Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

We are joined by celebrity Chef Neven Maguire to tell us how to prepare a stress free Christmas dinner.

The UK government has upped the financial package aimed at restoring Northern Ireland’s political institutions to €3.8 billion and said it is now time for the DUP to “make a decision” about returning to Stormont.    Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Doug Beattie, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.  

A review of the garda response to the rioting in Dublin last month has found there were communication failures on the night.     Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Brendan O'Connor, President of the Garda Representative Association.

MP Stella Creasy has come under fire for taking to social media saying she had to forgo “Christmas parties and drinks” because she had to go and pick her children up from the nursery. The “motherhood penalty” she called it.  We asked Jennifer Horgan, Irish Examiner Columnist does she believe in the motherhood penalty.

A ‘Significant amount of cocaine’ has been found on a ship in Foyne port, Limerick. David Raleigh, Limerick based Reporter told us what we know about the seizure.

All Things Considered: Mary Lou critical of Robbie Keane. Jonathan and Shane discussed.

Gardaí will be given new powers to allow suspected drug-driving motorists to be detained while waiting for drug test results. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for The County of Kerry. 

A UN Security Council vote on a resolution meant to spur more humanitarian aid into Gaza has been delayed again and is now expected today. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Bushra Khalid, Oxfam Policy Leader Jerusalem Office. 

This year has been the worst ever for hospital overcrowding according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. However, the HSE has hit back at these claims and defended its record in 2023. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Mercury retrograde is a term that is all too common nowadays used by people to explain when something goes askew in their lives.   However, Journalist Olivia Petter says it's all nonsense and maybe people need to just start taking more accountability when things go wrong.

"This is a quiet an d friendly community and people look out for each other” those are the words of Afshin Samali, a former refugee who has been in Ireland for 38 years following the arson attack on a Galway hotel earmarked for asylum seekers. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Afshin is a Professor of Cancer Biology at University of Galway,

Central Bank have released their final quarterly bulletin of the year and to talk us through it was Economist  Austin Hughes.

Should there be harsher punishments for illegal dumping?  We asked Fianna Fáil Senator, Malcolm Byrne how bad the issue is and also spoke to Colin O Byrne, from Environmental Charity VOICE Ireland. 

If you're parking in Dublin city this Christmas have your wits about you because the clampers are out in greater force than ever before.   Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports. 

Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of World Health Organisation is in Dublin for the discussions on strengthening Ireland’s partnership with WHO on global health and Dr Mike Ryan spoke to Jonathan this morning on the show.

The countdown to Christmas is officially on and Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined us now with the tech checklist for the coming days. 

Dubliners are being urged by Dublin City Council to stop paving gardens for parking due to negative environmental impacts  With more on this we heard from John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and Commentator.

The cost of sending a child to a fee-charging school has risen by nearly 17 per cent this year, amid criticism from principals over the “exclusion” of the private sector from a growing number of State grants.  Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College in Milltown gave her reaction.

"There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever" - those are the words from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemning the fire which broke out at the Ross Lake House hotel in Co Galway over the weekend.   The hotel, which has not been in use for several years, was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Local Councillor Noel Tho...

All Things Considered: Fire at Galway Hotel. Jonathan and Shane discussed this incident this morning.

The arrival of a menstrual period can be a cause of celebration for some women, relief for others, but for those trying to conceive, it can feel a whole lot different.   Sarah Madden reports on the pain of unwanted periods and those trying to conceive at this time of year.

I’m embarrassed I can’t speak Irish, but shame is no way to get people talking that’s the view of Irish Independent Journalist Mary McCarthy who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Some NCT centres are falsely claiming waiting times of two weeks on their website – only for motorists to discover they have to wait up to six months for a test.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesman James O’Connor.

Israel and Hamas are both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, Egyptian security sources have told Reuters. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was James Marlow, Broadcast Journalist with focus on Foreign Affairs, Israel and Middle East. 

Christmas dinner is overwhelmingly the favourite  Christmas tradition of the nation!   That’s according to a Newstalk poll carried out by Amárach, where 53% of respondents confirmed the festive supper as their favourite ritual of the season.  Our Reporter Breda Forrest took to the streets of Cork to ask what you think are the best Christmas traditions  and we also spoke to Demi Isaac Oviaway, Acto...