Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

According to new data from the Department of Justice the average time it takes for a standard application for International Protection in Ireland to be processed is 18 months. So, does the process need to be fast tracked?   We discussed this with Fiona Hurley, Chief Executive of Nasc, Migrant and Refugee Rights.   

A proposed digital return scheme would have saved €80 million and 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.  That’s according to the Irish Waste Management Association, whose Secretary Conor Walsh who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Donald Trump accused Ireland of stealing US pharmaceutical industry in his meeting with Taoiseach Michéal Martin at the White House. We discuss this White House visit with Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.  

Should we step away from our phones to realise what we are missing? Shane spoke to Alexander Hurst, Columnist for The Guardian Europe and started by asking about his recent experience where he was stripped of his mobile phone and how it made him reassess things

There are more public toilets in Dublin than people realise – and the Council must ensure there are proper signs and access.  That’s the call from several councillors, including Darragh Moriarty, Labour Group Leader on Dublin City Council who explained Shane this morning. 

Late last night Taoiseach Micheál Martin handed over the bowl of Shamrock to US President Donald Trump after a day of political engagements and his St Patrick’s Day trip to the US continues today. Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe was in the Oval Office yesterday as things went down. 

Children under eight should steer clear of slushies containing glycerol due to the risk of sickness.  That’s according to a new study from the Archives of Disease in Childhood. For more on this we heard from Professor Ellen Crushell, Lead Author of the study and Metabolic Paediatrician at Children’s Health Ireland and Clinical Professor at UCD School of Medicine. 

Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the “ball is now in Russia’s court” to also accept the deal.  We discuss all with Inna Sovsun, Ukrainian MP and Deputy Leader of the Holos party.

56 per cent of Irish adults would give 50 euros or more to a niece or nephew for their communion or confirmation, according to a new survey from An Post.  Are we getting excessive with the money we give children? Jonathan discussed this with Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will continue his five-day US trip with a White House visit today, but what can we expect from his meeting with US President Donald Trump?  Shane caught up with Tom Del Beccaro, Former Chairman of the California Republican Party and author of 'The Lessons of the American Civilisation”, and began by asking how he expects things to go later today. 

It’s 40 years since the sale of condoms was deregulated in Ireland. So, how has Ireland changed since the time of chemist-only condoms and what impact did this day 4 decades ago have on the country we know today? Sarah Madden reports.

Ukraine has agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia during talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. We discuss this further with Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath, former NATO Analyst. 

Today Taoiseach Micheál Martin has his long awaited meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. Our Political Correspondent Sean Defoe has been following the Taoiseach’s delegation and sent this report from Washington. 

The sun is finally starting to show a bit more and many people will be excited to get the lawn mower out to cut the grass.  But people shouldn't be in a rush to manicure their garden, according to Dr Éanna Ní Lamha, Environmentalist and PRO of the Tree Council of Ireland. 

CAO applications for third level courses have risen by nearly 9%, with many courses seeing more than 20% more applications compared to last year.  That’s according to new data released this morning. We discuss these findings with Gemma Lawlor, Guidance Counsellor at Tyndall College Carlow. 

Households could face charges for excessive water use this year. But are water charges necessary? Shane and Jonathan discussed this morning,

Saudi Arabia is to host talks today between the United States and Ukraine in a new diplomatic push to end the war. With more on this Shane spoke to Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine correspondent for Radio France Internationale and France24.  

Maternity services need to reduce the “medicalisation” of childbirth, according to a report from the Birth Rights Alliance. One of the report authors Rachael Bermingham told us more about their findings.

Households could face charges for excessive water use this year. The charges, expected to be capped at €500 per year, and will apply to homes using abnormally large amounts of water.  We get reaction to this new charge with Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councillor. 

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will continue his five-day US visit with a White House visit tomorrow.  What can we expect from tomorrow's White House visit? Shane asked David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of The Guardian.