Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

This weekend saw energy infrastructure in the Middle East threatened in the ongoing conflict, sparking fears of an escalating energy war. Iran threatened to target energy centres across the region, which could “irrevocably destroy” vital infrastructure. This came in response to threats from Trump that power plants would be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours. For the latest on this Anton spoke to Sky News Foreign Correspondent and Middle East Expert Alistair Bunkall.

New York's LaGuardia airport has been closed until further noticed after an Air Canada Express plane and ground vehicle collided. We get the latest on this with Terry Sheridan, News Director at WSHU Public Radio.

Gardaí investigating a serious assault on a woman in Tipperary are looking for information on the movement of two vehicles seen driving dangerously on the evening of the incident. We get the latest on this with David Raleigh, freelance journalist based in the Mid-West.

The number of abandoned or stray dogs being euthanised in Irish council shelters has increased fourfold over three years. So says research by University College Dublin, with Ireland having the highest proportion of healthy dogs being put down across Ireland and the UK. A large reason for this is ‘dogflation', and Corina Fitzsimons, PR & Communications Executive with the Irish Blue Cross spoke to Anton with more on this.

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 Mick Clifford Special Correspondent Irish Examiner.

The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and leader of the Independents in Government Seán Canney will meet later to sign off on fuel supports to tackle massive inflation being experienced since the beginning of the US war on Iran. Speaking to Anton this morning was Richard Boyd Barrett People before Profit TD.

From today, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be sent to airports to help with increasingly long lines at security checkpoints, the Trump administration has said. We get the latest on this with David Smith The Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief.

More than seven in ten migrant workers in Ireland are being exploited under the current employment permit system. That's according to a new survey from the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, whose Director Neil Bruton spoke to Anton.

The State of the Global Climate Report 2025 reveals last year was in the top three hottest years, and highlights how interconnected our atmosphere, oceans and land surfaces are. Joining Anton to discuss further was Oisin Coughlan, Policy Advisor to the Environmental Pillar.

The sleeping and waking cycles of babies is all consuming for parents so from naps to the quality of sleep we get to the bottom of the baby bedtimes myths. All to discuss with Sleep Consultant Lucy Wolfe.

This week, the Government is set to bring forward its intervention aimed at tackling increased energy prices arising from the war in Iran. But what can we expect? Joining Anton to discuss is Seán Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent.

John McKenna, Food critic behind the 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland joined Anton on the show this morning as the best restaurants in Ireland are revealed!

The medical condition Meningitis has been all over the news this week, after an outbreak in Kent in the UK claimed the lives of two with 27 cases confirmed. Our very own Claire Byrne contracted bacterial Meningitis in her early teenage years and she told Anton about her experience.

Over the past three weeks, the war in the Middle East has wreaked havoc on the global economy. Anton discusses this in detail with Economist David Mc Williams.

“Toxic” social media apps are preying on vulnerable young people. That's the warning being given today by the Irish Medical Organisation at a meeting of the Standing Committee of European Doctors Speaking to Anton this morning Professor Matthew Sadlier Vice-President and Chair of the Consultants' Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation.

US President Donald Trump has said he will not be sending troops to Iran, but if he was he “wouldn't tell you." His comments came after oil and gas prices have surged due to strikes on facilities in Iran and Qatar at the world's largest natural gas field. We get the latest with Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran.

A surge in the price of domestic electricity and gas supplies is now on the cards after huge damage was done to key energy infrastructure across the Middle East in the past two days. Joining Anton with the details is Charlie Weston, Personal Finances Editor with the Independent.

Owners of SUVs could face charges to drive in London, after the mayor and transport authorities said they were reviewing the increased danger posed by larger, heavier cars. So should we be doing the same in Ireland? All to discus with Ciaran Cuffe Co-Chair of the the European Green Party.

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 Gavan Reilly, Virgin Media News Political Correspondent and host of Monday with Gavan Reilly on Virgin Media Television.

A tourist tax of up to €5 a night could be charged at Dublin hotels. Anton gets reaction to this with Janet Horner Green Party Councillor for Dublin North Inner City.

A Fine Gael Councillor has called on Limerick City and County Council to consider drafting a byelaw, which would make all property owners responsible for footpaths adjacent to their premises. Anton was joined on the show by the Councillor in question, Stephen Keary, Limerick Fine Gael Councillor.

