Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

Local businesses are creating a new experience for Christmas shoppers by making one-off events – collaborating with other businesses and suppliers, offering freebies and discounts for customers. Newstalk's Ciara Treacy went to a couple of these events in Dublin City Centre last night to find out more.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary hits back at claims the airline hikes fares around major sporting events rejecting suggestions of price gouging.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the draft of a new US-backed plan to end Russia's war in his country, according to his office. He is expected to hold talks with US President Donald Trump in the coming days. To discuss further we heard from Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

People buying cocaine on a Friday night could be inadvertently funding Russia's war in Ukraine. This is according to An international investigation involving the gardaí, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and other European and US law enforcement agencies Shane discusses this further with Crypto currency Journalist Connor Sephton.

Regulators should examine whether increased air fares particularly around sporting events are compliant with consumer protection laws. So says Mark Duffy, Fine Gael Senator, spokesperson on Transport in the Seanad and Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

The Dáil has heard that ‘thousands' of people are spending their lives stuck in Dublin-bound traffic, with many motorways becoming ‘carparks'. How pressing is this issue, and what can be done to fix it? All to discuss with Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

The Defence Forces are preparing to deploy a naval ship to monitor a Russian surveillance vessel should it move closer to Irish waters. We discuss further with Vice Admiral and Former Head of the Defence Forces Mark Mellett,

Yesterday, University of Limerick PHD Researcher Emma Jude Lyons claimed the victory in the Irish Universities' Association's 3 minute thesis competition for her presentation of a new methodology to create bespoke breast prosthesis.

Brazil failed to secure an early COP30 climate deal on Wednesday, but their President Lula optimistic, saying there's still room for progress in the summit's final two days Former Environment Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was at COP30 last week and recently questioned “is this really working?”

Dublin's planned new metro system will need about 8,000 workers to construct, according to Metrolink's Project Director Sean Sweeney. He told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the Irish construction industry cannot support the construction of this project. Shane discussed this further with Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU.

There are concerns about Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters . Also Washington has reportedly developed a secret 28-point plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. This comes ahead of a meeting later today between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a US delegation in Kyiv. Also All to discuss with Declan Power Defence and Security Analyst.

A New ESRI study has found that participation in afterschool clubs and centres is more common among higher income families, with this gap widening over time. Dr. Helen Russell, Research Professor and head of the Social Research Division at the ESRI.

The Government is being forced to bring in emergency regulations to stop companies attempting to subvert the new auto-enrolment pension. We get more on this with Charlie Weston, Personal Finance editor with the Irish Independent.

Would you be interested in dining at a restaurant where your phone is locked away? One restaurant who has adapted this policy is Punk Royale in London and we spoke to Katherine Bont, Head of Guest Experience at The Punk Royale Group.

This morning, Friends of the Earth are setting up a cold and drafty “sitting room” outside the Dáil in support of a Bill to introduce Building Energy Rating standards in rented accommodation. For more on this we spoke to Clare O'Connor, Friends of the Earth's Programme Coordinator for Heat.

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a Bill demanding that the justice department release all files related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. All to discuss with David Smith Washington Bureau chief of The Guardian.

As part of yesterday's ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the departure from politics of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education and Youth, marking her appointment to full Cabinet for the first time. Minister Naughton spoke to Shane this morning.

According to a new survey, men would rather remain single than have to deal with women's expectations and their desire to change them. Is this fueling a great relationship recession? To discuss further we heard from Alana Kirk, Author and Midlife Coach.

31 per cent of taxi drivers feel unsafe while working. That's according to a new FreeNow report released today. We discussed further with Danny O'Gorman, General Manager at Freenow Ireland.

Today, the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food will meet to discuss State funding for horse and greyhound racing in Ireland. Greyhound racing received 19.8 million euro in Budget 2026. Joining Shane to discuss more is Nuala Donlon, Greyhound Action Ireland Spokesperson and Michael Healy Rae, Independent Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and the Marine and TD for Kerry.

One in three adults who drink now drink at home alone at least once a week, while one in four report binge drinking in the past 30 days. That's according to new research from Drinkaware, whose CEO Dearbhla O'Brien spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

A public petition is calling for Mandatory singing of the National Anthem and raising the Irish Flag in schools . We discuss this with Máire Ní Churraoin, native Irish speaker and Irish content creator.

If you haven't already, break out your hats and scarves as temperatures are set to plummet for the next few days. We get an insight into what we should expert from Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather.

