Newstalk Breakfast

Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Anton this morning from the Fianna Fáil party think-in.

There has been a decrease of 1,663 people with health insurance compared with the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest report from the Health Insurance Authority.  This marks the first decline in insurance market membership since 2020. We get reaction from Brian Lee, the CEO of the Health Insurance Authority. 

Today marks one year since Daniel Tatlow-Davelly first went into German pre-trial detention.   Daniel is on trial in Germany for trespassing and criminal damage to an Israeli-owned arms factory. Speaking to Anton this morning was Mimi Tatlow-Golden, Daniel’s mother.

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 in TUD and Host of Ditch Podcast.

While the sight of a large house spider racing across the living room floor can be alarming. There are simple steps households can take to make their properties less inviting to spiders and other insects.  To tell us more wasTrevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control.

Could social media health warnings actually change young people’s habits? New research suggests they might. To discuss this further with Anton was Matthew Sadlier President of the Irish Medical Organisation. 

Two killed in Russian missile strikes on Ukraine and Kyiv considers legalising pornography to raise money for war against Russia. We get the latest on the war on Ukraine with Former Fighter pilot and now Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix podcast Sean Bell.

The number of children living in households below the poverty line grew to 200,000 by 2024, an increase of almost 30,000 compared to 2023.  That’s according to the ESRI’s latest report on poverty, income inequality and living standards in Ireland. Naomi Feeley, Senior Research and Policy Manager at the ESRI discussed the findings with Anton.

New research from Irish Life shows only one in five adults expect a traditional retirement. More people would actually prefer to gradually reduce their hours or reduce them down to part-time rather than finish up in one day.  To discuss further with Anton was Oisin O'Shaughnessy, Managing Director of Employer Solutions at Irish Life.

A new initiative called ‘K9Compass’ has been set up by a 22-year-old student. People can find a dog for them that will match their lifestyle, home life and work life too. To find out more about this initiative Anton spoke to Veterinary student, dog enthusiast and Founder of K9Compass Adam Murphy.

The Garda Representative Association will hold an emergency meeting after Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland. It will address the working conditions of the force amid several “extraordinary events” including Trump’s visit and the EU Presidency.  Anton discussed this further with Niall Hodgins, GRA President.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a first round of talks in Kyiv with Donald Trump's top envoys. This is their first visit since Russia's full-scale invasion.  We get the latest on the meeting with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for France 24. 

Gardaí are continuing investigations into two fatal hit-and-runs that happened this weekend.  Two-year-old Peter Mulcaire was killed on Saturday around 4pm after he was struck by a jeep in Limerick, while 16-year-old Bryan Lowe on the Clare-Limerick border, shortly after 11pm.  Anton got the details from David Raleigh a Freelance Journalist based in the Mid-West. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner.

How have influencers at the US Open caused a row over their ‘etiquette’? A group of them decided to hold a photo shoot in their hospitality suite during Naoimi Osaka’s first-round match. This led to a reprimand from the umpire. So where do we draw the line?   Anton asked entertainment Journalist Sarina Bellissimo.

Airport chaos could be looming for travellers to Europe. This coms as stricter fingerprint checks are been introduced. Airlines warn of long queues and missed flights, with no longer a fallback to passport stamps. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Travel Journalist, Eoghan Corry.

The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers has warned that the shortage of second-hand homes is now “unhealthy”.  Speaking to Anton was Genevieve McGuirk, CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers. 

With the budget coming up next month. Social Justice Ireland have released what they think would be a potential fair and balanced tax package for people. For more on this Anton spoke to Michelle Murphy Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.

In Germany, the far-right AfD has surged into first place in a crucial state election in Saxony-Anhalt, winning 44.5% of the vote. If they form a coalition, they would be the first far-right party leading a state government in the country since the Second World War.  Joining Anton this morning to discuss further was Dr Ed Turner, From the School of Law and Social Sciences at Aston University...

Five people are dead and five injured after an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport. The Boeing 767 overran the runway and struck several vehicles before catching fire. Anton got the latest on this with David Smith Washington Bureau Chief, The Guardian. 

Family Psychotherapist and Author, Dr Richard Hogan who was shocked when an advertisement for an AI girlfriend appeared on his phone while he was watching a video of The Beatles. Richard explained to Anton what happened.

Guests at France Michelin-starred restaurants are stealing the cutlery, candles and even the toilet-roll holders?   One French restaurant lost 40 knives in a year, while one five-star hotel says 100 bathrobes. disappear annually. It seems some customers really do want a souvenir. We get reaction to this with Chef, Restauranteur, and Author from Galway, JP McMahon. 

The Office of Public Works is set to pay a firm an estimated €295,200 to oversee "a national conversation" concerning the future development of the GPO complex on Dublin's O'Connell Street.  Speaking to Anton was Dr Carole Pollard Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis. 

Irish hauliers are calling for action on rising fuel costs, regulation and driver shortages as the IRHA conference gets underway in Killarney this weekend  Speaking to Anton ahead of the conference was President of Irish Road Haulage Association, Ger Hyland. 

Next week, experts from across Europe will gather to discuss strengthening online safety for children and young people is a key priority under Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.  To look ahead to the conference was Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.