Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Nearly two-thirds of bar and retail workers have faced verbal abuse at work, over a quarter have been threatened, and more than one in ten have been assaulted. That’s according to a new survey from Mandate Trade Union. Shane discusses these findings with Jim Fuery, Mandate Trade Union’s Assistant General Secretary.

“The row of seats that face the registration desk in the hospital I attended for miscarriage surgery contained me and two heavily pregnant women checking in to give birth. Having had this experience, I feel I can say with confidence that there’s a good reason you wouldn’t have a wedding planner and an undertaker share a reception.”   So wrote Clare Moriarty, Post-Doctoral Researcher at Trinity College Dublin who told her story to Shane this morning.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.  He said this means “all hostages” will be released soon, and Israeli troops will be withdrawn from Gaza “to an agreed upon line”. We get the latest on this breaking news with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Foreign Correspondent.

The Traitors is getting the celebrity treatment with a star-studded line-up including Stephen Fry, Alan Carr, Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Jonathan Ross all set to take part in the first ever celebrity edition of the hit reality show.  What can we expect from the first ever celebrity edition of the hit reality show? All to chat about with Scott Bryan, TV Critic and Broadcaster.

Thousands of students across the country receive their Junior Cert results today.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Michael Gillespie, General Secretary TUI.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin could be facing a test of his leadership of Fianna Fáil at a party meeting on Wednesday amid widespread anger among TDs and MEPs over Jim Gavin’s abandoned presidential campaign. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Christopher O'Sullivan Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity.

 On Tuesday afternoon, Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister, Jack Chambers delivered Budget 2026 which favoured ‘sustainable decisions over one-off payments’ All to discuss with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of Ireland, Peter Burke and also Sinn Féin TD, Spokesperson for Public Expenditure, Mairead Farrell. 

“I regret taking my children to the pub and drinking in front of them is not okay” So wrote Anniki Sommerville in the iPaper. Anniki explained why to Ciara this morning.

The Crown Prosecution Service will appeal the chief magistrate’s decision to dismiss a terrorism case against Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, who was charged with allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last November. We get the details with Vincent McAvinney, London Based Journalist. 

A vote in the European Parliament today may mean the days of the “veggie burger” or plant based “steak” is numbered. Many European livestock farmers see plant-based foods that mimic meat as a threat, and one more challenge facing a troubled sector. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Francie Gorman President of the Irish Farmers Association. 

The carbon tax increase, which came into effect at midnight last night. Which means that motorists will pay 2.5 cents more per litre for fuel at the pumps, with a further hike to come in January.  All to discuss with Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland. 

“I’m finding that there is a natural “culling” of friends as you grow older. This sounds ruthless but it’s often more subtle.” So, wrote Anniki Sommerville in the iPaper, but is she right that friendships simply fade away as we get older? 

Delegations from Israel, Hamas, and the United States have begun indirect talks in Cairo, with the US hoping the negotiations will lead to an end to the war in Gaza. Shane was joined on the show by Ehud Olmert, Former Israeli Prime Minister.

Budget 2026 is set to be announced later today, but before any official decisions, there is already debate over whether it will help enough people deal with the cost of living. All to discuss with Economics Commentator with The Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey and General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Owen Reidy. 

It is Budget 2026 day, what do you want to see from today? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

The HSE is today inviting parents and guardians to attend a webinar on Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances.  But what is the impact of vaping on young people? All to discuss with Professor John Crowne, Consultant oncologist at St Vincent's Hospital Group.

Jim Gavin's withdrawal from the presidential race has cast a shadow across Fianna Fáil. Also there are questions of whether proper processes were in place to select a candidate. We get more reaction with Eamon O Cuiv, former Fianna Fáil Minister for Housing.

“Leaving Cert changes are already dangerously out of date thanks to AI". That's the view of Colm O’Rourke, Former secondary school principal and Sunday Independent Columnist. Colm explained why to Shane this morning.

Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe will announce Budget 2026 later today – and frantic negotiations between Government departments were going down to the wire yesterday, according to reports. So, what is likely on the cards, and who are going to be the big winners and losers? All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent. 

Instagram has brought its Map feature to Ireland, giving users the ability to share their exact location and see the exact location of their friends. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us the details.