Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Are roads built more for the convenience of drivers than safety of cyclists? Ciara and Shane discussed in-depth this morning.

1 in 10 Irish adults completely avoid DIY.  That’s according to new research from Gallagher, which found that twice as many women as men are likely to opt out.  All to chat about with Laura De Barra Property Portfolio Developer and Author. 

Recently we’ve been looking at the future of Dublin’s O’Connell Street, including the Government approving plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed-use.   Now Aontú are planning a protest next week against plans to turn the GPO into so-called “cheap, tawdry commercial centre”. Shane asked Peadar Toibin, Aontú Leader and TD for Meath West why he is against the plans.

“Our roads are a hostile environment” and “It’s time we faced the truth about road danger” that’s the view of Ciaran Cannon president of Cycling Ireland and a former Minister of State who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.  

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has today launched a "New Economic Model" designed to reshape Ireland's economic future in response to mounting global challenges.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Owen Reidy the General secretary  of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

YouTube has some 122 million daily users, consuming content ranging from the unboxing of toys to news digests but now users are being warned about an influx of AI slop that is flooding the platform. All to discuss with Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Did you know that about 90% of Leaving Cert students make changes to their original CAO choices between May and June every year? Tomorrow at 5pm is the final deadline for those changes as the CAO Change of Mind portal closes.   We have advice for students from Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist Brian Mooney.

The Metropolitan Police has decided not to prosecute the members of Kneecap for allegedly saying “Kill your local MP” at a concert in 2023.   However, Mo Chara is still due to appear in court in August for terrorism offences related to flying a Hezbollah flag at a concert in 2024.   Speaking to Shane this morning to discuss further was Stephen Pound, Former Labour MP for Ealing North and former Northern Ireland Shadow Minister. 

Should Dublin’s O’Connell Street be converted into a residential neighbourhood?  All to discuss with Dr Carole Pollard, Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis. 

A New ESRI report projects that long-term residential care and home support requirements will increase by at least 60% by 2040. Speaking to Ciara to discuss further was Tadgh Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland. 

Outrage over Glastonbury chant against Israel’s military. Did this go too far? Shane and Ciara discussed this morning,

In the past five decades, wild salmon numbers in Irish waters have dropped by 90 per cent.   They are now on the brink of disappearing.  We heard from Pádraig Fogarty, Ecologist t discuss this concern. 

ISME, the national SME representatives, have criticised Government proposals to raise personal injury awards by 17 per cent. The organisation says this will punish smaller businesses, while putting more money into the pockets of lawyers.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME. 

A murder investigation has been launched after Sarah Montgomery, a 27 year old pregnant woman, was found dead in Donaghadee, Co Down.   A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.  We get the latest on this with Amanda Ferguson, Freelance Journalist based in Belfast. 

Glastonbury festival continues on through the weekend, with performances wrapping up at midnight on Sunday.  With over three thousand performers featured at this year’s event, music lovers may feel spoiled for choice with options. Sky Arts and Entertainment Reporter Bethany Minelle tells us the must see acts.

Dame Anna Wintour is stepping back as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years.  While she will remain Vogue's Global Editorial Director, her departure from the US magazine has shocked the fashion community.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Jane McDonnell, Co-Founder and Publisher of The Gloss Magazine, who formerly worked at British Vogue with Anna Wintour.

Ireland is to sign up to a major new EU Defence initiative that will allow member states to jointly procure military equipment as the bloc seeks to rapidly rearm in the face of Russian aggression. To discuss this initiative further was Mark Price Co-Chair of the Irish Anti War Movement and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League and also  Mark Mellett Former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. 

The Government will prioritise “cost and efficiency over design standards and aesthetics” when it comes to future infrastructure spending.

The government should accelerate housing delivery by reverting commercial stamp duty from 7.5% back to 2% and raising the Help-to-Buy scheme threshold above half a million euro.  That’s the call this morning from Property advisor, Savills Ireland but is it the right move?  All to discuss with Economics Professor at DCU Edgar Morgenroth.   

The capital's centenarians gathered for afternoon tea at the mansion house yesterday.  Newstalk's Sarah Madden joined them for a cuppa: