Newstalk Breakfast
Newstalk
Newstalk Breakfast brings you all the news you need to set you up for the day – from politics, business, sport, entertainment and everything in between. Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly have all the stories that matter, every weekday from 7-9AM. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 14, 2025 • 6min
Should public dining areas be pet free zones?
‘Pet-friendly cafes? No thanks, the only animals I want to see in a restaurant are on a plate’ So wrote Sinead Ryan, Presenter of The Home Show and Columnist with the Irish Independent. Sinead explained why to Shane this morning.
Aug 14, 2025 • 4min
Thursday's Riff: The a stark gender gap in the leaving cert
There is still a stark gender gap in the Leaving Cert, with boys still more likely than girls to be studying physics, chemistry, engineering and other STEM subjects, new figures show. Ciara and Shane discussed further.
Aug 14, 2025 • 5min
Is racism on the rise in young people?
Racist attacks by young people in Ireland is becoming 'a national crisis'. That's according to the Special rapporteur for the National Plan Against Racism and CEO of the Institute of Anti-Racism and Black Studies, Dr Ebun Joseph.
Aug 14, 2025 • 4min
Extra rail services for Oasis gig goers
Thousands of Oasis fans are set to flood into Dublin this weekend as Croke Park plays host to their two long-awaited concerts. With demand for travel to the capital surging, Irish Rail has announced extra Intercity services to accommodate the crowds, urging passengers to book early. We get the details from Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager, Iarnród Éireann.
Aug 14, 2025 • 7min
The latest on Trump Putin meeting
President Donald Trump has stated that if his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is successful, he would be open to arranging a follow-up meeting involving himself, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes after the US President held talks with European leaders on Wednesday ahead of Friday's Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin. We discuss further with BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse is in Berlin.
Aug 13, 2025 • 4min
Should basic income for artists stay in place?
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, launched a nationwide public consultation on the future of Basic Income for the Arts. Should basic income for artists stay in place? We asked Maria Fleming, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts.
Aug 13, 2025 • 7min
Why students are set to miss out on learning opportunities in September
The return to school is fast approaching, but the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has warned that students will miss out on subject options this year due the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis. All to discuss with Anthony Quinn, TUI President.
Aug 13, 2025 • 4min
Wednesday Riff: Would you stop your children from playing rugby?
More than a third of rugby players at school level said they would play on with a headache from a minor concussion. Would you stop your children from playing rugby? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.
Aug 13, 2025 • 12min
Unsafe attitudes towards concussion are still prevalent
Unsafe attitudes towards concussion among non-professional rugby players are still prevalent in Ireland. A new study by UCC’s School of Medicine and Cork University Hospital revealed more than a third of players at school level said they would play on with a headache from a minor concussion. We discuss this further with Alix Popham, former Wales International and Founder of the Head for Change charity.
Aug 13, 2025 • 8min
Many kids in Ireland crave family connection during meal times
Nearly 9 out of 10 kids in Ireland crave family connection during meal times, that’s according to new research out today commissioned by Heinz. The research also shows that one in five kids say they’re always on phones or watching TV at the dinner table and meals are rushed or disrupted. We discuss these findings with Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist and Author of “Home Is Where The Start Is”.
