Newstalk Breakfast

As snow and ice is gripping the country, with a status orange weather alert remaining in place until 10am today. Ciara got the latest weather update from Met Eireann Forecaster, Aoife Kealy.

All things considered: Michael D Higgins says sexuality should be taught in ‘the fullest sense’ in schools  - Ciara and Shane discuss.

There were tense exchanges in the Dáil yesterday as the government defended their decision to end the eviction ban. There are also tensions on the government benches with Green Party TDs Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello urging a reversal of the decision. Pauline O'Reilly, Green party Senator & Party Chairperson spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Free public transport would result in just a 1 per cent reduction in car travel – that's according to a report released by the National Transport Authority. It comes as Transport Minister Eamon Ryan ruled out the move saying it would 'increase the level of unnecessary trips' To discuss further we heard from Brian Caulfield Associate Professor School of Engineering at Trinity College.

“Parents should ditch the expectations – it's okay for our kids to be average and happy. That’s the view of Alison Curtis, writing in the Irish Independent. Is Alison right? Do we expect our kids to be better than average? To discuss this with Shane was Colman Noctor, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist.

The Department of Education released stats this week which confirm that rural areas have more Ukrainian children enrolled in their schools than their urban counterparts. Could this be the key to repopulating our rural Ireland? To discuss Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link.

Four people have been killed in Lviv as Russian Missiles have attacked several regions in Ukraine, reported early this morning. David Herrzenhorn, Russia, Ukraine & East Europe editor at The Washington Post gave Shane an update on the situation.

Over 78 thousand people have applied to the CAO for the upcoming academic year. The CAO has this morning released a breakdown of the courses that have been applied for. For more on this Ciara spoke to Brian Mooney Guidance Counsellor and Education Columnist with the Irish Times.

A Status Yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for the entire country. Liz Walsh, Meteorologist with MET Eireann told us what we can expect.

Most Irish native plant species have declined in range and abundance or both.  That’s according to new research from The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. In reaction to this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Jennifer McElwain, Professor of Botany Trinity College Dublin and the Director of Trinity College Botanic Garden.

“International Women’s Day is middle-aged, middle-class, and overwhelmingly white” that’s according to Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Columnist with the Irish Examiner who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The hike in inflation is easing but is expected to still increase significantly this year - that’s according to the Central Bank’s latest Quarterly Bulletin which has been released today. Headline inflation had peaked at almost 9.5% last autumn but this is expected to drop to 5% in 2023. Former Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC, Seamus Coffey explained the...

All things considered: What can be done to bridge the equality gap between men and women on International Women's Day? Ciara and Shane give their 2 cents.

The government has announced details of a 'Scoping Inquiry' for victims of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. The inquiry comes following a series of abuse allegations at schools run by religious congregations including the Spiritans. Norma Foley Minister for Education joined Shane this morning on the show.

An atheist whose application to be a chaplain was rejected by the Defence Forces was discriminated against on religious grounds. That was the finding of the Workplace Relations Commission last week. But is it unreasonable to want roles like chaplains to be reserved for religious people? To discuss Ciara was joined on the show by Jillian Brennan, CEO, of the Humanist Association of Ireland, and Joh...

The HSE has apologised to the parents of a 20-year-old man who died after he was attacked by a stranger with a severe psychiatric condition who burst into his house. Jimmy Loughlin was killed in his home in Sligo in February 2018 when the stranger, Richard McLaughlin, attacked him with a crowbar. Michael Loughlin Father of Jimmy Loughlin spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

It's the countdown to St Patrick's Day, and we are celebrating small Irish businesses here on Newstalk with thanks to Square helping businesses run and grow, for more see square.com.  Newstalk’s Henry McKean met Kevin Hughes from Nomo Ramen and Jamie Mann from Abode General Store.

The Government has confirmed a referendum on gender equality will be held later this year. Speaking to Ciara in reaction to this was Labour Leader, Ivana Bacik.

It’s Seachtaine na Gaeilge this week and here to tell us about how the Irish language deserves better treatment than knowing a cúpla focail is Irish Independent Columnist Frank Coughlan.

Ireland was at the top of a European Union table for cancer incidence in 2020 with a 26 percent rate above the average. That’s according to estimates in a recent OECD report revealed at an event on the future of cancer care in Ireland. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Rachel Morrogh Director of Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society .

Reports across the papers this morning suggests the moratorium on evictions will not be extended. The cabinet will meet this morning to sign off on the decision made by coalition leaders late last night, allowing the ban to begin to lapse as planned at the end of the month. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Aubrey McCarthy, Chairman of Tiglin Homeless Services and also Richard Boyd Barrett, Peopl...

All Things Considered: is the reference to a “Women's place is in the home” in the constitution outdated and sexist? Shane and Ciara discuss?

The National Women’s Council have renewed their call from the removal of a reference to a 'Women's place is in the home' from the constitution – a term described as “outdated and sexist” by the council. The government has committed to having a referendum on the issue but as of yet no date has been set for the vote. Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council spoke to Shane this morning...

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan will this morning bring a memo to cabinet on his department’s plans to help tackle the issue of drones around Dublin Airport. It comes as his junior minister in the department Jack Chambers said there is no requirement for primary legislation around the use of “counter-drone” technology. Dublin Airport has had 6 closures this year so far over drone incidents. Eoghan C...

Gardai have launched an operation to tackle the misuse of scrambler bikes in Limerick city. Social Democrat Councillor for Limerick, Elisa O’Donovan told Ciara how big this issue is in Limerick.