Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Fast-spreading false widow spiders are up to 230 times more venomous than domestic Irish species. So found new research from NUI Galway which sheds light on the widows’ rapid spread across the country. Eanna Ní Lamhna a wildlife expert and author of the forthcoming book Wild and Wonderful joined Jonathan Healy and Ciara Kelly on the show.

Mobile network Vodafone is to refund customers €2 million. Between now and February of next year after charges were imposed on inactive accounts. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Ciara on the show.

70 percent of road deaths this year happened on rural roads with a speed limit of 80km/h, according to new figures from An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority. The figures show that one-third of fatalities were of people aged 35 or younger, while over four in ten were people aged 60 and above. Motoring Editor of The Sunday Independent - Geraldine Herbert joined Jonathan Healy on the show.

This week kids big and small will be packing their bags and heading back to school, as primary and secondary schools open their doors for the beginning of the academic year. Norma Foley, Minister for Education joined Ciara Kelly on the show.

Dublin’s tallest building’ has been proposed for the site of the former City Arts Centre. Twenty-four-storey, office-led scheme to reach 108m and include artists’ studios, workshops, and exhibition space in a nod to the property’s history. Author, Journalist and former Environment Editor of The Irish Times, Frank McDonald spoke to Jonathan Healy on the show.

 NASA set to take their first steps towards sending man back to the moon for the first time since 1972. NASA is now hoping to return people to the moon for the first time since 1972 with an unmanned mission set to launch today ahead of a manned mission in 2025. David Moore Chairman of Astronomy Ireland and Editor of Astronomy Ireland Magazine spoke to Ciara on the show.

Irish Water has announced that it is introducing a hosepipe ban in West Cork for the next 4 weeks. The utility body says it is closely monitoring the situation in the rest of the country. Margaret Attridge, Spokesperson for Irish Water spoke to Ciara on the show.

The EU is this week expected to approve the suspension of the bloc’s visa facilitation agreement with Moscow. The move comes 6 months into Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Jack Parrock Brussels Based Journalist joined spoke to Jonathan Healy on the show.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has given council bosses three weeks to come up with bike and walking infrastructure after it emerged half of the money for such projects last year went unspent. The Green Party leader has personally contacted the chief executives of all 31 local authorities in recent weeks and told them to identify a priority list of bike and walking schemes that could be delivered within two years. He wants responses by mid-September. Martina Callanan is a Member of Cyclist.ie and Deputy Chair of the Galway Cycling Campaign spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Homes on offer through the State-backed cost-rental scheme are proving so “popular” they are oversubscribed that’s according to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien who spoke to Ciara on the show this morning.

New research from Australia has found women’s relationships with alcohol can differ depending on their social class. For some, it’s a social celebration, for others relief from loneliness and stress   Should we be concerned about so-called wine oclock? Niamh Delmar, counselling psychologist and writer gave her view to Newstalk Breakfast this morning

For those looking to purchase a PlayStation 5 you will have to dig deep into their pockets because Sony has announced a significant increase in price For more on this, Ciara spoke to joined Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly,

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to increase Russian armed forces to just over 2 million from January first. The announcement comes only days after a Russian airstrike killed 30 people in eastern Ukraine. Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, Paul Rogers

Budget day is one month away from tomorrow! Budget 2023 will be exceptional as the government manages the largest surge in energy and food prices since the 1970s. But must we be careful not to give too much away? To discuss Johnathan spoke to Economist Alan McQuaid.

Teachers are concerned that some children starting junior infants are “over-prepared” in academic skills such as numeracy and literacy, and that social, emotional and self-management skills are a more important target at this age. That’s according to the latest Children’s School Lives study from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Jacqueline Fallon is Director of Curriculum and Assessment at the NCCA.

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has said he is resigning from his role as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It comes amid calls for the Dáil Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to investigate matters related to Mr. Troy's property interests. Joining Shane to discuss was Ivana Bacik Labour Party Leader, Sinn Féin TD and member of the procedure, privilege and oversight committee, Padraig Mac Lochlainn and also Dr Rory Hearne is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Maynooth University and author of the forthcoming book “Gaffs”

Of all the price increases this year I have been contacted the most about the price of butter so says Food writer with the Irish Examiner, Catriona Redmond who has been tracking the cost of a grocery shop for 6 months.

Are you one of the many Irish people suffering from the ‘Great Disconnection’? An alarming 63% of employees reportedly feel disengaged from their workplace – amidst companies struggling to form a post-pandemic work culture that is fit for a hybrid world. HR and Employment Law Expert from the HR Suite Caroline Reidy spoke to Newstalk Breakfast for more on this.

A long Covid clinic at the Mater hospital may have to close next month unless State funding is secured. For more on this Shane spoke to Professor Jack Lambert from the UCD School of Medicine.

After 2 marathon shows at the Dome in Tralee – it was the Westmeath Rose Rachel Duffy that came out on top being crowned the Rose of Tralee for 2022 becoming the first ever rose from the county to take the title