Newstalk Breakfast

Glastonbury festival continues on through the weekend, with performances wrapping up at midnight on Sunday.   With over three thousand performers featured at this year’s event, music lovers may feel spoiled for choice with options. Sky Arts and Entertainment Reporter Bethany Minelle tells us the must see acts.

Ireland is to sign up to a major new EU Defence initiative that will allow member states to jointly procure military equipment as the bloc seeks to rapidly rearm in the face of Russian aggression. To discuss this initiative further was Mark Price Co-Chair of the Irish Anti War Movement and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League and also  Mark Mellett Former Chief of Staff of the...

The Government will prioritise “cost and efficiency over design standards and aesthetics” when it comes to future infrastructure spending.

The government should accelerate housing delivery by reverting commercial stamp duty from 7.5% back to 2% and raising the Help-to-Buy scheme threshold above half a million euro.   That’s the call this morning from Property advisor, Savills Ireland but is it the right move?  All to discuss with Economics Professor at DCU Edgar Morgenroth.   

The capital's centenarians gathered for afternoon tea at the mansion house yesterday.   Newstalk's Sarah Madden joined them for a cuppa: 

Ireland is currently the only country in Western Europe that does not provide catering services on all train routes. That’s according to Fianna Fáil Senator Ollie Crowe, who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Iran’s uranium stockpile remains largely intact following US strikes on its main nuclear sites, according to preliminary assessments.  It comes as Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says they will not hesitate to bomb more US air bases in the Middle East if necessary.    For the latest on the situation Shane spoke to Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent for The Independent.

A bid to get the HSE to set up a special occupational sick pay scheme for workers with Long Covid was yesterday rejected by the Labour court.     Unions have called on the Government to classify COVID and Long COVID as an occupational illness/injury. Speaking to Ciara to discuss further was   SIPTU Health Divisional Head Kevin Figgis.

Jeff Bezos is tying the knot in Venice at a 20-million-dollar wedding to Lauren Sanchez.  The happy couple’s bliss has been disrupted by protestors unhappy with the billionaire’s presence in Italy.   Nick Pisa, Journalist for the Daily Mail is in Venice and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Strength of economy to be tested by domestic challenges and a period of global uncertainty according to the latest ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary.    All to discuss with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.  

There’s been a massive jump in complaints about potholes right across the country in the past three years. Figures obtained by Newstalk show there was a 92 per cent rise in complaints between 2022 and 2024 with people in Cork complaining the most. Our reporter Stephanie Rohan has been looking at the figures.

Ireland’s economy continues to expand, and wages are high, but international uncertainty puts a dampener on growth.  That’s according to the latest ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary and joining Ciara to explain the findings is Alan Barrett, Researcher professor with the ESRI and author of the QEC. 

Dr Mohammed Mustafa a British- Australian, Palestinian doctor who has recently spent time working in Gaza is appealing to the Irish government to help lead the charge to get mobile hospitals into the besieged territory. Dr Mustafa told Newstalk Breakfast about the horrific situation in Gaza.

Pride week is alive and well at the national cemetery.  The Queer History tour at Glasnevin cemetery will run for the duration of Pride Week. Tickets can be purchased online or in person.  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:  

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland will be seeking an official resolution to the teachers’ concerns about the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme.   It comes after 68 per cent of teachers voted against a package of measures to support them in the new curriculum.  Speaking to Ciara this morning was General Secretary of the ASTI Kieran Christie. 

Sinn Féin is pushing to soften a proposed new terrorism law, describing it as an “attack on free speech”.    Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Justice Matt Carthy described the changes as a “Kneecap clause” that could lead to charges against political activism and legitimate freedom of expression.  Matt spoke to Shane this morning.

Bernie Collins, F1 commentator for Sky Sports and former strategy engineer with Aston Martin, joins Newstalk Breakfast to talk about her work as a consultant on the new Brad Pitt-starring F1 film, the sport’s growing popularity, and Ireland’s rising stars. Listen here

Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics at UCD, joins Newstalk Breakfast to unpack the use of explicit language by Donald Trump during public comments on Iran and what it signals about presidential rhetoric and public norms. Listen here

Eavan Ward, Head of Regional Services at Women’s Aid, joins Shane to discuss alarming new data showing the highest level of contacts and disclosures of domestic abuse in the organisation’s 50-year history. Listen here

Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, joins Newstalk Breakfast to mark SEAS (Stand as Gaeilge) day and outline how Irish language advocates are lobbying for increased government support for Gaeilge and Gaeltacht communities. Listen here

Sarah Drage, mental health advocate and co-host of The COA Podcast, joins Newstalk Breakfast to talk about growing up with a parent addicted to alcohol, the long-term emotional toll, and why more support is needed for children in similar situations. Listen here

Borzou Daragahi, Middle East journalist and analyst, joins Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel following US airstrikes and conflicting political messaging from Washington. Listen here

Regina Doherty, Fine Gael MEP, joins Newstalk Breakfast to explain new EU reforms passed by the European Parliament that would stop airlines from charging families to sit together and ensure all passengers can carry a 7kg cabin bag free of charge. Listen here

US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which he says has now come into effect, as of 6am this morning.   He made the announcement on Truth Social hours after Tehran launched a missile strike on a US army base in Qatar. Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and Former Israeli peace negotiator discussed this further with Newstalk Breakfas...

The GPO on O’Connell Street could be turned into a national museum to regenerate what is seen as ‘the troubled part’ of the capital, according to a report from the Dublin City Taskforce.   All to talk about with Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town.