Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The latest CSO statistics show that there has been a huge surge in people wanting to get out hillwalking and hiking since the pandemic. Where are the best places to hike in Ireland? Heather Snelgar, Co-editor of Outside.ie spoke to Newstalk Breakfast to explain why are we seeing such an interest in people getting out walking the hills and dales?

Spending too little time on social media can have a negative effect on the mental health of teenagers – that’s according to a new study by sociologists at Trinity College Dublin. To discuss these findings Shane spoke to Richard Layte, a professor of sociology at Trinity and a co-author of the paper.

The latest Russian oil and gas sanctions will likely see further price hikes in fuel and home heating. Muireann Lynch, an Energy Economist joins Shane on the show this morning with more on this.

Airport officials will appear before the Oireachtas transport committee again today to release their plans of dealing with the influx of people this forthcoming bank holiday. Kieran O'Donnell, Fine Gael TD & Chairperson of that Committee meeting spoke to Ciara this morning and also joining Ciara was Pat Byrne, Founder, and Chair of Cityjet.

A new electoral commission could examine lowering the voting age as part of amendments submitted by politicians to the landmark new Electoral Reform Bill. So is now the time to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote? Joining Shane to discuss this was Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil Senator and Noel Howard, Spokesperson for Social Care Ireland.

Violent incidents at Dublin Airport, and elsewhere on public transport, show the need for a dedicated transport police unit in the gardaí. That’s according to James Lawless, Dáil justice Committee Chairman who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The Good Governance Awards 2022 are being launched today, and Newstalk is a media partner Each year the Awards showcase the incredible work carried out by nonprofit organisations in Ireland to implement effective and transparent corporate governance policies. Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí CEO of Carmichael who is launching the awards spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

We need urgent implementation of climate plans and policies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. That’s according to the recent report released by Environmental Protection Agency. What should be done to meet the emission reduction targets? Mary Frances Rochford, Climate Change Programme Manager at the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

The Drug Use in Higher Education in Ireland (DUHEI) Report found that the most used drugs during college include cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy, a high-level conference in UCC heard today. To discuss these finders further Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Dr Michael Byrne, Head of the Student Health Service at UCC and lead author of the report.

Paralympic swimming gold medallist, Ellen Keane and Olympic gold boxing medallist Kellie Harrington have been unveiled as the new Dublin City Council Sports Ambassadors. The partnership aims to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity in Dublin, while highlighting the importance of a wide and varied sporting infrastructure for a healthy and happy city. Kellie Harrington spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about this new initative.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality have called on the Gardaí to note ethnicity during stop and search operations. Why is this necessary? For more on this Ciara spoke to Sinead Gibney, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme will end today after offering two years of support to employers. Joining Shane in studio Paschal Donohoe Minister for Finance & President of the Eurogroup.

A war of words has broken out in the US over the proposed sale of the American Irish Historical Society's headquarters on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan New York – and opened up a conversation about whether Irish people are "ashamed" and "cringe" at Irish Americans To discuss further Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Niall O'Dowd Founder of Irish Central.com

Irish tanning-enthusiasts are being warned not to buy nasal sprays containing the so-called ‘’Barbie Drug’’ Melanotan. The product heavily marketed by social media influencers is being sold on the internet with same-day delivery options in Ireland. Dermatologists say the tanning aid is both dangerous and completely unchecked. Consultant Dermatologist Professor Catriona Ryan spoke to Shane about the dangers of this training aid.

The Government cannot fully offset the cost-of-living increases for everyone. That’s the warning coming from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. IFAC’s latest report is out today and their Chairperson Sebastian Barnes joined Newstalk Breakfast with the details.

1,000 people missed their flights out of Dublin airport this weekend due to significant queues and delays. Will the chaos at Dublin airport cause reputational damage to the country? To discuss Ciara spoke to Former Minister for Transport, Shane Ross and also Eoghan O’Mara the Chief Executive at Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.

Digital bank Revolut is prompting some customers to upgrade their debit cards for free before June 21st. Failure to do so could lead to the cards not working. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined us this morning with more on this.

The government is set to introduce a cost-of-living package that is targeted at hard-pressed families. But will the proposed package go far enough to help those in need? Dr Karina Doorly, Research Area Coordinator for the Tax, Welfare, and Pensions team at the ESRI joined Shane on the show this morning.

An urgent meeting between the Transport minister Eamon Ryan and Dublin Airport Authority will be held this morning following huge delays and long queues at the weekend which resulted in many passengers missing Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAA ing their flights.

The gambling industry is to fight parts of Government legislation in an attempt to clamp down on the industry. It comes as one senator wants to see a ban against bookmakers located near schools over concerns of “children in uniforms going into bookies”. Labour Senator Marie Sherlock spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about her concerns.