Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

The concept of parents being uber-conscious of their performance seems to be growing in significance.  For many, the pressure to appear they are ‘winning’ at parenting is real. But are we becoming too competitive? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Child Psychotherapist, Colman Noctor. 

The number of STIs increased by almost one-third last year according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Shane was joined on the show by Dr Aisling Loy, Consultant in Sexual and Himerous Health at St. James' Hospital to discuss these findings.

The economy is in rude health heading into the next couple of years. That’s according to a new report published this morning by the ESRI.   John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin gave his reaction to these findings of the ESRI report.

Hollywood Actor Russell Crowe will be taking his Indoor Garden Party featuring his band The Gentlemen Barbers, Lorraine O’Reilly and special guests to Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre on the 1st of July. Russell spoke to Ciara ahead of his Dublin gig.

The government’s Hate Speech legislation is not fit for purpose and should be scrapped.  We debate with Pa Daly, Sinn Fein TD and spokesperson for Justice  and Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator and barrister.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that bans children aged under 14 from social media platforms and requires 14 and 15-year-olds to get parental consent to use it. Could this take hold worldwide? We ask Alex Cooney Chief Executive of CyberSafeKids.

Dublin Airport should apologise and remove a social media post “mocking” Kate Middleton. That’s the call from Allister Kyle, Councillor for The Traditional Unionist Voice in Northern Ireland who explained why to Newstalk Breakfast.

Galway City Councillors have made calls for a tourist tax to be levied on visitors who stay in hotels in Galway City One of those Councillors is Michael J Crowe, Galway City East Fianna Fáil Councillor who spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution that demands a ceasefire in Gaza for the rest of Ramadan with the US abstaining from the vote.  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Walt Kilroy, Lecturer in International Relations at DCU and Associate Director of it’s Conflict Resolution Institute.

There will be a tsunami of retirements from An Garda Siochana by the end this year. That’s the warning from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, whose annual conference begins today.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Ronan Clogher, Deputy General Secretary of the AGSI.

Picture the scene: you’re out for lunch or dinner with friends, you head home and suddenly you realise you can’t find your phone. With many of us using our phones as our debit cards, mobile office and line to the world, it can be chaotic. So what should you do? Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, and host of Tech Talk, Jess Kelly has all the advice.

The government should introduce legislation for pre-nuptial agreements. That’s the call from Michelle Browne, Senior Family mediator with Browne and Co Mediation in Naas and Author of Scars of Divorce: How to avoid and achieve an amicable divorce in Modern Ireland.

Many post-primary schools are at risk of not being able to roll out of the School Book Scheme in time for its launch in September. That’s the warning this morning from the National Association of Principals and Deputies, whose Director Paul Crone spoke to Ciara this morning with more on this.

Is the cost of fun on the rise?  Well, the latest CSO figures have found that Recreation and Culture activities have had a greater price increase than any any other division.    Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been asking people if they are feeling the pinch?

The Islamic state has claimed responsibility for a shooting in Moscow’s Crocus city hall, however questions remain about how Russia will respond. To get the latest on this Ciara spoke to Paul Rodgers, Professor Emeritus of peace studies at Bradford University. 

Simon Harris said it was time for Fine Gael to “reset” as he officially became the party’s new leader yesterday. Fionnán Sheahan is Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent brings us the latest as Simon Harris takes up his new leadership role.

The world-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain once said “if you’re rude to a waiter you’re dead to me.”  But is there ever a circumstance that justifies being rude to waitstaff?  To discuss we spoke to Tanya Sweeney, Irish Independent Columnist.

Today, on Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society are urging the public to Go All in Against Cancer.  Speaking to Shane this morning was Jed Van De Poll is the CEO of Metro Dublin and currently in remission from Multiple Myeloma.   

Irish people are more positive about immigration from European countries than from further afield. That’s according to a new study from the ESRI.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast about the findings was Fiona Hurley, Nasc Chief Executive.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has declared his candidacy for the Fine Gael leadership, meaning in all likelihood he will become the next Taoiseach and succeed Leo Varadkar.  After his announcement, Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte got to sit down with the Taoiseach-in-waiting. Also speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with responsibility for P...

Opinion in England, Scotland and Wales now favours Irish unity. That’s according to new research from UK academics.  For reaction to this research Shane spoke to Dr Ruth Dudley Edwards Commentator, Historian and Author.

Simon Harris set for Taoiseach. What should he prioritise? Shane and Ciara discussed this morning.

More than eight thousand people attended the Premier League Darts event at the 3Arena last night. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie was there to capture it all.

“About 99 pc of Europe cannot see a natural night sky, never mind the Milky Way. We’ve allowed artificial lights to take over the world.”  So says Georgia MacMillan, Mayo Dark Sky Park Development Officer at the National Parks and Wildlife Service who spoke to Ciara this morning.

Almost 1,800 people were caught speeding over the St Patrick’s weekend.  However, one TD claims that the most dangerous roads are not being policed correctly.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin party Spokesperson on Transport.