Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

This day 24 years ago, the 18-year-old Deirdre Jacob vanished without trace in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Former head of the Garda Cold Case Unit, Alan Bailey is pleading with people to provide information on what happened the trainee teacher, a quarter of a century ago

Hopes of a deal on emission targets were dashed last night as Government leaders could not agree on the exact percentage for a reduction in Agriculture emissions by 2030 It is hoped a deal will be struck by the end of this week but are we really taking the issue seriously enough if party leaders cannot agree? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Environmentalist and Architect, Duncan Stewart.

Is the introduction of heftier fines and extra speed cameras going to be effective at slowing dangerous drivers down? Mary McCarthy, a Columnist with the Irish Independent, decided to investigate – with her own speed gun and Mary told Ciara about her results.

The World Health Organisation said yesterday that there are more than 18,000 cases of Monkeypox globally, with the majority of cases in Europe There have been a total of 85 cases detected in Ireland since May. Dr Eoghan De Barra, Senior Lecturer at RCSI and Infectious Disease Consultant at Beaumont Hospital joined Ciara to give the latest on this health situation.

One in four children in Dublin are vitamin D deficient, with too much time indoors likely a factor - that’s according to new research by Trinity College. So how do we encourage our children off the screens and outside to play? Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this.

There has been some devastating wildfires across the country, notably Crone Wood and Carrick Mountain in Wicklow while houses were saved by firefighters on Killiney Hill this week also. Following this, there have been calls to impose stricter penalties on those responsible. To discuss Jonathan spoke to John Gibbons, the Environmental Journalist, and Commentator.

With the United States’ role as a world leader more uncertain than ever before, is now the time to move on from our close ties with those across the Atlantic and ready ourselves for a “post-American world”? Professor Liam Kennedy is the Director of the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin and joined Ciara this morning on the show.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD will today seek Cabinet approval for a Bill to strengthen the law on consent, knowledge, and belief in rape cases The Bill will change the current situation where a man is not guilty of rape if he honestly believed that he had the consent of a woman. For more on this, Johnathan spoke to Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Rape Crisis Centre and Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator and Criminal Barrister.

A final deal to halve Ireland’s carbon emissions by the end of the decade looks set to be delayed until September after Coalition leaders failed to resolve the ongoing impasse last night. Fianna Fail TD for Laois–Offaly Barry Cowen spoke to Newstalk breakfast this morning.

Irish people’s social lives are so intertwined with alcohol that it’s very hard to differentiate one from the other, that’s according to Dave Maher in his piece in the Independent earlier this week. To discuss this, we were joined on the show by Writer, Broadcaster, and Mental Health Advocate, Keith Walsh.

A bill will be brought before the cabinet today to establish the body that will oversee the excavation of the burial site at the Tuam mother and baby home. Catherine Corless, Campaigner and historian has been the driving force behind this and campaigned tirelessly for the babies and their families and she spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Social Justice Ireland will today make the case to the Social Protection Minister for an increase in core social welfare rates of €20 per week in Budget 2023 Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland, Suzanne Rogers spoke to Johnathan on the show this morning.

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak went head-to-head on BBC in the first one-on-one debate between the candidates in Stoke-on-Trent last night Truss has been the front-runner with commentators saying last night would be make or break for Sunak. For the latest on the Tory leadership race Philip Webster, Former Political Editor of the Times spoke to Johnathan this morning.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton is set to introduce regulations that will double the fixed charges relating to key road safety offences. Minister Naughton spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble has died, aged 77. Last night, the Ulster Unionist Party announced Lord Trimble had passed away following a short illness Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Doug Beattie gave his reaction to the passing of David Trimble

A new report by daftmortgages.ie has found that first-time house buyers have 9% less spending power now compared to this time last year. The typical mortgage seeker now has 15% less savings than this time last year and as a result buyers and home movers have reduced their expectations for the amount they will spend on a home. For more on this we spoke to Paul Monahan, General Manager at Daft Mortgages

The Government has published its Mid-Year Expenditure Report and is set to increase spending next year. The report follows on from the Summer Economic Statement, published earlier this month, and details the State's expenditure position ahead of the budget estimates process. Minister for Public expenditure and reform Michael McGrath spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Sean Nolan, Professional Cyclist with the EvoPro Racing Team was left with four broken ribs and fractured bones in two different vertebrae when he came off his bike at Townley Hall woods in Louth. It appears a rope trap was deliberately set on the mountain trail and could have left him paralysed. Sean spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about his experience.

Voluntary school contributions should end - that’s the view of Barnardo's who are today launching Barnardo's Back to School Survey 2022 The CEO of Barnardo's, Suzanne Connelly spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has signalled a major change to the state pension system. New changes to the state pension age will offer workers a cash incentive to continue to work up to the age of 70. To discuss further Ciara was joined on the show by Dr. Laura Bambrick, Head of Social Policy, Irish Congress of Trade Unions.