Newstalk Breakfast

Construction of the MetroLink rail line is now facing an ‘inevitable delay’ according to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, after a number of residents in Ranelagh lodged a High Court challenge against the decision to grant permission for the multibillion-euro project. We discussed further with Tom Phillips, from Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Town Planning, UCD...

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will today publish the UK government’s Autumn Budget. Speaking to Shane about the budget was Lauren McEvatt, former Conservative government Special Adviser and Co-host of the Welsh Politics Podcast.

Taxi drivers across the country are protesting against Uber’s proposed fixed-fare model this coming Thursday.  This is the second protest on the issue as the industry claim their concerns are not being addressed. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was taxi driver David Knox.

As the Christmas period intensifies, Mandate Trade Union is calling on shoppers to show respect for retail workers under pressure. We discuss further with Jim Fuery, Mandate Assistant General Secretary. 

Automatic broadband, mobile or TV price hikes may become a thing of the past.  Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish Independent is reporting that the Government is getting ready to introduce a law that would allow people to cancel their contracts if prices go up.

The Kremlin said that Europe’s counter-proposal to a 28-point US plan to end the Ukraine war was “unconstructive” and did not work for Russia. Speaking to Ciara with more on this was Yuriy Sak, Former advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. 

The Sunbed Association of Ireland is seeking another meeting with Junior Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor on the potential ban on commercial sunbed use.   The association previously met with the Department of Health on Monday. Speaking to Shane this morning was Gary Lipman, Chair of the Sunbed Association. 

Two men have been killed and at least 12 others injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving a bus, a truck and a car at Gormanston, Meath. Speaking to Shane this morning was Darren O’Rourke, Sinn Fein TD for Meath East. 

The Irish Data Protection Commission is encouraging parents to “pause before you post”.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly discuss advice for parents further. All with thanks to Renault.

US and Ukrainian officials have said they have created an “updated and refined peace framework” to end the war with Russia, following a meeting in Switzerland on Sunday.  All to discuss with Misha Glenny, Rector of the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna and a former BBC Central Europe Correspondent .  

Taoiseach Michael Martin has confirmed there will be “fair and robust” changes to Ireland's immigration system this week.   What impact will these changes have?  We discuss all with Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council.

A south Dublin local authority spent €750,000 on the construction of a new entrance consisting of 14 steps and a ramp at a suburban park in Mount Merrion. Shane and Ciara discuss this huge spend.

“Here in Switzerland, assisted dying has become too easy. Ireland should handle the issue with care.” So wrote Irish author living in Switzerland Clare O’Dea in the Independent.  

A rally will be held in Dublin later today to protest rent increases for tenants in council housing or on the Housing Assistant Payment scheme.  We heard from People Before Profit Councillor for Ballymun Finglas, Conor Reddy. 

Today, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is expected to formally sign orders guaranteeing sustained, nationwide access to cash for both people and businesses.   Ciara discusses this further with Mattie McGrath, Independent TD for Tipperary.

An Oireachtas Committee has heard that junior infant and sixth class students alike are receiving the same lunch portions in school, sparking health concerns.    There are also concerns over the nutritional value of the hot meals available in schools. Shane discusses this with Sarah Keogh, Dietician and founder of Eatwell .

Local businesses are creating a new experience for Christmas shoppers by making one-off events – collaborating with other businesses and suppliers, offering freebies and discounts for customers.   Newstalk's Ciara Treacy went to a couple of these events in Dublin City Centre last night to find out more.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary  hits back at claims the airline hikes fares around major sporting events rejecting suggestions of price gouging.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the draft of a new US-backed plan to end Russia's war in his country, according to his office.   He is expected to hold talks with US President Donald Trump in the coming days. To discuss further we heard from Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast .  

Regulators should examine whether increased air fares particularly around sporting events are compliant with consumer protection laws. So says Mark Duffy, Fine Gael Senator, spokesperson on Transport in the Seanad and Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

People buying cocaine on a Friday night could be inadvertently funding Russia's war in Ukraine. This is according to An international investigation involving the gardaí, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and other European and US law enforcement agencies     Shane discusses this further with Crypto currency Journalist Connor Sephton.

The Dáil has heard that ‘thousands’ of people are spending their lives stuck in Dublin-bound traffic, with many motorways becoming ‘carparks’.  How pressing is this issue, and what can be done to fix it? All to discuss with Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

The Defence Forces are preparing to deploy a naval ship to monitor a Russian surveillance vessel should it move closer to Irish waters.  We discuss further with Vice Admiral and Former Head of the Defence Forces Mark Mellett,

Brazil failed to secure an early COP30 climate deal on Wednesday, but their President Lula optimistic, saying there’s still room for progress in the summit’s final two days   Former Environment Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was at COP30 last week and recently questioned “is this really working?”

Yesterday, University of Limerick PHD Researcher Emma Jude Lyons claimed the victory in the Irish Universities’ Association’s 3 minute thesis competition for her presentation of a new methodology to create bespoke breast prosthesis.