Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

Now it’s time to order those turkeys and with Christmas on the horizon, Ireland is seeing a huge increase in Turkey sales.It’s estimated that Almost 10% of us will cook dinner for the first ever time this year. And Safefood is today launching their ChatBot service so you can get help cooking the Christmas dinner safely. Paul Flynn, Chef and owner of the Tannery in Dungarvan, Co Waterford joined us for a chat about preparing your Christmas Dinner. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on...

Duration:00:05:40

This Year Was A Very Warm Year

This year is on course to be one of the three warmest ever recorded and could even top the record set in 2016, according to a new report from the United Nations. Met Éireann has also said this year is on course to be the joint ninth warmest year on record in Ireland. For more we were joined by John Fitzgerald Chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can...

Duration:00:03:17

‘Bessborough Could Be The Next Tuam’

Campaigner and historian Catherine Corless fears Cork’s Bessborough site hides horrors similar to those found at a former mother and baby home in Tuam. Earlier this week - there was outrage over an application to build 246 apartments on Bessborough land and Catherine joined us on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the...

Duration:00:05:15

Minister Simon Coveney On Brexit

Minister Simon Coveney will visit Paris today for discussions with French Ministers. It comes as European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says the coming hours are key if a Brexit deal is to be done. Minister Coveney joined us on the show before he heads to Paris. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk...

Duration:00:08:35

New Guidelines For Air Travel - Is It Safe To Fly?

New guidelines published by the ECDC and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency state that prevalence of coronavirus among travellers is estimated to be lower than cases for the general population. But does that mean it is safe to fly? Joining us to discuss we heard from Professor of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin and Member of the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group, Aoife McLysaght. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and...

Duration:00:06:04

The 20 Most Influential Moments Of The Last 20 Years

Time now to return to our series exploring Newstalk’s 20 most influential moments of the past two decades. Everyday, across the station, we’re looking back at an influential moment chosen by our listeners. Today, we are looking at the introduction of water charges and the political and social upheaval that it caused. To look back and discuss we were joined on the show by Fionnann Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts...

Duration:00:04:39

When Will Ireland Get A Vaccine?

Yesterday the UK became the first western country to approve the use of a coronavirus vaccine - giving the green light for people to start receiving the jabs as early as next week . What process has to happen before the vaccine is rolled out here? And are we moving quickly enough? To discuss we heard from David Nabarro, World Health Organization's special envoy on Covid-19 and professor of global health at Imperial College London. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts...

Duration:00:06:47

The 20 Most Influential Moments Of The Last 20 Years

Everyday, across the station, we’re looking back at an influential moment chosen by our listeners. Today, we are looking at the Me Too movement. The #MeToo hashtag was adopted as a rally cry of solidarity by thousands of women in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations . The movement was hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against sexual harassment, but not everyone is supportive. Political journalist and author of ‘What Women Want’ Ella Whelan joined us on the show. Listen and...

Duration:00:05:07

Vaccine Rollout To Begin Next Week In The UK

The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use. It’s been given the go-ahead by the health regulator MHRA and will become available from next week. Dr Anne Moore is Senior Lecturer in UCC School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology joined us on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on...

Duration:00:03:57

Will People Abide By Covid19 Restrictions Ahead Of Christmas?

One in five people admit they are “very unlikely” or “unlikely” to comply with Covid-19 restrictions that would prevent them seeing family and friends over the Christmas. The findings from the Central Statistics Office come as public health officials warned that people should not socialise with friends or they risk passing on the virus to older relatives at Christmas. For more we were joined by Pete Lunn, Founder and head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit. Listen and subscribe to...

Duration:00:06:32

How Will The Government Fund The €8.5bn Budget Spend

Questions have been raised about how the Government plan on financing the €8.5bn in increased permanent spending which was announced in Budget 2021. The Fiscal advisory council say that big increases in spending is potentially a risky strategy. Joining us on the show was Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live...

Duration:00:08:38

Should Under 16's Need Permission To Start Puberty Blockers?

Three Judges in the UK have ruled that children under the age of 16 are unlikely to be able to give consent to start puberty blockers. What does this ruling mean for Ireland? Joining me on the line to discuss is Psychotherapist and author, Stella O’Malley. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa,...

Duration:00:05:43

Calls For Frontline Workers To Get Additional Paid Leave

Frontline workers who have been running hospital and community services through two waves of the Covid-19 pandemic should be acknowledged with, at a minimum, additional paid leave. That’s the view of Independent TD Denis Naughton. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Duration:00:01:38

Will Spectators Be Allowed Back To Sporting Events Soon?

Could we be cheering on our favourite teams from inside a stadium soon? Joining us on the show to discuss this is Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers TD. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Duration:00:04:25

"It's like Supermarket Sweep." 5am shopping start for Penneys fans

Large social distancing queues have been forming all morning, the public are keen to start their Christmas shop and what better way than get up at the crack of dawn and queue for pajamas in your pajamas. Penneys stores in shopping centres and city centres will remain open until 10pm. Penneys say they will have extensive safety measures in place, limits on the amount of people in the shop, Perspex screens, hand sanitation stations and compulsory face masks worn by staff and customers....

Duration:00:04:18

Dublin air pollution rising

Air pollution in Dublin last weekend was back to levels not seen since before the ban on smoky coal was introduced 30 years ago. The EPA study found that pollution levels in Rathmines and Ringsend were up to 15 times higher than EU and World Health Organisation guidelines on Saturday night last. Professor John Wenger from the Centre for research into Atmospheric Chemistry at University College Cork joined Ciara and Shane to discuss. Photo: RollingNews.ie/Photocall Ireland! Listen and...

Duration:00:04:03

Should Brian Stanley face punishment?

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he was “shocked and dismayed” at the “deeply offensive” tweet sent by Sinn Féin TD and chair of the Public Accounts Committee Brian Stanley. The tweet which was sent on Saturday, celebrated two historical IRA attacks on the British army. The TD has since apologised for the remarks. To discuss further we’re joined by Pearse Doherty Sinn Fein’s finance spokesperson Picture: Alf Harvey Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify....

Duration:00:05:43

Retail reopens

Ireland has officially exited lockdown with level 3 restrictions now in place nationwide. With that, Ireland’s non essential retailers, hairdressers and gyms are reopening their doors today after 6 weeks closed. We speak to some of them, we are joined by: Katie Dwyer, Owner of Katie’s Barbers in Ratoath Co Meath Gerard Keane from Keanes Jewelers who have outlets in Limerick, Killarney and Cork Greg Kenny, MD of One Life Fitness in Cork Coilin O’Reilly, Director of Services for the North,...

Duration:00:08:07

Public health doctors set to strike

Public Health doctors have overwhelmingly voted in favour of three days of strike action in January. Ciara and Shane are joined on the line with Dr Ina Kelly, chair of the Irish Medical Organisation’s (IMO) Public Health and Community Health to discuss this further. Photo: Arno Burgi/dpa Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the...

Duration:00:05:55

The 20 Most Influential Moments of the Last 20 Years