Newstalk Breakfast

Palestinian health authorities have said that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 330 people, ending a weeks-long standoff over extending the ceasefire that halted fighting in January.   We get the latest on this with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent .  

Conor McGregor told reporters in Washington yesterday that the “illegal immigration racket is running ravage” in Ireland before meeting with US president Donald Trump.   We get reaction to this with Mick Clifford Special correspondent with the Irish Examiner.

To celebrate Seachtain Na Gaeilge, Shane caught up with Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Energy for an interview “as Gaeilge”. Here Minister O’Brien spoke about the importance of Irish to him personally.   

Around 100,000 people are expected to visit Ireland this week for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Whether it is a small rural tractor run or a sold-out concert, there are events of all shapes and sizes. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with those who have travelled here, and those working on the big day.

Edward Timmins, Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, has announced the production of a US Presidents ‘Road Map’ which outlines some key locations of his proposed ‘American Presidents Trail’.  Edward detailed the trail to Shane this morning on the show.

A meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Jewish leaders in the US could now be in jeopardy after reports that a number of groups have now cancelled.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Daniel Rubenstein Middle East Analyst at the Israeli Citizen Spokesperson Office & former social media advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu .  

Vladimir Putin has said he has many questions about the proposed US-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine and appeared to set out a series of sweeping conditions that would need to be met before Russia would agree to such a truce.   We heard from Ian Bond, former British Diplomat in Moscow, and now the Deputy Director of the Centre for European Reform. 

There have long been calls to introduce a four-day work week. But now some are suggesting we should still work five days a week – as long as the day is only six hours long.   To discuss this further with Dr Mansoor Soomro, Researcher on the future of work at Teeside University, and author of the upcoming book “Generalist Advantage” 

From “almond mammies” to “hurried child syndrome”, over-the-top labels are picking apart everything parents try to do to raise their kids.  That’s according to Niamh O’Reilly, freelance journalist and parent who explained to Newstalk Breakfast.

Irish whiskey producers are facing a severe 200 per cent tariff on exports to America, as concerns rise that the dispute between the US and EU may escalate into a full-scale transatlantic trade war.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with their concerns was Colin Ross, CEO of Kinsale Spirit Company .  

Members of the Burke family were ejected from the Ireland Funds Gala dinner in Washington DC last night. Our political correspondent Sean Defoe was at the event and captured the moment. 

Violence is out of control in TV drama that’s according to Libby Purves who has been writing in the Times of London. We discussed this further with BBC TV Critic, Scott Bryan.

FREENOW is providing their passengers with live trad music this weekend in Dublin to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Joining Shane this morning was Fin Furey one of the musicians involved in the initiative. 

According to new data from the Department of Justice the average time it takes for a standard application for International Protection in Ireland to be processed is 18 months. So, does the process need to be fast tracked?    We discussed this with Fiona Hurley, Chief Executive of Nasc, Migrant and Refugee Rights .   

Donald Trump accused Ireland of stealing US pharmaceutical industry in his meeting with Taoiseach Michéal Martin at the White House. We discuss this White House visit with Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States .  

A proposed digital return scheme would have saved €80 million and 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.  That’s according to the Irish Waste Management Association, whose Secretary Conor Walsh who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Should we step away from our phones to realise what we are missing? Shane spoke to Alexander Hurst, Columnist for The Guardian Europe and started by asking about his recent experience where he was stripped of his mobile phone and how it made him reassess things

There are more public toilets in Dublin than people realise – and the Council must ensure there are proper signs and access.  That’s the call from several councillors, including Darragh Moriarty, Labour Group Leader on Dublin City Council who explained Shane this morning. 

Late last night Taoiseach Micheál Martin handed over the bowl of Shamrock to US President Donald Trump after a day of political engagements and his St Patrick’s Day trip to the US continues today.  Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe was in the Oval Office yesterday as things went down. 

Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the “ball is now in Russia’s court” to also accept the deal.   We discuss all with Inna Sovsun, Ukrainian MP and Deputy Leader of the Holos party.

Children under eight should steer clear of slushies containing glycerol due to the risk of sickness.   That’s according to a new study from the Archives of Disease in Childhood. For more on this we heard from Professor Ellen Crushell, Lead Author of the study and Metabolic Paediatrician at Children’s Health Ireland and Clinical Professor at UCD School of Medicine. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will continue his five-day US trip with a White House visit today, but what can we expect from his meeting with US President Donald Trump?  Shane caught up with Tom Del Beccaro, Former Chairman of the California Republican Party and author of 'The Lessons of the American Civilisation”, and began by asking how he expects things to go later today. 

56 per cent of Irish adults would give 50 euros or more to a niece or nephew for their communion or confirmation, according to a new survey from An Post.  Are we getting excessive with the money we give children? Jonathan discussed this with Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times. 

It’s 40 years since the sale of condoms was deregulated in Ireland. So, how has Ireland changed since the time of chemist-only condoms and what impact did this day 4 decades ago have on the country we know today? Sarah Madden reports.

Ukraine has agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia during talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. We discuss this further with Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath, former NATO Analyst.