Newstalk Breakfast

Dublin’s planned new metro system will need about 8,000 workers to construct, according to Metrolink’s Project Director Sean Sweeney.  He told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the Irish construction industry cannot support the construction of this project.   Shane discussed this further with Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU .  

There are concerns about Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters . Also Washington has reportedly developed a secret 28-point plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. This comes ahead of a meeting later today between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a US delegation in Kyiv.  Also   All to discuss with Declan Power Defence and Security Analyst. 

A New ESRI study has found that participation in afterschool clubs and centres is more common among higher income families, with this gap widening over time. Dr. Helen Russell, Research Professor and head of the Social Research Division at the ESRI .  

The Government is being forced to bring in emergency regulations to stop companies attempting to subvert the new auto-enrolment pension. We get more on this with Charlie Weston, Personal Finance editor with the Irish Independent .  

Would you be interested in dining at a restaurant where your phone is locked away? One restaurant who has adapted this policy is Punk Royale in London and we spoke to Katherine Bont, Head of Guest Experience at The Punk Royale Group.

This morning, Friends of the Earth are setting up a cold and drafty “sitting room” outside the Dáil in support of a Bill to introduce Building Energy Rating standards in rented accommodation.   For more on this we spoke to Clare O’Connor, Friends of the Earth's Programme Coordinator for Heat. 

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a Bill demanding that the justice department release all files related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. All to discuss with David Smith Washington Bureau chief of The Guardian. 

As part of yesterday’s ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the departure from politics of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education and Youth, marking her appointment to full Cabinet for the first time.    Minister Naughton spoke to Shane this morning.

According to a new survey, men would rather remain single than have to deal with women’s expectations and their desire to change them.    Is this fueling a great relationship recession?  To discuss further we heard from Alana Kirk, Author and Midlife Coach.

31 per cent of taxi drivers feel unsafe while working. That's according to a new FreeNow report released today. We discussed further with  Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at Freenow Ireland. 

Today, the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food will meet to discuss State funding for horse and greyhound racing in Ireland.    Greyhound racing received 19.8 million euro in Budget 2026. Joining Shane to discuss more is Nuala Donlon, Greyhound Action Ireland Spokesperson and Michael Healy Rae, Independent Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and the Marine an...

One in three adults who drink now drink at home alone at least once a week, while one in four report binge drinking in the past 30 days. That’s according to new research from Drinkaware, whose CEO Dearbhla O’Brien spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

A public petition is calling for Mandatory singing of the National Anthem and raising the Irish Flag in schools . We discuss this with Máire Ní Churraoin, native Irish speaker and Irish content creator.

If you haven’t already, break out your hats and scarves as temperatures are set to plummet for the next few days. We get an insight into what we should expert from Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.

The United Nations Security Council has voted in favour of a resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan. Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Ireland may need to consider changes to asylum and immigration rules on foot of tougher changes being brought in by the British government.   That’s the warning from Minister Justice Jim O’Callaghan. This comes as coalition leaders met last night to sign off on a further tightening of migration rules, relating to the criteria for family reunifications. Ciara discusses this further Cathal...

Elephants should be completely removed from all zoos. That’s the call in a new report from advocacy group Freedom For Animals, who also argue that traditional zoos such as Dublin Zoo with “old-fashioned programmes and tiny enclosures are at risk of falling behind” modern best practice.   So are zoos still fit for purpose in the modern day? We asked Animal Advocate and Founder of Animals Behin...

Green-Schools is inviting classrooms all across Ireland to take part in the 7th annual Clean Air Week. One of main themes is ‘no idling’ as many parents drive their children to school. Ciara spoke to Sadbh O’Neill, climate and environmental researcher to discuss further.

A public consultation has opened today seeking the views of members of the public, employers and other interested parties on the right to request a remote working arrangement.  For more on this we heard from Alan Dillon Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail.

A 60-year-old woman has died and her husband is in a serious condition in hospital, after they were stabbed near their home in Cork city last night.  We get latest on this with Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent with The Irish Times.  

Black Friday is just 9 days away, and new research by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission shows that influencers are swaying our purchasing decisions. All to discuss with Newstalk tech correspondent Jess Kelly.  With thanks to Renault.

There was five minutes, and 12 seconds of additional time played when Parrott poked a Liam Scales header, from a Caoimhín Kelleher hit and hope, into the Hungary net. What a moment it was! Henry McKean met Troy Parrott's friends and family at the Bridge Tavern in Portland Row after they watched Troy's hat-trick. We also spoke to the former coach of Troy Parrott from his ea...

Donald Trump has called on Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files. This is a major reversal from his previous position. He now says the files should be public and the republican party has nothing to hide. We discuss further with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of the Guardian.

Creches could close indefinitely until the Government keeps its promise to reduce childcare costs. That’s the warning from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, whose chair Elaine Dunne discussed further with Ciara this morning.

We return to that tragic road crash that claimed the lives of five young people in Dundalk on Saturday night. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joins us from Co. Louth .