Newstalk Breakfast

Over 280,000 loans were taken out in the 12 months up to March 2026 valued at 3 billion euro. This is according to the latest report from the Banking & Payments Federation.  We get the details with Bernard Walsh, Head of Investments and Pensions at Fairstone Ireland .  

So much focus is put on getting housing up across the country, but are we forgetting about all the amenities that need to go with it? Dr Frank O’Connor is the founder of Fud and hashtag Derelict Ireland. Frank spoke to Anton live from Rotterdam where he has noticed some marked differences to here.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Ronan McGreevy, News Reporter, The Irish Times .  

in the UK, some restaurants, pubs and theatres have banned Meta’s AI glasses because of privacy fears. We get the details from our own Tech Correspondent, Jess Kelly.

Dublin Fire Brigade  continued to fight a large fire at a car dismantlers in north Co Dublin last night.  We get the latest on the situation there with Chief Fire Officer  Greg O’Dwyer.

A food vendor at this year’s Fleadh in Belfast has apologised for playing the Celtic Symphony track by the Wolf Tones. It comes as the Let's Talk Loyalism group has sent a formal complaint to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann organisers regarding the matter  For more on the story Anton spoke to Ben Lowry former Editor of the Belfast Newsletter.

Opposition parties and the Irish Road Haulage Association have urged the Government to delay restoring excise cuts. Speaking to Anton to discuss was Conor McGuinness, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Rural Affairs. 

Residents of Termon Abbey in Drogheda say they have been forced to use watering cans to shower, bottled water to flush toilet. In some cases, leave their homes altogether as a months-long water supply crisis continues. Speaking to Anton this morning was Lorraine Dunne from Termon Abbey in Drogheda and also Paul Davies, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU.

The Government is to fund an awareness campaign to warn women and girls about the misogyny of the manosphere and tradwife influencers. Speaking to Anton with reaction to this was Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologized for errors he made following his controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.  We get the details of the meeting with Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer at the Irish Daily Star.

Iranian and Omani officials reported further progress toward an arrangement governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is including agreement on the proposed maritime route's coordinates.   We get the details from Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science .  

“As climate disaster stares us in the face, the radical right says ‘Embrace the Mediterranean life’.”  So writes Environmental Journalist George Monbiot in the Guardian this week. As July is officially declared the hottest July ever in Ireland since 1900. George discussed all this further with Anton.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Gina London, Leadership Communication Coach, and Sunday Independent Columnist.

Parking shortages are causing growing tensions in Cork housing estates, with councillors warning the problem is worsening. Rising car ownership and housing pressures are being blamed. Speaking to Anton was Martin Coughlan Independent Cllr for Cork .

Footfall in Belfast is currently well exceeding expectations as it hosts Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the first time. To tell us all about the excitement and events around the Fleadh was Siobhan McGuigan is Head of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland.

The Government is insisting its new €53 million jet can operate without restrictions. This comes after reports suggested it may struggle to land in fog because it lacks an optional navigation system.  We get the details of how the jet operates was Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Airport Safety and Security Officer, Kevin Byrne .  

NATO says it is working to get Ukraine the air defences it needs after Wednesday’s ballistic missile and drone attack by Russia.  Anton discusses this with Sean Bell, Former Fighter pilot and now Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix podcast. 

The immortal jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii, can reverse its ageing process and start life all over again.  To tell us more was Wildlife Expert Eanna Ni Lamha.

Nearly six thousand people have got in touch with the HSE so far this year to look for help in finding a GP. The figures received by Sinn Fein’s Health Spokesperson David Cullinane who spoke to Anton about this situation

Now, the FAI have confirmed that no tickets will be sold to Irish fans for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Israel. Irelands so-called “home game” is due to take place behind closed doors on October 4th. We get reaction to this with Keith Treacy, former Irish footballer.

Tougher action is needed against ‌migrant smuggling networks after about 72,000 migrants entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta last week. To discuss further with Anton was Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe, Dinushika Dissanayak.

Barnardos have launched their annual “Back to School”. Parents of students starting secondary school are paying some of the highest average costs at €1,240.   Speaking to Anton about the report findings was Stephen Moffatt, Barnardos National Policy Manager.

A SpaceX Falcon Nine rocket is supposed to have crashed into moon. The rocket launched last year and was found to be on a collision course with the moon after its launch. We get the latest on this with Niall Smith, Head Of Research Of Munster Technological University And Head Of Blackrock Castle Observatory. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Owen Reidy, General Secretary ICTU.

Louth Councillors have backed calls for the Government to introduce a Waste Collection Allowance. This would be used to help vulnerable households cope with rising recycling costs.  With more on this Anton was joined on the show by Ciaran Fisher is an Independent Councillor for the Dundalk-Carlingford area.