Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

This week, firefighters across Europe have been battling strong wildfires from France to Greece. But what is involved in order to get on top of these fires? Pete Hutchison, also known as Pete the Irish Pilot on social media, joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss.

A “once-in-a-generation” solar eclipse is coming this August, and it will be the strongest Ireland has seen since 1999. Leo Enright, Space Commentator, joined us on the show with the details.

Over half of child car seats checked by the Road Safety Authority service were found to be fitted incorrectly in first six months of 2026. Ron Richardson, Lead Checker with The RSA Check and Fit Service joined us on the show.

Hamas says it has agreed to its complete disarmament and the withdrawal of Israel from the strip. The agreement was announced by US President Donald Trump but Israel is yet to comment. Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at London School of Economics and Political Science joined us on the show to discuss.

FIFA has defended its controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA goes ahead with these plans. Professor of football finance at Liverpool University, Kieran Maguire, joined Anton Savage on the show this morning.

The Irish Prison Service has bought a new bulletproof escort van ahead of Daniel Kinahan's expected extradition from Dubai. The vehicle will be used to move high-risk prisoners as security preparations intensify. Journalist and Author, Paul Williams joined Anton Savage to discuss.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent.

For the first time, people who can't physically climb Croagh Patrick can make the journey thanks to a new immersive experience that enables people of every age and ability to experience the holy mountain, and it will officially open today in County Mayo. Senior Project Manager at Mayo North East, Orlagh Denneny joined us on the show this morning.

More than 1,500 migrants, including adults and children, have swum from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in recent days, overwhelming reception centres and border services. Greta Ruffino, Freelance journalist reporting on the story for EuroNews joined Anton Savage on the show.

The Government has signalled a tougher approach to public spending ahead of Budget 2027, with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers warning that departments exceeding their spending limits will face stronger sanctions. Anton Savage was joined by Dr Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin, to discuss.

FIFA has defended its controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. UEFA's 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA goes ahead with these plans. Former Irish Footballer Keith Treacy joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss.

The US military said it completed a “heavy wave of strikes” against Iran on Thursday in response to so-called “surprise attacks” from Tehran against American bases in Jordan. Nicholas Hopton, Former Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council joined Anton on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the latest moves made in the conflict

While enthusiasm for learning and speaking more than one language is growing, why do people in Ireland speak so few of them? Anton was joined by Dr Paul Gillespie, research fellow with the School of Politics and International Relations at UCD and former foreign policy editor with The Irish Times and Columnist to discuss this more.

Writing in The Irish Times this morning Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin says that e-scooters can play a role in sustainable transport Brian spoke to Anton about this.

As a group protesting against the Israel vs Ireland soccer match occupied the Department of Sport offices, Anton spoke to Cllr. Cieran Perry, Dublin City Councillor, about the ongoing protests

Three firefighters die in Crete as wildfires threaten parts of southern Europe, Anton was joined by Damian Mac Con Uladh, Irish journalist based in Athens

Climate Change Advisory Council are calling for urgent action to address household emissions and reduce exposure to fossil fuel price volatility Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council Alex White joined Newstalk Breakfast to explain this

Simon Hunter, a freelance journalist in Spain & veteran Paris-based journalist John Lichfield joined Anton to discuss the ongoing Wildfires that are blazing across many parts of France and Spain.

The Minister for Justice has announced changes to the controversial criminal legal aid scheme, agreeing to split payments so solicitors receive two-thirds of their fee at the start of a case and the balance at the end of proceedings or 12 months later. So is this enough to stop the row? Solicitor Michael Finucane discussed this with Anton

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced he is preparing to open state owned grocery stores which will sell essentials at a discount of thirty percent. People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy joins Anton to share his view with him.

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

What do you do if your teenager suddenly becomes obsessed with their weight or starts avoiding food? Harriet Parson, CEO of Bodywhys.ie joined Anton to discuss how parents can handle this

With the last Cabinet before the summer break taking place today, we hear what will be discussed at the meeting. Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent, gave Anton the details

Thirteen people have died in southwest Japan following a magnitude six point eight earthquake that hit yesterday afternoon Japan time. Brian Gaynor is a Freelance Journalist in Japan and he joins Anton to give him the latest update

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet President Donald Trump at the White House later today.To discuss and preview the meeting, Anton was joined by Ukraine Correspondent for France 24 , Emmanuelle Chaze.

As victim impact statements were presented in court yesterday at the trial of former swimming coach George Gibney. Newstalk's Reporter, Emily Keegan, joined Anton to discuss what the victims had to say.

Wildfires are raging in many parts of France and Spain, and as the fires continue to damage many homes and lives there, can anything be done to get these blazes under control?Joining Anton to discuss this and more is Dr Claire Bergin from the Icarus Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Broadcaster and Podcaster, Sean O Rourke.

While the good weather translated into more time enjoyed outdoors with family and friends, has it lifted our economic mood? Economist Austin Hughes joined Anton to discuss the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index report.

New analysis from Wind Energy Ireland shows that significant volumes of renewable electricity generated by Irish wind farms could not be used because the electricity grid wasn't strong enough carry it. Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs at Wind Energy Ireland, spoke to Anton and discussed the rapid growth of wind energy in Ireland

With firefighters battling to contain Wildfires in many parts of France, Anton spoke to Joseph Ataman, CNN Journalist in France, to get the latest update on the blazes there.

Archaeologists in Galway have recently found a Neolithic tomb from over 6000 years ago which has raised new questions about how our ancestors livedDr. Michelle Comber, co-lead of the Maree Landscape Use project joined Jonathan Healy to discuss on the show

As Mayo gets ready to welcome home the Sam Maguire Cup later today in Castlebar, Gaelic Games Correspondent with Off The Ball, Tommy Rooney, joins Newstalk Breakfast live from the Winners Hotel.

Cybercriminals are using AI to piece together "digital breadcrumbs", like social media check-ins, fitness app data, public records, and leaked passwords, to build comprehensive profiles for identity theft.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast to expalin why

As wildfires continue to spread across Europe, we hear from a family caught up in the experience. Ben Sturnham joined Jonathan Healy on Newstalk Breakfast this morning to tell us about his experience with a wildfire while on holiday in France

With Mayo finally getting their hands on the Sam Maguire Trophy after a 75-year wait, Henry Mckean gets reaction from delighted fans in Castlebar after the game.

As budget day looms, different industry groups are publishing their pre-Budget submissions.Two of the groups from the Drinks Industry, Donall O'Keefe, the Secretary of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland & Ceo of the Licensed Vintners Association, and Sheila Gilheany, the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, joined Newstalk Breakfast to set out their priorities.

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

The Government has been accused of rowing back plans for an overhaul of bin collections which would see companies responsible for a specific geographic area.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent joined Newstalk Breakfast to discuss this further

This week will see regulations on the building of modular homes relaxed as the Government attempts to fix the housing crisis. However, some are concerned about how the new laws could affect Ireland's most vulnerable. Labour TD for Limerick City and spokesperson for Housing, Conor Sheehan, joined Jonathan Healy to discuss this

As the suspect in the Berlin Pride car attack, which killed 1 person and injured 29 others during the weekend, has reportedly been shot by German police, Jonathan Healy spoke to Derek Scally, Berlin Correspondent of The Irish Times to get the latest update.

As Mayo won a historic All-Ireland Football Championship after waiting 75 years to do so, fans leaving Croke Park spoke to Newstalk's Molly O'Connor.