Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Keith Duffy says he won’t go out in Dublin for fear of getting ‘a dig’.  The “Boyslife” singer and bandmate Brian McFadden say they don’t do interviews or even gigs here because while they’re championed in the UK, the response they get at home is negative and begrudging. So, is Keith right? Is Ireland a nation of begrudgers? For his take on this Ian O’Doherty, Columnist at the Irish Independent spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Myopia, better known as shortsightedness, is on the increase globally.  Experts predict that half the world will be short-sighted by 2050. So, is screentime the cause of this? Joining Aideen to discuss was Lynda McGivney-Nolan, Optometric Advisor at the Association of Optometrists Ireland. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Irish tourists heading to Spain this week are being warned to prepare for “extreme” heat as “exceptionally high” temperatures take hold. What destinations are affected, and what should you do if you’ve booked a holiday during a heatwave? Eoghan Corry Editor of Air and Travel Magazine has some tips and advice. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Yes, the group is staging a post-box protest outside the Dáil today to demand the government to do more to shield the public against spiraling price increases. TD Bríd Smith is a member of People before Profit one of the parties involved in this movement spoke to Aideen on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said she intends to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to "make changes" to the Northern Ireland Protocol.  Tánaiste Leo Varadkar joined us on Newstalk Breakfast with his reaction to these plans by the UK Government. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Dail will hear statements today on Ireland’s progress towards a Just Transition. Just transition refers to the need to move away from fossil fuels in order to meet its energy and emissions targets while also protecting and creating jobs.  Kieran Mulvey, Just Transition Commissioner spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning with more on this. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The UK government has announced plans to override the Northern Ireland protocol, despite warnings from Brussels that it will breach the UK’s international legal obligations and a plea from the Bank of England not to spark a damaging trade war with Europe. Dominic Grieve Former UK Attorney General and Conservative MP spoke to Shane on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Ditch the ensuites to make student flats cheaper. That’s the view of the technological university chief and former provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Patrick Prendergast. Why has high spec student accommodation become the norm and would it help or harm the rental market to change that?  Tom Philips is Managing Director of Tom Philips Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture and Planning at UCD and he spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

One in 10 people contacting Bodywhys for help is a man or the loved one of a man struggling with an eating disorder. To meet this growing male demand, a men-only support group is to be established next month by Bodywhys, the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland. Stella O’Malley , Psychotherapist and Author spoke to Shane on the show this morning.   Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

As Government approved plans for a €400 monthly payment for households accommodating refugees from Ukraine, a Co Clare TD is asking why we are ‘funneling refugees through Irish beauty spots’.  Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe spoke to Ciara this morning on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Outdoor dining looks set to stay as the cabinet is seeking approval to extend it for pubs and restaurants. Minister Helen McEntee is today seeking cabinet approval to extend outdoor seating areas for pubs and restaurants by 6 months as the hospitality industry enters the summer season. Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Irelands spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government will not be making any changes to the proposed deal on the new National Maternity Hospital which is expected to get Cabinet approval today  Tony O’Brien is Former Director General of the HSE and Columnist with the Business Post and he spoke to Ciara on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

UK Foreign Secretary Liss Truss will today set out plans for legislation to rewrite the Northern Ireland Protocol.  Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to Northern Ireland yesterday Boris Johnson said the UK needs to "proceed with a legislative solution" to the protocol as an "insurance" in case a deal is not reached with Brussels. Peter Cardwell Former Special advisor to James Brokenshire, TalkRadio Presenter & Political Editor spoke to Newstalk Breakfast. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Today marks the centenary of the handing over of Cathal Brugha Barracks from British to Irish Forces.  As 100 years pass, are city barracks still fit for purpose or would the land be better suited to housing developments?  To discuss this Ciara was joined on the show this morning by  Green Party TD and spokesperson for Housing, Francis Noel Duffy, and Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Since the pandemic we’ve seen hordes of young healthcare workers jumping on the next flight to Sydney or Vancouver for better pay and working conditions... but could introducing a four-day working week entice them to stay?  To discuss this option Dr Catherine Conlon, Senior Medical Officer in the Department of Public Health, St Finbarr’s Hospital Cork spoke to Shane on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

More than 260 childcare providers are getting ready to close their doors next year. That’s according to new research from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers who say the government’s ‘core funding’ promise is not enough to keep many firms afloat. Chairperson of the group, Elaine Dunne spoke to Shane this morning to discuss these report findings. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Technological Higher Education Association has joined in calls on Government to clarify when Leaving Certificate students will receive their results. Dr Joseph Ryan, CEO of The Technological Higher Education Association spoke to Ciara on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A rare and life-limiting mitochondrial disease affects just three people in Ireland.  Two of them are Liz Dickson’s children.  Lis spoke to Ciar about her children Tommy and Grace. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Apple is reportedly getting ready to ditch their stand-alone chargers and build in those used by Android devices. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with all the details. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Government is planning to extend the current grant scheme for electric cars to e-scooters and e-bikes.  While it might mean good news for consumers, some stakeholders worry that the government is promoting further e-scooter use before legislation is in place to protect vulnerable pedestrians. Dr Frank Lyons is an Orthopedic surgeon at the Mater Hospital spoke to Shane this morning on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.