Newstalk Breakfast

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  The review itself will remain unpublished.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 . 

After bringing rush hour to a standstill in some areas last week, taxi drivers are once again taking part in a “go-slow” protest at about 4.30pm this evening against the introduction of fixed fare options for customers by Uber.  David Knox is a taxi driver taking part in the protest explained why they are undertaking another "go-slow" protest.

The average health insurance premium has risen by €56 since the end of summer. That’s according to a new market bulletin published this morning by the Health Insurance Authority  The total increase in the average cost of plans is now 8% since the beginning of 2025. We get more details from Dermot Goode Health Insurance Expert with healthinsuranceireland.ie ....

Frontline uniformed gardaí could be using Taser stun guns almost immediately under a proposal being brought to Government by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.  The stun guns could be used in policing on the streets of Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny over the Christmas period, if approved by Cabinet today. 

Bohs Football Club is launching their eighth annual Toy Drive for children living in the International Protection system and Homeless Accommodation – and this year they are hoping to raise 75,000 euros.  We got all the details from Sean McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability for Bohemian Football Club. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska have arrived in Ireland for their first official visit. Ciara discusses this further with   Former advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Yuriy Sak .

As we enter the darkest time of the year, Gardaí have launched a campaign encouraging cyclists and pedestrians to wear high-visibility clothing and stay safe.  However, President of Cycling Ireland and former Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon says this “narrative is deeply problematic”.  Ciarán explained why to Shane.

Dublin City Council has removed the proposal to change the name of Herzog Park in Rathgar from the Council agenda and did not take a vote on the planned change.    Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam said the proposal should be removed because the report on the issue was not legally sound and should not be voted on. He explained all to Newstalk Breakfast.

‘A prison system overwhelmed, overstretched, and unable to uphold the fundamental rights of many people in its care’ – that is the stark messaging coming from a report from the The Irish Penal Reform Trust today.   We discuss further with Saoirse Brady, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska have arrived in Ireland for their first official visit.  We get a preview of their visit with our political correspondent Sean Defoe .  

We’re three weeks away from Christmas Day, but anyone with loved ones abroad needs plenty of time to make sure their presents and cards arrive before the big day.  For more advice on getting your post in on time, we’re joined by Anna McHugh, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post .  

Actor Joseph Gordon Levitt has posted a warning online for parents of children who may ask Santa for AI enabled gifts this year. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined us now with the detail and advice. With thanks to Renault.

More than 9,000 women who were referred to urgent breast cancer clinics across Ireland this year have not been seen within the recommended two-week time frame. With some waiting up to 69 days that's according to figures released to The Sunday Times.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society.

Plans to remove the name of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog from a park in South Dublin are to be dropped by Dublin City Council.    Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare has apologised for what he said was an administrative oversight leading to the expected withdrawal of two proposals to rename Dublin parks. For reaction we heard from Oliver Sears, Founder of Holocaust...