Newstalk Breakfast

This morning Iarnród Éireann has warned there will be severe disruption to commuter rail services into north Dublin this morning .Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnrod Eireann brings us an update for commuters.

The Government’s plan to ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s. Also limiting the flavours in nicotine inhaling products to tobacco is set to be debated in the Dáil today.  How necessary is this move? With Anton to discuss is Professor John Crowne  Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent's Hospital Group.  

Speaking to Anton this morning was Higher Education Minister James Lawless. Today industry, education and Government leaders convene for a national AI Workforce Readiness roundtable.

Countries across Europe are breaking temperature records this week with regions going above 40 degrees Celsius. We get a weather round up across Europe with Enda Brady, journalist and broadcaster in London, Lara Marlowe, Paris-based author and journalist. We also heard from  Graham Keeley, freelance journalist in Madrid and Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

TD's and Senators across the political spectrum have recommended that the possession of drugs for personal use be fully decriminalised.  For more on this Anton spoke to Labour MEP, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

The Government must investigate if price gouging is taking place at public electric vehicle charging points.   That’s according to Jennifer Whitmore Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Environment and Energy .    

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Sinead O’ Carroll Editor at Journal Media.

Despite access to countless films on their phones or laptops, Gen Z is heading back to the cinemas. But how can you best save money on trips to the cinema?  To tell us was Saoirse Hanley, Money writer and Columnist for the Irish Independent. 

The number of people contacting the Women’s Aid National helpline increased by 33% last year. That is according to the Annual Impact Report published today by Women’s Aid. Linda Smith whose Head of National Helpline Services spoke to Anton this morning.

“Around the world, climate disasters are becoming more frequent, more destructive and more costly. And the World Meteorological Organisation has warned we ain’t see nothing yet!”  That’s the warning from UN Chief Antonio Guterres in London yesterday as temperatures soar across Europe this week. Discussing further with Anton was John Sweeney, Climatologist and Professor Emeritus of Geogra...

Plans to allow pharmacists provide prescriptions for contraception are set to be approved by Cabinet. Speaking to Anton this morning was Kathy Maher, Pharmacist in Duleek in Co Meath and former Irish Pharmacy Union President.

Many parents today will be breathing a sigh of relief as the Leaving Cert wraps up. But coming up next is the Leaving Cert holiday! What about the practicalities you need to know? Anton asked Megan Virgo, Freelance Travel writer.

With more than eleven thousand people on waiting lists for dental and orthodontic treatment. The Dáil will hear calls today for the Government to publish an action plan to tackle these waiting lists. For more on this Anton spoke to David Cullinane, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Health.

Ireland's housing market is increasingly divided, with price growth slowing in Dublin and the cities while remaining strong across much of rural Ireland, according to the latest Daft.ie House Price Report.  Economist at Trinity College Dublin & Author of The Daft.ie Report, Ronan Lyons gave us the details.

Ten years on from Brexit. What has changed, what hasn't, and what comes next?  To discuss with Anton was Former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Brexit, Simon Coveney who is now a Consultant with EY Ireland's Geopolitical Strategy team .  

A Status Yellow High Temperature warning has been issued for the country, with Met Éireann forecasting temperatures in excess of 27C in the coming days.  How does the heat impact our productivity? Should employers give their staff a break to enjoy the warm weather? Anton discusses all with  Peter Cosgrove Managing Director of Futurewise .  

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was the CEO of An Post David McRedmond.

This week is invasive species week and there are quite a number of them in Ireland from plants to animals. How do we deal with them? Anton discussed further with  Kate Moore, Lead Coordinator on Invasive Species Week at the National Biodiversity Centre. 

CyberSafeKids and Irish Internet Hotline, with support from Community Foundation Ireland, have launched "It’s Not The End of the World". The first Irish awareness campaign aimed at helping 13- to 17-year-olds recognise intimate image abuse and know where to turn for support.  Anton got the details from Alex Cooney, CEO of CybersafeKids .  

The trial has continued of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, of no fixed abode, at the Central Criminal Court, relating to the alleged incident at Parnell Square on the 23rd of November 2023.  Bringing us the latest from the trial was Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan. If you want to get more detail on the proceedings at the Central Criminal Court today, be sure to listen to Frank Greaney's podcast Al...

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister and has set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street, while his expected successor, Andy Burnham, has been sworn in as an MP.    What is next for UK politics? Anton asked James Price, Former Senior Government Special Advisor with the Conservative Party .  

The government’s planned inquiry into Children’s Health Ireland is on the brink of collapse after groups representing affected families withdrew from the scoping process.  Speaking to Anton was Amanda Coughlan of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Pediatric Advocacy Group .

Today sees the launch of a brand new games console aimed specifically at kids. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country including Paris for Monday as a heatwave pushes temperatures towards record levels.  Speaking to Anton was Paris based Author and Journalist, Lara Marlowe.

Keir Starmer expected to announce a timetable for his departure this morning at 10 Downing Street.  Stephen Pound, Former Labour MP for Ealing North & Former Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland for 10 years gave Anton his reaction.