Newstalk Breakfast

Retained firefighters around the country are beginning coordinated strike action this morning which will result in up to 50% of fire stations in the service closing. Speaking to Ciara on the show was Karan O Loughlin, SIPTU Public Administration, and Community Division Organiser.

The Dying with Dignity committee will have its first public sitting later this morning. Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is chairing the committee and he explained to Shane what is on the agenda today.

The Australia and New Zealand Women's World Cup has already sold one million tickets, which kicks off next month. Making it the most attended women's sporting event ever. To celebrate, the FAI and the Australian and New Zealand Embassy put on The DDSL Girls World Cup Blitz. Henry McKean went along and asked about the rise of Irish women's sport. He started by chatting to Republic of Ireland coach...

It’s Men’s Health Week, and lads across the country are being urged to become an ‘Action Man’ and follow expert tips to improve their health. Dr Mark Rowe is a Physician and Author of ‘The Vitality Mark’ and joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

The Road Safety Authority have proposed noncompliance penalties for the firm operating the NCT contract. The operation has come under questioning recently as people have experienced extreme delays in getting their NCT. Transport Commentator, Conor Faughnan joined Ciara on the show this morning.

An increase in the number of university students commuting long distances means many are missing out on “huge” aspects of the college experience such as involvement in clubs, societies and social life, president of Technological University Dublin has said. Sai Gujulla, Students’ Union President for the University of Galway joined Ciara on the show this morning.

Over 5,000 offers of social housing were refused in the past two years, with a variety of reasons given, according to analysis by the Irish Independent. Reasons for offers being refused included houses being too small, lacking in garden or parking space, or being located too close to an ex-partner. Wayne Stanley, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

The Standards in Public Office Commission has a toothless character. That’s according to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who was speaking after the State’s ethics watchdog revealed it will not be investigating former junior minister Damien English over a 2008 planning application for his family home. Paul Murphy alongside Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Justice joined...

Approved housing bodies should be scrapped, and social and affordable housing should be put back in the hands of local authorities. So wrote Business Post Columnist John Walsh. John, really interesting piece, set out your stall: why is this a good idea? Business Post Columnist John Walsh joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon was arrested yesterday morning before being released without charge in the ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s finances. Catriona Stewart, Herald Columnist based in Scotland brought us the latest...

Two men have been charged over the murder and disappearance of Co Antrim woman Chloe Mitchell. David Young, Ireland Editor of the Press Association spoke to Ciara this morning.

Harry Styles will take to the stage at Slane tomorrow afternoon – where feather boas are set to be more uniform, than just a trend. Aoife Kealy, MET Eireann forecaster looked ahead to the weather over the weekend, and also speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Ali Ryan founder of Goss.ie to explain how big is ‘Harry Hysteria’.

A refurbishment programme being undertaken by the Department of Housing could see up to 6,000 Ukrainians housed by the end of 2024, the news comes as the government believe there is a risk that the number of refugees in Ireland will increase again this summer With more on this James Lawless, Dáil Justice Committee chairman

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to engulf US cities in a haze, disrupting flights, schools, and sports games. The quality of air has become so bad in the past few days that now, the city has some of the worst air pollution in the world. Journalist based in New York, Harriet Alexander explained how bad things are there currently.

Dealing with asylum accommodation was up for debate with Jonathan and Ciara this morning on the show.

Donald Trump, the first former president in US history to face criminal charges has now been indicted for the second time Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Journal.ie Columnist gave us the latest.

All religious images and artifacts have been removed from display at St Vincent’s Hospital after the religious Sisters of Charity’s shareholding was transferred to a charitable trust last year Michael Nugent, Chairperson of Atheist Ireland gave his reaction to this to Newstalk Breakfast.

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding for the first six months is highly recommended for infants. However, Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates compared to other high-income countries. Ciara spoke to Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool & Professor of Maternal and Foetal Health.

Ireland needs to increase efforts to conserve water says The Water Forum. Dr Matt Crowe, Chairperson of The National Water Forum joined Ciara this morning on the show to explain what they are calling for from Government.

A man armed with a knife attacked 4 children and 2 adults in the town of Annecy in the French Alps. John Lichfield, Veteran French Correspondent spoke to Jonathan this morning with an update on the attack.

Leaders of the PGA Tour should be “ashamed of their hypocrisy and greed” in agreeing on a deal with Saudi-backed LIV Golf, according to a group representing relatives of victims of 9/11. 15 of the 19 hijackers of 9/11 were Saudi Arabian. The 911 families united group sought to bring the Saudi Arabia government, which they claimed supported the terrorists, to judgment. A claim that Saudi Arabia has...

All Things Considered: Freedom of Dublin City, who we should give it to and why? All up for discussion between Ciara and Shane this morning.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council yesterday urged the Government to stick to its national spending rule and not to be tempted by spending increases or tax cuts In reaction to this Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath joined Ciara this morning on the show.

Households are set to get some relief from soaring grocery prices, as Tesco plan to slash the prices of around 700 products, pushing other supermarkets to review their prices Shane spoke to Charlie Weston, Personal Finances Editor with the Independent.

Westmoreland no more – Westin hotel owners back down from renaming hotel after slavery link The plans to change the name of the Westin Hotel in Dublin city centre to the Westmoreland have been abandoned. The move comes after it was noted the originally planned name had ties to slavery. With more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Janet Horner, Green party councillor for North Inner City.