Newstalk Breakfast

Large parts of Europe are on extreme heatwave weather warnings once again raising questions over public health, environmental hazards, and the impact of climate change.    We discuss further with John Sweeney, Emeritus professor in the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units at the department of geography at Maynooth University. 

The Coalition remains sharply divided on the issue of college fees after opposition parties united in anger at recent suggestions from Fianna Fáil Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless that the student contribution could increase by as much as €1,000 next year.   We discuss this further with Fine Gael TD John Clendennen.  

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the United States on foot of a Garda request to extradite him to Ireland. The arrest is part of an investigation into historical child sexual abuse.    We get the latest on this with Jack Power, Irish Times reporter. 

An ambitious plan for the future of the Luas in Dublin would see the development of two new circular lines running along the outskirts of the city centre. Is 2050 ambitious enough? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

The Joint Committee on Health will meet this morning to discuss the management of waiting lists for hospital treatment, and of the insourcing and outsourcing of such treatment    We spoke to Sorca Clarke, Sinn Fein TD and member of the committee.    

After thousands tuned into Glastonbury on BBC this weekend, RTÉ have confirmed they will not be broadcasting any performances from Electric Picnic in August. The last time the Irish festival was filmed was 2017.   To discuss further was Jackie Conboy, Co-founder of Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland. 

Concerns have been raised by the Environmental protection agency on the slow progress being made removing lead from the public supply of water. Joining Shane for the latest on their annual report is Noel Byrne, Programme Manager in the EPA’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Enforcement team. 

Teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world, according to a new study from the World Health Organisation.  While adult men and women both reported similar levels of loneliness, nearly one in four teenage girls said they are lonely, compared to 17 per cent of teenage boys.    Dr Patricia Byrne, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist discussed these findings.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will tell Cabinet today that with just a week to go there is positive momentum in EU-US trade talks. But that 10pc baseline tariffs in some sectors will pose challenges for the Irish economy and businesses.   All to discuss with Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European affairs and Columnist with The Currency .  

Are roads built more for the convenience of drivers than safety of cyclists? Ciara and Shane discussed in-depth this morning.

A criminal investigation has been launched into the Glastonbury performances of Kneecap and Bob Vylan.   During Bob Vylan's set, the duo led chants of "death to the IDF".  Kneecap call Israel war criminals. Police have not specified which part of Bob Vylan's or Kneecap's set would be subject to the criminal investigation.      Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was E...

1 in 10 Irish adults completely avoid DIY.  That’s according to new research from Gallagher, which found that twice as many women as men are likely to opt out.   All to chat about with Laura De Barra Property Portfolio Developer and Author. 

Recently we’ve been looking at the future of Dublin’s O’Connell Street, including the Government approving plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed-use.    Now Aontú are planning a protest next week against plans to turn the GPO into so-called “cheap, tawdry commercial centre”. Shane asked Peadar Toibin, Aontú Leader and TD for Meath West why he is against the plans.

“Our roads are a hostile environment” and “It’s time we faced the truth about road danger” that’s the view of Ciaran Cannon president of Cycling Ireland and a former Minister of State who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.  

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has today launched a "New Economic Model" designed to reshape Ireland's economic future in response to mounting global challenges.    Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Owen Reidy the General secretary  of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

YouTube has some 122 million daily users, consuming content ranging from the unboxing of toys to news digests but now users are being warned about an influx of AI slop that is flooding the platform.  All to discuss with Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Did you know that about 90% of Leaving Cert students make changes to their original CAO choices between May and June every year? Tomorrow at 5pm is the final deadline for those changes as the CAO Change of Mind portal closes.    We have advice for students from Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist Brian Mooney.

The Metropolitan Police has decided not to prosecute the members of Kneecap for allegedly saying “Kill your local MP” at a concert in 2023.   However, Mo Chara is still due to appear in court in August for terrorism offences related to flying a Hezbollah flag at a concert in 2024.    Speaking to Shane this morning to discuss further was Stephen Pound, Former Labour MP for Ealin...

Outrage over Glastonbury chant against Israel’s military. Did this go too far? Shane and Ciara discussed this morning,

Should Dublin’s O’Connell Street be converted into a residential neighbourhood?  All to discuss with Dr Carole Pollard, Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis. 

A New ESRI report projects that long-term residential care and home support requirements will increase by at least 60% by 2040. Speaking to Ciara to discuss further was Tadgh Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland. 

In the past five decades, wild salmon numbers in Irish waters have dropped by 90 per cent.   They are now on the brink of disappearing.   We heard from Pádraig Fogarty, Ecologist t discuss this concern. 

ISME, the national SME representatives, have criticised Government proposals to raise personal injury awards by 17 per cent. The organisation says this will punish smaller businesses, while putting more money into the pockets of lawyers.    Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME. 

A murder investigation has been launched after Sarah Montgomery, a 27 year old pregnant woman, was found dead in Donaghadee, Co Down.    A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.  We get the latest on this with Amanda Ferguson, Freelance Journalist based in Belfast. 

Dame Anna Wintour is stepping back as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years.  While she will remain Vogue's Global Editorial Director, her departure from the US magazine has shocked the fashion community.    Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Jane McDonnell, Co-Founder and Publisher of The Gloss Magazine, who formerly worked at British Vogue with Anna Wintour...