Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

The government has confirmed that it will charter a flight to the Middle East to evacuate Irish citizens amid the intensifying conflict in the region. The charter flight will have capacity for 280 people and will be targeted at Irish citizens currently in the United Arab Emirates, particularly those who are non-resident and who are vulnerable and require assistance most urgently. Included among thousands of Irish stuck in the gulf are the couple John Keane and Eimear Kelly from Cork.

Three in five schools have unfilled vacancies due to recruitment and retention difficulties, while almost one-in-five have been forced to drop subjects because they can't fill positions. That's according to a new survey carried out in over 100 second level schools by the Principals and Deputy Principals' Association of the Teachers' Union of Ireland. Joining Anton on the show was Michael Gillespie is the General Secretary of the TUI.

The National Women's Council are calling for both maternity and paternity benefits to be linked directly to income and expanded to cover at least the first year of a child's life. They will be protesting outside Leinster House later today. Speaking to Anton this morning was Donal Swan, Women's Economic Equality Co-ordinator, with the National Women's Council.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. Donald Trump has said "everything has been knocked out" in Iran, but has reiterated his frustration with Sir Keir Starmer over his reluctance to get involved, telling reporters "this is not Churchill we're dealing with" All to discuss with Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war has entered it's fifth day. Anton spoke to Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran.

It's time for "Did You See”. 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 Eamon Ryan Chair of the European Commission Housing Advisory Board.

Overcrowding, inadequate food provision, lack of private space and restricted family life are systemic issues with accommodation being provided to asylum seekers. That's according to new research from migrants' right organization Doras, whose CEO John Lannon spoke to Anton this morning.

Social media platforms should be made to turn off recommender algorithms for under 18s. That's according to a new bill from People Before Profit to be debated in the Dáil later today. Joining Anton this morning was Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD.

Yesterday it was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs that charter flights are to be organised to evacuate Irish citizens who have been stranded in the gulf since hostilities began last weekend. But from an operational perspective, how will this all work? Joining Anton to explain is Kevin Byrne Airport Safety and Security Expert.

Low-smoke and smokeless fuels do not lower the risk to human health from air pollution, scientists in Galway have found. To discuss the findings with Anton was Professor Jurgita Ovadnevaite the Director of the Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies at the University of Galway.

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, as the war's fifth day comes into view. We get the latest with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian.

Now getting your little ones to kids to read is a challenge for most parents, but how do you get them to read if they refuse? Maybe with a promise of a sweet treat? But could this disturb their relationship with reading in the long run? All to discuss with Dr Patrick Burke Assistant Professor in Literacy Education at DCU.

With thousands of flights to and from the Middle East cancelled and many Irish travellers stuck in the region. There will be many listening this morning who have had travel plans affected by the ongoing conflict But what consumer rights exist for travellers in extraordinary situations we now find ourselves in? With advice and guidance we heard from Sinead Ryan Consumer Columnist with The Irish Independent and Presenter of the home show on Newstalk .

The videos of Bill and Hillary Clinton's testimonies about their ties to disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have been released. With us to hear more about what was discussed, Anton was joined by Gina London, Former CNN Correspondent.

The number of Dubliners using bicycles on an almost daily basis has increased by 50 per cent in just two years. This according to new research from the National Transport Authority, who have today published the findings of the largest survey of walking, wheeling, and cycling in Ireland Anton discusses the findings with Finola O'Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager with the NTA.

The US and Israel are attacking Iran for a fourth day and Tehran is continuing retaliatory strikes against Washington's allies and bases across the Gulf. We discuss the situation with Jane Kinninmont Chief executive of United Nations Association UK and Duncan Bullivant, CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Former British Army Officer & Former UK Diplomat Jane Kinninmont Chief executive of United Nations Association UK.

A large number of Irish people are still stranded in the Middle East as conflict in the region has caused chaos for international travel. There are also about 22,000 Irish living in the gulf region who are fearful of what may come next. To discuss the support the government are giving for those stranded Anton spoke to Neale Richmond Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown.

It's time for "Did You See”. 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 Christina Finn Political Editor with The Journal.ie.

“It's been 15 years since my mum died but the grief and unfairness of losing her has roared back to life”. Those are the words of Irish Independent Columnist Tanya Sweeney who spoke to Anton this morning about her grief journey.

Members of the Irish Farmers' Association have ended their sit-in protest at Bord Bia, after the State agency's board agreed to an independent expert-led governance review into its operations. Larry Murrin will stand aside from chairing board meetings for the duration of the review. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, chose not to protest, though they did call for Larry to step aside. Their President Denis Drennan spoke to Anton this morning.

