Newstalk Breakfast

From zippies on zoom, to bellytops in the boardroom - it's safe to say that office wear has gotten less formal and more fun. But with more workplaces bringing in dress codes to reign wardrobes in, what is appropriate to wear to work?   And could cramping employees' style be a corporate no no? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:  

An emergency meeting of the Oireachtas National Security Committee will be held this week to examine the sighting of drones near the flight path of Ukrainian president Voldomyr Zelenskyy when he visited Dublin last week.   We discuss further with Security and Defence Analyst, Declan Power. 

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation into the deaths of Tadhg Farrell and his 60-year-old grandaunt, Mary Holt in a fire at a house in Co Offaly on Saturday evening.  A second woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore.  We get the latest on this with Newstalk reporter Kyle Butler and Fergus McDonell, Indepen...

The Grinch steals tonight's Late Late Toy Show. Henry McKean went backstage and met Patrick Kielty and he sent us this report.

Today, at 12 noon, The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy will present 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.   We spoke to y one of those who will be recognised for their heroic deeds at today’s ceremony. Brendan Grimes from Skerries saved a man from drowning on a cold damp morning i...

A plan to follow in the steps of Australia and introduce a ban on social media for children could be in on the cards. Minster for Media Patrick O’Donovan is to brief cabinet on plans to a verify the age of children on social media as part of larger plans to set a digital age of consent.   So, should Ireland follow Australia’s lead?  We discussed further with Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty....

Ireland, the Netherland and Spain are among the European countries that have pulled out of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel’s participation for next year was confirmed.  RTÉ have also confirmed they will not broadcast the competition either. We spoke to Avi Mayer, pron. AH-vee Mayor, Founder of Jerusalem Journal and former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post.

Dublin’s Live Animal Crib is once again returning for the Christmas season for its 30th year on Dawson Street.   But three decades on, does the crib still have a place in society?  Laura Broxson, Spokesperson for Ireland's National Animal Rights Association and also President of the Irish Farmers Association Francie Gorman.

OnlyFans creators and social media influencers who risk being named on Revenue’s quarterly tax defaulters list say they fear for their personal safety if their home addresses are published.    For more on this we heard from Brendan Brady, Chartered Accountant from Brady & Associates .  

The GAA’s National Demographics Committee is warning that Rural depopulation may lead to the death of many GAA clubs around the country if reforms are not introduced and issues addressed.  Speaking to Shane on this was Benny Hurl is the chairperson of the GAA National Demographic Committee.

Irelands participation in next year's Eurovision song contest will not take place . RTE has taken the decision to boycott the competition over Israel’s inclusion    For more on this Ciara spoke to Dr Paul Jordan,  Expert and media commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest.

Today, members of the European Broadcasting Union will debate whether Israel can compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Joining us to explain more was Dr Paul Jordan, Expert and Media Commentator on Eurovision. 

According to a study by experts from the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, almost 20% of 15–16-year-olds have had an explicit image of them shared without their consent, while the growth of sexting is leading to poorer mental health and increased risk of self-harm.  Joining us to discuss this further is Professor Mary Cannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Ment...

Ireland Electrified has launched its first Electrification Action Plan, which seeks to transition Ireland’s energy use from fossil fuels to clean electricity. All to discuss with Helen O’Sullivan, Chair of Ireland Electrified and Co-founder and COO of Flex Power Solutions. 

An evaluation by the National Review Panel into the disappearance of Kyran Durnin has ruled that what happened to him "could not have been anticipated from knowledge that was available" to Tusla at the time.  The review itself will remain unpublished. For more on this, we were joined by Peadar Tóibín, Aontú Leader and TD for Meath West . 

Amid fears the Liberties is losing its cultural identity, Sinn Féin Councillor for Southwest Inner City, Ciarán Ó Meachair has urged Dublin City Council to seek a “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage” status for the area.  Ciarán spoke to Shane to discuss further.

Most of us are using cosmetic products beyond their expiry date or recommended shelf life, risking adverse skin reactions, according to new research from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.   Joining Ciara to discuss further was Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist .  

One million people have lost their lives and a further one million people have been displaced in Northern Ethiopia following a civil war. The conflict between Tigray and neighbouring regions started in 2020 and went on for two years, destroying communities and the economy of the Tigray region.    Our reporter, Josh Crosbie is there now with Trócaire to see the impact the conflict ha...

In the US, House Democrats have released new footage of Epstein Island as Congress seeks an update from the Justice Department on when the full Epstein files will be made public.  We get the latest on this with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian.

Ireland’s falling fertility rates could put the crucial role of grandparenthood at risk. That’s the warning from Independent Economist David W Higgins,who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

More than 60pc of young people come across extremist views online, according to a new survey by The Ombudsman for Children’s Office. We discuss these findings with Mike Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology at University College Cork .  

Calls to rename streets with British empire origins. Should we or is making an issue when none exist? Shane and Ciara discusses this morning.

The word “mansplaining” has lost its usefulness and needs to be decommissioned.  That’s the call from Guardian Columnist Zoe Williams who chatted to Ciara this morning.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers yesterday outlined the measures contained in his Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan to cabinet. Ciara discusses this further with Robin Mandal, Vice Chair of the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance and former president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

Russia and the US did not reach a compromise on a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine after a five-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's top envoys, the Kremlin has said. We get the latest on this with Jenny Mathers, from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University .