Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

Minister for Education, Norma Foley, is announcing significant changes to the Senior cycle curriculum and the Minister spoke to Shane this morning and outlined what she is announcing today.

US President Joe Biden has had to directly address concerns about his age when campaigning for re-election.   Opinion polls have shown that American voters are concerned about the President’s seniority ahead of next year’s vote.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Nora Owen, Former Minister for Justice was asked are we too quick to judge people for their age. 

President Michael D Higgins has warned there is no doubt whatsoever that people will have to alter their diet to deal with Climate change. Irish Farmers Association President Tim Cullinane gave his reaction to these comments to Shane on the show this morning.  

An ambitious new plan for the future of the Irish language is being launched today. With more on this Ciara was joined by Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge.

‘Modern culture has ripped away girls’ childhood, taking their joy with it’   This is the title of an article by Guardian Writer Elle Hunt and Elle spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

 Nineteen children suffered significant complications after spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin. The HSE is now commissioning a UK expert to lead an external review into the pediatric orthopedic surgical service at the hospital.  Speaking to Shane this morning with reaction was David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health.

The US Senate will no longer enforce a dress code – while some will continue to wear a suit, some will opt for more casual attire.  But, is this the way forward or should we retain some dress etiquette?  We got the view of Noel Cunningham, from Harvey’s Point, Donegal.      

The fallout has continued from multiple accusations of rape and sexual assaults levelled at comedian Russell Brand, which he denies.   But do we the public have some soul-searching to do about enabling poor behaviour?  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Roger Bolton Former BBC editor, presenter and executive who runs the Beeb Watch podcast.

All Things Considered: Is childhood been eroded? Shane and Ciara discuss.

The government's planned budgetary package risks keeping inflation higher for longer, so warns the Central Bank of Ireland in its latest quarterly bulletin.  Austin Hughes, Economist gave his reaction to this?  

The Office of Public Works is set to commission a cull of wild rabbits at Derrynane House National Park in Co. Kerry to protect other wildlife and rare plants. To debate this decision Newstalk Breakfast spoke to John Carmody, Animal Rights Campaigner and Norma Moriarty, Local Fianna Fail councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Kenmare municipal district. 

'The Friends Experience' is coming to Dublin for the first time.  The interactive show from Monica's apartment to Central Perk, to the 'PIVOT' moment with Ross & the couch.    Stepping into the world of the most iconic sitcom, perhaps of all time.  Henry McKean met super fans and spoke to the Director of The Friends Experience.

The Road Safety Authority spends too much time and money encouraging pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-viz clothing.  That’s the view of Alan Curran, Galway City Councillor and founder of Galway Cycle Bus who spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

The government has today announced a new strategy to help get the country walking over the next four years.   With more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Louise Burke the Director of Participation with Sport Ireland.

More than 9.5 billion passwords have been leaked since 2004 giving hackers access to key information.  So is your digital house in order?  Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly bring us tips and advice on staying safe online.

The Construction Industry Federation will meet with Government officials today to discuss their pre-budget recommendations for how to accelerate housing delivery.             Speaking to Shane with more on this was Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation.

 The comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse during a seven-year period at the height of his fame.  The findings come from a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches.     Brand strongly denies the allegations.  For more on this Ciara was joined by Suzanne Moore, Telegraph Columnist.

Many members of An Garda Síochana have an unconscious, or even blatant, bias against their commissioner Drew Harris because he is a northerner and a Protestant.   So wrote Columnist with The Sunday Times and Broadcaster, Alison O’Connor in the Sunday Times who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Over the past week, listeners and viewers have heard from Sean Quinn as he released his book, titled 'In My Own Words'. More than 1,000 people attended the launch of the book at the Slieve Russell Hotel last Thursday. The former billionaire once owned the Cavan Hotel.     Footage from the event shows a cheering crowd of loyal supporters of the bankrupt businessman.  We sent our reporter Josh Crosb...

A major tourism conference is taking place in Athlone today, featuring a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Patrick Kielty and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.    Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Chief Executive at the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, will be unveiling a new roadmap for tourism growth at the conference and Eoghan spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

A man has been hospitalised after a stabbing at Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Mairead Maguire, Reporter with the Journal and we got more details on what happened.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar joined Shane this morning on the show.

People Before Profit has drafted a bill that would force the banks to charge a maximum interest rate of 3%. This comes in response to The European Central Bank raising its interest rates for the 10th meeting in a row yesterday. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning were Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD, and Brendan Burgess, Founder of the Consumer Forum AskAboutMoney.com and campaigner o...

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has called on the Minister for Health to urgently convene an independent inquiry into the cause of excess deaths in the State.  This comes after it was revealed to him that the number of excess deaths for each month in the last year was higher than the average number of deaths during the three years prior to Covid-19. With more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Anthony...

 People’s behaviour at gigs has become objectively and observably worse over time, and we need a code of conduct for people attending them.  That’s according to music journalist, Simon Price who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.