The United Nations Security Council has voted in favour of a resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan. Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Ireland may need to consider changes to asylum and immigration rules on foot of tougher changes being brought in by the British government. That's the warning from Minister Justice Jim O'Callaghan. This comes as coalition leaders met last night to sign off on a further tightening of migration rules, relating to the criteria for family reunifications.Ciara discusses this further Cathal Malone Immigration lawyer and Head of Legal Research at Thomas Coughlan & Co Solicitors.

Elephants should be completely removed from all zoos. That's the call in a new report from advocacy group Freedom For Animals, who also argue that traditional zoos such as Dublin Zoo with “old-fashioned programmes and tiny enclosures are at risk of falling behind” modern best practice. So are zoos still fit for purpose in the modern day? We asked Animal Advocate and Founder of Animals Behind Closed Doors, Gerry Boland and Biologist, Environmentalist, Broadcaster and Author, Eanna Ní Lamhna.

Green-Schools is inviting classrooms all across Ireland to take part in the 7th annual Clean Air Week. One of main themes is ‘no idling' as many parents drive their children to school. Ciara spoke to Sadbh O'Neill, climate and environmental researcher to discuss further.

A public consultation has opened today seeking the views of members of the public, employers and other interested parties on the right to request a remote working arrangement. For more on this we heard from Alan Dillon Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail.

A 60-year-old woman has died and her husband is in a serious condition in hospital, after they were stabbed near their home in Cork city last night. We get latest on this with Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent with The Irish Times.

Black Friday is just 9 days away, and new research by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission shows that influencers are swaying our purchasing decisions. All to discuss with Newstalk tech correspondent Jess Kelly. With thanks to Renault.

There was five minutes, and 12 seconds of additional time played when Parrott poked a Liam Scales header, from a Caoimhín Kelleher hit and hope, into the Hungary net. What a moment it was!Henry McKean met Troy Parrott's friends and family at the Bridge Tavern in Portland Row after they watched Troy's hat-trick. We also spoke to the former coach of Troy Parrott from his early days at Belvedere FC Cameron Moules.

Donald Trump has called on Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files. This is a major reversal from his previous position. He now says the files should be public and the republican party has nothing to hide. We discuss further with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of the Guardian.

Creches could close indefinitely until the Government keeps its promise to reduce childcare costs. That's the warning from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, whose chair Elaine Dunne discussed further with Ciara this morning.

We return to that tragic road crash that claimed the lives of five young people in Dundalk on Saturday night. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joins us from Co.Louth.

Six out of 10 couples seeking fertility treatment are trying to conceive a second child. That is according to leading fertility doctors. For more on this we heard from Dr John Waterstone Medical Director of Waterstone Clinic.

David McWilliams wrote an interesting piece over the weekend regarding why there is an anti-Americanism on the Irish left Some of it is about foreign policy, some about ideology, but all of it raises big questions about how we see ourselves on the world stage, and how our closest economic partner sees us. All to discuss with Law lecturer from University of Galway and Columnist with The Journal, Larry Donnelly.

Parents should take care to keep their kids safe with their Christmas gift choices. That's the warning from CyberSafeKids, as it releases its new ‘Gadget Gift Guide'. Speaking to Shane this morning was their CEO, Alex Cooney.

Five young people have died and three others have been injured in a road crash in Dundalk in Co Louth. The three men and two women who died were all under the age of 25 and have been named as Chloe McGee,Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hipson. To pay tribute to the victims was Padraig McGovern, Principal of O'Fiaich College, Dundalk and Michael Gallagher Sinn Féin Councillor in Drumconrath.

Bedtime stories are slipping away. Recent UK literacy surveys have shown a clear drop in how often young children are read to at home. All to discuss with Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin.

Inflation is now at its highest level in a year and a half. That's according to the latest consumer price index from the Central Statistics Office. Will it be an expensive Christmas? All to discuss with Sinead Ryan, Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and consumer columnist with the Irish Independent.

In the past 20 years, the rate of children and teenagers living with high blood pressure globally has nearly doubled because of a toxic combination of unhealthy diets, mass inactivity and soaring levels of obesity. That's according to a new meta analysis of data from 96 studies published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal. Joining Shane now to discuss this further is the Clinical lead on Obesity for the HSE, Dr Donal O'Shea.

Met Eireann has issued a status orange weather warning for counties Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford today, with heavy rain expected to create the possibility of “significant flooding”. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Keith Leonard Director of fire and emergency management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.