Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

With Leo Varadkar having stepped out and Simon Harris expected to step in and take over as Taoiseach, many changes are underway.   Hugh O’Connell, political Editor with The Sunday Times told us what can we expect later today. 

Students have begun using AI to help study, but now teachers are taking advantage also. We get the details from Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent. 

The number of children and teens being referred for committing sexual offences has almost doubled over the past decade. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with reaction to these figures was Cliona Sadlier, Executive Director Rape Crisis Network Ireland.

The weekend saw three deaths in the space of 24 hours, bringing total fatalities to 61 in 2024 and despite tougher penalties there doesn’t seem to be any affect on road users that abuse the system. Should breathalyzers be used to stop drivers from accessing their vehicles if they’re over the limit? We discussed with Leo Leighio of the Irish Road Victims Association.

Inflation on housing asking prices up 6.5% over the year, according to a myHome.ie report published today. Ciara discussed these figures with Conaill MacCoille is Chief Economist with Bank of Ireland and Author of the report.

All Things Considered: Breathalysers for drivers. Jonathan and Ciara discussed this morning.

Tonight at around 5 to 8, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in our skies. With the eclipse being the most notable in the west of the country   Frances McCarthy, Head of Education and Outreach at MTU’s Blackrock Castle Observatory explained to Jonathan what is going to happen this evening.

Israel's military said on Sunday that it was reducing its numbers of soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade in the area. Bringing us up to date on the situation was Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin. 

The full number of historic sex charges faced by former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson have been revealed.  Belfast-based Freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson brought us up to speed on the latest details.

A new movie ‘Scoop’ on Netflix released this morning retells Prince Andrew’s infamous interview with Emily Maitlis on BBC Newsnight. Mark Harrison, who was the Professional Photographer, witnessed the interview first-hand and he told Newstalk Breakfast what is observed.

Heineken is aiming to safeguard historical Irish pubs, advocating for their transformation into museums as a sustainable solution for preservation  Declan Delaney from Sean’s Bar in Athlone spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee today announced a further €1 million for the development of Local Authority led CCTV schemes in specific communities.   Speaking to Ciara this morning was Olga Cronin, Surveillance and Human Rights Senior Policy Officer with the Irish Council of Civil Liberties. 

We speak to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohue ahead of the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

Ray O’Donoghue, the director of Sea Sessions has been appointed as Dublin city’s first nighttime economy tsar. We hear from Ian Redmond, Operator of Ohana Tiki Bar on Harcourt Street, Co-Owner of Hyde Dublin with reaction to this new appointment.

UK scientists say they have found a new cause behind much of the damage asthma causes. Professor Luke Clancy Director General of the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland and Consultant Respiratory Physician spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

All Stillborn Babies Must Be Included in the National Register irrespective of the length of their gestation or their weight. That’s the call from Emer Toibín, Aontú Councillor for the Navan Area who spoke to Johnathan this morning.

 An Irish man is among three people killed following a helicopter crash in the Swiss Alps. We get the latest on this tragic incident with Vincent McAvinney, Broadcaster and Journalist.

Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers has confirmed that the government is set to clamp down on the renewal of L plate licences for those who repeatedly fail their driving tests. We get reaction from Brenda Bolger, Owner of Bolger School of Motoring. 

Netflix’s new drama “Ripley” starring Andrew Scott in the title role is available to watch from this morning.  We hear all about it with Brian Lloyd Movies editor at Entertainment.ie.

There's no respite for farmers as some areas are set to get four times the usual amount of rain over the next week.  Speaking to Jonathan was Paul Flynn, Dublin County Chair, Irish Farmer Association. 

Irish Unity could cost 20 billion a year for 20 years that's according to a new paper from the Institute of International and European Affairs  John Fitzgerald, Co-Chair of the IIEA Economists Group and author of the report spoke to Ciara this morning to discuss further.

‘It’s not Dickensian cruelty to ask children to participate in the workforce, it’s sensible.’ So wrote The Times of London Columnist, Alice Thomson Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Richard Hogan, Clinical Director of Therapy Institute and Columnist with the Irish Examiner and author of 'Home is Where the Start Is’.

More than half of adults in Ireland say that just one setback can derail them from their weight loss goals, that's according to a new survey released today. Joining Ciara to discuss how to stay on track when it comes to weight loss goals is Nathalie Lennon, Nutritional/health coach and Content Creator.

Dublin City Council is set to draw up guidelines for the private company that will enforce parking laws in the city in the coming years. One proposed change is to do away with clamping. But is this a good idea? Ciara asked Keith Gavin, Chairman of Irish Parking Association.

 Working conditions and a lack of supports are fuelling the shortage of non-consultant hospital doctors by driving many to move abroad. That’s according to a new survey from the Irish Medical Organisation, whose AGM takes place later today.  Speaking to Jonathan this morning to discuss was Dr Rachel McNamara, Chair o of the IMO’s NCHD Committee.