Newstalk Breakfast

Taxi drivers across the country are protesting against Uber’s proposed fixed-fare model this coming Thursday.  This is the second protest on the issue as the industry claim their concerns are not being addressed. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was taxi driver David Knox.

As the Christmas period intensifies, Mandate Trade Union is calling on shoppers to show respect for retail workers under pressure. We discuss further with Jim Fuery, Mandate Assistant General Secretary. 

Automatic broadband, mobile or TV price hikes may become a thing of the past.  Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish Independent is reporting that the Government is getting ready to introduce a law that would allow people to cancel their contracts if prices go up.

The Kremlin said that Europe’s counter-proposal to a 28-point US plan to end the Ukraine war was “unconstructive” and did not work for Russia. Speaking to Ciara with more on this was Yuriy Sak, Former advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. 

The Sunbed Association of Ireland is seeking another meeting with Junior Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor on the potential ban on commercial sunbed use.  

The association previously met with the Department of Health on Monday. Speaking to Shane this morning was Gary Lipman, Chair of the Sunbed Association. 

Two men have been killed and at least 12 others injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving a bus, a truck and a car at Gormanston, Meath. Speaking to Shane this morning was Darren O’Rourke, Sinn Fein TD for Meath East. 

The Irish Data Protection Commission is encouraging parents to “pause before you post”.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly discuss advice for parents further.

All with thanks to Renault.

US and Ukrainian officials have said they have created an “updated and refined peace framework” to end the war with Russia, following a meeting in Switzerland on Sunday. 

All to discuss with Misha Glenny, Rector of the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna and a former BBC Central Europe Correspondent. 

Taoiseach Michael Martin has confirmed there will be “fair and robust” changes to Ireland's immigration system this week.   What impact will these changes have?  We discuss all with Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council.

A south Dublin local authority spent €750,000 on the construction of a new entrance consisting of 14 steps and a ramp at a suburban park in Mount Merrion. Shane and Ciara discuss this huge spend.

“Here in Switzerland, assisted dying has become too easy. Ireland should handle the issue with care.” So wrote Irish author living in Switzerland Clare O’Dea in the Independent.  

A rally will be held in Dublin later today to protest rent increases for tenants in council housing or on the Housing Assistant Payment scheme.  We heard from People Before Profit Councillor for Ballymun Finglas, Conor Reddy. 

Today, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is expected to formally sign orders guaranteeing sustained, nationwide access to cash for both people and businesses.  

Ciara discusses this further with Mattie McGrath, Independent TD for Tipperary.

An Oireachtas Committee has heard that junior infant and sixth class students alike are receiving the same lunch portions in school, sparking health concerns.   

There are also concerns over the nutritional value of the hot meals available in schools. Shane discusses this with Sarah Keogh, Dietician and founder of Eatwell.

Local businesses are creating a new experience for Christmas shoppers by making one-off events – collaborating with other businesses and suppliers, offering freebies and discounts for customers.  

Newstalk's Ciara Treacy went to a couple of these events in Dublin City Centre last night to find out more.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary  hits back at claims the airline hikes fares around major sporting events rejecting suggestions of price gouging.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the draft of a new US-backed plan to end Russia's war in his country, according to his office.   He is expected to hold talks with US President Donald Trump in the coming days. To discuss further we heard from Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast. 

Regulators should examine whether increased air fares particularly around sporting events are compliant with consumer protection laws. So says Mark Duffy, Fine Gael Senator, spokesperson on Transport in the Seanad and Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

People buying cocaine on a Friday night could be inadvertently funding Russia's war in Ukraine. This is according to An international investigation involving the gardaí, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and other European and US law enforcement agencies   

 Shane discusses this further with Crypto currency Journalist Connor Sephton.

The Dáil has heard that ‘thousands’ of people are spending their lives stuck in Dublin-bound traffic, with many motorways becoming ‘carparks’.  How pressing is this issue, and what can be done to fix it? All to discuss with Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

The Defence Forces are preparing to deploy a naval ship to monitor a Russian surveillance vessel should it move closer to Irish waters.  We discuss further with Vice Admiral and Former Head of the Defence Forces Mark Mellett,

Yesterday, University of Limerick PHD Researcher Emma Jude Lyons claimed the victory in the Irish Universities’ Association’s 3 minute thesis competition for her presentation of a new methodology to create bespoke breast prosthesis.

