Newstalk Breakfast

As we approach a week since storm Eowyn.  Resident and Businessowner Castlerea in Roscommon Rachel Connolly remains without power.  Rachel voiced her frustration towards Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday as he visited her local youth center. Their interaction got quite a bit of attention online. Shane spoke to Rachel this morning on the show.

Recently details of a Department of Defence briefing became public.  Officials stated that due to geopolitical tension and the admission of Finland and Sweden into NATO, Irelands position as a neutral state is becoming more intolerant in the eyes of many in the EU   So, is Ireland's neutral status becoming untenable in an uncertain world? To debate this morning was Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst Paul Murphy, People before Profit – Solidarity TD for Dublin South West. 

An Office of Public works project to replace an unsafe seventy-metre perimeter wall around a government office ended up costing over €490,000. The works at the Dublin HQ of the Workplace Relations Commission were originally expected to cost around €200,000 exclusive of VAT.  We discuss this all with Paul Davis who is a Public Procurement Expert from DCU.

Days after Storm Éowyn, thousands still remain without electricity and water, while rail services and other infrastructure are still being repaired. With more extreme weather events likely in the future, is it time to start futureproofing our infrastructure?     Sean Casey Partner and Energy Sector Leader at EY Ireland discuss with Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The Government’s junior ministers are set to be appointed today – and those who take positions are expected to reinforce the current gender imbalance in Government  Joining Ciara to discuss was Mary Hanafin, former Minister for Education. 

The Phoenix Park is home to a herd of roughly 600 wild fallow deer. Elizabeth Rymut, freelance journalist with a postgraduate degree in environmental science, believes we need clear legal protection for stronger enforcement of their conservation, Elizabeth spoke to Ciara on the show this morning.

Almost half of Irish consumers were targeted by scams in the last three months of last year.  That’s according to new research published this morning.  We discuss this further with Elaine Burke is host of the For Tech’s Sake Podcast.

Ditching hanging out for isolated scrolling on our sofas is a dangerous habit that warrants help on a par with gambling. That's the view of Martha Gill, Columnist with The Observer who spoke to Ciara this morning on the show. 

The HSE has launched an external review into Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway after two stillbirths in 2023 and nine babies born with brain damage over two years.  With more on this we heard from Kevin O’Sullivan, Science Editor with the Irish Times. 

According to a new CSO study 7 in 10 young people live at home at 25. But is believing  you should own a Home in your 20s  irrational? Also do young people need to reevaluate their expectations ? We discuss this and more with  Karl Deeter CEO of Online Application.com and Rory Hearne Social Democrats TD for Dublin North-West and author 'Gaffs: Why No One Can Get A House'.