Newstalk Breakfast

The rate of Caesarean sections at Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital has reached its highest level ever, with the procedure being used in 39 percent of deliveries last year.  That’s according to a new report authored by Professor Fergal Malone Former Master of the Rotunda, who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The upper age limit of 35 for joining An Garda Siochána will “significantly increase” under radical fresh proposals. For more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Christy Galligan, Retired Gardaí Sergeant.

More than 100 flights to and from Ireland were affected on Monday following air traffic faults in UK.  We asked Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine has service resumed as normal this morning. 

A fatal crash took place in Tipperary last night. Speaking to Shane this morning was Sarah McGuinness, Assistant news editor with the Business Post, and explained what we know so far.

Bad news for customers of Laya Healthcare this morning: as many as one million people who have private health insurance with the company are facing price rises amounting to hundreds of euro between the start of October and early in the new year. Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist and Host of the Home Show on Newstalk brought us the details.

“In the swirling vortex of gender dynamics, one sector remains a glaring exception to the rule: primary education..we’re stuck in a cycle where classrooms are largely ruled by women.” - That’s a quote from an article in this week’s Irish Independent by Lorraine Courtney.  We asked Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Irish Examiner Columnist does she agrees with this sentiment. 

Exclusive Newstalk research carried out by Amarach shows that only 3% of schoolgoers cycle to school.   To get a reaction to the research results Duncan Stewart, Environmentalist & Architect.

Irish couples have been warned about arranging surrogacies in North Cyprus. It comes after a scandal in Greece resulted in human trafficking and sham embryo transfers   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Brian Tobin, Lecturer in family law at the University of Galway.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deleted one of its social media posts which encouraged the public to reduce red meat intake, following objections from the Irish Farmers Association.   Speaking to Shane this morning was Tim Cullinane, Irish Farmers Association President.

More than one hundred flights in and out of Irish airports have been impacted after British airspace was hit by a technical fault yesterday. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Gerry Byrne, Aviation Journalist and also Liam Curry who has been stranded at Dublin Airport overnight.

New legislation has been introduced to protect young and vulnerable people online.  While it is good news for users, it is likely to cause some headaches for Big Tech.  Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly explained it all for us.

Parents are calling on the Minister of State for Disabilities to address a shortage of school buses for children with disabilities.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Catherine Rossiter, Chairperson Sandymount Enable Ireland, School Parents Association Dublin and Disability Activist.

The results of the annual IBAL litter survey of Ireland’s coasts and waterways have been published today.  Conor Horgan, spokesperson for Irish Business against Litter spoke to Shane this morning with the results.

Tax breaks for small landlords are set to form part of a budget package to tackle the housing crisis dividing the opinion of many politicians and officials alike. To discuss future Newstalk Breakfast spoke to   Marian Finnegan Managing Director of Sherry FitzGerald and Dr Barra Roantree, assistant professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin. 

A vigil was held in Clonmel yesterday evening for the four young people - Nicole Murphy, Zoey Coffey, Grace McSweeney, and Luke McSweeney, who tragically lost their lives in a road accident last Friday.  Fr Michael Toomey, Local School Chaplin spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

A smartphone levy is a better idea than the out-of-touch TV licence fee” that’s according to Eoin O’Malley, associate professor of politics at Dublin City University who explained how this levy would work.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) must provide more stops on Local Link bus services – That’s the call from Galway-based Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne who explained the issue.

18-year-olds Grace McSweeney, Nicole Murphy, and Zoey Coffey -and 24-year-old Luke McSweeney, lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Clonmel last Friday night.   Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter reported from Clonmel.

If hotels consistently stock shampoo, soap, and sewing kits, they should consider sanitary pads too.    So writes Jennifer Horgan in this morning’s Irish Examiner. With more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Fianna Fail Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee, spokesperson on Health.

  More plastics than ever are being disposed of by incineration, according to the latest data from the Environmental Protection Agency.   Sadhbh O’Neill Co-ordinator of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with reaction to this data.

Former US President Donald Trump has been arrested on more than a dozen charges, after handing himself into the notorious Fulton County jail last night.  David Smith, Washington reporter with The Guardian gave us an update on his appearance at Fulton County jail.

Leaving Cert Results 2023 are available from 10 am this morning. Joining Shane this morning on Leaving Cert results day was Norma Foley, Minister for Education.

Separation is the best solution for the family in the long run, children pick up on their environment and this can have a major impact on their future relationships.”   That’s the view of Dr Caroline West, Sex Educator, Relationship Columnist with The Irish Independent, and host of the Glow West Podcast on staying together for the sake of your children who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast thi...

All Things Considered: Inflated grades good/bad? Shane and Jonathan discussed this on the show today.

 More than 40,000 visitors are set to arrive in Dublin this weekend for an American football event at the Aviva Stadium.  It’s been described as the largest number of Americans to travel internationally for a single sporting event.    However, with the recent spate of assaults on tourists in Dublin, our reporter Josh Crosbie went to find out if those visiting the capital feel s...