Newstalk Breakfast

The Grinch steals tonight's Late Late Toy Show. Henry McKean went backstage and met Patrick Kielty and he sent us this report.

Today, at 12 noon, The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy will present 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.  

We spoke to y one of those who will be recognised for their heroic deeds at today’s ceremony. Brendan Grimes from Skerries saved a man from drowning on a cold damp morning in August of 1963, before keeping it quiet for the next 60 years. Brendan told us his story this morning.

A plan to follow in the steps of Australia and introduce a ban on social media for children could be in on the cards. Minster for Media Patrick O’Donovan is to brief cabinet on plans to a verify the age of children on social media as part of larger plans to set a digital age of consent.  

So, should Ireland follow Australia’s lead?  We discussed further with Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty. 

Ireland, the Netherland and Spain are among the European countries that have pulled out of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel’s participation for next year was confirmed. 

RTÉ have also confirmed they will not broadcast the competition either. We spoke to Avi Mayer, pron. AH-vee Mayor, Founder of Jerusalem Journal and former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post.

OnlyFans creators and social media influencers who risk being named on Revenue’s quarterly tax defaulters list say they fear for their personal safety if their home addresses are published.   

For more on this we heard from Brendan Brady, Chartered Accountant from Brady & Associates. 

Dublin’s Live Animal Crib is once again returning for the Christmas season for its 30th year on Dawson Street.  

But three decades on, does the crib still have a place in society?  Laura Broxson, Spokesperson for Ireland's National Animal Rights Association and also President of the Irish Farmers Association Francie Gorman.

The GAA’s National Demographics Committee is warning that Rural depopulation may lead to the death of many GAA clubs around the country if reforms are not introduced and issues addressed.  Speaking to Shane on this was Benny Hurl is the chairperson of the GAA National Demographic Committee.

Irelands participation in next year's Eurovision song contest will not take place . RTE has taken the decision to boycott the competition over Israel’s inclusion   

For more on this Ciara spoke to Dr Paul Jordan,  Expert and media commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest.

Today, members of the European Broadcasting Union will debate whether Israel can compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Joining us to explain more was Dr Paul Jordan, Expert and Media Commentator on Eurovision. 

According to a study by experts from the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, almost 20% of 15–16-year-olds have had an explicit image of them shared without their consent, while the growth of sexting is leading to poorer mental health and increased risk of self-harm. 

Joining us to discuss this further is Professor Mary Cannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health at RCSI. 

Ireland Electrified has launched its first Electrification Action Plan, which seeks to transition Ireland’s energy use from fossil fuels to clean electricity. All to discuss with Helen O’Sullivan, Chair of Ireland Electrified and Co-founder and COO of Flex Power Solutions. 

An evaluation by the National Review Panel into the disappearance of Kyran Durnin has ruled that what happened to him "could not have been anticipated from knowledge that was available" to Tusla at the time. 

The review itself will remain unpublished. For more on this, we were joined by Peadar Tóibín, Aontú Leader and TD for Meath West. 

Amid fears the Liberties is losing its cultural identity, Sinn Féin Councillor for Southwest Inner City, Ciarán Ó Meachair has urged Dublin City Council to seek a “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage” status for the area.  Ciarán spoke to Shane to discuss further.

Most of us are using cosmetic products beyond their expiry date or recommended shelf life, risking adverse skin reactions, according to new research from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.  

Joining Ciara to discuss further was Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist. 

One million people have lost their lives and a further one million people have been displaced in Northern Ethiopia following a civil war. The conflict between Tigray and neighbouring regions started in 2020 and went on for two years, destroying communities and the economy of the Tigray region. 

Our reporter, Josh Crosbie is there now with Trócaire to see the impact the conflict has had, and how the charity is trying to bring stability back to the region: 

In the US, House Democrats have released new footage of Epstein Island as Congress seeks an update from the Justice Department on when the full Epstein files will be made public.  We get the latest on this with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian.

Ireland’s falling fertility rates could put the crucial role of grandparenthood at risk. That’s the warning from Independent Economist David W Higgins,who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

More than 60pc of young people come across extremist views online, according to a new survey by The Ombudsman for Children’s Office. We discuss these findings with Mike Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology at University College Cork. 

Calls to rename streets with British empire origins. Should we or is making an issue when none exist? Shane and Ciara discusses this morning.

