Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

Ireland faces a looming "pensions timebomb", with the ratio of workers to over-65s set to more than halve by 2065 without policy reform. That was the warning from officials at the Department of Finance in their appearance before the Oireachtas housing committee yesterday. To discuss this further Anton spoke to Dr Emma Howard, Economist and Lecturer at TU Dublin.

The sudden closure of an illegal poitín operation caused a bizarre health crisis, a doctor in Limerick has revealed. We get the details from Jimmy Wolfe a Limerick Journalist.

President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history overnight. We got reaction to the speech with Amy Tarkanian, Former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and Republican Strategist.

The government will today publish a five-year National Maritime Strategy aimed at protecting Ireland maritime interests and enhancing national security and defence. The strategy will also strengthen protections around undersea cables and energy connections in Ireland's waters. All to discuss with Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence and Fine Gael TD for Meath East.

We get the latest on the Garda investigation into the murder of Michael Gaine with Jerry O'Sullivan Presenter of Kerry Today on Radio Kerry.

Waterford County Councillors have unanimously passed a motion to make the national anthem a mandatory part of the Irish primary school curriculum The motion was proposed by Donnchadh Mulcahy, Sinn Féin Councillor for Waterford County Council. Donnachadh spoke to Anton this morning.

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 Gateveckaite Dublin Correspondent, BBC.

Six cancer types are rising faster in younger adults than in those who are older in at least five countries. A new study of global cancer incidence shows. So why is this happening? All to discuss with Professor John Crown Oncologist at St. Vincent Hospital Group.

Conor Sheehan Labour TD for Limerick, is to introduce a Bill calling for the mandatory broadcasting of all local authority meetings. Conor explained why to Anton this morning.

We cross live to DC after President Trump gives his State of the Union Address. We get reaction to the speech with David Smith, Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief.

The Minister for Justice should reconsider his position on introducing a standalone offence for crimes against retail workers. That's according to James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South who explain why to Anton this morning.

The Department of Education has indicated there won't be any reductions in the total number of SNAs for the next school year, while the Government reconfirm and reanalyse the recommendations of the NCSE in respect of total necessary numbers. Speaking to Anton this morning was Fórsa's Head of Education Andy Pike.

It's been four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, setting in motion a war over territory and autonomy. Over 80,000 Ukrainians still remain in Ireland since 2022, including Ksenia Samotiy Irish Independent columnist who moved from Ukraine in March 2022. Ksenia spoke to Anton this morning.

Lord Mandelson has been released on bail, the Metropolitan Police says, hours after his arrest on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mandelson had been under investigation over allegations he shared market-sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein while a government minister. To get the latest on this Anton was joined by Adam Boulton, Broadcaster and Political Commentator.

Rents are continuing to rise while supply hits an all-time low that's the top line from the latest Daft.ie report. Speaking to Anton this morning the author of that report, Ronan Lyons who is also Economist at Trinity College Dublin.

Capping solicitors' fees is among the measures called for in a petition that has been submitted to the Oireachtas to help tackle the issue of delays in the divorce process. Anton discusses further with Michelle Browne  Senior Family Mediator and Author.

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 Aoife Moore Journalist and Author.

Violence continues to rip through cities across Mexico following the killing Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho" in an operation by the Mexican military on Sunday. We get the latest on the situation there with Adam Hankcock a journalist in Mexico.

It's been four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, setting in motion a war over territory and autonomy. We heard from Yuriy Sak Former advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

Have you ever been called mid by someone? While Gen Z refer to mid as something that is mediocre, average, or disappointing, Irish Examiner Columnist Esther McCarthy thinks mid and in particular midlife is far more magnificent than boring and she joins Anton this morning to tell all.

The European Parliament has decided to postpone a vote on the European Union's trade deal with the US after Donald Trump imposed a new temporary import duty of 15% on imports from all countries. To discuss further Anton spoke to Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Last Wednesday people all across the country dawned ashes on their forehead to mark Ash Wednesday. One person who did so on Virgin Media's The Tonight Show was Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent Fionnán Sheehan was met with online trolling. Fionnán spoke to Anton about what he experienced.

