhinney Music Journalist Irish Mail on Sunday joined Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to look back at their 50 year career and look ahead to their new album.

How much do you spend on a birthday present? How much is too much or too little? Well to discuss this, Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) was joined by Noel Cunningham

781 migrants arrived in the UK in 10 small boats on Wednesday, the highest single-day total so far this year. Joining Johnathan Healy (filling in for Anton) is Enda Brady, Host of Roundtable, TRT World.

Rank-and-file gardaí are set to engage in industrial action, likely affecting security at some EU presidency meetings, and plan to march on Garda headquarters as part of their campaign. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to discuss was Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

Integration is often seen as a two-way street, where both newcomers and the wider society adapt to one another. It raises the question of how responsibility should be shared in creating an inclusive and cohesive society.  “One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with Newstalk.”

Professor John Nolan’s new documentary “A Vision for Vision” shows there is a powerful link between nutrition, vision, and brain health. 

One in five children are missing at least 20 days of school every year.  New research from Tusla has asked children, young people and parents what’s keeping children away from school. Also what could help improve attendance? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Áine O’Keeffe, National Service Director Tusla's Educational Support Service. 

The Government is considering extending the excise cuts on petrol and diesel until late February or early March. Will this make things better? To discuss further with Jonathan was Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and  Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein Deputy Leader and candidate in Donegal . 

Six in ten people in Ireland are now turning to AI platforms for mental health support. Also a third of those say the advice has led to harmful behaviour, according to research from Laya Healthcare, as part of the AXA Mind Health Report 2026.  To discuss the research findings was Lisa Molloy, CEO of The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

In 2024, there was a bill to establish a legal framework for assisted dying in Ireland. Nothing yet has been put into action since then.   Joining Jonathan this morning was Tom Curran, Irish right-to-die campaigner and partner of the late Marie Fleming. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Valerie Cox Author and Journalist.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran will never "bend the knee" after almost seven months of war with the US and Israel. But they are ready for a diplomatic solution.  Speaking to Jonathan was Borzou Daragahi, Journalist and Founder of Badlands Podcast.

The dramatic eviction of an 87-year-old woman has sparked protests in Madrid. riot police clashed with hundreds of protesters trying to prevent the eviction of 87-year-old disabled woman Maricarmen from her home.  We get the details from Simon Hunter, Spain-based Journalist. 

While there’s good news for buyers as the average rate of house price growth in Dublin has slowed. There has been an increase in the number of landlords exiting the market.  Speaking to Jonathan with more on this was Carol Tallon, CEO of Property District.

It's been a season of twists, turns and murder. Traitors Ireland final aired last night and we got a reaction to it with Broadcaster Fionnuala Jones.

There is a new pancreatic cancer drug that doubles survival time. Jonathan got the details on this with Professor John Crown, Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent University Hospital Group.

Legislation that would give local Dublin Councils the option to charge a visitor accommodation levy is being brought before the Dáil.  Jonathan discusses this further with Green Party Councillor for Dublin South West Inner City, Michael Pigeon.

TikTok will tell the Oireachtas Media Committee today that it is “proactive” in preventing content that encourages dangerous and illegal behaviour. Despite widespread criticism of videos posted on its platform glorifying car theft and so-called joyriding.   To look ahead to the committee meeting today was Jess Kelly, Technology Correspondent.

Study Of Us is a website that was created to explore human attraction. By uploading a picture of yourself, other users will discover you and you will get an attractiveness percentage. Is this a good thing?  Jonathan asked Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin, Leslie Shoemaker. 

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 Journalist with the Irish Examiner.

Labour health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has urged Government to go further on miscarriage and fertility leave. This comes as the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee prepares to examine Labour legislation today.  Marie Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central and Spokesperson on Health spoke to Jonathan this morning.

The UN General Assembly is continuing with world leaders gathered in New York city this week. Yesterday US President Donald Trump gave one of the opening addresses. Our Political Correspondent Seán Defoe reports from New York. 

The Construction Industry Federation holds its annual conference at Croke Park today. It brings together Housing Minister James Browne and senior industry leaders to discuss housing delivery, infrastructure and Ireland’s construction future.  Speaking to Jonathan ahead of the conference was the CEO of the Construction Industry Federation, Andrew Brownlee.

Grocery inflation has jumped by more than 4 per cent in the last month New figures from supermarket analysts Worldpanel by Numerator show that grocery price rises were up 4.28pc in the four weeks to September 6  Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin, Dr Emma Howard discusses this further with Jonathan. 

Earl Spencer came out with the intent of publishing a memoir of his sister’s life, saying that he is ‘telling the truth’ about everything involving King Charles and the events after her death.  Joining Jonathan to discuss the book was Jennie Bond, Royal Correspondent.