Newstalk Breakfast

Social media is 'well down the list' of factors impacting youth mental health, according to experts warning against a blanket ban for teenagers. Anton discusses this further with Dr Ruth Melia, Department of Clinical Psychology in University of Limerick. 

US President Donald Trump has hosted the first meeting for his “Board of Peace”, declaring the war in Gaza “over” and promising to “look over” the United Nations.  Anton spoke to Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran. 

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 Fianna Fáil Minister .

In the UK, former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been released from custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  King Charles III has said the “law must take its course”. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Stephen Pound Former Labour MP for Ealing North and Former Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland for 10 years .  

A number of towns are struggling to put on St Patrick’s Day parades this year.  Rising insurance costs, a shortage of volunteers and a lack support from businesses are some of the factors leading to these challenges.  It has raised the question of the financial support given to these types of events in cities compared to towns.   Our reporter, Josh Crosbie visited Ashbourne in Co Me...

 A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck in the face with an e-scooter during a violent attack in the Temple Bar area while he lay on the ground unconscious. We get the latest on this with Robin Schiller Senior Journalist, Irish Independent.  

For any student thinking of doing medicine in college, the HPAT is an essential for prospective doctors but is it actually fit for purpose or just performative cruelty?   One person who thinks so is Dr Matthew Sadlier, Associate professor at UCD and a Consultant Psychiatrist.

In the UK, former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been released from custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  King Charles III has said the “law must take its course”.  Anton spoke to Jennie Bond, TV presenter and Former BBC royal correspondent .  

Just three companies accounted for nearly half of Ireland’s tax receipts, according to the latest research from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.  Anton discussed the findings with Niall Conroy a Senior Economist at the IFAC. 

More than 200 children being treated by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in north Kerry were at risk of potential harm, according to an independent review.   The review found that some children were prescribed as many as seven different drugs. While non-medical treatments were almost entirely absent at a child and adolescent health service.    For more on th...

The Irish taxi market should be opened up to facilitate ride-hailing platforms, such as Uber or Bolt. That’s the call from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, whose Chair Brian McHugh joined Anton this morning. Also to discuss further was David Mitchell, Spokesperson for the All-Ireland Taxi Representatives Association.

The Metropolitan Police is carrying out "initial inquiries" into allegations relating to close protection officers formerly assigned to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.  We get the latest on this with Vincent McAviney London Based Journalist. 

Dozens of world leaders and national delegations will meet in Washington DC today for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, as major European allies declined to join the group and criticised the organisation’s murky funding and political mandate.  Bobby McDonnagh Former Irish Ambassador to the EU and the UK joined Anton to discuss further.

The scourge of illegal footpath parking has been described as akin to “blowing smoke into a baby’s face” by one Dublin city councillor. Paddy Monahan, Social Democrats Councillor for Donaghmede discussed this further with Anton this morning.

The French government is urging people to cut back on their meat consumption to reduce emissions as part of new guidelines aimed at improving public health and cutting emissions.   But is this a good idea? Anton discusses this further with Ciara Brennan, Owner of Happy Food at Home and Alice Doyle, Deputy President, Irish Farmers’ Association.

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 Ronan McGreevey, Journalist with The Irish Times.

Over €30 billion worth of contactless payments made in 2025 as cash withdrawals decline. All to discuss with Gillian Byrne, Head of Payments BPFI . 

Nine years since their last album, U2 have surprised listeners with "Days of Ash”, a new six-track EP they describe as "six postcards from the present”. What has been the reaction to the new music? Anton asked Pat Carty, Music Journalist. 

US President Donald Trump will host the inaugural meeting of his so-called “Board of Peace” in Washington on Thursday, assembling representatives from member nations to announce strategies and funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. To look ahead to the meeting with Anton was David Smith Washington Bureau Chief from The Guardian.

Six people are hired every minute of the day on LinkedIn. It’s an online community where it’s two million members in Ireland come to connect, find jobs, learn new skills, stay informed and build their careers;  So how can you make the best of your profile? All to discuss with  John McCall, LinkedIn Careers Expert .  

We have an expert response to concerns raised by TD Michael Collins about the food provided on the Hot school meals programme. Speaking to Anton was Josh Percival Registered Dietitian and owner of 3 State Gym.

Poor visibility from cyclists and the ongoing lack of a transport police are among the issues to be raised by bus drivers’ unions at a meeting of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport later today.  Among those speaking is Thomas O’Connor, Assistant General Secretary with the National Bus and Railworkers’ Union.  

The Government is to confirm its intention to introduce age restrictions on the use of social media. This will form part of a new Digital and AI Strategy that will be considered by the Cabinet.  To discuss further with Anton was Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow Wexford and Sinead Gibney , Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown. 

The Irish Property Owners’ Association has hit out at a video by the Residential Tenancy Board, accusing it of “harming tenant–landlord relationships”.  One video features a landlord demanding to enter a rental property without prior notice to the tenants, while the other depicts a landlord evicting two tenants ahead of the lease ending. Anton was joined by Mary Conway, Irish Property Ow...

Now 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 Áine Kerr, Broadcaster.