Newstalk Breakfast

Irish acts CMAT and Fontaines D.C. are among the artists nominated for the 2025 Mercury Prize, a sign that Irish music is really having a moment on the main stage. All to chat with Newstalk Presenter Tom Dunne. 

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that Russian drones “did not veer off course” but deliberately targeted Polish airspace, as he called out “lies and denials” from Russia.  Speaking to Fionnuala this morning was Misha Glenny, Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and a former BBC Central Europe Correspondent .

US Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk dead following shooting. Shane and Fionnula discussed this further this morning and President Trump's response.

US President Donald Trump has said he is "filled with grief and anger" following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot dead at a university event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon.  Speaking to Shane this morning with reaction to the killing was Amy Tarkanian, Former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and Republican Strategist.

Dublin Town, the collective voice of traders in the city centre, says businesses in the city centre cannot wait any longer for urgent action to restore confidence. The are calling for immediate funding of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce report.  We discuss further with CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney .  

Today, An Post is marking a milestone in Irish music history by issuing a limited-edition stamp collection celebrating 25 years of Westlife. But what goes into the making of a commemorative stamp? All to discuss with Aileen Moloney, Irish Stamps Manager at An Post.

US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk has died at the age of 31 following a shooting at an event at Utah Valley University.  We get the latest on this from David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of The Guardian. 

Planning permission for the Greater Dublin Drainage scheme was applied for in 2018. However, seven years later, it remains under judicial review.  Is this a symptom of greater issues with our planning legislation? Shane discussed this further with Michael McDowell, Independent Senator and Irish Times Columnist.

Beyond the value of the cash and coins they hold, there’s a sentimental value to wallets we’re losing as phones become our main method of payment. That’s according to Ellie Harrison, TV Editor of the Independent.

Ireland's World Cup dream has turned into a nightmare after losing two-one to Armenia last night. But is there any hope left at all for qualifying hopes?  We asked Johnny Ward, sports journalist. 

The leaders of Hamas have survived an Israel strike on a negotiation delegation in Doha, the capital of Qatar.  While the White House has said the IDF strike does not align with their goal to resolve conflict in the Middle East, Hamas have said the US are just as responsible as Israel for the attack. Speaking to Shane this morning was Yossi Beilin, A former Israeli Minister of Justice.

The Spanish government has approved a draft law to ban smoking and vaping on bar and restaurant terraces. The new law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and stop sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.  We get reaction to this with Chris Macey, The Irish Heart Foundation’s Director of Advocacy.

There are now more obese school-aged children worldwide than those who are underweight.  That’s according to a new report from UNICEF, which found 1 in 10 kids around the globe now suffer from obesity.   To discuss further we heard from Dietician Orla Walsh.

New research published today by the National Youth Council of Ireland reveals the severe impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people, with rent and accommodation emerging as the single greatest financial challenge. Newstalk’s Ellen Kenny asked the young people of Dublin for their two cents on the matter. We also discuss this further with Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NY...

Meanwhile Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has reaffirmed his opposition to developer tax breaks, warning of their “risks and dangers”. Should there be tax breaks for developers? All to discuss with  Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning of The Construction Industry Federation and Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin.  

Hamas leaders have reportedly survived IDF strikes on the Qatari capital of Doha. Although five Hamas members were killed, the group said Israel failed to “assassinate” the negotiation delegation. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Reuters Reporter Andrew Mills is in Doha and also Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged residents of Gaza City to evacuate as the military intensifies its offensive on the main urban centre of the Palestinian territory.    Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist joined us on the show this morning.

Ireland’s economy continues to perform well – so the Government does not need to continue pumping money into the economy.     That’s according to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council in their pre-Budget Submission. Niall Conroy, acting chief economist at IFAC joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

One in five Irish children now live below the poverty line when housing costs are taken into account, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute.   Co-author of the report Dr Barra Roantree joined Shane Beatty on Breakfast Briefing to this morning discuss his findings while Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance joined Shane Coleman o...

Rather than arguing over household tasks, Jess Wright has come up with an alternative solution: she bills her husband if he’s not pulling his weight.     Jonathan Healy spoke to Jess, and started by asking her how she came up with this scheme... 

The French Government has once again collapsed after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a vote of confidence in parliament yesterday evening. Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief with Bloomberg brought us the latest.

Fianna Fáíl will today choose its presidential candidate in a secret ballot between candidates Jim Gavin and Billy Kelleher. Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Shane Coleman was joined on the show this morning by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald.

If we want fairer wealth distribution in Ireland, we need to tax property properly – so writes Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin John Fitzgerald in the Irish Times today who joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Gardaí are investigating claims there was a bomb at the family home of Tánaiste Simon Harris yesterday afternoon, resulting in a large security operation. This is the third threat made against the Fine Gael leader in just over a week. Ciaran Cannon, Former Fine Gael TD joined Jonathan Healy on the show this morning.