Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

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.

GAA County boards across Ireland are warning matches could be cancelled as the referee shortage and abuse crisis worsens. Joining Ciara to discuss more is Rory Hickey, Former Intercounty GAA Referee and GAA referees Administrator for Clare.

A scientist at the University of Cambridge has attempted to measure how monogamous humans really are and how we compare with the rest of the animal kingdom. The research suggests Humans are not complete angels but we do sit near the top of the league table of lifelong devotion. All to discuss with Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of 'The Science of Happiness'.

The funeral of Tadgh Farrell, aged 4 who was killed alongside his great-aunt in a house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly to take place today. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Fergus McDonnell, Independent Ireland Councillor for Edenderry .

Irish visitors to the US will be required to disclose their social media histories from the last five years before entering the country. This is according to plans published by the Trump administration. We get reaction to this with Greg Swenson Chair of The Republicans Overseas UK and Ireland.

A vigil was held last night in Edenderry for four-year-old Tadgh Farrell and 60-year-old Mary Holt who died in a suspected arson attack on Saturday night. Gardaí have also released CCTV footage of the attack and have renewed appeals for information. Barry Whyte, Newstalk Chief Reporter was at the vigil last night.

Services on Dublin's Luas Green Line remain suspended this morning while repair works continue following a power failure. We get the latest with Dervla Brophy, Communications manager with Transdev.

Foreign Intelligence Services are actively targeting companies in Ireland.That's according to a new report from the Institute of International and European Affairs and Deloitte. To discuss this further we heard from Cian Fitzgerald is Senior Reseacher for Institute of International and European Affairs and Deloitte and the co-author of paper. Also Declan Power, Security Defence Analyst and also on the security working group for Institute of International and European Affairs and Deloitte discusses the1.7 billion defence spending plan that will run until 2030.

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee will today outline a €1.7 billion defence spending plan that will run until 2030.

“When it comes to Christmas gifts, I'm with Roy Keane they are only for kids” . So wrote Deirdre Reynolds in the Irish Independent. Deirdre spoke to Ciara this morning to chat all about gifts for Christmas.

Fianna Fáil TDs and senators can expect the full review into the party's presidential election before Christmas, according to reports. There has been significant discontent within the party over the delay in the publication of the review, and with us to discuss more is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent.

An Garda Siochána has launched a public consultation on the use of body-worn cameras by its members. Body cameras are already being trialled in five Garda stations, but should they be rolled out nationwide? Shane discusses with Dr Elizabeth Farries, Director at UCD Centre for Digital Policy, and Dr Pat Leahy, Former Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin.

Overall immigration numbers in Ireland have dropped despite a 40% increase in asylum applications last year, that's according to according to the European Migration Network Ireland's annual review. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Keire Murphy, Author of the report and Senior Policy Officer, the European Migration Network Ireland's in the ESRI.

It's Panto season and to tell us all about the best pantos up and down the country, is the Ballymun queen Dame Stuffy who has joined Ciara and Shane in studio.

A new report shows that Doctors at Tallaght University Hospital diagnosed 18 young people with a neurological disorder caused by inhaling nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Hugh Kearney, Consultant Neurologist St James hospital and Trinity College earlier.

Around 8,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country remain without power following Storm Bram. We get the latest on this with Matthew Martin, Meteorologist with Met Eireann and Graeme McQueen, DAA Media Relations Manager.

Millions of children and teenagers in Australia have begun losing access to their social media accounts after a world-first ban has come into effect, blocking online access for users under 16. Dr Danielle Einstein, the Sydney-based clinical psychologist who laid out the evidence for the ban in the Einstein Report and in her latest co-authored book Raising Anxiety spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Three-year extension of nitrates derogation granted. Shane and Ciara discussed this decision this morning.

US President Donald Trump criticised European leaders as "weak" and suggested the US could scale back support for Ukraine. Zelensky said Ukrainian and European elements of the peace plan were now more developed and that Kyiv was ready to present them to the US. Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine correspondent for Radio France Internationale and France24 brought us the latest on this.

A new report from the National Cancer Registry Ireland has found the Covid pandemic did not have a lasting impact on cancer diagnoses or deaths. To discuss this further was Professor Deirdre Murray, Director of The National Cancer Registry Ireland.

Thousands of homes remain without power and towns across the country continue to battle flooding in the wake of Storm Bram. We get an update from Cork with Jamie O'Hara, Newstalk reporter. From Louth with Conor Hughes, owner of Beat It Music on Blackrock's Main Street and with an update on the situation this morning with Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather.

Now a new report is out from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, which outlines an increase in the cost of building new apartments. It also suggested that first time buyers would require a first time buyers would require a combined salary ranging between 84,000 euros and 129,000 EURO to purchase an apartment. We are joined now by one of the co-authors of the report Paul Mitchell, Co-Founder And Director of Mitchell McDermott.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Digital Rights Ireland are calling on the Government to clarify its plans to introduce a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users We discuss further with Joe O'Brien, Executive Director of ICCL.

The entire country has now been placed under a status orange weather as storm Bram is to bring gale force winds today. The warning will remain valid until 3pm. We get the latest updates with Matthew Martin from Met Eireann and also Keith Leonard, Director of Fire and Emergency Management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Half of teachers who reported experiencing burnout cited unrealistic parental expectations as a contributing factor. But do parents really demand too much from teachers? For more on this, we heard from Anthony Quinn, TUI President.

Today marks the launch of An Foclóir Nua Gaeilge, Ireland's first “monolingual” dictionary. The book, which is also available online, will offer a deeper explanation of the meaning of different Irish words, rather than offering its English translation. With us to explain the significance of this is Patricia Nic Eoin from All About Irish.

Councillors in Naas Municipal District will today vote on a proposal to suspend pay parking in some areas of the town from December 15th through to the end of the year. Several towns across Ireland, including Castlebar, Tralee and Newry have introduced similar measures for the festive season. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast to discuss was Bill Clear, Independent Ireland Councillor for Naas And Tony Lowes One of the Directors of Friends of the Irish Environment.

A status Orange wind warning has just come into place for a number of southern counties with more to come under a orange warning later in the morning. A status yellow wind warning is in place for the whole country Joining Shane to explain what we can expect from Storm Bram today is Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather.

Almost 30 years after mobile phone use became commonplace, non-existent coverage or dropped calls still dominates large swathes of the country – so says Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy.

Communities around the country are left with far fewer GPs than others despite rising demand. That's according to figures obtained by The Sunday Times revealing a widening postcode lottery in general practice. All to discuss with Dr Deirdre Collins, Chair of the board of the Irish College of GPs, and GP In Kilcullen Co. Kildare.

Netflix recently announced it had reached a deal to buy Warner Bros Discovery's TV, film studios and streaming division for $72bn (€62bn). But what does it mean for consumers? All to discuss with Adrian Weckler Technology Editor with the Irish Independent.

Should we be cautious about building more roads to ease congestion? That's the suggestion from Trinity Professor Brian Caulfield, who warned that traffic modelling features a concept known as “induced demand”.

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation into the deaths of Tadhg Farrell and his 60-year-old grandaunt, Mary Holt in a fire at a house in Co Offaly on Saturday evening. A second woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. Shane spoke to the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan and started by asking him for his reaction to what Gardai are calling a murderous attack.