Google processes over 8.5 billion searches a day, and if you're one of the millions of people contributing that figure, you may want to be wary of the results you choose to consume. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Anton to explain why.

As predicted, Jessie Buckley did the business at the Royal Festival Hall in London and picked up the Best Actress Bafta, the first for an Irish woman in that category ever. Henry McKean was there for us last night and got all glammed up. He joined us from outside the Baftas this morning.

The European Commission has called for Washington to abide by the terms of the trade deal struck last year with the EU. This comes after US President Donald Trump announced new global tariff hikes a day after an adverse Supreme Court ruling. All to discuss with Dan Mulhall Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.

The US Secret Service have shot and killed an armed intruder who breached the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's Florida residence, early yesterday. We get the latest on this with David Smith Washington Bureau chief of The Guardian.

So what should politicians do to address the rise in road deaths in Ireland? Anton asked Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and spokesperson for Transport.

More than half of workers in Ireland believe that their pay does not match their skills and effort. That's according to new polling published today by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, whose Secretary General Owen Reidy spoke to Anton.

There has been over a forty percent increase in sexually transmitted diseases compared in January of this year compared to last year. So what is causing this sharp rise? For more on this, Anton spoke to Dr Aisling Loy, Consultant in Genito-Urinary Medicine in the GUIDE clinic at St James's Hospital.

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 Gráinne Ní Aodha, News Reporter with PA Media.

New research shows that seventy six percent of hoteliers are concerned about the outlook for the Irish economy over the next twelve months. This comes as the Irish Hotel Federation is set to meet for its annual conference later today. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Paul Gallagher CEO of the Irish Hotels Federation.

Seven people died on Irish roads over the weekend. So what should politicians do to address the rise in road deaths in Ireland? Anton spoke to Leo Leighio, Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association.

A new documentary is out called “Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox returns to Italy” and this is the story of Amanda Knox returning there having been wrongfully convicted of murdering her roommate and dragged through years of court cases. Anton spoke to Amanda about her experience, and started by asking her why she would return to Italy, when you might think it is the last thing she would want to do.

A confidential Cabinet memo has been circulated to ministers warning them of looming worker displacement due to artificial intelligence. Women and younger employees are more likely to be exposed. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Julie Galbraith Chief Business Officer at Arachas Corporate Practice and Head of the Employment Law Association of Ireland.

Estate agents using artificial intelligence generated images on property listings “is misleading to people” and wastes their time, according to Tánaiste Simon Harris. The statements came after Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan raised the issue in the Dáil following criticism of one Cork-based estate agency and auctioneer showing spruced-up versions of photos of a property alongside the real ones. For more on this Anton spoke to Ray Cooke CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers.

Social media is 'well down the list' of factors impacting youth mental health, according to experts warning against a blanket ban for teenagers. Anton discusses this further with Dr Ruth Melia, Department of Clinical Psychology in University of Limerick.

US President Donald Trump has hosted the first meeting for his “Board of Peace”, declaring the war in Gaza “over” and promising to “look over” the United Nations. 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 Mary Hanafin, Barrister and Former Fianna Fáil Minister.

In the UK, former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been released from custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. King Charles III has said the “law must take its course”. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Stephen Pound Former Labour MP for Ealing North and Former Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland for 10 years.

A number of towns are struggling to put on St Patrick's Day parades this year. Rising insurance costs, a shortage of volunteers and a lack support from businesses are some of the factors leading to these challenges. It has raised the question of the financial support given to these types of events in cities compared to towns. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie visited Ashbourne in Co Meath where there will be no parade this year.

For any student thinking of doing medicine in college, the HPAT is an essential for prospective doctors but is it actually fit for purpose or just performative cruelty? One person who thinks so is Dr Matthew Sadlier, Associate professor at UCD and a Consultant Psychiatrist.

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck in the face with an e-scooter during a violent attack in the Temple Bar area while he lay on the ground unconscious. We get the latest on this with Robin Schiller Senior Journalist, Irish Independent.