Newstalk Breakfast

Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting will stage a “Suffragette”-themed protest outside the Dáil today. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Donna Mullen, Ecologist, a farmer and a horsebreeder, and member of the group and also Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae. 

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 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent for the Irish Examiner.

The Government should develop legislation that officially makes imprisonment a last resort in the criminal justice system, as the cost of imprisoning one person costs 100,000 euro per year.  That’s the call from the Irish Penal Reform Trust and Anton spoke to Saoirse Brady the Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust. 

Over 13,000 artefacts in the British Museum originated in Ireland but just 194 of them are actually on display in Britain.  The question, according to Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD for Clare, is if the British Museum won’t display Irish artefacts, why don’t they return them? Cathal discussed further with Anton.

EPA calls on the food and drink sector to deal with the causes of foul smells emitting from their premises. A new report from the Agency was published this morning. Discussing this further with Anton was Pamela McDonnell is a Programme Manager in the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement.

The Government will use public-private partnerships and spare bedrooms in private homes to create an additional 42,000 beds for students over the next nine years. The measures are part of a new student housing strategy published today.  Anton discusses further with Emma Monahan Vice President for Welfare with AMLÉ, the national students' union.

Yesterday, Donald Trump claimed Iran has agreed to "never" have a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, the US is reportedly sending thousands of extra troops to the Middle East, after Iran vowed to keep fighting until "complete victory  We get the latest on the war in the Middle East with Mark Weiss, Israel Correspondent with the Irish Times. 

One of Ireland’s biggest home-builders has paused signing any new fixed contracts for housing developments until there is a clear timeline on when the war in the Middle East will end.  Developer Michael O’Flynn joined Anton this morning to explain why.

The Central Banks’s new modernised Consumer Protection Code is coming into force from today, giving consumers stronger protections when using banks, insurance companies, and other financial services.  To explain all we heard from Colm Kincaid Deputy Governor for Consumer and Investor Protection with the Central Bank of Ireland .  

Yesterday, Donald Trump said the threatened US strikes on Iranian power plants had been postponed after "very good and productive" discussions with Iran about a "complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East"  Whereas, Iran said Trump had "backed down" after its "firm warning", with the foreign ministry denying talks had happened. But, which is it? An...

Driving test waiting times have risen nationally from 10 to 12 weeks, with drivers in Dún Laoghaire facing the longest delays at 21 weeks, more than double the target.  We get reaction to this with Brenda Bolger Owner Bolger School of Motoring.   

The Government is set to cut the price of diesel and petrol from midnight tonight.    Minister for Finance Simon Harris will bring forward proposals at today’s Cabinet meeting to cut excise duty on diesel by 20 cent and on petrol by 15 cent until the end of May. All to discuss with Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

Yesterday, a verdict was reached in the case of the murder of 32-year-old Natalie McNally. Speaking outside the court, Natalie McNally’s brother said “Violence against women and girls is the shame of our society and we must do everything possible to end it.”  But, what needs to be done to resolve similar cases of violence against women? All to discuss with Executive Director of Rape...

A proposed Luas line linking the city centre to Bray via UCD and Sandyford has emerged as the preferred option for the Dublin Eastern Bypass Corridor, according to a new transport assessment for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.  Speaking to Anton was Conor Dowling, Green Party Councillor for Blackrock.

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 Mary Hanafin Barrister and former Minister.

Report Card 2026 launches today an assessment of Government action in commitments made to children and young people under the current programme for government.  To mark the launch, an online event is being held today by The Children’s Rights Alliance and their Policy Director, Dr Naomi Feely spoke to Anton.

Tens of millions in funding each year, free parking at hospitals for visitors and patients, and an end to the “postcode lottery” are among the suggestions in Sinn Féin’s new cancer strategy in the Dáil today  Speaking to Anton to discuss their strategy further was David Cullinane, Sinn Fein spokesperson for Health .  

Minister for Finance Simon Harris will bring forward proposals at today’s Cabinet meeting to cut excise duty on diesel by 20 cent and on petrol by 15 cent until the end of May. Our political correspondent Seán Defoe brings us the details.

The number of abandoned or stray dogs being euthanised in Irish council shelters has increased fourfold over three years.  So says research by University College Dublin, with Ireland having the highest proportion of healthy dogs being put down across Ireland and the UK.   A large reason for this is ‘dogflation’, and Corina Fitzsimons, PR & Communications Executive with the Irish Blue...

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 Mick Clifford Special Correspondent Irish Examiner.

New York's LaGuardia airport has been closed until further noticed after an Air Canada Express plane and ground vehicle collided. We get the latest on this with Terry Sheridan, News Director at WSHU Public Radio.

Gardaí investigating a serious assault on a woman in Tipperary are looking for information on the movement of two vehicles seen driving dangerously on the evening of the incident. We get the latest on this with David Raleigh, freelance journalist based in the Mid-West.

This weekend saw energy infrastructure in the Middle East threatened in the ongoing conflict, sparking fears of an escalating energy war. Iran threatened to target energy centres across the region, which could “irrevocably destroy” vital infrastructure. This came in response to threats from Trump that power plants would be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours...

The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and leader of the Independents in Government Seán Canney will meet later to sign off on fuel supports to tackle massive inflation being experienced since the beginning of the US war on Iran.   Speaking to Anton this morning was Richard Boyd Barrett People before Profit TD.

From today, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be sent to airports to help with increasingly long lines at security checkpoints, the Trump administration has said. We get the latest on this with David Smith The Guardian’s Washington Bureau Chief.