Newstalk Breakfast

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?

People Before Profit have called on the government to introduce a publicly owned, non-profit State Grocery Service, beginning with a pilot in communities most affected by food poverty and chronic disease. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Conor Reddy the People before Profit Councillor for Ballymun-Finglas, and a co-author of the policy.

Duration:00:07:11

The latest on the terror attack in Manchester

Two men are dead and three are in hospital after a man drove a car at members of the public before stabbing people outside a synagogue in Manchester. The suspected attacker, 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, is also dead after being shot by police, while three others have been arrested on suspicion of instigation of terrorism. Joining us with the latest is London Based Journalist Vincent McAviney.

Duration:00:04:20

Storm Amy is enroute to Ireland

Storm Amy is enroute to Ireland, and Status Orange Weather warnings are in place from 2pm in five counties in the west. The entire country will be under a Status Yellow warning from noon, although Galway and Kerry will be under the warning from 9am this morning. We get the latest on the storm with Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

Duration:00:03:24

6,000 complaints about the so called 'ghost buses'

Almost 6,000 complaints were submitted to the National Transport Authority about delayed, cancelled, or so-called “ghost” buses in just the first five months of the year. We discuss these figures with Conor Faughnan, CEO at Royal Irish Automobile Club and commentator on transport.

Duration:00:03:23

Is it hard to see your children grow up?

For many parents, watching their kids grow up can be a rewarding experience. But it can also be tinged with sadness. That’s according to Guardian columnist Zoe Williams.

Duration:00:04:03

Huge numbers of children missed developmental checks

Around 70,000 children missed the crucial 9–11 month Public Health Nurse check between 2020–2024. That's according to figures obtained by Newstalk. Stephanie Rohan, Newstalk Reporter has been looking into these figures.

Duration:00:05:53

Israeli forces have intercepted vessels from the Gaza aid flotilla

Israeli forces have stopped 14 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza, but 30 boats are continuing to sail towards the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave Nine Irish citizens were on board the vessels which were intercepted and detained by the Israeli navy. Speaking to Ciara was Naoise Dolan, who is on board a flotilla en route to Gaza.

Duration:00:08:34

Is it time to change inheritance tax rules?

83 per cent of people believe the family home should be exempt from inheritance tax. That's according to a new survey from Royal London Ireland So, is it time to change inheritance tax rules? All to discuss with Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College and Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD, Member of The Budgetary Oversight Committee & Chartered Accountant.

Duration:00:07:59

A call for 30-kilometre speed limits in urban areas

The “Love 30” Campaign will hold a rally outside the Dáil later this morning, calling for a default 30 kilometre speed limit in urban areas.Joining Ciara to discuss more was Mairéad Forsythe, Love 30 Campaign spokesperson.

Duration:00:03:35

Are our planning laws fit for purpose?

Plans by property giant Hines to build a large-scale apartment scheme with over 1,100 units in Drumcondra have been stalled, following one singular appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. Are our planning laws fit for purpose? All to discuss with Tom Philips of Tom Phillips and Associates.

Duration:00:06:32

What weather will Storm Amy bring around the country?

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange rain warning for Kerry and a Status Yellow alert for 14 other counties ahead of the arrival of Storm Army on Friday. Alan O’Reilly, From Carlow Weather brings us an update on what weather will Storm Amy bring.

Duration:00:03:19

How long have you held on to a grudge?

I am steadfast in my commitment to holding a grudge. I once paid to name a cockroach after a friend’s ex-boyfriend. So says Irish Independent Columnist Saoirse Hanley.

Duration:00:04:54

Hamas will respond to proposed Gaza peace plan

Hamas has confirmed it will respond to the Gaza peace plan proposed by the US and Israel tomorrow, following warnings from US President Donald Trump that the group has "three or four days" to reply. We discussed this further with Yezid Sayigh a fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut and a former adviser and negotiator for the Palestinian delegation for peace talks with Israel.

Duration:00:07:58

Riff: Housing for Key workers good plan?

Housing for Key workers good plan? Do you support it? Ciara and Shane discussed this proposed plan this morning.

Duration:00:03:40

A plan to help Key workers rent in the heart of Dublin City

Key workers, including nurses, gardaí and teachers, could have the opportunity to rent low-cost homes in the heart of Dublin City under a new plan from Dublin City Council. All to discuss with Richard Guiney CEO of Dublin Town.

Duration:00:08:05

Should dyslexic students be given extra time to take state exams?