The national Gaeltacht housing campaign group TINTEÁN will hold a protest today outside Leinster House. They are calling on the government to take immediate action on the housing and language crisis in Irish speaking areas. Speaking to Anton was John Prendergast, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge.

US President Donald Trump has said the “big wave” of the US attack on Iran is yet to come, when he yesterday laid out his war objectives, saying he wanted to destroy Iran's missile capabilities, annihilate its navy, end its nuclear ambitions and stop it arming militant groups. Anton discusses this further with, Middle East Journalist and Analyst Borzou Daragahi.

It is officially bird nesting season! Today, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD is asking people to play their part by helping to protect birds and wildlife. Legislation does majorly prohibit the pruning or removal of hedgerows during nesting season, but why are these hedgerows so important? All to discuss with Eanna ni Lamhna, biologist, environmentalist broadcaster and author.

Cabinet will consider a range of options on how to reduce traffic gridlock in parts of the country tomorrow as Dublin has been found to be the third most congested city in the world. Titled “Moving Together” the paper includes options like the introduction of congestion charges, further taxes on heavy vehicles, and a reduction in the number of parking spaces. With more on this we heard from Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent.

More than 30 households in the Hazelwood estate in Wexford were served eviction notices over the weekend. The renters in Bridgetown have been given until August to vacate the properties which are set to be sold. This is said to impact about 100 people across the 36 homes and will ‘devastate the village.'Speaking to Anton this morning was local Sinn Fein Councillor Aoife Rose O'Brien.

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton this morning was David Smith, Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief and also Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Ireland's food environment has become “abusive, toxic and targeted” .That's according to Professor Donal O'Shea and Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity. Professor Donal O'Shea joined Anton this morning on the show.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold, the 20,000 Irish people in the Middle East remain. Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs Thomas Byrne gave us the latest advice for them, and whether there are any plans for an evacuation

When people think of outstanding scenery, they mainly imagine forests, lakes and mountains. But new research suggests you can get as much satisfaction out of a city building. All to discuss with Eugene Masterson, Research Fellow, Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, University of Nottingham.

It's time for "Did You See”. 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 Gabija Gataveckaite BBC Dublin Correspondent.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that chartered deportation flights are now ‘routine' within Ireland's immigration system. The statement comes as 63 people, including nine children, were flown to South Africa on Saturday night. Are routine deportation flights fair? Anton asked Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon.

We get perspective on the ground in Dubai. Anton spoke to John Hayes who is from Limerick and is a journalist with Al Arabiya English television news.

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton with an update was Borzou Daragahi Middle East Journalist and Analyst.

French, red or nude getting your nails done is part of the ongoing maintenance for many women.Selene Daly Tarpey Registered Advanced Nurse and Nurse Tutor explains why you should wear sun cream when getting gel manicures.

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue and replace its general arts course as students are increasingly attracted to “direct routes to employment”.Aisling Murray Fleming, Guidance course director of Dublin City University spoke to us to explain more.

With spring just around the corner so too is hay fever season which can leave people coughing and sniffing all day long. So what is the best way to deal with it? All to discuss with Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist at The Asthma Society of Ireland.

More than 300,000 homes are now in arrears on electricity bills. That's according to new figures from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. why there's been a big rise in the numbers of households in arrears on their electricity bills. For more on this Anton spoke to Charlie Weston Personal Finances Editor with the Independent.

The Football Association of Ireland will introduce tougher security measures such as sniffer dogs and CCTV at League of Ireland games following threats to pull funding for new Astro pitches, according to the Irish Independent. It comes after a flare was thrown at the Louth derby between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park, resulting in one child sent to hospital. Speaking to Anton this morning was Patrick O'Donovan, Sports Minister.

Yesterday Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton told a congressional committee on Thursday that she did not recall ever meeting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Later today her husband and former president Bill Clinton will testify in front of the same congressional committee. Anton spoke to The Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief David Smith.

Nearly 200,000 young adults in England have joined a claim against universities, arguing they did not receive the education they paid for during the Covid pandemic. Across the water, people are beginning the same process in Northern Ireland. We get the details from Megan Burn, Solicitor with Phoenix Law.

The role of judicial reviews and how to improve decision making in the planning process will be in the spotlight today at The Bar of Ireland Conference. Where a number of senior government officials will be contributing. Seán Guerin Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland joined Anton this morning ahead of the conference.

Minister of Transport Darragh O'Brien has announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy. It will set out the next phase of Ireland's plan to expand and future proof the national EV charging network. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.