Newstalk Breakfast

Child protection should be removed from Túsla and returned to direct ministerial and departmental control.  That’s the call in a motion to be debated before the Dail today by Ken O’ Flynn Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central. Ken explained why he is calling this to Anton this morning .

Today is set to be the hottest of the year so far, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as 17 or 18 degrees!  Joining Anton with more on this is Ailís Hankinson, Meteorologist with Met Éireann .  

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said in a written message that the killers of security chief Ali Larijani, who died in an Israeli strike, "will have to pay for it".  This comes after Israeli strikes on the world's largest natural gas field, South Pars in Iran, were criticised by Qatar as a dangerous and irresponsible step.  We get the latest on the war on Iran with Borzou...

Pearse Doherty Sinn Fein Deputy Leader, Finance spokesperson, and TD for Donegal, is to bring a motion before the Dáil next week demanding urgent action to tackle the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol and diesel. 

The UK Health Security Agency says meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in Kent have risen from 15 to 20 and two young people have died. As of 5pm yesterday, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab, with 11 still under investigation.  We discuss the details of the outbreak with Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.  

Some Dublin residents are concerned that foxes could spread diseases to their pets. That’s according to Rory Hogan Fianna Fáil Councillor for Pembroke Lea in Dublin City Council. He has written to the council to find out which state agency is responsible for urban foxes. Rory spoke to Anton this morning.

Gerry Adams said yesterday he never held any role or rank within the IRA, as he gives evidence in a civil trial in London. We get the latest on this with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of the Irish Times. 

During his White House meeting with the Taoiseach, US President Donald Trump has criticised Nato and other US allies, saying he has been told they "don't want to get involved" in the Iran war.  Anton discuss this and more with Amy Tarkanian Former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and Republican Strategist .  

Residents near Dublin Airport and environmental activists will be speaking in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport later this morning. Up for discussion is the bill that will allow the Transport Minister to abolish the passenger cap.  To discuss further Anton was joined by Louise O’Leary, spokesperson for Children’s Rights Over Flights .  

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 Craig Hughes, Political Editor of the Irish Daily Mail. 

With no end in sight, Trump’s war on Iran threatens both oil and fertiliser supplies, but just how badly will Ireland’s fruit and vegetable sector be affected down the line?  Can we expect major food price increases in the coming months? All to discuss with the Chairman of the IFA farm Business Committee, Bill O’Keefe. 

Micheál Martin completed his four day visit to the United States yesterday evening in Washington DC by presenting President Donald Trump with a bowl of Shamrock.   Our reporter Jamie O Hara has been in the US since Friday and joined Anton on the show live from Washington DC.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has warned that US boots on the ground would be a "reckless" move and that Iran would fight for as long as is needed.  We get the latest on the war on Iran with Mark Weiss, Israel Correspondent with the Irish Times .

The supply of second-hand homes for sale in Ireland remains “critically constrained” with fewer than 15,000 properties listed for sale nationwide in January, Sherry FitzGerald has warned in a new report.  Anton discusses the report findings with Marian Finnegan the CEO of Sherry Fitzgerald. 

Dormer extensions, Velux windows, bike storage in front gardens and external wall insulation are among a raft of home improvements that should be exempted from planning laws, according to a sweeping review of the planning system to be published in the coming weeks.  All to discuss with Gavin Lawlor President of the Irish Planning Institute.

Jessie Buckley makes history with Oscar win. Josh Crosbie joined Anton live from Killarney where the celebrating were in full swing.

Tomorrow, we’ll all be painting the town green for St Patrick’s Day, and with us to talk all about what we can expect tomorrow is Richard Tierney, CEO of St Patrick’s Festival. 

Fórsa and the Financial Services Union have called on employers to be more flexible about staff working from home as commuting costs surge for hundreds of thousands of drivers.  All to discuss with John O’Connell, Head of the Financial Services Union. 

Henry McKean, Newstalk reporter brings us all the news from the 98th Oscars where Jessie Buckley won big!

Tomorrow, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet with Donald Trump in the White House, with trade and the continued conflict in the Middle East expected to dominate the St Patrick’s Day visit.  Speaking Anton ahead of this meeting was Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States .  

Tomorrow, cities in countries across the world will celebrate St Patrick’s Day!  Celebrations will include parades, green flags and costumes of the famed Saint.   But where did the modern day celebrations come from?  All to chat about with Patrick Geoghegan Presenter of Talking History and the director of the Trinity Long Room Hub in Trinity College Dublin. 

Eliminating the endless costs that result from the legal system could be the solution to Ireland’s high insurance costs.  That’s according to a new policy on Insurance reform being published today by the Green Party.  Joining Anton to discuss was Michael Pidgeon, Green councillor for Dublin's South West Inner City and the party Finance 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 Sinead O'Carroll Editor of the Journal.

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke about the "importance" of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, currently blocked by Iran, the UK leader's office said.  We get the latest on the war on Iran with Nicholas Hopton Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident  Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

After a tumultuous fifth year in office, President Trump is receiving Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the White House for St Patrick’s Day.  With the war in Iran, sky-high oil prices and social unrest as a backdrop, the meeting is thought to take place on shaky ground.   Newstalk reporter Jamie O’Hara spoke to Anton live from Washington DC.