Newstalk Breakfast

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Frances Fitzgerald, Former Tánaiste, Currently a Member of G7 Equality Advisory Council and Ambassador for Anti-Trafficking Organisation ‘Ruhama’. 

A new Red C Poll shows that people would support moving the tax burden from your income to your capital gains. To discuss the findings with Anton was Dr Emma Howard, Senior Lecturer in Economics at TU Dublin.

Do you grind your teeth without realising it? Dentists say bruxism could be affecting more young people and stress may be a major factor. So, why are we doing it, and what can we do about it?  Anton asked the Chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association, and a Dentist at Kiwi Dental in Carlow, Caroline Robbins.

Cocaine use is reportedly rising among young farmers. This comes also with concerns drug money is funding new machinery fleets and giving some agricultural contractors an unfair edge.  For more on this Anton spoke to Jacqueline Hogge, Rural Affairs Correspondent with The Farmers Journal.

The Oireachtas Justice Committee today will hear from An Garda Síochána and Garda representative bodies on the capacity of the force to carry out pursuits.  Speaking to Anton ahead of this meeting was Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for the Cavan–Monaghan and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration .  

It was a glorious triumph for Shane Lowry at the Irish Open in Doonbeg yesterday, winning his first title since 2022 and his third ever win on Irish soil.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Ray Molloy, Esker Hills Golf Club manager and family friend of Shane Lowry.  

Digital Bank Revolut has confirmed a data breach, with sensitive customer information being compromised.  With the details on this was Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Pension ownership has risen by nearly 20 per cent since the introduction of the MyFutureFund scheme, according to new research from the ESRI. Just two in five people think their pension will provide a good standard of living in retirement. Speaking to Anton this morning was Grainne Griffin Director of Financial Education at the CCPC and Ireland’s first Financial Literacy Ambassador.

Sam Altman and Elon Musk have backed a call from the head of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, to “slow the pace” of artificial intelligence development. This comes after he warned that an AI swarm could otherwise become capable of “taking over the entire internet” within a year.  For more on this Anton spoke to Mark Kelly the Founder of AI Ireland. 

Over the weekend US President Donald Trump, said several times that he is in favour of a United Ireland.  His comments garnered a lot of pushback from unionist politicians, one of whom was Sammy Wilson, MP for East Antrim and DUP Chief Whip in the House of Commons.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Sean O’Rourke, Irish Journalist and Broadcaster.

New research by the Irish Blue Cross has found that more than half of Irish pet owners are still grieving more than a year after their pet’s passing, according to their new research   How do you cope after losing a pet and what supports are out there? To tell us was Dr Laura Mock Head of Veterinary Services at The Irish Blue Cross. 

Calls are being made to relax regulations for childminders are feeling burdened by new regulations put on them.  The calls come as those working in the sector say that many are leaving the industry in droves because of this.   To discuss this further with Anton was the Chief Executive of Childminding Ireland, Bernadette Orbinski Burke.

More than half of people believed they encountered more suspicious communications and possible scams than last year, according to new research from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.  Speaking to Anton was Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. 

The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are meeting today in Cardiff. This meeting is to sign a deal designed to kick-start the break-up of the United Kingdom.  Speaking to Anton with more on this was Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor, Financial Times.

There were over 1.2 billion domestic payments made on Irish cards, valued at almost €50 billion, in the first half of 2026. This is according to the latest research from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland.  To discuss this further with Anton was Caitríona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris spoke to Anton this morning from his party’s think-in in Gorey.

New figures released this morning by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy shows a sharp fall in the number of international applicants as the EU Migration Pact takes effect. Joining Anton to discuss further was Barrister Lorraine Lally.

Members of SIPTU working in 30 hospitals will commence industrial action later this month. This action is a result over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal. Speaking to Anton this morning was Kevin Figgis, Head of the SIPTU Health Division.

Pop star Harry Styles is coming back to Dublin next summer with standing tickets in Croke Park ranging from €142 all the way to €267.  He follows many other concerts in Ireland asking for increasingly higher prices, but what’s behind these costs? Anton asked Michael Murphy, Lecturer at the Institute of Art Design and Technology and music industry expert. 

In England, Mayors are set to be given the power to bring in new fees on visitors for over night stays. They're saying it will mean more money can be invested in the local areas. Here in Ireland should it be up to our local authorities as to whether it should be imposed?   Joining Anton to discuss this was Dublin City Councillor Michael Pidgeon.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent.

The US president will arrive to Dublin via Air Force One early tomorrow morning in a non-state visit. The Phoenix Park closed late last night and will remain closed until Saturday evening when Trump will make his way down to Doonbeg for the Irish Open  We get the details of the US President's itinerary with Newstalk's Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe.

Today marks 25 years since 9/11. The terrorist attacks on locations across America resulted in the deaths of nearly three thousand people. It began when two hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, and that's where a memorial service is being held later today.  Newstalk reporter Emily Keegan is in New York and sent us this report.

Jason Hutch, the son of veteran criminal and failed election candidate Gerry “The Monk” Hutch, has been remanded in custody. This comes after an extradition from Spain to face trial for facilitating organised crime.  Anton gets the latest from Tom Tuite, Court Reporter.