Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

A new batch of 68 photographs related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been made public by Democratic US lawmakers. The photos include Epstein with director Woody Allen, and Bill Gates with an unknown woman. With more on this we spoke to David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief, The Guardian. 

Woman at the center of the viral "kiss cam" moment at a Coldplay concert has spoken out in recent interviews. Ciara and Shane asked this morning. Are we all far too quick to judge?

Ireland's economy has shown resilience in the last year, but the Government needs “prudent ambition” for long-term, sustainable growth. That's according to the Central Bank's final Quarterly Bulletin of 2025, which found Modified Domestic Demand is projected to grow by just below 4 per cent in 2025. We discuss this and more with Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College.

You may have received your December wages today and you may be waiting another six weeks for your monthly wages hit your bank account So how do you make it stretch? All to discuss with Conor Pope, Irish Times Consumer Correspondent.

The likes of Kneecap, Paul Mescal and the humble spice bag have given Ireland a new, cooler reputation. But around the world, is Ireland being overly-romanticised? That's the concern of Aoife Byrne, an Irish writer who has lived in London for 10 years.

Two men and a woman have died in separate road crashes in counties Limerick, Monaghan and Tipperary. Recently, we discussed the decision not to disband the RSA, but are we doing enough for road safety? We discussed further with Leo Leighio, Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association.

EU leaders struck a deal to provide Ukraine a €90 billion loan to plug its looming budget shortfalls, but failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets to come up with the funds. We discuss this further with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine correspondent for Radio France Internationale and France24.

Season 5 of Emily in Paris is out today, and this rendition takes her story to the eternal city of Rome. Here to explain why this show is so beloved is Dee Molumby, Pop culture expert.

AIB has released new data today detailing the most common scams of 2025, with 57% of all payment fraud reported originated from text message fraud. With last-minute parcels and packages arriving now with Christmas a week away today, it is an especially risky time to fall victim to a financial scam . With advice on how to avoid scams is Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor Irish Independent.

The owners of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin are making a renewed bid to redevelop the landmark shopping centre. The revised plan once again includes removing the existing facade of the shopping centre and adding office space. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Carole Pollard, Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co- Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.

Housing output will remain below underlying demand, while average rent levels are set to rise again in 2026. That's the warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute in its quarterly economic commentary. We discuss this further with Dr. Conor O'Toole, Associate Research Professor at ESRI.

There has been huge backlash against the Government's u-turn on disbanding the Road Safety Authority, with road safety groups arguing that the organisation is still not fit for purpose. Muireann O'Dea, spokesperson for the “Love 30 campaign for lower speed limits” gave her reaction to this.

A British baker has caused a stir in Mexico after claiming on a podcast that the country lacks a real “bread culture.” The remark sparked outrage and places him alongside other British chefs who've upset food purists abroad, from Jamie Oliver's chorizo paella to Nigella Lawson's creamy carbonara. Sarah Madden reports on the question of cooking and cultural appropriation:

An Garda Síochána will commence a Taser Pilot for Frontline Uniform Gardaí from today. It's something we have debated many times on this show, but the ICCL say it is a dangerous step for community policing. For more on this Ciara spoke to Joe O'Brien, Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

CareDoc employees will begin a 24-hour strike today due to a dispute over HSE funding not being paid to workers. Caredoc provides GP out-of-hours services in the southeast of the country, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and south Tipperary. We heard from Ger McNally, SIPTU Health Organiser.

Ireland's energy emissions are down 16% since 2018, even as the population has grown, but a new SEAI report warns progress is far too slow. To meet 2030 climate targets, emissions cuts must now more than double, with transport and energy infrastructure under particular pressure. All to discuss with Margie McCarth, Director of Research and Policy Insights at SEAI.

Up and down the country right now families and homes are facing up to a rampant dose of flu. Leaving many bedridden and unable to participate in normal life. But what's the correct attitude to have if you do come down with the flu? Esther McCarthy, Weekend Magazine Columnist with The Irish Examiner has been writing on this and chatted to Shane this morning.

Later today, Minister for Children Norma Foley will launch the Action Plan on Childcare. Phase one of the plan includes increases to the income limit for the National Childcare Scheme, and a consultation aimed at reducing the cost of childcare to 200 euro per child per month in the lifetime of this Government.We speak to Elaine Dunne, Chair of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers ahead of the launch.

A review into Fianna Fáil's presidential campaign has found that “nothing further was done” by party bosses after Jim Gavin told them he had no recollection of an issue with a former tenant, before he was selected as their presidential candidate. Parliamentary party members met yesterday to discuss these findings and shared their grievances with leader Micheál Martin. We discuss further with Seamus McGrath Fianna Fail TD for Cork South–Central Barry Andrews, Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin.

The terrorist attack on Bondi Beach which targeted a Hannukah event, has killed at least 15 people. It highlights the rise in antisemitism globally, and raises concerns for the safety of the Jewish community in Ireland. We get reaction to this terrorist attack from Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder and also Rabbi Levi Wolff of Central Sydney Synagogue.

