Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

All Things Considered: Half of public not recycling properly. Shane and Ciara discussed this morning.

New figures from the National Transport Authority show there are fewer taxis across the country than were in 2019. The border region has experienced the sharpest decline, with a 26 percent drop in taxi licences in Co Monaghan since 2019. Limerick, Kerry and Dublin are the only counties to see an increase in taxis. We sent our reporter, Josh Crosbie to find out what is causing this.

Attempts by the HSE to pay a substantial exit package to a former top executive earlier this year led to a furious row within the Government.  Martin Wall, Irish Times correspondent brought us the details.

The cost of removing graffiti in South County Dublin is set to nearly double this year – so should we invest in more community mural projects? Speaking to Shane this morning was Willie White, Member of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee on Dublin City Council and Director of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Actor Stephen Rea is to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Irish Film and Television Academy tomorrow.  We spoke to Stephen and starting by asking him what this means to him.

Israel has launched a retaliatory strike on Iran’s central city of Isfahan, home to a major military airbase and nuclear facilities. We get the latest on this with Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he hopes to get rid of the triple lock “in the lifetime of this government”  To debate Shane was joined this morning by Declan Power, Defence and Security Expert and Mark Price, Co-Chair for the Irish Anti-War Movement.

Last April, fresh inquests into the deaths of 48 people in the 1981 fire began. They concluded yesterday as the jury returned its verdicts. Our reporter Barry Whyte was there when the final verdict was read out and Barry spoke to us on the show and also joining Newstalk Breakfast was Lisa Lawlor who lost her mother and father in the fire.

“Unlawful killing. A huge moment. Why has it taken 40 years? Because of where they were from” those are the stark words from Labour’s Justice spokesperson Aodhan Ó Ríordáin and Aodhan joined Ciara this morning on the show.

It's happened again! Heineken Ireland are the latest distributor to increase their pricing.  Joining us to discuss the increase and what it means for punters and consumers is Pat Crotty CEO, Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.  

There’s a taste of Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department released today. Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer for the The Irish Independent gave us the reaction to the new music.

Israel has launched a strike against Iran with reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan. We get the latest on the situation there with Alistair Bunkall, Sky Middle East News Correspondent .

The latest CSO figures reveal Ireland’s workforce is experiencing an aging trend. Dr. Barra Roantree, Director of MSC in economic policy at Trinity College Dublin discusses these findings.

Benjamin Netanyahu has told UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron that Israel would "make its own decisions" over how to respond to an Iranian attack.   We hear from Dr Paola Rivetti, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations in DCU. 

South East Technological University has dropped references it its gender identity policy which stated that refusal of staff or students to use the preferred pronouns of other members would amount to ‘unlawful discrimination or harassment’  Speaking to Ciara was Colette Colfer, a lecturer in world religions at Southeast Technological University.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee will not attend the Garda Representative Association’s annual conference – as delegates voted to not invite Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris citing a breakdown in trust. Dr Pat Leahy Former Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin gave his reaction to Newstalk Breakfast.

Changes to Leaving Certificate marking will come into effect in 2025 after years of disruption due to Covid . We get more details from Gemma Lawlor, Guidance Counsellor at Tyndall College Carlow.

The Dublin City Council collects up to 50 tonnes of illegally dumped waste each month.    Green party Councillor, Janet Horner, says measures need to be put in place to put this to a halt. Janet spoke to Newstalk Breakfast to discuss further.

The second Digital Ireland Conference is taking place today looking at the implementation of digital regulation, artificial intelligence and the opportunities of the digital transformation.     Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary spoke to Shane ahead of the conference.

Almost one year after inquest began into the deaths of 48 victims of the Stardust fire, the jury later today will deliver their verdict. Stephanie Rohan, Newstalk Reporter spoke to us ahead of the verdict.

Sleepovers are ‘heaven for kids and hell for parents’ That’s the view of Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author of ‘ Love In Love Out’ who joins me now. Malie explains why is it a difficult thing for parents to navigate sleepovers with their kids.

An Post was forced to stop TV licence inspections and offer “resilience” ­training to staff because of public anger over the RTÉ payments scandal. A spokesperson said increased hostility, mainly in the form of verbal abuse, led them to take this action to protect its workers.  We get reaction from Brid Smith, People Before Profit TD.

One person dying every day due to alcohol-related liver disease that's according to the latest alcohol overview from the Health Research Board   We get reaction from Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO at Alcohol Action Ireland.  

Almost 3,400 apprentices dropped out of apprenticeships last year.  That’s despite the Department of Further Education aiming to entice 10,000 new apprentices each year.   Speaking to Ciara this morning was General Secretary, Connect Trade Union, Paddy Kavanagh.

“The government is openly at war with its own people” that’s what John McGuirk, Editor of Gript Media says.  John along with Emma deSouza, writer and commentator, is also on the line, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.