Newstalk Breakfast

St Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and with that, you’ll probably see a lot more green. But some decorations for Paddy’s Day are less inspiring and more insulting, according to John Crotty, Historian and author of “The Irish Tricolour”.

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Mary Hanafin Barrister and Former FF Minister.

A new report was published by the Catholic bishops that indicates despite all the social change and the money Ireland is still one of most religious countries in western Europe.   But it also showed that among Irish 16- to 29-year-old 42 per cent said they had no religion. So are we really still a religious society or has our faith fallen by the way side?  Anton asked , Pa...

How close teachers are to the kids they teach varies significantly by the child’s social class. That’s according to new research published this morning by the ESRI.  Research Professor at ESRI and Co-Author of the report Emer Smyth explained the findings with Anton.

As energy prices look set to rise sharply amid the war in Iran, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has played down the prospect of immediate cost-of-living supports, warning of an “extremely volatile, uncertain and unpredictable” situation and saying the Government won’t act in the short term. Should the Government move faster and introduce supports now or is it right to wait and...

The war in Iran has reached its sixth day, and the US Senate has backed Donald Trump's war powers, after an effort by Democrats to limit them fell short. It comes as Iran has launched a fresh round of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, according to the Israeli military and Tehran’s state media  With get the latest with Iranian-American Journalist and Analyst Borzou Daragahi.

The government has confirmed that it will charter a flight to the Middle East to evacuate Irish citizens amid the intensifying conflict in the region.  The charter flight will have capacity for 280 people and will be targeted at Irish citizens currently in the United Arab Emirates, particularly those who are non-resident and who are vulnerable and require assistance most urgently.  &nbsp...

Three in five schools have unfilled vacancies due to recruitment and retention difficulties, while almost one-in-five have been forced to drop subjects because they can’t fill positions.   That’s according to a new survey carried out in over 100 second level schools by the Principals and Deputy Principals’ Association of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland. Joining Anton on the show was...

The National Women’s Council are calling for both maternity and paternity benefits to be linked directly to income and expanded to cover at least the first year of a child’s life.  They will be protesting outside Leinster House later today. Speaking to Anton this morning was Donal Swan, Women’s Economic Equality Co-ordinator, with the National Women’s Council. 

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war has entered it's fifth day. Anton spoke to Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran .  

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. Donald Trump has said "everything has been knocked out" in Iran, but has reiterated his frustration with Sir Keir Starmer over his reluctance to get involved, telling reporters "this is not Churchill we're dealing with"   All to discuss with Nicholas...

Social media platforms should be made to turn off recommender algorithms for under 18s. That’s according to a new bill from People Before Profit to be debated in the Dáil later today.  Joining Anton this morning was Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD.

Overcrowding, inadequate food provision, lack of private space and restricted family life are systemic issues with accommodation being provided to asylum seekers.  That’s according to new research from migrants’ right organization Doras, whose CEO John Lannon spoke to Anton this morning.

Yesterday it was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs  that charter flights are to be organised to evacuate Irish citizens who have been stranded in the gulf  since hostilities began last weekend.   But from an operational perspective, how will this all work?  Joining Anton to explain is Kevin Byrne Airport Safety and Security Expert .  

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Eamon Ryan Chair of the European Commission Housing Advisory Board.  

Low-smoke and smokeless fuels do not lower the risk to human health from air pollution, scientists in Galway have found.  To discuss the findings with Anton was Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite the Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at the University of Galway.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. We get the latest with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian.

Now getting your little ones to kids to read is a challenge for most parents, but how do you get them to read if they refuse? Maybe with a promise of a sweet treat?  But could this disturb their relationship with reading in the long run?   All to discuss with Dr Patrick Burke Assistant Professor in Literacy Education at DCU.   

With thousands of flights to and from the Middle East cancelled and many Irish travellers stuck in the region. There will be many listening this morning who have had travel plans affected by the ongoing conflict   But what consumer rights exist for travellers in extraordinary situations we now find ourselves in? With advice and guidance we heard from Sinead Ryan Consu...

The videos of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s testimonies about their ties to disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have been released. With us to hear more about what was discussed, Anton was joined by Gina London, Former CNN Correspondent.

The number of Dubliners using bicycles on an almost daily basis has increased by 50 per cent in just two years. This according to new research from the National Transport Authority, who have today published the findings of the largest survey of walking, wheeling, and cycling in Ireland  Anton discusses the findings with Finola O’Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager with the...

The US and Israel are attacking Iran for a fourth day and Tehran is continuing retaliatory strikes against Washington's allies and bases across the Gulf.  We discuss the situation with Jane Kinninmont Chief executive of United Nations Association UK and Duncan Bullivant, CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Former British Army Officer & Former UK Diplomat Jane Kinninmont Chief executive...

A large number of Irish people are still stranded in the Middle East as conflict in the region has caused chaos for international travel. There are also about 22,000 Irish living in the gulf region who are fearful of what may come next.  To discuss the support the government are giving for those stranded Anton spoke to Neale Richmond Minister of State with responsibility for Interna...

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Christina Finn Political Editor with The Journal.ie. 

“It’s been 15 years since my mum died but the grief and unfairness of losing her has roared back to life”. Those are the words of Irish Independent Columnist Tanya Sweeney who spoke to Anton this morning about her grief journey.