Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

Jeff Bezos is tying the knot in Venice at a 20-million-dollar wedding to Lauren Sanchez. The happy couple’s bliss has been disrupted by protestors unhappy with the billionaire’s presence in Italy. Nick Pisa, Journalist for the Daily Mail is in Venice and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Duration:00:04:59

There has been a massive jump in complaints about potholes

There’s been a massive jump in complaints about potholes right across the country in the past three years. Figures obtained by Newstalk show there was a 92 per cent rise in complaints between 2022 and 2024 with people in Cork complaining the most. Our reporter Stephanie Rohan has been looking at the figures.

Duration:00:07:22

Ireland’s economy continues to expand

Ireland’s economy continues to expand, and wages are high, but international uncertainty puts a dampener on growth. That’s according to the latest ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary and joining Ciara to explain the findings is Alan Barrett, Researcher professor with the ESRI and author of the QEC.

Duration:00:09:22

An appeal togovernment to help lead the charge to get mobile hospitals into Gaza

Dr Mohammed Mustafa a British- Australian, Palestinian doctor who has recently spent time working in Gaza is appealing to the Irish government to help lead the charge to get mobile hospitals into the besieged territory. Dr Mustafa told Newstalk Breakfast about the horrific situation in Gaza.

Duration:00:06:38

Ireland’s LGBT history is explored at Glasnevin Cemetery

Pride week is alive and well at the national cemetery. The Queer History tour at Glasnevin cemetery will run for the duration of Pride Week. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:

Duration:00:04:43

teachers seek resolution on Leaving Cert reform

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland will be seeking an official resolution to the teachers’ concerns about the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme. It comes after 68 per cent of teachers voted against a package of measures to support them in the new curriculum. Speaking to Ciara this morning was General Secretary of the ASTI Kieran Christie.

Duration:00:05:03

Sinn Féin is pushing to soften a proposed new terrorism law

Sinn Féin is pushing to soften a proposed new terrorism law, describing it as an “attack on free speech”. Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Justice Matt Carthy described the changes as a “Kneecap clause” that could lead to charges against political activism and legitimate freedom of expression. Matt spoke to Shane this morning.

Duration:00:06:07

Formula One on the Big Screen

Bernie Collins, F1 commentator for Sky Sports and former strategy engineer with Aston Martin, joins Newstalk Breakfast to talk about her work as a consultant on the new Brad Pitt-starring F1 film, the sport’s growing popularity, and Ireland’s rising stars. Listen here

Duration:00:06:40

Trump's F-Bomb

Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics at UCD, joins Newstalk Breakfast to unpack the use of explicit language by Donald Trump during public comments on Iran and what it signals about presidential rhetoric and public norms. Listen here

Duration:00:04:14

WOMEN’S AID

Eavan Ward, Head of Regional Services at Women’s Aid, joins Shane to discuss alarming new data showing the highest level of contacts and disclosures of domestic abuse in the organisation’s 50-year history. Listen here

Duration:00:06:55

Children of Alcoholics

Sarah Drage, mental health advocate and co-host of The COA Podcast, joins Newstalk Breakfast to talk about growing up with a parent addicted to alcohol, the long-term emotional toll, and why more support is needed for children in similar situations. Listen here

Duration:00:14:28

How Advocates are Promoting Níos Gaeilge

Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, joins Newstalk Breakfast to mark SEAS (Stand as Gaeilge) day and outline how Irish language advocates are lobbying for increased government support for Gaeilge and Gaeltacht communities. Listen here

Duration:00:03:00

Ceasefire Tensions

Borzou Daragahi, Middle East journalist and analyst, joins Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel following US airstrikes and conflicting political messaging from Washington. Listen here

Duration:00:05:24

Air Passenger Rights Reform

Regina Doherty, Fine Gael MEP, joins Newstalk Breakfast to explain new EU reforms passed by the European Parliament that would stop airlines from charging families to sit together and ensure all passengers can carry a 7kg cabin bag free of charge. Listen here

Duration:00:05:25

Are cosmetic procedures about reversing ageing or preserving one’s sense of self?

Botox isn't about denying my age it's a way of avoiding ending up like a balloon you find under the stairs a fortnight after the party. So wrote Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic.

Duration:00:05:02

Iran targeted US bases in Qatar and Iraq

US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which he says has now come into effect, as of 6am this morning. He made the announcement on Truth Social hours after Tehran launched a missile strike on a US army base in Qatar. Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and Former Israeli peace negotiator discussed this further with Newstalk Breakfast.

Duration:00:10:22

Would you visit a national museum at the GPO?

The GPO on O’Connell Street could be turned into a national museum to regenerate what is seen as ‘the troubled part’ of the capital, according to a report from the Dublin City Taskforce. All to talk about with Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town.

Duration:00:04:48

Tuesday Riff: More HSE staff working at weekends

Move to tackle trolley crisis will see thousands more HSE staff working at weekends. Ciara and Shane asked why has it taken so long to bring about this change?

Duration:00:04:08

Calls for baby changing facilities in all public bathrooms

The government needs to provide funding for businesses and other public buildings to ensure there are baby changing facilities in all bathrooms. That’s the call from Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Barry Ward who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Duration:00:04:48

Are we a nation of speeders?