Brazil failed to secure an early COP30 climate deal on Wednesday, but their President Lula optimistic, saying there’s still room for progress in the summit’s final two days  

Former Environment Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was at COP30 last week and recently questioned “is this really working?”

Dublin’s planned new metro system will need about 8,000 workers to construct, according to Metrolink’s Project Director Sean Sweeney.  He told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the Irish construction industry cannot support the construction of this project.  

Shane discussed this further with Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU. 

There are concerns about Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters . Also Washington has reportedly developed a secret 28-point plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. This comes ahead of a meeting later today between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a US delegation in Kyiv.  Also

  All to discuss with Declan Power Defence and Security Analyst. 

A New ESRI study has found that participation in afterschool clubs and centres is more common among higher income families, with this gap widening over time. Dr. Helen Russell, Research Professor and head of the Social Research Division at the ESRI. 

Would you be interested in dining at a restaurant where your phone is locked away? One restaurant who has adapted this policy is Punk Royale in London and we spoke to Katherine Bont, Head of Guest Experience at The Punk Royale Group.

The Government is being forced to bring in emergency regulations to stop companies attempting to subvert the new auto-enrolment pension. We get more on this with Charlie Weston, Personal Finance editor with the Irish Independent. 

This morning, Friends of the Earth are setting up a cold and drafty “sitting room” outside the Dáil in support of a Bill to introduce Building Energy Rating standards in rented accommodation.  

For more on this we spoke to Clare O’Connor, Friends of the Earth's Programme Coordinator for Heat. 

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a Bill demanding that the justice department release all files related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. All to discuss with David Smith Washington Bureau chief of The Guardian. 

As part of yesterday’s ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the departure from politics of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education and Youth, marking her appointment to full Cabinet for the first time.  

 Minister Naughton spoke to Shane this morning.

According to a new survey, men would rather remain single than have to deal with women’s expectations and their desire to change them.   

Is this fueling a great relationship recession?  To discuss further we heard from Alana Kirk, Author and Midlife Coach.

Today, the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food will meet to discuss State funding for horse and greyhound racing in Ireland.  

 Greyhound racing received 19.8 million euro in Budget 2026. Joining Shane to discuss more is Nuala Donlon, Greyhound Action Ireland Spokesperson and Michael Healy Rae, Independent Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and the Marine and TD for Kerry. 

31 per cent of taxi drivers feel unsafe while working. That's according to a new FreeNow report released today. We discussed further with  Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at Freenow Ireland. 

One in three adults who drink now drink at home alone at least once a week, while one in four report binge drinking in the past 30 days. That’s according to new research from Drinkaware, whose CEO Dearbhla O’Brien spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

A public petition is calling for Mandatory singing of the National Anthem and raising the Irish Flag in schools . We discuss this with Máire Ní Churraoin, native Irish speaker and Irish content creator.

If you haven’t already, break out your hats and scarves as temperatures are set to plummet for the next few days. We get an insight into what we should expert from Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.

The United Nations Security Council has voted in favour of a resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan. Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Ireland may need to consider changes to asylum and immigration rules on foot of tougher changes being brought in by the British government.   That’s the warning from Minister Justice Jim O’Callaghan. This comes as coalition leaders met last night to sign off on a further tightening of migration rules, relating to the criteria for family reunifications.

Ciara discusses this further Cathal Malone Immigration lawyer and Head of Legal Research at Thomas Coughlan & Co Solicitors.

Elephants should be completely removed from all zoos. That’s the call in a new report from advocacy group Freedom For Animals, who also argue that traditional zoos such as Dublin Zoo with “old-fashioned programmes and tiny enclosures are at risk of falling behind” modern best practice.  

So are zoos still fit for purpose in the modern day? We asked Animal Advocate and Founder of Animals Behind Closed Doors, Gerry Boland and Biologist, Environmentalist, Broadcaster and Author, Eanna Ní Lamhna.