Newstalk Breakfast

The Dáil has two new TDs after this weekend’s by-elections –Social Democrat’s Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central and Fine Gael's Sean Kyne in Galway West. It was a disappointing weekend for both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.  To explain more is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent .  

It is no secret that many people associate the trait of empathy as naturally feminine. Now scientific research tells us that's not the case. Anton discusses this further with Senior clinical psychologist Amy Watchorn.

Last night Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of ‘The Late Show’. The popular franchise, debuted by David Letterman, came to an end under controversial circumstances, believed to be related to Colbert’s opposition to President Trump. How did the last show go? Anton asked Terry Sheridan, News Director WSHU Public Radio.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has welcomed an agreement on the use of the first tranche of the Local Bargaining Fund for teachers and principals working in primary and special schools.  We get reaction to this with John Boyle, General Secretary INTO. 

Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor want witnesses to contact them if they believe they have information about alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, fraud or the sharing of confidential information involving the king’s brother.  For more on this Anton spoke to Jennie Bond Royal Commentator .

Lawyer Suhad Bishara has alleged flotilla activists experienced systematic violence, humiliation and mistreatment in detention, with some reportedly hospitalised, while Irish officials said there were no reports of serious injuries among the Irish citizens involved.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Caoimhe Butterly, a human rights campaigner who sailed with the flotilla for five weeks on a...

Should RTÉ set up a dedicated TV channel for sport? Fianna Fail TD for Kerry Michael Cahill believes the station could be commercially viable and he explained why to Anton.

Air France and Airbus have been found guilty of manslaughter over a 2009 plane crash which killed 228 people. We get the details from Kevin Byrne, Airport Safety and Security Auditor.

Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Ronan Mc Greevy, Irish Times Journalist.

Authorities in Barcelona have begun supplying the city’s population of pigeons with birth control. Supporters of the program hope that by targeting Barcelona’s most pigeon-blighted areas, the public health risks of pigeon droppings can be significantly reduced. Anton got reaction to this with Biologist, Environmentalist, Broadcaster, and Irish Times contributor, Eanna Ní Lamhna. 

Enoch Burke's dismissal from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath has been confirmed after the school told the court that the appeals process has ended and he has been informed.    Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Independent brought us the details.

Around 13 per cent of Irish consumers think they probably couldn't cope with a financial emergency costing over €1000, this comes from the Credit Union Customer sentiment survey.  Economist Austin Hughes explained the findings with Anton.

There will be warm weekend in store across the country! To hear what is in store Anton spoke to Holly O’Neill, Met Eireann Forecaster.

Irish Rail is to scrap new €50m IT system for trains. It has written down the €50 million value of the project in its accounts. Martin Wall Public Policy Correspondent with the Irish Times has the story this morning and explained the details to Ciara.

If you didn't know today is International Tea Day! And how fitting it is that new research shows sharing chats over a cup of tea may strengthen your relationships.  Dr. Sharon Hall from the UK Tea and Infusions association tell us more.

Dublin woman Claire Ryan has just broken her own record for under-ice freediving, swimming 80 meters beneath a frozen lake on a single breath. Her only equipment, a bathing suit and swim goggles. Claire joined Ciara this morning.

Since 2020, Spun Out’s ‘Text About It’ service has engaged in 250,000 conversations with young people who are struggling with their mental health.   On average, one person reaches out every 11 minutes, reflecting the scale of the youth mental health crisis in Ireland. Joining Ciara discuss is the CEO of Spun Out, Sinead Keane. 

Representatives from RTÉ, including director general Kevin Bakhurst, spoke at a Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications and Sport yesterday. Bakhurst said in his opening remarks it is “regrettable” that a “sincere attempt” by the national broadcaster to be more transparent has been categorised as another scandal.  Fionnan Sheehan, Ireland Editor of Irish Independent gave...

The Taoiseach says he is appalled and shocked by the way activists on board an aid flotilla to Gaza were treated by the Israeli authorities.  We get more reaction from Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD .  

Republican organisation Lasair Dhearg recently “renamed” Dublin’s Drury Street to “Bobby Sands Street”. In a video online they said Irish streets should not be named after the likes of William Drury, a British soldier who was Lord Justice of Ireland in the 16th century.  Should we reconsider the names of streets we walk along each day? Ciara asked Dáithí Doolan, Sinn Fein Councillor...

Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Ciara this morning was Iarla Mongey from QR PR .

As soon as next week we could be seeing a major reversal of 2026’s gloomy weather, with a mini heatwave expected to bring temperatures as high as 26 degrees. Weather expert Alan O’Reilly explained what is ahead for us.

Talks at the Labour Court regarding National Ambulance Service will resume today in hopes of resolving pay disputes. Speaking to Ciara this morning was SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is raise the matter of Israel's treatment of EU citizens from the Sumud Flotilla with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Paris.  There are at least 12 Irish citizens on board the flotilla that were detained by Israel, according to organisers. We get the latest on this with Mark Weiss, Israel Correspondent with the Irish Times.    &nbsp...

Dublin City Councillor, Philip Sutcliffe posted a video to his Whatsapp status on Monday, with the video calling for a “real final solution” against “satanic” Jewish people. For more details on this was Conor Gallagher, Irish Times Crime and Security Correspondent.