Newstalk Breakfast

“I’m finding that there is a natural “culling” of friends as you grow older. This sounds ruthless but it’s often more subtle.” So, wrote Anniki Sommerville in the iPaper, but is she right that friendships simply fade away as we get older?

Duration:00:06:06

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the ceasefire negotiations

Delegations from Israel, Hamas, and the United States have begun indirect talks in Cairo, with the US hoping the negotiations will lead to an end to the war in Gaza. Shane was joined on the show by Ehud Olmert, Former Israeli Prime Minister.

Duration:00:06:44

What do you want to see from Budget 2026?

It is Budget 2026 day, what do you want to see from today? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

Duration:00:03:46

Budget 2026 what can we expect?

Budget 2026 is set to be announced later today, but before any official decisions, there is already debate over whether it will help enough people deal with the cost of living. All to discuss with Economics Commentator with The Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey and General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Owen Reidy.

Duration:00:10:59

What is the impact of vaping on young people?

The HSE is today inviting parents and guardians to attend a webinar on Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances. But what is the impact of vaping on young people? All to discuss with Professor John Crowne, Consultant oncologist at St Vincent's Hospital Group.

Duration:00:06:53

Eamon O Cuiv on Jim Gavin's withdrawal from the presidential race

Jim Gavin's withdrawal from the presidential race has cast a shadow across Fianna Fáil. Also there are questions of whether proper processes were in place to select a candidate. We get more reaction with Eamon O Cuiv, former Fianna Fáil Minister for Housing.

Duration:00:06:31

Are the Leaving Cert changes outdated due to AI?

“Leaving Cert changes are already dangerously out of date thanks to AI". That's the view of Colm O’Rourke, Former secondary school principal and Sunday Independent Columnist. Colm explained why to Shane this morning.

Duration:00:05:02

Budget 2026 who will be the big winners and losers?

Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe will announce Budget 2026 later today – and frantic negotiations between Government departments were going down to the wire yesterday, according to reports. So, what is likely on the cards, and who are going to be the big winners and losers? All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent.

Duration:00:06:17

Instagram rolls out its map feature in Ireland

Instagram has brought its Map feature to Ireland, giving users the ability to share their exact location and see the exact location of their friends. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us the details.

Duration:00:03:19

Negotiators head to Egypt for Gaza talks

President Donald Trump has said that he believes the hostages currently held in Gaza could begin to be released "very soon," as mediators prepare to gather in Egypt on Monday for indirect peace negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Speaking to Shane this morning was Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Duration:00:04:25

The latest on the presidential election

Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the presidential election after a difficult week on the campaign trail, and questions raised about his time as a landlord in the late noughties. All to discuss with Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post.

Duration:00:10:36

A call for the government to crack down on toll operators

Toll income for the Dublin Port Tunnel increased by 18 per cent to 32 million euros last year, while on the M50, Ireland’s busiest road, toll income grew by 12 per cent to 212 million. That’s according to the 2024 annual report of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. All to discuss with Michael Collins Leader of Independent Ireland and TD for Cork South-West.

Duration:00:06:16

Psychotherapy bodies concerns over new minimum training standards

Psychotherapy bodies are warning that new minimum training standards set by the regulator will be “dangerous” for patients. Ciara discussed this further with Belinda Moller, Chair of Irish Council for Psychotherapy.

Duration:00:04:53

How to talk with your kids about the birds and the bees

It's a conversation some parents would rather put off ad infinitum. However, experts say it's never been more important to get "the talk" done properly and at the right time. Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden sent us this report.

Duration:00:05:05

Jim Gavin withdraws from the presential election

Fianna Fáil's candidate Jim Gavin has announced he is withdrawing from the Presidential Election "with immediate effect". Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he fully understands Gavin's decision and believes "it is the correct one". We get the latest on this with Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent.

Duration:00:05:47

Taylor Swift’s album “The Life of a Showgirl” is officially out!

Fans eagerly counted down the days, and Taylor Swift’s album “The Life of a Showgirl” is officially out. The album broke records for the most pre-saves on Spotify at five million saves. But does it live up to the hype? Newstalk’s own Taylor Swift superfan Kathleen Keane tell us.

Duration:00:07:14

Funding requirements for reinstatement of Irish Rail catering services?

The National Transport Authority should provide clarity on its budgetary requirements and decision-making process regarding the re-instatement of catering services on all Irish Rail intercity routes. That’s the call from Mark Duffy, Fine Gael Senator, spokesperson on Transport in the Seanad and Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

Duration:00:03:27

The latest developments on the residential race

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has confirmed she employed a woman convicted by the Special Criminal Court for unlawful possession of firearms. She defended her decision to hire her for a six-month period in 2018, and claimed no one from An Garda Síochána contacted her to say the person was unsuitable for the role. Pat Leahy, Political Editor of The Irish Times brought us the latest on this.

Duration:00:07:01

Preparations are underway for the arrival of storm Amy

Storm Amy is enroute to Ireland, and Status Orange Weather warnings are in place from 2pm in five counties in the west, while the entire country will be under a Status Yellow warning from noon until midnight. To tell us what we can expect from the impact of this storm was Keith Leonard Director of fire and emergency management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Duration:00:05:41

Should Ireland introduce a State-owned grocery service?