Newstalk Breakfast

The HSE has published Ireland’s first guide for people considering or undergoing an abortion following a diagnosis of a foetal anomaly in an unborn baby.  Joining Anton this morning was Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician and Lead of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork. 

Affordable Ireland, a campaign created by a coalition of groups, will be protesting this month ahead of the Budget in October. They’re calling on the Government to address the affordability crisis in the Budget and have a set of demands.  Eddie Conlon the convener of the Affordable Ireland Campaign told Anton their key demands.

Changes in behaviour, unexplained absences, a phone that never leaves their hand and is always face down. These are all the stereotypical signs that someone is having an affair.  But how does one go about investigating whether someone is having an affair? Paul Lewis, Private investigator and founder of UK-based PEL Consultancy Services .  

70% of primary school children (aged 8–12) still have their own accounts on social media apps. That are meant to be 13+, according to figures published today in CyberSafeKids’ tenth annual report. To break these findings down was CyberSafeKids CEO, Alex Cooney .  

New ESRI research finds people with good public transport access tend to learn to drive later. Therefore driving less as they get older.  Senior Research Officer with the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit, Dr Shane Timmons discussed the research findings with Anton. 

Just 39% of Irish people believe that everyone enjoys the same basic human rights. This according to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s 2025 poll.  To discuss these findings with Anton was Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Germany has blamed Russia for the drone attack on Leipzig airport attack last month.  How much of a threat is this to Europe, especially when Ireland currently holds the EU presidency?  To discuss this further with Anton was Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at DCU .  

Legislation to make hi-vis jackets and helmets mandatory for all e-scooter users will be signed into law today.  With more on this Anton spoke to Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD for Clare and member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee .  

Too old to hire, too young to retire? Gen X is facing a growing workplace crisis. But midlife could be the perfect time to rethink your career not start from scratch.  To discuss further with Anton was Author and Former Editor-In-Chief of HELLO! magazine, turned qualified life coach, Rosie Nixon.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Richard Bruton, Former Minister and Chair of Two Voluntary Bodies; A Research Centre on Climate Biodiversity and Water and Social Enterprise. 

France is aiming to crackdown on fast fashion, as its government has started imposing fees on items sold from sites like Shein and Temu.  The levy could reach almost €20 per garment by 2030. Should the Irish government do the same? Anton discusses this further with Sustainability Broadcaster Meghann Scully.

A judge in Utah has ruled that Tyler Robinson will stand trial for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He will face the death penalty.  Anton got further details from David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief, The Guardian .  

In the UK, the summer recess is over and Andy Burnham has finally faced the House of Commons as Prime Minister.  How did the day go? Anton asked James Lyons, Former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer and Senior Partner at Penta Group Consultancy .  

More than one fifth of primary school and one third of secondary school parents said their children have refused or avoided going to school at least once a month.  That’s according to a new report from Barnardos out today. To discuss the findings of this report with Anton was Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies .  

Our recollections of the past are constantly adapting and changing, and a faulty memory isn't always a bad thing. That is according to Professor of psychology at UCD and author of Memory Lane, Ciara Greene.

As the number of drones in Ireland increases so too has the publics unease towards them according to new research commissioned by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).  What are the regulations around drones? To discuss with Anton was Pete Hutchison  known as Pete the Irish Pilot on social media.

ChatGPT will become the first AI chatbot that has to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act. This comes after new research that the number of times AI lies, ignores instructions and pursues goals in harmful ways almost doubled in July.  To explain this further was Adrian Wreckler, Technology Editor, Irish Independent.

One person is dead and fifteen are missing after flash floods swept through the Grand Canyon in the US. In Nepal, thousands are still missing and the death toll continues to rise since the deadly flash floods last week. But how are these flash floods happening and what is the reason?   Anton asked Karyn Morrissey, Professor in Environment and Marine Economics at the University of Galway.

Siptu members in the public service have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. This comes in an escalating row over a a new pay deal.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Adrian Kane, Siptu Deputy General Secretary. 

Why are US republicans throwing the word ‘vegan’ around as if it’s an insult? We’ve seen Donald Trump say to Democratic Texas senatorial candidate James Talarico “He’s a vegan,”. While his opponent, Ken Paxton, is trying to get the nickname him “Tofu Talarico”.   We get reaction to this with the Owner of Happy Food at Home, Ciara Brennan.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Derek Mooney, former Fianna Fail Advisor and Public Affairs Consultant.

Met Éireann, in partnership with the National Meteorological Services of the UK and the Netherlands, has launched the new list of names for the 2026/27 storm ‘season’. The season runs until 31st August 2027.  Joining Anton was Evelyn Cusack, Former Head of forecasting at Met Eireann .  

Dublin City Council are investigating new options for bike-sharing services. This comes as the contract with its current providers is ending in 2027.  Speaking to Anton with more on this was Ray Cunningham, Green Party Councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, Dublin City Council.

After having a full-blown heart attack and 19 stents inserted Mark Sherry backing a new Irish Heart Foundation campaign.  Mark Sherry explained his health journey and gave details on the new Irish Heart Foundation campaign.

US President Donald Trump has vowed a retaliation to Iran's strikes on US bases in Jordan. It comes after the US and Iran trade blows for the first time in a month, calling into question when a true peace deal will come in.  Anton discusses this further with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.