The word “mansplaining” has lost its usefulness and needs to be decommissioned.  That’s the call from Guardian Columnist Zoe Williams who chatted to Ciara this morning.

Russia and the US did not reach a compromise on a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine after a five-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's top envoys, the Kremlin has said. We get the latest on this with Jenny Mathers, from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University. 

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers yesterday outlined the measures contained in his Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan to cabinet. Ciara discusses this further with Robin Mandal, Vice Chair of the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance and former president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

After bringing rush hour to a standstill in some areas last week, taxi drivers are once again taking part in a “go-slow” protest at about 4.30pm this evening against the introduction of fixed fare options for customers by Uber. 

David Knox is a taxi driver taking part in the protest explained why they are undertaking another "go-slow" protest.

The average health insurance premium has risen by €56 since the end of summer. That’s according to a new market bulletin published this morning by the Health Insurance Authority 

The total increase in the average cost of plans is now 8% since the beginning of 2025. We get more details from Dermot Goode Health Insurance Expert with healthinsuranceireland.ie. 

Bohs Football Club is launching their eighth annual Toy Drive for children living in the International Protection system and Homeless Accommodation – and this year they are hoping to raise 75,000 euros. 

We got all the details from Sean McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability for Bohemian Football Club. 

Frontline uniformed gardaí could be using Taser stun guns almost immediately under a proposal being brought to Government by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. 

The stun guns could be used in policing on the streets of Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny over the Christmas period, if approved by Cabinet today. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska have arrived in Ireland for their first official visit. Ciara discusses this further with   Former advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Yuriy Sak.

As we enter the darkest time of the year, Gardaí have launched a campaign encouraging cyclists and pedestrians to wear high-visibility clothing and stay safe.  However, President of Cycling Ireland and former Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon says this “narrative is deeply problematic”.  Ciarán explained why to Shane.

Dublin City Council has removed the proposal to change the name of Herzog Park in Rathgar from the Council agenda and did not take a vote on the planned change.   

Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam said the proposal should be removed because the report on the issue was not legally sound and should not be voted on. He explained all to Newstalk Breakfast.

‘A prison system overwhelmed, overstretched, and unable to uphold the fundamental rights of many people in its care’ – that is the stark messaging coming from a report from the The Irish Penal Reform Trust today.  

We discuss further with Saoirse Brady, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska have arrived in Ireland for their first official visit. 

We get a preview of their visit with our political correspondent Sean Defoe. 

We’re three weeks away from Christmas Day, but anyone with loved ones abroad needs plenty of time to make sure their presents and cards arrive before the big day.  For more advice on getting your post in on time, we’re joined by Anna McHugh, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post. 

Actor Joseph Gordon Levitt has posted a warning online for parents of children who may ask Santa for AI enabled gifts this year. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined us now with the detail and advice.

With thanks to Renault.

More than 9,000 women who were referred to urgent breast cancer clinics across Ireland this year have not been seen within the recommended two-week time frame. With some waiting up to 69 days that's according to figures released to The Sunday Times.  

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society.

Plans to remove the name of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog from a park in South Dublin are to be dropped by Dublin City Council.   

Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare has apologised for what he said was an administrative oversight leading to the expected withdrawal of two proposals to rename Dublin parks. For reaction we heard from Oliver Sears, Founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland. 

Supermodel David Gandy has said "There's not enough narrative about good men" and that Andrew Tate pushes a "disruptive" and "immature" idea of masculinity. 

Speaking to Ciara this morning was Eoghan Cleary, Secondary school teacher & Educational researcher with the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute. 

Plans to remove the name of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog from a park in South Dublin are to be dropped by Dublin City Council. 

Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare has apologised for what he said was an administrative oversight leading to the expected withdrawal of two proposals to rename Dublin parks. 

We get reaction to this with Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councillor for Ballymun–Finglas. 

The Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is calling for urgent action as e-scooter accidents have now become the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among children, according to a new report. 

We discuss further with Dr Irwin Gill, Consultant Paediatrician, Fellow of the Faculty of Paediatrics and co- author of the paper.  

The National Transport Authority will begin a phased rollout of contactless payments on Local Links from today, which they expect to be fully operational across all 15 Local Link offices by the end of 2026. 

Speaking to Shane this morning was Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West.

Black Friday is more than a day of apparent discounts, according to new research at the University of Melbourne. It is a psychological event carefully designed to take advantage of how your brain makes decisions. We’re joined by Dr. Daniel Feuerriegel a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne.