Newstalk Breakfast

Nearly two-thirds of retail workers are earning less than €451 per week. That’s according to a new report published today by the trade union Mandate. Jonathan Hogan Assistant General Secretary with Mandate gave his reaction to these figures from the report.

Galway City Council will not be able to meet its social housing needs for the “foreseeable future”, according to its chief executive. A number of high-profile housing developments proposed by the local authority have been blocked by An Bord Pleanála in recent weeks. Speaking to Shane this morning with more on this was Mayor of Galway, Clodagh Higgins.

Home of the Year returns to our screens on RTE tonight, showcasing awe-inspiring interior design and striking architecture across Ireland. We were joined by two of the three judges, award-winning architects Amanda Bone and Hugh Wallace.

An EPA report has suggested that Ireland would need to reduce the number of livestock by 30% and rewet 90% of reclaimed land for the agriculture sector is to meet targets Tim Cullinane, President of the Irish Farmers Association, what is your reaction to this?

The Government has been accused of delaying the establishment of a special Oireachtas committee on assisted dying. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has written to the Ceann Comhairle to express his "frustration on the lack of progress" and appealed to Seán Ó Fearghaíl to intervene. This has brought attention once more to where Ireland is going in relation to assisted dying.. Kildare GP & assista...

“The most recent Budget, knowingly chose to not fully protect people on lower and fixed incomes from rising inflation and the growing cost-of-living pressures” That’s according to Sinn Fein spokesperson for finance Pearse Doherty, who is putting forward a motion today calling for the introduction of a ‘Spring Bonus’ and also Richard Bruton Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party

Has Valentine's Day become a Hallmark commercial holiday or does it still mean something? Henry McKean met couples, single people who share their stories and a relationship expert. Henry sent us this report.

Sean Canney, Independent TD for Galway East has called on Minister for Education, Norma Foley to ensure school transport plans are put in place for September to avoid last year's mess. Sean spoke to Shane this morning.

A high number of air pollution incidents were recorded in several Irish towns last year, with new figures suggesting that householders may be increasing their use of dirty fuels during the energy crisis. So found a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Sadhbh O’Neill, Researcher in Climate Policy.

TDs and Senators are frustrated at the lack of co-ordination, communication about what’s happening with refugee accommodation in local communities. That’s according to Regina Doherty, Fine Gael Senator and former Minister for Social Protection who spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

Can online abuse in gaming be moderated? The Corporate VP of Xbox has said there is ‘no silver bullet’ to solving issues of online abuse, but said there is a commitment to safety. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined us on the show this morning with the details.

There is a persistent shortage of rental homes, as market rents continue to rise - that’s according to the latest Daft.ie Rental Price Report. Economist at Trinity College Dublin & author of The Daft.ie Report, Ronan Lyons joined Shane this morning on the show with details of the report findings.

Almost one in four Garda stations across the country had fewer Gardai to tackle crime at the start of this year compared to the 12 months earlier. And 133 stations suffered a drop of 23.4% in staffing levels. Speaking to Ciara this morning on the show was Deputy General Secretary of AGSI Ronan Clougher.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland has published an economic report advocating for the government to extend the reduced 9% VAT Rate and not bring back an increase until the end of 2025. CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The Dublin MetroLink project will have a “direct, severe, negative, profound and permanent impact” on the heritage value St Stephen’s Green. So said the Office of Public Works last week. Patrick O'Donovan is Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht and Ciara asked the Minister whether he agrees with that assessment?

Chinese-made surveillance cameras should be removed from the Dail and Seanad on national security and human rights grounds. That’s the call from opposition parties after the Irish Council for Civil Liberties raised the issue last week. Elizabeth Farries is Director of UCD’s Centre for Digital Policy and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Do manners still maketh man? A report by Newstalk's Sarah Madden.

They formed as a comedic duo in their garden during lockdown, now they are performing sold-out shows on their “Well” tour around Ireland with upcoming shows in An Tain Arts Centre Dundalk, the Civic Theatre Tallaght & Cork Opera House. Pat and Faye Shortt joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Every Friday we recognise some of our great ‘100 days’ community ' by crowning a walker of the week! Our Walker of the Week is Alison Begas from Dublin and she told us why she got involved.

Mary Lou McDonald has been at the helm of Sinn Féin since 2018 after she succeeded Gerry Adams. Robbie Smyth, Editor of An Phoblacht and the former General Secretary of Sinn Fein, looks back on the five years on since Mary Lou became leader of Sinn Fein.

EU leaders have agreed tougher new rules making it easier to expel asylum-seekers whose refugee applications are denied. The agreement at an EU summit overnight comes in response to growing concern among member states about a surge in immigration and asylum applications. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said refugees will be welcome but the processing system for migrants needs to be stepped up:

Mandatory sentencing “Is a blunt tool to address crime” according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust. The remark comes since questions have been raised over whether there's merit to mandatory sentencing as a teenager was spared jail in Dublin after he was involved in an attack that resulted in a woman having boiling water poured over her. Molly Joyce, The Irish Penal Reform Trust’s Acting Executive D...

Only one in four people working in STEM – or Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are women. As tomorrow marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science we ask what more needs to be done to get more girls working in the area. Speaking to Shane this morning was Dr. Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin TD has expressed his condolence to the staff at aid agency GOAL following confirmation that 26 staff members were killed in Monday’s earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. The death toll from the disaster has now topped 21,000. Mary Van Lieshout, Deputy CEO of GOAL, spoke to Ciara this morning.

He is one of Ireland’s best-known poets, storytellers, novelist, and playwright to name just a few and today marks 100 years since his birth. It was the 9th of February 1923 that marked the birth of Brendan Behan in Crumlin in Dublin and there are events taking place to mark the event. Speaking about Brendan Behan this morning was Peter Sheridan is a playwright, screenwriter and director