More and more parents are opting for non-religious “milestone” or “Age of Reason” ceremonies for their kids. Joining Anton this morning was Niamh Davis, Humanist celebrant who's daughter is having a “milestone ceremony.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation has issued a call for the introduction of statutory paid reproductive health leave, which would see workers have protected time off when experiencing early pregnancy loss, undergoing fertility treatment, or accessing surrogacy. For more on this Anton was joined by Maeve McCafferty, Equality Officer with the INTO.

EU leaders have refrained from committing to secure the Strait of Hormuz, even under pressure from US President Donald Trump to assist in safeguarding the strategic waterway. Joining us with the latest from Brussels is Newstalk Reporter Eamonn Torsney.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will join other EU Leaders today at a European Council meeting in Brussels, to address the situation in Middle East. But what sort of influence can Europe have as the conflict continues to escalate? All to discuss with Cathal Berry former Independent TD and former member of the Defence Forces.

The Government's Help to Buy scheme should be increased to reflect current market conditions and the cost of delivering new homes. That's the call from Seamus McGrath Fianna Fail TD for Cork South–Central who spoke to Anton this morning.

On March 15th, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced two people had died during an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, near London. UK health officials said there were 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease, all of which are believed to be linked to a nightclub called Club Chemistry. Speaking to Anton this morning was Khali Goodwin, mother of Keeleigh Goodwin, who has been hospitalised with Meningitis.

The Irish Road Haulage Association will meet Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien later this morning demanding immediate action to reduce rising fuel costs, warning they need concrete measures. Speaking to Anton this morning was their President Ger Hyland.

The draft National Drugs Strategy put forward by the government is fundamentally flawed due to its failure to reference the well-established link between poverty, inequality and drug-related harms. That's the view of Anna Quigley, Coordinator of Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign who explained why 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 David McRedmond, CEO of An Post.

Today is set to be the hottest of the year so far, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as 17 or 18 degrees! Joining Anton with more on this is Ailís Hankinson, Meteorologist with Met Éireann.

Child protection should be removed from Túsla and returned to direct ministerial and departmental control. That's the call in a motion to be debated before the Dail today by Ken O' Flynn Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central. Ken explained why he is calling this to Anton this morning.

A typical mortgage switcher in Ireland could save €2,399 or more within one year of switching their mortgage, according to new figures from Irish Mortgage Advisors. We get the details with Trevor Grant the Chairperson of Irish Mortgage Advisors.

Yesterday, Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien TD met with stakeholders across the transport sector to discuss both short and long-term solutions to congestion in the Greater Dublin Area. Anton discusses this further with Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager, Iarnród Éireann.

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said in a written message that the killers of security chief Ali Larijani, who died in an Israeli strike, "will have to pay for it". This comes after Israeli strikes on the world's largest natural gas field, South Pars in Iran, were criticised by Qatar as a dangerous and irresponsible step. We get the latest on the war on Iran with Borzou Daragahi Iranian Journalist and Analyst.

Pearse Doherty Sinn Fein Deputy Leader, Finance spokesperson, and TD for Donegal, is to bring a motion before the Dáil next week demanding urgent action to tackle the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol and diesel.

The UK Health Security Agency says meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in Kent have risen from 15 to 20 and two young people have died. As of 5pm yesterday, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab, with 11 still under investigation. We discuss the details of the outbreak with Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Some Dublin residents are concerned that foxes could spread diseases to their pets. That's according to Rory Hogan Fianna Fáil Councillor for Pembroke Lea in Dublin City Council. He has written to the council to find out which state agency is responsible for urban foxes. Rory spoke to Anton this morning.

Gerry Adams said yesterday he never held any role or rank within the IRA, as he gives evidence in a civil trial in London. We get the latest on this with Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of the Irish Times.

During his White House meeting with the Taoiseach, US President Donald Trump has criticised Nato and other US allies, saying he has been told they "don't want to get involved" in the Iran war. Anton discuss this and more with Amy Tarkanian Former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and Republican Strategist.

Residents near Dublin Airport and environmental activists will be speaking in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport later this morning. Up for discussion is the bill that will allow the Transport Minister to abolish the passenger cap. To discuss further Anton was joined by Louise O'Leary, spokesperson for Children's Rights Over Flights.

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 Craig Hughes, Political Editor of the Irish Daily Mail.