Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

Nominations for the new Leader of Fine Gael will open this morning following Leo Varadkar’s shock resignation. We asked Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee who he will be backing?

House Price Inflation has accelerated for the fifth month in a row. That’s according to new data from the Central Statistics Office.   We get reaction to this with Pat Davitt CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers.

Nearly 2 in 3 Employees Feel Underpaid, according to Irish Jobs Salary and Benefits Survey. But are Irish workers actually underpaid?  Ciara spoke to Kevin Callinan, Former President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.  

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has dramatically stepped down from his role and as leader of Fine Gael.   But where does that leave the government? W ehear from Minister for Education, Norma Foley and also Pearse Doherty Deputy Leader of Sinn Fein.

Clothes shops should have standardised sizes. So says Makeup Artist and Founder of True Beauty Makeup Aideen Kate who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

1 in 5 hotel rooms in Ireland are being used to house refugees and asylum seekers. That’s according to a new report being launched today by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.    Speaking to Shane was their Chairperson Elaina Fitzgerald Kane.

The resignation of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as the leader of Fine Gael has shocked political circles.  The race is on now for Varadkar’s successor but can the party survive?  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Jack Horgan Jones, Political Correspondent, Irish Times.

New Research out today reveals the stark impact of parenting in Ireland. We get reaction from Jen Hogan, Journalist who will be launching this event and host of the “Mammy and Me” podcast. 

One of the most thrilling things about the Olympic games is watching the greatest athletes in the world gather to break records and set a new standard in sport, but what if those standards could be pushed even further?   The Enhanced Games don’t only allow performance enhancing drugs, they encourage it and are set to host their first event this year. Their President, Aron D’Souza spoke to Jonathan...

The Joint Committee on Assisted Dying will publish its final report later today. To discuss what can we expect we spoke to Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and  Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD and Vice Chair of the committee.

‘From fishless fingers to tofurkey, many vegan substitutes are far from healthy’  That’s according to columnist, Sinead Ryan writing in the Irish Independent this morning  We spoke to Sarah Keogh, Dietician at Eatwell.ie .

The European Parliament’s report on the defective blocks crisis has recommended that the Government sure 100% redress for those affected.    With more on this Ciara spoke to Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh.

  Five years on since the launch of the Government’s ‘Smile agus Sláinte’ oral health policy, public dental services remain in a state of decay.  So say the Irish Dental Association, who today have launched a position paper on solving the crisis in access to dental care.  We spoke to Eamon Croke, President of the Irish Dental Association.

One in five vapers said they would return to their smoking habit if flavoured vapes were banned.  The new survey from Red C shows 90pc of vapers surveyed believe an overall ban could lead to a black market for flavoured vapes.  To discuss we were joined by Dr Garret McGovern, Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic & GP Addiction Specialist and Professor Luke Clancy and Director Genera...

Thousands of homeowners with smart electricity meters have been warned the devices may be malfunctioning, leading to consumers being overcharged.  Charlie Weston, Personal Finances Editor with the Independent who broke the story explained many people are affected by this and what’s going on. 

Nearly three out of four parents are unable to secure places for their children at Ireland’s most oversubscribed second-level schools.  The most heavily in-demand schools are in south Dublin where as little as 20% of applicants are successful.  Joining Shane to discuss this was Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College, Milltown.

Should we introduce carpool lanes?   That’s the question we’re asking this morning as part of Newstalk Goes Green, with thanks to SSE Airtricity, to find out more about Generation Green Home Upgrade, see sseairtricity.com .”  Brian Caulfield, Professor School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

A group of asylum seekers who were relocated from Mount Street in Dublin have since returned to the site.  We speak to Eugene Quinn, National Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland.

Kate Middleton has been spotted with Prince William visiting a business about a mile from their home in Windsor.  So is all well with the Duchess of Cambridge after all?   Royal Commentator Jennie Bond gave her reaction to the recent appearance by Kate Middleton.

Famine is imminent in northern Gaza and likely to occur by May.  That’s according to a new U.N.-backed report.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, now Military Analyst and co-host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

The State’s new land purchase of Kerry’s famed Conor’s Pass looks set to become a national park . Siobhan O’Donoghue, Director of Uplift gave her reaction to this.

 A Fianna Fáil senator has told locals in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon that they are “not one bit racist” to object to refugees being brought into the area. Senator Eugene Murphy joined Shane this morning on the show and was asked why are the people of Roscommon rejecting refugees? 

Online pornography use in Ireland is highly gendered, with 64 per cent of young men and 13 per cent of young women reporting use.  That’s according to new research from the ESRI.  With reaction to these findings was Anne McCormack Systemic Psychotherapist.

The first confirmed diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in a fully professional rugby union player has been made in New Zealand.   Billy Guyton, who represented the Māori All Blacks, died last May at the age of 33.  Professor John Fairclough, Former president of the British Sports Trauma Association and a spokesperson for Progressive Rugby spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this mornin...

All Things Considered: How do we tackle our children watching porn ? Shane and Jonathan discuss.