Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The Mediterranean is coming to Ireland this week, with temperatures expected to rival the Algarve! Here to tell us exactly what’s in store was Joanna Donnelly, Meteorologist with Met Eireann

The state will have no option but to reduce electricity demand or face blackouts this winter, as planned emergency power generators will not be in place in time. So reported the Business Post yesterday. So, what can we do to address this looming energy crisis? Don Moore is Chair of the Energy and Climate Action Committee at the Irish Academy of Engineers spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

A school in Sligo that has no timetable or curriculum and lets children decide for themselves what to do each day has said it is attracting students from all over Europe. The Sligo Sudbury School in Doonally practices “self-directed democratic learning”, which allows pupils to choose when their day starts and ends, and what they do during the day. Gayle Nagle is co-founder of Sligo Sudbury School and spoke to Aideen on the show this morning.

The government is set to miss its target of ending the direct provision system by 2024. Reports in yesterday’s Business Poss suggest the target will be missed due to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. John Lannon is CEO of Doras which is part of the umbrella group STAD – Coalition to End Direct Provision spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

This year's culture night is being launched today so what is in store for us? Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly joined Shane on the show this morning to tell more of about Culture NIght 2022.

Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs will today go on trial in Manchester accused of attacking and controlling his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville. Peter Hall a sports reporter based in Manchester brought us the latest on this.

Revenue from big power companies’ wind farms is multiplying as electricity prices have been soaring in recent times due to the energy crisis. In response to this, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has pledged to consider tax on energy company profits in next month’s budget. What will this mean for the Irish household? To discuss Newstalk Breakfast here from Sue Shaw - CEO of Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.

The HSE has confirmed that test and trace will be wound down and to give us more detail on how this will work, Shane spoke to Eileen Whelan, National lead for test and trace with the HSE.

With the rise of social media in the last decade, hostile discourse confronts us on our timelines every day. But what would happen if we began to listen, share our ideas, and communicate them in a constructive and civil way? To discuss further David Quinn, Columnist with the Sunday Times and Michael Nugent, Chair of Atheist Ireland to discuss..

After the success of the women’s Euros we ask are young girls getting enough access to PE in Ireland. To discuss this further Ciara spoke to Catherine Woods Professor of physical activity and Health at the University of Limerick.

As Ireland hits a 21 year low for unemployment, we ask why we are still experiencing a shortage of workers. For more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Tony Foley Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics with the DCU Business School.

A man and a woman have died after a sea tragedy off the coast of Kerry. A major air-sea rescue operation was launched after it emerged two individuals in difficulty in the sea off Men’s Beach in Ballybunion. Robert Beasley is a Sinn Fein Cllr from the area spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Ireland’s finances look to be in a healthy position ahead of next month’s budget with Income tax receipts to the end of July are up almost 17 percent on the past 12 month. Overall there was a surplus of 5 billion euro at the end of last month. Seamus Coffey - Former Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Economist at UCC spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with more on these returns.

New wide-ranging domestic violence and stalking legislation has been approved by the government. The law set to dramatically increase sentences for offenders, including the possibility of stalkers being jailed for 10 years. In reaction to this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to stalking victim Una Ring.

A group of MP’s in Britain are calling for warning logos to be used on photoshopped commercial images This would include the use of a logo on images displaying digitally altered body proportions and skin tone. Should Ireland follow suit? Barry Murphy is Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland spoke to Ciara this morning.

Is co-sleeping harmful to children and at what age is the ideal age for parents to make the switch to independent sleeping? Erica Hargadon, Certified Sleep Consultant and a member of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Late night LUAS services have been ruled out for now by the National Transport Authority, who have said that essential maintenance must be carried out when trams are out of service. The LUAS currently doesn’t operate between 1am and 5am. Where does this leave late-night public transport options in the capital? Jim Waldron is a Spokesperson for the National Private Hire & Taxi Association spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

Mask-wearing for long-distance travel will return to Germany from October to early April in anticipation of rising virus cases during the winter older season. The mandatory presentation of a negative coronavirus test will also apply to hospitals, nursing homes, and similar institutions with vulnerable people as part of these plans. So should Ireland consider imposing similar measures for the winter? To discuss further Shane spoke to Professor Sam McConkey an Infectious Disease Specialist at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.  

The government has confirmed that electric bikes and e-scooters with a maximum speed below 25km an hour will be exempt from registration, tax, or insurance. The move will see e-scooters treated the same as push bikes. For more on this Ciara spoke to Charlie Gleeson, CEO of Zipp mobility.

Public sector workers in health, local authorities, education, and semi-state sectors are set to begin balloting for industrial action on August 29th if new pay talks with the government fail. Talks between union negotiators and government officials broke down in June. John King is SIPTU Deputy General Secretary spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.