Newstalk Breakfast

An ‘explosion’ of presentations to adolescent addiction services is currently being caused a cannabis-like substance known has HHC.  Currently available in vapes and edibles in Ireland, HHC is not subject to any legal restrictions at present as it is currently not classified as a controlled substance. To tell us more about this is Professor Bobby Smyth, Chair of the addiction faculty at the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. 

The Universal Social Charge was introduced as a temporary tax in 2010 but remains in place despite budget surpluses. And yesterday, the finance minister avoided confirming if the USC would be reduced by another 0.5%, as it was in last year’s budget.  One person who believes it should be scrapped is Daniel McConnell, Editor at The Business Post and Danny explained why to Shane this morning.

Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald joined Newstalk Breakfast ahead of the party's Think in.

The 76th primetime Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles last night. To give us a rundown of the winners and losers, we were joined on the show by Scott Bryan, BBC TV Critic.

The Inheritance Tax Reform group will meet tonight to discuss the divisive tax. They maintain it is unfair and wants it abolished. We discuss further with Dr. Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College along with Colm Brophy Fine Gael TD for Dublin South West. 

Four staff have been suspended following allegations about abuse of toddlers at a Dublin childcare service. Joining us with the story was Social Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times, Kitty Holland. 

At least eight dead and tens of thousands are without power as heavy rain and gale force winds cause havoc across central Europe. For more on this we spoke to  Derek Scally, Irish Times Berlin Correspondent who is currently in Vienna.

The Green Party think-in which gets underway today. What will be on today's agenda? We heard from Roderic O’Gorman, Leader of the Green Party and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Former President Donald Trump was rushed to safety following an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf course. We get the latest on this with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of The Guardian joins me now.

 Students from economically advantaged families are more likely to be able to take part in private tuition to avoid educational disappointment – that's according to research from the ESRI. So, are grinds reinforcing educational inequality?  We discuss with Sheila O’Malley, Parenting Expert and Keynote Speaker.