Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

A GAA club in Uganda is appealing to all Irish clubs for second-hand equipment for over 120 schoolchildren who have fallen in love with hurling and football. John Walsh, of the Irish Society in Uganda

Grants of up to €50,000 will be available to people looking to redevelop vacant properties. That’s the latest change announced by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to the Croí Conaithe project. Housing Minister spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The first match of the FIFA World Cup takes place this Sunday, and over the coming weeks, people across the country will have their eyes glued to the drama of the world’s biggest sporting event. But should we be watching at all this year? Ian O'Doherty, a Columnist with the Irish Independent gives us his view on it all.

Three clinicians who work with the National Gender Service will later today brief all members of the Oireachtas on the current state of care for patients seeking treatment for gender dysphoria. Psychotherapist and Author Stella O'Malley will attend the briefing and ahead of that briefing Stella spoke to Ciara this morning.

The Fiscal Council today published an Analytical Note assessing the potential impact of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare’s recommendations. Sebastian Barnes is the Chairperson of The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council who joined Ciara this morning on the show.

Two people were killed after being struck by missiles a Polish village near the border with Ukraine. For more on this Shane spoke to Bartek Weglarczyk the Editor in chief of Onet in Poland.

The average annual grocery bill will increase by €941 if consumers don’t make changes to what they buy and where they shop. That’s according to new figures from Kantar, which found that grocery inflation is at a record high of 13.4 percent. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Jean McCabe Chairperson of Retail Excellence and owner of Willow.ie

Commercial surrogacy is to be banned in Ireland but permitted abroad in legislation likely to come before the Cabinet for approval next week. But are we walking into a legal mind field? For on this Shane spoke to Dr. Brian Tobin, Lecturer in family law at the University of Galway. How can a regulatory body in Ireland regulate systems in different countries?

Earth is now 8 billion people and counting. This projection will be officially recognized today by United Nations. What does this milestone in population number mean for the planet and our own welfare? Padraig Carmody is a Professor of Geography at Trinity College who joined Ciara this morning on the show.

Record numbers of university students secured firsts this year, leading to warnings from recruiters that it is difficult to differentiate between high achievers. Overall there has been a 50% rise in first-class degrees since 2015. For more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor and Education Columnist.

For many households, the coming weeks will see the return of the Elf on the Shelf in the run up to Christmas. But our guest says the idea of something that exists to monitor bad behaviour and report back to Santa doesn’t sit well with her. Joanna Fortune Psychotherapist and Author of 15minute parenting spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan is leading the Irish delegation for the second week of the COP27 Climate Conference at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. Shane spoke to the Minister this morning.

Commercial surrogacy is to be banned in Ireland but permitted abroad in legislation likely to come before the Cabinet for approval next week. What exactly does this mean for surrogacy here and the families that are involved? Senator Mary Seery Kearney spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Many retailers have already started pushing ‘Black Friday’ deals, even though the day itself is not until the 25th of November. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joins us now with some tips for shopping safely and ensuring what you’re buying is actually a bargain.

“Ireland discovered the formula for attracting big tech. To win the next wave of investment - delivery on housing, energy, and services like water will be vital” - that is the view of Irish Times columnist Cliff Taylor who spoke to Ciara this morning.

Tests from a turkey flock in Monaghan have tested positive for avian flu, with the Department of Agriculture put in place a restriction zone to protect other flocks. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue spoke to Ciara this morning.

O’Connell Street ‘has all the essence to be our version of the Champs Elysee in Paris if we just “look up” that’s according to Hugh Wallace, Director at Douglas Wallace Architects who spoke to Shane this morning.

“If people aren’t behaving like civil human beings, they should not be allowed into matches.” that is the view of Fine Gael Councillor Danny Byrne who was reacting to Violent scenes at the Shelbourne and Derry FAI Cup Final clash and he spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed yesterday that a turkey flock in Monaghan has tested positive for avian flu. The Department confirmed that they will be putting in place a restriction zone to protect other flocks. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Billy Gray, Owner of Feighcullen Farm, Producers of Ducks, Chickens, Turkeys and Geese, and Eoghan De Barra, Infectious Diseases Consultant Working in Beaumont Hospital and Secretary of the Infectious Disease Society of Ireland.

Former Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has today released a new series of documentaries discussing racism and discrimination in football. Tipping Point is streaming on Prime Video since this morning, and Shane spoke to Rio ahead of its release.