Newstalk Breakfast

Infrastructure Minister Jack Chambers is set to provide an update on the Government's Accelerating Infrastructure Report later this morning at an engineering conference.  Among the speakers at the event is Sean O’Driscoll, Chair of the ESRI, and a leading member of the government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Task Force. 

Dublin Street Parking Services have informed their staff they will no longer clamp and tow cars for Dublin City Council when their current contract ends. It comes as a procurement process is currently ongoing for the new contract beginning later this summer  For years, councillors have called for changes to the way parking rules are enforced, and for more. Ciara Doherty was joined by Keith Co...

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Ciara Doherty this morning was David McRedmond, the CEO of An Post 

Nicotine pouches are being aggressively marketed to adolescents and young people, while regulation in many countries remains limited or absent.  That’s according to the first WHO global report on nicotine pouches to be published today.   Professor John Crown, Consultant at St Vincent Hospital Group joined Ciara Doherty

Conradh na Gaeilge will appear before the Oireachtas to protest the lack of Irish-medium education. This comes following record-breaking numbers of Irish exemptions in schools.   Julian De Spáinn, Ard Runaí of Conradh na Gaeilge joins Ciara Doherty.  

Three in four 17-year-olds in Ireland feel they experience some type of discrimination at least a few times a year.   That’s according to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute.   Ciara Doherty is joined by, Dr. Helen Russell is a Research Professor with the ESRI

The Labour Court yesterday invited representatives from both the SIPTU and Unite unions to talks today in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute at the National Ambulance Service. Members began a work to rule on Monday and partook in a twenty four hour work stoppage which ended yesterday morning. John McCamley is SIPTU’s Ambulance Sector Organiser and will be attending the talks later and joins Ciar...

Ireland’s electricity system is failing to keep pace with the energy transition, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council. Around 10% of available renewable electricity could not be used last year due to grid constraints and curtailment, the highest rate since records began in 2016.  We get reaction to all this with Alex White, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council.

Dún Laoghaire Baths in Dublin is now the only bathing water in the country classified as ‘Poor’.  That’s according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency. Anton discussed the report findings with Jenny Deacon Programme Manager with the EPA .   

Over a quarter of people of Irish people don’t know what the labels on food products mean, according to research carried out by Too Good To Go.  It follows research from last year that 38 per cent of people admitted they did not understand the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ labels. Sarah Keogh, Dietician and founder of Eatwell helps us understand.

The Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport is this morning publishing its report on the Regulation of Online Platforms and it does not recommend a social media ban for under 16s.  Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Alan Kelly, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport. 

A research study done by an online meeting company has reported that almost 50 per cent of Gen Z believe that being between five and 10 minutes late is the basically the same as arriving to work on time.   So what’s behind Gen Z’s failing time management? Irish Independent columnist Brenda Power has looked into this. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Harry Brown Media Lecturer in TUD and host of the Ditch podcast.

US President Donald Trump is currently on his way to Beijing where he begins a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trade and Taiwan are likely to be high on the agenda, but they may be surpassed by the war with Iran. To preview the visit was Dan Mulhall Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States .

A motion passed by Tipperary County Council has called on the Government to phase out the Universal Social Charge.  The Council will now write to Finance Minister Simon Harris urging him to begin the process of abolishing the charge.  Independent Councillor Liam Browne who tabled the motion explained why to Anton.

As over 61,000 students prepare to sit the Leaving Cert, the National Association of Principals and Deputies say CAO points are being treated as currency rather than a reflection of ability.    Anton discusses this further with the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, Paul Crone. 

The UK Labour Party has descended into open division over Keir Starmer’s future, as four ministers resigned and joined at least 80 MPs urging him to quit. Anton gets the latest with Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times.

20 years ago, Congolese computer technician Guy Goma went to the BBC for a job interview. He didn’t get the job, but he did go viral when he was mistakenly put on air as Guy Kewney. Elliot Gotkine and Guy Goma told Anton about that faithful day.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold a crucial cabinet meeting this morning after members of his government told him he should set a timetable for his departure.  We get the latest on this with James Lyons former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer.    

Rural pubs will be a thing of the past unless the Government step in. So say The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland. Anton spoke to their Chief Executive Pat Crotty.

New legislation from Sinn Féin aimed at tackling ‘price gouging’ in the electricity sector is to be debated in the Oireachtas today.  To discuss further Anton spoke to Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry and spokesperson on Climate, Energy, Environment and Transport and also Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist ESRI.

IPTU and UNITE members of the National Ambulance Service have begun their first twenty four hour work stoppage. Ciarán Sheridan of the SIPTU Health Division spoke to Anton from the picket in Letterkenny. 

A petition requesting equal parenting or time/shared parenting to become the default in Irish family law has been put forward for the consideration of the Oireachtas.  Anton gets more detail on this petition with Michelle Browne Senior Family Mediator and Author  .

When it comes to interacting with a chatbot, be it ChatGPT or Gemini, are we all sacrificing too much control? Anton discussed this further with Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska is a Psychologist, Author, Academic and Life Coach.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Valerie Cox, Author and Journalist.