Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

July is “Anti-boredom month”, first invented in the 1980s to encourage people to get more active, both physically and mentally. But nowadays, do people need to embrace boredom a bit more? All to chat to with Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin.

Duration:00:03:38

Ireland’s relationship with the United States soured?

Today is the fourth of July, which is traditionally a day to celebrate all things about America! But has Ireland’s relationship with the United States soured as a result of our stance on Israel's actions in Gaza? All to discuss with Dan Mulhall Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.

Duration:00:06:53

Was banning bedsits back in 2013 a mistake?

Bedsits suited students, single people, separated people and many others, and should not have been banned in 2013. That’s according to Michael McDowell’s latest column in the Irish Times. To discuss further is Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Town Planning, UCD and also Rory Hearne, Housing Spokesperson for the Social Democrats,

Duration:00:07:21

Michael O’Leary reacts to air traffic control strikes in France

Four hundred flights were cancelled by Ryanair, including 170 Irish flights, following two days of Air Traffic Control strikes in France. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyden should step down “if she’s not willing to reform Europe's failed ATC service”. Michael spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Duration:00:09:53

Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions decrease by 2 per cent in 2024

Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions decrease by 2 per cent in 2024. That's according to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment.

Duration:00:05:44

Disagreements over the likely costs of a united Ireland

A united Ireland would cost €3 billion in the first year, but any financial burdens would disappear within a decade – so says a report published by Dublin City University and Ulster University. To discuss further with Ciara was John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Duration:00:06:01

Further tragedy in Donegal

A mother and her 6 year old daughter have died following a road crash near Carndonagh, Co Donegal on Wednesday evening. Speaking to Shane this morning was Parish priest of Carndonagh, Fr Con McLaughlin.

Duration:00:05:42

OJ Simpson’s lawyer on the P Diddy verdict and more

A U.S. judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request to be released from jail ahead of his sentencing, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses. Ciara spoke to Alan Dershowitz , OJ Simpson's Defence Lawyer and started by asking him for his take on the verdict.

Duration:00:08:53

Environment Minister rules out nuclear energy to provide clean electricity

Environment minister, Darragh O’Brien, has ruled out developing nuclear energy as an answer to the country’s pressing need for clean electricity. The Minister said it’s not even in the room, let alone on the table as an option. We get reaction to this with Denis Duff, Chartered Engineer and Co-founder of 18for, a voluntary group of energy, nuclear, environment, medicine & Health experts.

Duration:00:06:14

A new single application system for admission to secondary school

The Department of Education is launching a first-of-its-kind Single Application System for admission to secondary school, first being piloted in five towns across Ireland. We hear from Helen McEntee, Minister for Education.

Duration:00:09:39

Is healthy food really too expensive?

“A kilo of bananas or carrots costs less than a single cheeseburger, while five portions of fruit and veg a day can be met for as little as 30p.” So wrote Freelance Journalist who contributes to the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator, Rob Crossan.

Duration:00:08:29

ASOS crack down on “serial returners”

ASOS customers have reported receiving emails saying their accounts will be deactivated as part of a crackdown on “serial returners”. Siobhán Maguire, consumer journalist, explained all.

Duration:00:05:25

Why offers of “free bets” result in gamblers spending more money

Gambling offers such as free bets and moneyback guarantees entice people to bet more often and with more money. That’s according to new research from the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit. We discuss these findings with Dr. Shane Timmons Senior Research Officer, ESRI.

Duration:00:04:33

Will Hamas agree to a 60-day ceasefire deal?

Hamas is continuing to review what US President Donald Trump has called a "final" ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The US President said Israel has already agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. To discuss the latest was Rushdi Abualouf, BBC Gaza Correspondent.

Duration:00:05:29

What is the "world's fiercest, new collision sport"?

Organisers of the Run It Championship League are attempting to bring what they call the "world's fiercest, new collision sport" to global audiences. It is a supercharged version of a one-on-one tackle game which originated in the backyards and school playgrounds of Australia and New Zealand. We discuss this with Alix Popham, former Welsh international who was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 40.

Duration:00:07:25

The health implications of a heatwave!

Large parts of Europe are on extreme heatwave weather warnings once again raising questions over public health, environmental hazards, and the impact of climate change. We discuss further with John Sweeney, Emeritus professor in the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units at the department of geography at Maynooth University.

Duration:00:05:37

Coalition remains sharply divided on the issue of college fees

The Coalition remains sharply divided on the issue of college fees after opposition parties united in anger at recent suggestions from Fianna Fáil Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless that the student contribution could increase by as much as €1,000 next year. We discuss this further with Fine Gael TD John Clendennen.

Duration:00:08:16

Wednesday Riff: Future of the Luas in Dublin ambitious enough?

An ambitious plan for the future of the Luas in Dublin would see the development of two new circular lines running along the outskirts of the city centre. Is 2050 ambitious enough? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

Duration:00:03:21

George Gibney arrested in the US for extradition back to Ireland for questioning

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the United States on foot of a Garda request to extradite him to Ireland. The arrest is part of an investigation into historical child sexual abuse. We get the latest on this with Jack Power, Irish Times reporter.

Duration:00:05:55

HSE and National treatment purchase fund in front of the Health committee