Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

We cross to Dublin airport to hear from those arriving home for Christmas with Josh Crosbie, Newstalk Reporter.

Duration:00:06:01

Winter Solstice at Newgrange

Tomorrow marks the shortest day of the year and with that comes the Winter Solstice at Newgrange. We spoke to Anthony Murphy, Mythical Ireland founder and author about what people can expect.

Duration:00:02:26

Today is the final National Slow Down day of 2024

As thousands of people take to Irish roads this weekend to make the journey home for Christmas An Garda Síochána in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority are launching their final National Slow Down day today. Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries from the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau

Duration:00:04:19

Is it fair to rely on grandparents for childcare?

While mo re than half of UK grandparents help with childcare, not all of them feel appreciated. Is it fair to rely on grandparents for childcare and how should we show our appreciation to them? Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish Times Columnist joins me now to discuss this.

Duration:00:06:21

32 year old woman found dead in Gorey named locally

A 32-year-old woman found dead in Gorey has been named locally as Paula Lawlor Gardaí believe she was the victim of an assault in a house in Baile Eoghain in Gorey. Shane and Ciara were joined by Independent Councillor for Gorey-Kilmuckridge, Nicky Boland...

Duration:00:03:10

Michael Healy Rae on the prospect of joining Government

The 34th Dáil sat for the first time since the General Election on Wednesday morning, as government formation talks remain ongoing Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry joined the show earlier to discuss...

Duration:00:06:45

New report shows a significant decrease in adolescents happiness levels.

The State of the Nation Children’s Report has found that in 2022, 78.5% of children aged 10–17 reported being happy with their lives, representing A significant decrease from 88.2% in 2018. For more on this Shane and Ciara were joined by Dr Patricia Byrne, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychologist.

Duration:00:06:10

Nearly 100 people crashed during driving tests over past two years

New figures from The Road Safety authority show that nearly 100 people have been involved in crashes during their driving test since 2023. Dominic Brophy Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association joined the show to discuss.

Duration:00:04:21

Why women trying to look younger are a sign feminism is going backwards

Celebrities like Demi Moore and Trinny are setting unrealistic expectations of how people should look in their 60s. So says freelance journalist and author Kate Mulvey

Duration:00:05:22

Average price of Dublin home is now over €600,000

The average price of a home in Dublin is now over €600,000, according to the Central Statistics Office. The headline figure is 12 times the average full-time salary in the State which is about €50,000 Carol Tallan, CEO of the Property District joined the show this morning to discuss.

Duration:00:05:21

How to recognise and manage your child's cold or flu this Christmas period

The HSE is preparing for a surge in flu illnesses as almost 2000 cases of Covid-19, RSV and influenza have been notified in the past week. But how do you know when to take your child to the GP? Dr Brendan O’ Shea, Kildare GP, Medical Director at K Doc and Asst. Prof Primary Care at Trinity College joined Shane and Ciara this morning.

Duration:00:06:16

Emma Blain: newly elected Lord Mayor of Dublin

Fine Gael Councillor Emma Blain has been appointed Dublin’s new Lord Mayor following outgoing mayor James Geoghegan’s election to the Dáil. She joined the show this morning.

Duration:00:03:59

Brendan O’Neill: Israel is right to cut ties with Ireland

Israel is right to cut ties with Ireland – that’s the view of Brendan O’Neill, Chief political writer at Spiked and he joined the show this morning.

Duration:00:06:51

How to avoid overspending this festive season!

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas can hit you hard in the bank! So how can you make the most of the festive season without overspending? We asked Money Mindset Coach Kel Galavan.

Duration:00:05:16

The new Dáil will sit for the first time later this morning

The new Dáil will sit for the first time later this morning, with plenty of new faces arriving at Leinster House. There might also be a new face sitting as Ceann Comhairle. We spoke to Ceann Comhairle candidate and Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

Duration:00:07:16

The latest on the killing of Russian military official

The Russians have detained a person from Uzbekistan who was supposedly filmed confessing to the assassination of Russia’s chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov in Moscow. We speak to Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Duration:00:06:21

How can Dublin reimagine its market scene?

Cork’s English Market Boss has said that the competitive nature of Dublin’s retail scene is the primary obstacle to similar markets setting up in the capital. But is this true? We asked Richard Guiney CEO of Dublin Town.

Duration:00:05:46

Are you considering a dry January?

More and more young people are cutting back on their alcohol consumption at Christmas. A survey by Budweiser has found that almost half of Gen Z drinkers who were asked are considering a ‘dry Christmas’. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been finding out if people here in Ireland are thinking of opting for fewer drinks over the festive season.

Duration:00:05:20

Could a Gaza ceasefire deal be within reach?

Hamas has said a Gaza ceasefire deal is possible if Israel does not set new conditions, while Israel has denied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to Cairo for talks. Shane discussed with Sky Middle Eastern Correspondent, Allistair Bunkall.

Duration:00:02:53

Should Ireland have a public childcare system?