Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

This afternoon, members of the Irish Blue Cross, DogsTrust and other charities will speak to the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. They will discuss the changes that could be made to the proposed Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2026. To discuss further was Dr Claire Corridan, Director for the Irish Blue Cross, a Vet and has a doctorate in Animal Welfare and Behaviour.

Madonna called Sabrina Carpenter out for taking a week to reply to her text. But why does it take some people so long to reply to texts? Jonathan asked Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

New research from Royal London Ireland shows one in seven adults are receiving financial support from family. Nearly half use the money to cover everyday living costs, while three in ten say it helps them keep their heads above water Jonathan discusses this research findings with Mark Reilly, Pensions Proposition Lead, Royal London Ireland.

The Orange Order delegation in Portadown has said they had a “very positive and constructive meeting” with UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant last night.The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition has said there will be “no parade” down their road, and have lodged a legal challenge against the ruling that sought to allow it in the first place. Jonathan got the latest with Allison Morris, Crime Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph.

Today, the Social Democrats will be proposing a windfall tax on the excess profits of energy companies. Which they say would provide a targeted energy credit of €400 for households with incomes of less than €70,000. Speaking to Jonathan was Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Environment and Energy.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Ralph Riegel Southern Correspondent, Irish Independent.

From feathers to foam your pillow can determine the quality of sleep you get. How do you find your perfect pillow? To tell us was Chris McCarthy Clinical Lead Manchester Metropolitan University.

SIPTU members to begin industrial action over pay today. It comes over the failure to establish formal negotiations on a new public service pay agreement. For more on this Jonathan spoke to Brendan O Brien, SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill over the continued Garvaghy Road stand-off. For the latest on this, Jonathan spoke to Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent at The Irish Examiner.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern gives his view on the on the continuing stand-off at Drumcree.

Running costs rather than climate considerations are what gets Irish drivers considering moving from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles. This is according to new research from Done Deal. For more on this Jonathan spoke to Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications at Done Deal.

Food research has shown that if the product has smooth edges, it tastes sweeter and you'll eat more of it. Speaking to Jonathan to chat more about this was Professor Donal O'Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity.

The Cabinet is expected to discuss the continuing stand-off at Drumcree over the Orange Order parade when it meets later this morning We get the latest on this situation with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor for The Irish Times.

A visitor levy in Ireland could raise more than €200m for central government and local authorities according to new research from the University of Galway. To bring us the details was Dr Gerard Turley Lecturer in Economics University of Galway.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Gabija Gataveckaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent.

From hotter summers to wetter winters, Ireland must stop reacting to individual events and instead start preparing systematically for a climate of greater extremes. This is according to the Climate Change Advisory Council. For more on this Jonathan spoke to Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council's Adaptation Committee.

With cremations becoming more and more popular. Cork County Council has been asked to create more columbarium walls in its cemeteries. Speaking to Jonathan was PRO of The Irish Association of Funeral Directors and the General Manager at Lakeside Memorial Park.

The Garvaghy Road standoff is continuing into its 3rd day. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean reports live from Portadown.

Meta and YouTube have now confirmed they will run ads for a new documentary on Elon Musk, after initially rejecting them. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

After months of pushback and weekend of chaos, First-half goals see Republic of Ireland past Israel in controversial fixture in Debrece.Ben Symes Football reporter with Off the Ball in Debrecen looked back on the match with Jonathan.

The UK Secretary for Northern Ireland has said it is not his job to decide if the law is broken after protestors, including Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill. Blocked a planned Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh. Joining Jonathan this morning was Gareth Wilson, DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh and Pádraig MacLochlainn, Chief Whip of Sinn Féin and TD for Donegal.

As the earth gets warmer, summers get longer, and the insects want to follow the heat. There has been an increase in migrating insects, why is that? To tell us more was Éanna Ní Lamhna, Environmentalist, broadcaster and Writer of Eye in Nature Irish Times Weekly Column.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Derek Mooney Former Fianna Fáil Advisor and Public Affairs Consultant .

Flu vaccine shortages have caused vaccination clinics in companies across Ireland to be cancelled. To discuss further with Jonathan was Tom Murray, Former President of the IPU and a Pharmacist in Donegal.

In the UK, counter terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is linked to a suspected bomb plot at an RAF base where US bomber aircrafts are located. For the latest on this Jonathan spoke to Enda Brady, Host of Roundtable, TRT World.

The average house price nationally rose by 3% this year by September 2026. Roughly half the rate of inflation seen a year ago, according to the latest Daft.ie. Speaking to Jonathan with more on this was Ronan Lyons, author of the report and author of “Brittle: How Ireland Built a Housing Crisis and How to Fix It”, coming out October 1st.

Residents of Portadown's Garvaghy Road are due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher this morning. This comes following a tense stand-off over an Orange Order parade. Jonathan gets the latest on the situation there with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor for The Irish Times.

Overnight the Taoiseach gave Ireland's statement to the UN General Assembly. Micheál Martin followed a fiery speech from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Sean Defoe brings Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) the latest from the UN.

U2 has toured the globe countless times, released 15 studio albums so far, sold 175 million albums and won numerous awards Danny McElhinney Music Journalist Irish Mail on Sunday joined Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to look back at their 50 year career and look ahead to their new album.

Credit union lending continues to grow across Ireland at record levels with 104,812 loans issued in the 3rd quarter of this year. David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Union joined Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss.

Rank-and-file gardaí are set to engage in industrial action, likely affecting security at some EU presidency meetings, and plan to march on Garda headquarters as part of their campaign. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning to discuss was Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

How much do you spend on a birthday present? How much is too much or too little? Well to discuss this, Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) was joined by Noel Cunningham

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) this morning was Sharron Lynskey, Presenter of iRadio Daytimes.

781 migrants arrived in the UK in 10 small boats on Wednesday, the highest single-day total so far this year. Joining Johnathan Healy (filling in for Anton) is Enda Brady, Host of Roundtable, TRT World.

The Vegan Society of Ireland has called on the Government to use Budget 2027 to set up a national Plant-Based Food Fund, modelled on the scheme Denmark introduced with cross-party support. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss is Gerard Kiely, Media Spokesperson for the Vegan Society of Ireland, and Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers' Association.

Chinese Leader Xi Jinping has said the US and China have a responsibility to “develop and manage AI for good” as the technology takes centre stage in talks with Donald Trump while reporters from three publications previously blacklisted by Trump have regained access to the White House. Joining Jonathan Healy (filling in for Anton) to discuss is David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian.

Integration is often seen as a two-way street, where both newcomers and the wider society adapt to one another. It raises the question of how responsibility should be shared in creating an inclusive and cohesive society. “One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with Newstalk.”

Professor John Nolan's new documentary “A Vision for Vision” shows there is a powerful link between nutrition, vision, and brain health.

One in five children are missing at least 20 days of school every year. New research from Tusla has asked children, young people and parents what's keeping children away from school. Also what could help improve attendance?Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Áine O'Keeffe, National Service Director Tusla's Educational Support Service.

The Government is considering extending the excise cuts on petrol and diesel until late February or early March. Will this make things better?To discuss further with Jonathan was Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein Deputy Leader and candidate in Donegal.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Jonathan this morning was Valerie Cox Author and Journalist.

In 2024, there was a bill to establish a legal framework for assisted dying in Ireland. Nothing yet has been put into action since then. Joining Jonathan this morning was Tom Curran, Irish right-to-die campaigner and partner of the late Marie Fleming.