Sending and receiving letters has gone out of style in the digital age. But during the festive season, are people sending out Christmas cards? Newstalk's own Ellen Kenny took to the streets of Dublin to find out:

Today, the Minister for Health will introduce the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill, introducing a ban on the sale of disposable vapes. The Government also plans on developing legislation preventing the sale of any nicotine product to people under 18. Speaking to Sean this morning was Professor John Crowne, Consultant oncologist at St Vincent's Hospital Group.

Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said he did not anticipate a vote on the Mercosur trade deal until January. Adding that the agreement offers substantial benefits for Irish farmers and the broader economy. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Dennis Drennan, President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.

A review into Fianna Fáil's presidential campaign has found that “nothing further was done” by party bosses after Jim Gavin told them he had no recollection of an issue with a former tenant, before he was selected as their presidential candidate. The review, and Micheál Martin's future as leader of the party, was discussed by parliamentary members last night. We discuss all this with Mary Regan, Irish Independent Political Editor.

Today, the Oireachtas will consider a petition calling on the expansion of voting rights to Irish people living abroad. A referendum to offer voting rights to Irish citizens living outside the Republic was postponed way back in 2019, but should it be reconsidered? All to discuss with Emma DeSouza, Writer, Political Commentator and member of VotingRights.ie.

Housing Minister James Browne will update Cabinet today about the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, which would provide up to 140,000 euros to help people turn spaces above shops into homes. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Claire McManus, Director of JFOC Architects and Housing Spokesperson for the Royal Institute of Architects.

Ukraine's top peace negotiator said Monday that U.S. and Ukrainian officials had achieved “real progress” in the second round of peace talks in Berlin aimed at ending Russia's war. We heard from Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath and former NATO analyst.

The long-awaited review of Fianna Fáil's presidential election campaign was submitted to the party leader Micheál Martin last night. Under the review's terms of reference Mr Martin will share its findings with the members of the parliamentary party after he has considered the report. With more on this Sean was joined by Malcom Byrne, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford.

The government has launched a survey asking responders if they prefer mixed or single-sex schools. While the results have yet to be published. Ireland, which has had a long history of single-sex schooling is bound to yield interesting results. We discuss further with Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College and Simon Lewis Primary School Principal and podcaster.

The European Commission is expected to reverse the effective ban on the sale of engine-combustion cars. This change is due to take place from 2035 after pressure from automakers across the EU. We discuss further with Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent.

There was a 259 per cent increase in deaths by cocaine poisoning between 2013 and 2022, according to the latest research by the Health Research Board. Joining Sean to discuss more is Dr Suzi Lyons, Head of National Health Information Systems.

US President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking at least 10 billion dollars from the BBC over a documentary that edited his 2021 speech to supporters ahead of the US Capitol riot. We get the latest on this with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with the Guardian.

Where to spend Christmas when you and your partner hail from different counties? We are joined now by Cork-native Fionnuala Jones, Broadcaster and Podcaster,

You may already be planning your TV watching for over the festive period. But those of us looking to consume content from the BBC will have to watch it live as it's no longer possible to record the channel in Ireland, as a result of newer set top box technology. All to discuss with Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.With thanks to Renault.

A summit is getting under way this morning in Berlin between US envoys and European leaders, in the hopes of ending the Russian war in Ukraine. In a bid to secure peace, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is willing to concede Ukraine's ambitions of NATO membership What might this mean for Ukraine, and for European defence? All to discuss with Sean Bell, Former fighter pilot, military analyst ad co-founder of Red Matrix Productions.

A new analysis of Census figures has shown that the population of the Gaeltacht is growing but the number of families raising their children through Irish is falling. We discuss further with Director of Development at Conradh na Gaeilge Aodhan O'Dea.

"Have you the Christmas tree up?" It's the standard greeting in Ireland every December. But do you go for spruce or fir, star or angel? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:

A terrorist attack on Bondi Beach yesterday has left at least 15 people dead including a 10-year-old girl. The shooting targeted a Hannukah event, at which about 1,000 people were present. Speaking to Sean Defoe this morning was Jack Hahn, News Reporter at the Today Show in Sydney.

‘The Ghosts of Rome' by Joseph O'Connor has been announced as the overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025'. Shane spoke to Joseph on this big win!

Memorials to crash victims on the side of many roads will be banned under new powers from The Government. Roadside tributes will not be allowed on Motorways, dual carriageways, regional or local roads where the speed limit is 60kph or above. So reports the Irish Daily Mail this morning. We discuss further with Michael Murphy, Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee & Fine Gael TD for South Tipperary.

Ireland's economy is highly vulnerable to external risks in a pessimistic global economic environment. That's the warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute, who have today published their medium-term Economic Outlook. With more on this we heard from John Fitzgerald Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

The Irish Times reports that the State agency in charge of air traffic control was not told about drones near the approach to Dublin Airport on the night Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived.Because of this, air traffic controllers couldn't warn pilots even though several incoming flights were carrying hundreds of passengers. For more on this we heard from Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Auditor.