Newstalk Breakfast

Carbon emissions in Ireland are continuing to rise despite almost 80 per cent of the goals in the State’s 2021 Climate Action Plan having been implemented. That’s according to a final progress report on the plan published yesterday. We get some reaction on the findings from Cara Augustenborg a Professor of Environmental Policy at University College Dublin and a member of the Climate Advisory counc...

The term “woke” has become a common pejorative, but one man who wears the term with pride is Fergus Finlay, Former CEO of Barnardos and Irish Examiner Columnist. Fergus told Newstalk Breakfast why he is proud to call himself woke.

A major crash has happened leaving several dead after two trains collide in Greece. For the latest on this, we spoke to Lydia Emmanouilidou a Journalist based in Athens.

More than eight million people in Somalia require immediate lifesaving aid due to the impact of severe drought. Last year, over 1,000 children died in nutrition centres and the situation is set to worsen with a sixth consecutive failed rain season expected. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie is there with Trócaire to see the work that is being carried out to help those in need.

Minister of State Niall Collins will make a Dáil statement about a 2001 planning application he made to build a house. Newstalk Political Correspondent Sean Defoe gave Newstalk Breakfast an update on this.

Sanctions that would apply to online travel platforms need to be more meaningful and reflective of their income. That’s the call from John Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold, who will be before the Oireachtas later today

A plan by Education Minister Norma Foley to have 5th years sit paper one of their English and Irish exams is to be deferred. This comes after receiving much backlash from a number of teacher and student organisations. With some reaction to this announcement, Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Miriam Duggan President of the ASTI.

The government is expected to hold an inquiry into our handling of the COVID pandemic later in the year. To discuss this possibility Ciara spoke to Professor Sam McConkey Infectious Disease Specialist at the RCSI University of Medicine.

White smoke has finally emerged as a deal has been struck between EU and UK officials on the Northern Protocol. Mícheál Martin Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence joined Shane this morning on the show.

In Ireland, liver disease is now one of the top five killers of patients, with more than half of adults living with chronic liver disease. One consultant at Beaumont Hospital is bringing awareness to what he describes as terrifying data among alcohol consumers. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Professor John Ryan, Consultant Hepatologist at Beaumont Hospital.

The much-loved Dermot Morgan, best known for his role as Father Ted, passed away 25 years ago today. We remember him this morning with his son Rob.

A deal has at last been struck between EU and UK officials on the Northern Protocol. Alex Kane, Newspaper columnist, and political commentator joined Ciara on the show with more details on this agreement.

Hannah Barnes', Author and Journalist’s new book “Time to Think”, explores what went wrong at the Gender Identity Development Service for children (Gids), at the Tavistock Clinic in North London, which is set to close its doors this Spring and she joined Shane this morning to discuss.

Thousands of Irish fans travelled to Rome this weekend to watch Ireland take on Italy in the Six Nations - but what if rather than watching it on a flatscreen TV, you could get the experience of being there, without the travel and expense? This could be the norm in the future if virtual reality takes off the way some of the Big Tech companies are envisioning it. For more on this, we heard from New...

40% gender quotas for political parties running candidates for election to the Oireachtas will come into force today, with the threshold rising by 10% from 30%. Joining Shane this morning was Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are to meet in London today, with the two expected to announce a deal to resolve the Northern Ireland protocol dispute. With more on this, Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Matthew Parris, Columnist with The Times and former Conservative MP, and also Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter.

“There’s now a huge, fresh interest in the tongue, and so here’s a golden opportunity to capitalise on that trend by scrapping compulsory Irish” That is the view of Brenda Power, Columnist with The Sunday Times and Daily Mail who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast along with Julian De Spainn, General Secretary of Conradh Na Gaeillge.

Later today, Extinction Rebellion Ireland will kick off the first step in its 2023 campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience. Manuel Salazar, Spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Ireland, spoke to Ciara this morning to explain what they are planning.

The waiting list for eye care remains unacceptably long. That’s according to Optometry Ireland – and their spokesperson John Weldon spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

‘I never felt pretty growing up but when you discover the origins of our beauty standards, it’s a real eye-opener. That’s according to beauty journalist and broadcaster Anita Bhagwandas who has written a book on the tyranny of modern beauty ideals. Anita joined Shane on the show this morning to chat about her new book.

Day 55 of #100DaysOfWeeking Day 55 of 100 days of walking! Every Friday we recognise some of our great ‘100 days’ community ' by crowning a walker of the week! This week's Walker of the Week is Nicola from Drogheda, She told us why she got involved.

It seems that the Government is unlikely to extend the ban on no-fault evictions at the end of next month. Will this have an impact on the current homelessness crisis? To discuss this further Shane spoke to John-Mark McCafferty is the CEO of Threshold.

It was on this morning one year ago that the people of Ukraine were awoken to the sounds of air raid sirens and bombs as Russia invaded the country. But 12 months into what Vladimir Putin describes as his “special military operation,” is there any end in sight for the war? Kira Rudyk, Ukrainian MP gave her thoughts this morning 12 months on from the brutal invasion. Also speaking to Newstalk Break...

“It seems that those happy to blast their inclusive values have a much harder time when it comes to the ideological other: the social conservative, the extremely devout, the economically cautious. Perhaps that really is the limit of our tolerance.” That is the view of Finn McRedmond, a Columnist with The Irish Times who spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

The Dún Laoghaire Baths reopened in December, following almost two decades of local campaigning. However, with no pool and limited access for people with disabilities, concerns are being raised about the development. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, went along to a public meeting last night to meet with residents and local groups.