Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The latest on the weather around the country! First we head to Aughrim where Barry Whyte, Bauer Media Chief Reporter. We also heard from Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden is in Dundalk at the moment and reporter Josh Crosbie was in North Co Dublin.The rain has caused disruptions to commuters right across Dublin and surrounding areas. To get the latest with regard to the rail and bus network Anton spoke to Blake Boland from Dublin Bus and also Jane Cregan, Deputy Corporate Communication Manager with Irish Rail.

“You’re in our country. Tonight I’m going to your country.” Those were the words of DUP MP Gregory Campbell during an official visit by President Catherine Connolly to Derry and he joined Anton this morning on the show.

Do people treat each other differently based purely on the appearance of hair on their heads?  One person in a unique position to answer that questions is Psychoanalyst and Author Anouchka Grose. 

Women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for autism during their childhood. That’s according to new research led by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden scrutinised the diagnosis rates of autism between 1985 and 2020.  To discuss the findings of the research Anton spoke to Eleanor McSherry, Former head of Autism Studies at University College Cork and Neurodiversity Expert. 

One person is dead and three others are injured after a Bus Éireann double-decker bus crashed in Dublin’s North Inner City yesterday afternoon.  Emily Keegan, Newstalk reporter brought us the latest.

With orange and yellow rain warnings in place across 12 counties until later today, what can we expect weatherwise for the weekend ahead?  Speaking to Anton this morning was Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather and Keith Leonard, Chairperson of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. 

There is an ongoing cost-of-living crisis in Ireland that needs to be urgently addressed by the government. That’s according to a private members motion to be debated in the Dáil this evening. To debate this further was Richard Boyd Barrett People Before Profit TD supporting the motion and Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy for Tipperary South. 

Ireland will not follow other European countries and pass a law creating a social media ban for children in the short term. Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan has said any change to social media regulations will be “incremental” in Ireland.  With us to discuss more is Ollwyn Moran Neurological developmental therapist founder of Cogni Kids.

When couples break up, a division of assets occurs who will get the house, who will get the car, but what about who will get the friend group? All to chat about with  Dr Denise Taylor, Psychologist and Author of Rethinking Retirement for Positive Ageing. 

British Justice Secretary David Lammy has described an Irish bus driver who was sacked after chasing a thief as a hero.  He told the house of commons that Mark Hehir, originally from Limerick and now living in north-west London, deserves public support. Mark spoke to Anton this morning,

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern joined Anton in studio to discuss global politics, a path to peace, and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson and Former Special Envoy to Northern Ireland George Mitchell's reported links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Waterford is under a Status Orange rain warning with further warning to kicking in in Dublin while 9 other counties across the country are under a yellow warning There are particular concerns for Wicklow, following a week of heavy rain and flooding, about further devastation to communities. Reporting from Wicklow was Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte.

Now it’s time for “Between the Lines”, where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Journalist and Broadcaster Flor McCarthy.

“A neighbourhood is not a car park”, according to David Healy, Green Party Councillor for Howth-Malahide, who has a new vision for housing and car spaces. Anton asked David what he is proposing.

Both primary and post-primary schools are struggling to find teachers for both long-term and short-term positions – with Dublin and other urban areas the worst hit. So how can the Government increase supply?  Anton asked Kieran Christie, ASTI General Secretary.

Last night, TDs debated the Government’s latest Residential Tenancies Bill, which will see rents capped at two per cent annually for all homes except new apartments.   But will this new bill actually help solve the rental crisis, or will it in fact cause greater issues for Ireland’s housing supply? All to discuss with Colm Lauder, Founding Partner at Lauder Teacher and Contributor with the Business Post.

A Status Orange Rain Warning is in place for Waterford with a further orange warning kicking in in Dublin and Wicklow from 12pm Eight other counties are also under a Status Yellow Rain warning after weeks of heavy rain and flooding. Anton get the latest on the weather warning with Gerry Murphy, Meteorologist at Met Eireann. 

Schools will have to tell parents the amount of money they generate from voluntary contributions, and how they are spent, according to new rules to be introduced by the Government. We get reaction to this from Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies.

About 30 IFA members are continuing a sit-down protest inside Bord Bia’s Dublin offices, escalating their campaign for the removal of chair Larry Murrin.  We heard from Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association. 

Having your home or premises flood is one of your worst nightmares and for so many families and business owners around the country that is exactly what they are dealing with this morning.   When this happens one of the first people on the scene is Kevin Kelly at Irish Fire and Flood restoration.