Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Yesterday, Bishop Ray Browne, the Catholic Bishop of Kerry apologised after a retired priest, Fr Séan Sheehy delivered a homily where he voiced disparaging remarks about abortion, transgenderism, and homosexuality. A number of people got up and left the church in protest at the priest's controversial homily. Joining Ciara to discuss this event is Theologian, Gina Menzies.

Just 52% of consumers who have their main account with Ulster Bank or KBC have opened a new account. That’s according to new research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Both banks are leaving the Irish market in the coming months. Kevin O’Brien Commission Member with the CCPC. Kevin, can you bring us through what is in this survey? Was it expected it would be as low as half at this stage?.

Gardaí have launched an investigation after discovery of a man’s body in “unexplained circumstances” in County Monaghan. The discovery was made outside the M Hotel near Carrickmacross yesterday morning. Conor Lally Irish Times Crime and Security Editor spoke to Vincent this morning on the show.

Friday night movie screenings have been underway at Tiglin’s Homeless Café, The No Buck Café on Pearse Street for the last month giving service users “a place to belong”, that’s according to an article in the Irish Examiner Aubrey McCarthy, Chairman of the Tiglin Homeless Services spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

Ireland is to be hit by a “frightening” wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year and for many, it could be too late for medicine. That was the stark warning Taoiseach Mícheál Martin issued speaking at a Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party meeting last week. And for more on this Ciara spoke to Professor John Crown Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Get out and exercise this winter! That is the message today from Sport Ireland and the government as they launch their Winter Initiative. The scheme will see over 700 events and activities planned by national sports governing bodies encouraging people to get out and exercise over the cold months. Jack Chambers Minster of State for Sport and The Gaeltacht joined Vincent this morning on the show.

For the past month, activists from Just Stop Oil have been protesting across London to ensure the Government commits to halting new fossil fuel licensing and production. But can disruptive action help to save the planet? Lora Johnson, an Activist from Just Stop Oil joins Vincent this morning to discuss.

Was Halloween night a horror show for the fire brigade? Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Dublin Fire brigade, John Guilfoyle to Ciara how did Halloween night go.

Today is World Vegan Day, and the practice of steering clear of animal products has surged in popularity across the country in recent years. So is going vegan the ethical thing to do? To discuss this further Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Sandra Higgins of GoVeganWorld.com and the Eden Farmed Animal Sanctuary.

Strategic Russian missile attacks on energy facilities have left millions of Ukrainians facing rolling blackouts The attacks have also hit other services 80% of Kyiv residents having their water supplies cut. James Waterhouse BBC’s Ukraine correspondent joined Vincent this morning with an update on the recent attacks.

Average private rents have almost doubled their 2012 level, but income inequality is at a new record low - that’s according to the latest ESRI report. For more on the findings of the report, Shane spoke to Economist at the ESRI and the author of the report, Dr. Barra Roantree.

The North looks set for fresh elections after political parties missed the midnight deadline to restore power-sharing at Stormont. It means that Assembly elections will likely take place for the 2nd time this year on December the 15th. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been to Lisburn which is in the Unionist stronghold of Lagan Valley. Speaking to Ciara was Eóin Tennyson – Alliance Party MLA for Upper Bann.

Many of you will be celebrating spooking season this weekend but did you know its origins and traditions have been passed up for our ancient Celtic ancestors to make it the tricks, treats and sweets extravaganza it is today! Speaking to Ciara was the Keeper of the Irish Folk Life Collection at the National Museum of Ireland - country life Clodagh Doyle.

Elon Musk has said he does not want Twitter to become a “free-for-all hellscape”, in a sudden bid to please advertisers. Musk, a self-declared “free speech absolutist”, initially stated he was buying Twitter to restore free speech. This triggered concerns among advertisers that the social media platform would become a breathing ground to toxicity and abuse. Kirsty Parks, Post-Doctoral Researcher at DCU & Disinformation lead for The European Digital Media Observatory Ireland spoke to Shane this morning.

The live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion house will not be going ahead this Christmas for the first time in 27 years despite weeks of preparation. Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy brought the subject to yesterday morning’s Dublin City Council meeting. Joining Ciara this morning was Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy and also IFA President Tim Cullinane.

Dublin's Capel Street shop owners are split on the new pedestrianisation. Some feel it has been left unfinished, encouraging antisocial behaviour. A drop in foot fall, with no dedicated cycle lane, leading to cyclists hitting pedestrians. Dublin City Council will vote in November to determine if the street will remain pedestrianised. Henry McKean took a stroll down Capel Street and met pedestrians, business owners and locals. He asked is it working?

The North looks set for fresh elections after political parties missed the midnight deadline to restore power-sharing at Stormont. It means that Assembly elections will likely take place for the 2nd time this year on December the 15th. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was John Finucane Sinn Féin MP for Belfast North and Doug Beattie Ulster Unionist Party leader.

“Jesus always talked about feeding the hungry and looking after the poor. It seems to me that opening their doors would be in line with what the church should be doing” That’s the view of Independent Cllr in Wexford Davy Hynes who has questioned whether the church has ever been approached to help with the homeless and refugee crisis Davy joined Ciara alongside Fr Iggy ODonovan, Priest and Member of the Augustinian Order.

Oireachtas committee members questioned Education Minister Norma Foley yesterday over increased number of Irish language exemptions granted under the revised process. Is this exemption rule fit for purpose? General Secretary of Conradh Na Gaeilge Julian De Spainn joined Ciara on the show this morning.

Sinn Fein remains by far the most popular party in the country according to an Irish Times/Ipsos poll. However, there has been a significant lift in support for both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil following Budget 2023. Pat Leahy Political Editor of The Irish Times brings us the findings of this Irish Times poll.