Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

40 years after the final series aired, the BBC’s Fawlty Towers is set for a reboot! John Cleese, who wrote and starred in the beloved BBC series, is set to star alongside real-life daughter Camilla Cleese in the new series. Steve Cummins Co-Founder of Zoom party.ie and Comedian gave his reaction to this news of the reboot.

Duration:00:05:06

Lia Fáil stone on the Hill of Tara vandalised

The word “fake” has been painted on the 5,000-year-old granite, Lia Fáil stone on the Hill of Tara in an act of vandalism that is now under a Garda investigation. Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer at An Taisce spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Duration:00:03:56

Referendum may be needed to limit number of TDs in Dáil

The next Dáil will be the largest ever due to a significant spike in the population over the last 5 years. Ireland could have 250 TDs by the middle of the century unless there is a referendum to increase the current population limit. Odran Flynn, Political Analyst brought us more details.

Duration:00:06:44

Attorney Generals report into private nursing home fees

The Attorney General has found that the State's legal strategy toward those charged nursing home fees was "sound, accurate, and appropriate". Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health, David Cullinane spoke to Ciara this morning with more on this.

Duration:00:08:13

Sharp division over use of pronouns in updated sex education

The Irish Times reports that there has been division over the teaching of gender identity and the use of pronouns in the updated sex education syllabus Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast were Alan Hynes, CEO of Catholic education partnership, and Dr. Siobhan O Higgins.

Duration:00:07:20

The Government’s latest Housing for All report

‘Progress in viability, affordability, vacancy, innovation, and reform.’ That’s the assessment from the newly released Housing for All update. With some reaction to this Ciara spoke to Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Former chair of the Housing Agency. Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Former chair of the Housing Agency

Duration:00:06:16

President Biden delivered his State of the Union speech

President Joe Biden vowed to work with Republicans at the annual State of the Union Speech to Congress last night, where he acknowledged American democracy is bruised Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Journal.ie Columnist told us more about the contents of the speech.

Duration:00:04:11

The latest on the rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria

Overwhelmed rescuers in Turkey and Syria are still struggling to save people trapped under rubble, as the death toll from a devastating earthquake rises.

Duration:00:04:13

Today marks “Safer Internet Day”

Today marks “Safer Internet Day” and Ireland's online safety charity, CyberSafeKids, has joined forces with the National Parents Council to launch its ‘Same Rules Apply’ campaign today. Alex Cooney, CEO of CyberSafeKids talked us through this campaign.

Duration:00:05:10

Record number of teachers on career break

More teachers are on career breaks than ever before. That’s according to figures from the Department of Education, which show a total of more than 3,000 teachers have taken a career break in the current school year. Michael Gillespie General Secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Duration:00:03:14

Processing and deportation of asylum seekers to be accelerated along with stricter vetting

Gardaí are to dramatically ramp up the practice of travelling to international airports to ensure those seeking refuge in Ireland are boarding planes with the correct travel documents. This also follows comments from Minister for Justice Simon Harris last week, that the Government is working to “accelerate” the processing of asylum applications, including the deportation of people deemed ineligible to remain in Ireland. Speaking to Ciara was CEO of Doras, John Lannon and also Aontú Leader,...

Duration:00:06:59

Tourists from UK and US paying more for certain tourist activities

New research by Newstalk shows there are cost discrepancies across the board when enquiring about tourism-related services. Multiple operators including hotels, private apartments, car rentals and tours have different prices, on host sites, depending on the location of the search. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been examining the figures and brings us this report.

Duration:00:07:43

Does Ireland need a national city of culture?

It has been nearly 10 years since Limerick took up the mantle as Ireland’s national city of culture. But why has the programme not been revisited since then? Maria Fleming is Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts and explained why?

Duration:00:05:30

We get the latest on the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Thousands of people have been killed and many more injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks caused widespread destruction in Turkey and Syria yesterday. For the latest, Ciara spoke to Turkey-based Journalist, Andrew Finkel.

Duration:00:04:36

Irish Navy not in ship shape

Sinn Fein defense spokesman John Brady TD has claimed that national security is now at risk because we are unable to police Ireland’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic as a result of staffing issues. Declan Power, Defense, and Security Expert explained how worrying is this arising situation.

Duration:00:04:26

Ireland’s entry for the 2023 Eurovision will be selected this evening

The Late Late Show will host a special programme tonight where Ireland’s entry for the 2023 Eurovision will be selected. Charlie McGettigan Winner of 1994 Eurovision spoke to Newstalk Breakfast ahead of the selection this evening.

Duration:00:04:46

Our walker of the week is.....

Day 34 of 100 days of walking! Every Friday we recognise some of our great ‘100 days’ community ' by crowing a walker of the week! This Weeks Walker of the Week is Judith Chalmers from Drogheda co. Louth - She told us how she got involved.

Duration:00:01:46

€80.5 million was reclaimed in social welfare overpayments last year

New, exclusive figures obtained by Newstalk show that €80.5 million was reclaimed in social welfare overpayments last year from 115,000 individuals in the state. The Department of Social Protection received 7,792 reports of social welfare fraud 123 cases were referred to the state solicitor for prosecution last year & 66 cases were finalised in court. With reaction, we spoke to Matty McGrath, Independent TD for Tipperary.

Duration:00:05:05

Legalise Dublin Street art says opposition

Public art mural bill launched yesterday in effort to legalise Dublin street art. Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, who worked with artist collective Subset, formally announced the proposed legislation. Willie White, Member of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee on Dublin City Council spoke to Ciara with more on this.

Duration:00:04:12

Minister Darragh O'Brien on record homelessness figures