Newstalk Breakfast

One in five Irish employers think incoming pay transparency rules are an unnecessary burden. That’s according to a new survey from Mason Hayes & Curran, whose Head of Employment Law and Benefits Melanie Crowley joined Anton this morning to discuss these findings.

It’s time for "Did You See”. 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 Newstalk’s Own  Ciara Doherty.

The Dail heard that there are more schoolchildren progressing from the occasional use of vapes and nicotine pouches, to a reliance on them. There have been calls for a new bill to be brought in surrounding the sales of these products. Speaking to Anton was Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD and the party’s Health Spokesperson. 

President Catherine Connolly has decided not to refer the International Protection Bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality and has signed it into law. We get an Analysis of this first political move by President Connolly with Fionnán Sheahan Ireland Editor, Irish Independent.  

Israel and Lebanon are due to hold another round of talks in the US. It comes after Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Israeli strikes killed five people in Lebanon yesterday. Anton gets the latest on this with Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist. 

The Electricity Association of Ireland are launching a guide today they say will help you understand how much power you use, and how you can spend the least on it. So what are they advising? Anton asked Dara Lynott Chief of the Electricity Association of Ireland.

Social Democrats TD and spokesperson for energy Jennifer Whitmore has accused the Commission for Regulation of Utilities of being “asleep at the wheel”. After a failure to investigate electricity companies’ failure to pass significant cuts in wholesale prices to domestic households.  Jennifer spoke to Anton this morning.

Gardaí believe they have enough evidence to prove Daniel Kinahan has been in an unparalleled position of power and influence at the top of Irish organised crime to bring him to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to face one, single charge. For more on this we heard from Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor.

Over thirty per cent of women experience barriers to the Government’s free contraception scheme and the National Women’s Council are calling for it to be made available to everyone, regardless of age or migration status.  To discuss further Anton spoke to The National Women’s Council Executive Director, Corrinne Hasson and Helena Tubridy, Fertility coach and Host of the Fertility Finesse Podc...

 US President Donald Trump has said he will now extend the ceasefire with Iran until talks between the two countries have progressed. Anton discusses this situation further with Charlie Gammell Historian and Former Diplomat who was on the Iran desk at the UK Foreign Office.   

It’s time for "Did You See”. 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 Gabija Gataveckaite  BBC Dublin Correspondent. 

Tensions resulting from the actions of Donald Trump’s government are now impacting on the experience of Americans living and visiting Ireland.  That’s at least according to some reports which have suggested that US citizens are now pretending to be Canadian to avoid the inevitable “Trump question”. But is this really the case?  Our reporter Henry McKean took to the streets of Dublin to a...

Itchy red eyes, a runny or blocked nose and loss of smellthe misery for hay  fever sufferers is set to last up to two weeks longer than they would have in the 1990s and it’s all down to climate change. Speaking to Anton this morning was Ruth Morrow Respiratory Nurse Specialist with the Asthma Society of Ireland. 

Atheist Ireland spoke last night to the Oireachtas petitions committee to ask that each school give practical application to the right not to attend religious instruction.  Research found around 40% of parents of children attending Catholic or other religious denomination primary schools would prefer their child to go to a multi-denominational school. Anton discusses this further wi...

Today is Earth Day, and a new poll by Ireland Thinks has found that 56% of Irish people think the “Government is not doing enough fast enough to cut Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels”. All to discuss with Jerry MacEvilly, Head of Policy at Friends of the Earth Ireland. 

US President Donald Trump has said he will now extend the ceasefire with Iran until talks between the two countries have progressed. We get the latest on the situation there with news correspondent for Sky News and Middle East expert.

Rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty are major concerns for Europe’s tourism and hospitality leaders as they gather in Cork today. Speaking to Anton this morning was Paul Gallagher CEO of Irish Hotels Federation .  

Apple has finally named John Ternus as their new Chief Executive who will replace Tim Cook after fifteen years. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor with The Business Post.

Fine Gael senator Seán Kyne has called for the Sustainable Energy Authory of Ireland (SEAI) to reform how they conduct Building Energy Ratings (BER) Seán explained why to Anton.

Iran has said it had yet to decide whether to attend a new round of peace negotiations with the United States, casting uncertainty on a push to stop the Middle East war from resuming tomorrow.  We discuss the situation further with Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath, former NATO Analyst. 

Keir Starmer has ordered an investigation into any security concerns relating to Peter Mandelson’s tenure as UK ambassador to the US as he gave his side of events in a politically crucial statement in parliament.  Joining Anton to assess the damage is James Lyons former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer.  

The Garda Representative Association are meeting for their annual conference today in Westport, where there will be an emergency motion to call for action against threats made to members during the recent fuel protests.  Speaking to Anton this morning was Niall Hodgins, Incoming president of the Garda Representative Association. 

Reversing the reintroduction of exam fees, committing to class-size reduction and guaranteeing a school place for every child with additional needs are among the demands Sinn Féin are making in the Dáil today.  All to discuss with Darren O’Rourke, Sinn Fein’s Education Spokesperson. 

It’s time for "Did You See”. 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 Frank Connolly Investigate journalist, writer and former head of Communications with SIPTU.

The RSA has cancelled reportedly 50,000 driving tests in the last three and a half years, with a 36% jump in the number of cancellations in the last year.  Anton discusses these figures with Brenda Bolger, Owner of Bolger Motoring School.