Newstalk Breakfast

In the UK, counter terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is linked to a suspected bomb plot at an RAF base where US bomber aircrafts are located.  For the latest on this Jonathan spoke to Enda Brady, Host of Roundtable, TRT World.

Residents of Portadown's Garvaghy Road are due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher this morning. This comes following a tense stand-off over an Orange Order parade.   Jonathan gets the latest on the situation there with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor for The Irish Times.

Chinese Leader Xi Jinping has said the US and China have a responsibility to “develop and manage AI for good” as the technology takes centre stage in talks with Donald Trump while reporters from three publications previously blacklisted by Trump have regained access to the White House. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss is David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardia...

Overnight the Taoiseach gave Ireland’s statement to the UN General Assembly. Micheál Martin followed a fiery speech from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sean Defoe brings Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) the latest from the UN.

Credit union lending continues to grow across Ireland at record levels with 104,812 loans issued in the 3rd quarter of this year. David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Union joined Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss.

The Vegan Society of Ireland has called on the Government to use Budget 2027 to set up a national Plant-Based Food Fund, modelled on the scheme Denmark introduced with cross-party support. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss is Gerard Kiely, Media Spokesperson for the Vegan Society of Ireland, and Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers’ Association.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning was Sharron Lynskey, Presenter of iRadio Daytimes.

U2 has toured the globe countless times, released 15 studio albums so far, sold 175 million albums and won numerous awards Danny McElhinney Music Journalist Irish Mail on Sunday joined Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to look back at their 50 year career and look ahead to their new album.

How much do you spend on a birthday present? How much is too much or too little? Well to discuss this, Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) was joined by Noel Cunningham

781 migrants arrived in the UK in 10 small boats on Wednesday, the highest single-day total so far this year. Joining Johnathan Healy (filling in for Anton) is Enda Brady, Host of Roundtable, TRT World.

Rank-and-file gardaí are set to engage in industrial action, likely affecting security at some EU presidency meetings, and plan to march on Garda headquarters as part of their campaign. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to discuss was Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

Integration is often seen as a two-way street, where both newcomers and the wider society adapt to one another. It raises the question of how responsibility should be shared in creating an inclusive and cohesive society.  “One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with Newstalk.”

Professor John Nolan’s new documentary “A Vision for Vision” shows there is a powerful link between nutrition, vision, and brain health. 

One in five children are missing at least 20 days of school every year.  New research from Tusla has asked children, young people and parents what’s keeping children away from school. Also what could help improve attendance? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Áine O’Keeffe, National Service Director Tusla's Educational Support Service. 

The Government is considering extending the excise cuts on petrol and diesel until late February or early March. Will this make things better? To discuss further with Jonathan was Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and  Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein Deputy Leader and candidate in Donegal . 

Six in ten people in Ireland are now turning to AI platforms for mental health support. Also a third of those say the advice has led to harmful behaviour, according to research from Laya Healthcare, as part of the AXA Mind Health Report 2026.  To discuss the research findings was Lisa Molloy, CEO of The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

In 2024, there was a bill to establish a legal framework for assisted dying in Ireland. Nothing yet has been put into action since then.   Joining Jonathan this morning was Tom Curran, Irish right-to-die campaigner and partner of the late Marie Fleming. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Valerie Cox Author and Journalist.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran will never "bend the knee" after almost seven months of war with the US and Israel. But they are ready for a diplomatic solution.  Speaking to Jonathan was Borzou Daragahi, Journalist and Founder of Badlands Podcast.

The dramatic eviction of an 87-year-old woman has sparked protests in Madrid. riot police clashed with hundreds of protesters trying to prevent the eviction of 87-year-old disabled woman Maricarmen from her home.  We get the details from Simon Hunter, Spain-based Journalist. 

While there’s good news for buyers as the average rate of house price growth in Dublin has slowed. There has been an increase in the number of landlords exiting the market.  Speaking to Jonathan with more on this was Carol Tallon, CEO of Property District.

It's been a season of twists, turns and murder. Traitors Ireland final aired last night and we got a reaction to it with Broadcaster Fionnuala Jones.

There is a new pancreatic cancer drug that doubles survival time. Jonathan got the details on this with Professor John Crown, Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent University Hospital Group.

Legislation that would give local Dublin Councils the option to charge a visitor accommodation levy is being brought before the Dáil.  Jonathan discusses this further with Green Party Councillor for Dublin South West Inner City, Michael Pigeon.

TikTok will tell the Oireachtas Media Committee today that it is “proactive” in preventing content that encourages dangerous and illegal behaviour. Despite widespread criticism of videos posted on its platform glorifying car theft and so-called joyriding.   To look ahead to the committee meeting today was Jess Kelly, Technology Correspondent.