Newstalk Breakfast

A Luas in Galway could solve chronic traffic congestion, according to a new study commissioned by National Transport Authority. But it could still be decades before the city gets one. We discuss this with Brian Caulfield, Professor of transportation at Trinity College Dublin.

Former President of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association Gerry O'Mahony has been found guilty of sexual assault after a weeklong trial in Waterford Circuit Court. We get the details on this case with Ralph Reigel, Southern Correspondent with The Irish Independent.

95 people have died in floods in Valencia following devastating floods. We get the latest on the floods there with Freelance journalist Melita Cameron-Wood is in Valencia.

Inspired by TikTok, teenage boys are becoming increasingly obsessed with their appearance. but what is the new trend ‘looksmaxxing’?  We find out with Maria Lally, Writer for The Times of London.

On October 7th last year, Tom Hand’s daughter was taken hostage by Hamas.  After a 50-day nightmare, in which he initially believed his daughter had been killed, Tom was reunited with Emily on November 25th. Tom spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about that day and how Emily is doing, a year on from being taken hostage.

Dentists in the UK have issued a plea to replace sweets for trick or treaters this Halloween with stickers or playdough in a bid to prevent tooth decay, as worrying figures show it is the leading cause for hospital admissions among children. We discuss this idea with Caroline Robbins, Chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association, and a Dentist at Kiwi Dental in Carlow .  

Irish households pay the most expensive net electricity prices in the EU, according to the latest Eurostat report. We discuss this with Darragh Cassidy is Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.    

Love Island star Maura Higgins recently opened up about having “dark thoughts” after leaving the reality show. We discuss the realities of life after starring in a reality show with Broadcaster and reality TV fan Pádraig Wilson McCarthy.

Ireland’s infrastructure is catching up, but housing and planning are a big challenge. That’s according to a new publication from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Senior Economist with IFAC, Niall Conroy.

A €4.9 million lung cancer research programme, launched by the Irish Cancer Society and Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre has become the largest single investment in lung cancer in Ireland's history. Speaking to Shane this morning on the show was Michael McCarthy, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Secretary of the Irish society of Medical Oncology. 

‘We need to put the health impacts of climate change at the centre of every sector’s response’. So say academics following the release of a new report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Karyn Morrissey, Professor in Environment and Marine economics at University of Galway, is a contributing author to the report.  

Children’s handwriting is now so bad that teenagers need lessons in secondary school, experts in the UK have warned. We discuss this with Liz Maguire, Creator and curator of Flea Market Love Letters.

Israel’s Parliament has voted to ban UNRWA the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. We get reaction to this news with An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michéal Martin.

All cars being brought into Ireland should be fitted with technology to prevent them from reaching speeds above 100km/h. That’s the call from Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring. We discuss this further with Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent.

Sinn Fein will today launch its new healthcare policy. Ahead of the launch we speak to David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Health .  

It’s time to tone down the spookiness of Halloween, according to Freelance Writer with The Irish Independent Chrissie Russell who explained why to Shane this morning on the show.

Just over 500 calls have been made on each of Eir’s digital phone boxes since they were installed three years ago, according to the Journal.  Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for Dublin North Inner City says they need to stop taking up space and she explained why to Newstalk Breakfast.

The Office for Public Works has doubled down on warnings that a metro stop at St Stephen’s Green will have “profound negative impacts”.  We discuss this with Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart.

One week from today, Americans will vote for their next President.   Shane spoke to IPSOS Pollster Chris Jackson about the dramatic race we’ve seen so far. Starting with comedian and Trump supporter Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” and if this could have an impact on voters.

The An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist has been announced with many well known names like Cecelia Ahern, Sally Rooney, Colm Tóibín  and Neven Maguire who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning on being nominated. 

Over 2,000 Israelis have signed a letter asking the international community to use ‘every possible sanction’ for a ceasefire as the Taoiseach is set to meet with the Lebanese prime minister today  One of the signatories is Dr. Anat Matar, Senior Lecturer of Philosophy at the University of Tel-Aviv and member of Academia for Equality.

Harry Crosbie, founder of the 3Arena, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Vicar Street, has won permission for an eight-storey Vicar Street Hotel despite receiving 40 objections. We hear from Harry this morning on the show. 

This weekend the clocks will roll back one hour. But for many years now the argument has been made for the practice to be scrapped, with the European Parliament voting in favour of ending seasonal time changes in 2019.   Is it time to scrap changing the clocks? We ask John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin and Research Affiliate at the ESRI. 

Figures released from the central statistics office reveal that the Government is not on track to meet the target of 40,000 homes this year. We get reaction to these figures with Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald .     

Today councillors, trade unions and stakeholders will meet to discuss the foundations of a pilot project to bring domestic bin collection under public control in Dublin city centre.  It comes as calls have been mounting for bin collection to be operated by one body  To discuss further Shane spoke to Sinn Fein Group Leader and Dublin City Councillor Daithi Doolan.