Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee is to hear from supporters of Israel and Palestine about the Occupied Territories Bill, as the pre-legislative scrutiny begins.  Former Minister of Justice, board member of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations and Chairperson of MDA Ireland, Alan Shatter spoke to Shane this morning.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum today revealed that Dear Erin, a stereotyped Irish “rom-com” featuring actor Peter Coonan was an elaborate hoax. The fake trailer, full of clichés from flat caps to whiskey-soaked letters, was created to challenge tired portrayals of Irish people in film.  At what point do we stop laughing off the stereotypes and start questioning why they persist?  

Tánaiste Simon Harris says the European Commission will publish an expanded list of potential EU tariffs, should no trade deal be reached with the US  We discuss all with Economist Austin Hughes.

An “honest” belief that a victim consented to sex will no longer be a legal defence in rape cases according to new proposals being considered by the Government. We discuss this further with  Cliona Sadlier, Executive Director Rape Crisis Network Ireland. 

‘A Sip of Irish’ is the new documentary aiming to prove there’s more to Irish food and drink than Guinness and stew. Carlow filmmaker, Frank Mannion, director behind ‘A Sip of Irish’ spoke to Ciara this morning.

Over 2,100 pubs have closed since 2005, with more than 100 pubs are closing every year across Ireland. That’s according to a new report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland. We discuss these findings with Tony Foley, Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics at DCU Business School.

Live Aid at 40. Ciara and Shane has a interesting discussion on the legacy of Live Aid.

Asylum-seekers who are working should have to contribute to the cost of their accommodation in direct provision centre.  With more on this we heard from CEO of Doras, John Lannon and Independent TD for Cork North-Central, Ken O’Flynn.

The EU is pushing for a last-minute trade deal after President Donald Trump declared plans to impose 30% tariffs on nearly all goods imported from the EU starting next month.   Joining Shane to discuss further was John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Plastic nets on fruit and vegetables and single-use plastic packaging for condiments such as ketchup sachets, will be banned by the end of the decade under new EU rules. We get reaction from Tad Kirakowski, CEO of Voice Of Irish Concern for the Environment.