Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The Occupied Territories Bill legislation should be widened to include a ban on services as well as goods. That’s the call from the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, whose Chair John Lahart joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

Ireland has become a global outlier by being “virtually defenceless,” and our allies are going to grow tired of that. That’s according to Cathal Berry, former TD and former member of the defence forces who joined Jonathan Healy on the show.

A 100-million-euro redevelopment project to redevelop Stephen’s Green shopping centre has been rejected by An Comisiúin Pleanála. They said the proposed glass design lacked a “sense of original aesthetic” - but they also noted the current facade is by no means the gold standard.  So, what is the future of Stephen’s Green shopping centre? Dr Carole Pollard, Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis, joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

Ukrainian families in Youghal are being moved to a number of different locations today and tomorrow. This has caused upset among the residents being provided with temporary accommodation and the employers they work for in the area. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie travelled to the East Cork town to hear how this is impacting those affected.

Ireland has recorded its highest alcohol treatment figures in more than 10 years, according to a new report from the Health Research Board. Sheila Gilheany, Alcohol Action Ireland CEO joined Jonathan Healy on the show.

 The Government must recommit to the reduction of speed limits in urban areas after promising to do so in the Programme for Government. That’s the call from the Dublin Commuter Coalition, and their Public Relations Officer Gary Marshall joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

A garda has suffered multiple stab wounds following a knife attack in Dublin city centre. One man was arrested following the incident. Paul Cleary, Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

Two leading Israeli rights organisations have said Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza constitutes genocide against the Palestinian population and the country’s western allies have a legal and moral duty to stop it, it comes as Britain will recognise the state of Palestine in September. Jonathan Heaky spoke to one of those organisations B'Tselem.

A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Far East in the early hours of the morning, triggering tsunami fears across the Pacific, with warnings and alerts in place across Japan, parts of the US including Hawaii, California and Alaska, and the Philippines. Malika Dudley, Meteorologist and Former Miss Hawaii spoke to Shane Coleman on the show.

We are often told about the importance of Ireland weaning itself off fossil fuels and reducing our reliance on other countries to keep the lights on. However, a new report from the National Social and Economic Council suggests it isn’t as simple as going renewable and reaping the benefits. Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist at the ESRI joined Jonathan Healy on the show. 

A garda has suffered multiple stab wounds following a knife attack in Dublin city centre. One man was arrested following the incident. Mick O’Toole, Crime and Defence Editor with The Irish Daily Star and The Irish Mirror, brought us the latest.

  Last night, Channel 4 aired 1,000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story. It follows the sex worker Bonnie Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger, as she defends her career creating some of the most explicit content online.  Ali Ryan, Founder of Goss.ie joined us on the show.

 Thousands of digital missionaries and young Catholics have arrived in Rome this week to discuss the role of social media and how young believers can drive change. As part of this, the Vatican is seeking the help of “hot priests” to spread the good word.  Fr David Vard a 33-year-old Irish priest at the Jubilee in Rome and he joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

The science has finally spoken; you need to cut your toxic friends and ‘frenemies’ for the good of your health. Yes, a team of researchers from NYU found that negative social ties could cause premature ageing. Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght Hospital, joined Jonathan Healy on the show to discuss.

A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while serving in the region in December 2022. Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent with the Irish Times joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

 The new Garda Commissioner will be announced later today, taking over from Drew Harris after seven years in office. Whoever fills the role will face issues such as rising resignations and low recruitment in the force. Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association joined Jonathan Healy on the show.

Local authorities will be told to zone more land for housing, as the Government plans to more than double the national annual target as part of efforts to tackle the housing crisis. Under planned guidelines being brought to Cabinet today, councils will be asked to collectively zone enough land to hold 83,000 new homes per year, up from the current 33,000 annual target. Tom Philips Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates joined us on the show this morning.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam has invited former US President Barack Obama to formally accept the Freedom of Dublin during their visit to the city in September. However, the Irish Anti War Movement is now considering a protest against the honour. Jim Roche PRO of the Irish Anti-War Movement and Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin joined us on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss.  

A major international study has found that streetlights aren’t the only culprit when it comes to light pollution. Georgia MacMillan University of Galway researcher based in Dark Sky Park County Mayo joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Nearly a quarter of doctors work more than 48 hours per week, with that figure rising to half of doctors working in surgery in hospitals. That’s according to the latest figures from the Medical Council. Jantze Cotter, the Executive Director for Regulatory Policy, Standards and Research joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.