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. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 19, 2025 • 6min
Is the world overly romanticising Ireland?
The likes of Kneecap, Paul Mescal and the humble spice bag have given Ireland a new, cooler reputation. But around the world, is Ireland being overly-romanticised? That’s the concern of Aoife Byrne, an Irish writer who has lived in London for 10 years.
Dec 19, 2025 • 6min
Managing the festive gap between pay-days
You may have received your December wages today and you may be waiting another six weeks for your monthly wages hit your bank account So how do you make it stretch? All to discuss with Conor Pope, Irish Times Consumer Correspondent.
Dec 19, 2025 • 4min
Calls for urgency in tackling road safety
Two men and a woman have died in separate road crashes in counties Limerick, Monaghan and Tipperary. Recently, we discussed the decision not to disband the RSA, but are we doing enough for road safety? We discussed further with Leo Leighio, Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association.
Dec 19, 2025 • 5min
EU leaders race to secure deal for Ukraine
EU leaders struck a deal to provide Ukraine a €90 billion loan to plug its looming budget shortfalls, but failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets to come up with the funds. We discuss this further with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine correspondent for Radio France Internationale and France24.
Dec 18, 2025 • 5min
A new season of Emily in Paris is out today
Season 5 of Emily in Paris is out today, and this rendition takes her story to the eternal city of Rome. Here to explain why this show is so beloved is Dee Molumby, Pop culture expert.
Dec 18, 2025 • 5min
How can you avoid text scams over Christmas
AIB has released new data today detailing the most common scams of 2025, with 57% of all payment fraud reported originated from text message fraud. With last-minute parcels and packages arriving now with Christmas a week away today, it is an especially risky time to fall victim to a financial scam . With advice on how to avoid scams is Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor Irish Independent.
Dec 18, 2025 • 7min
Stephen’s Green owners are still looking to redesign the centre
The owners of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin are making a renewed bid to redevelop the landmark shopping centre. The revised plan once again includes removing the existing facade of the shopping centre and adding office space. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Carole Pollard, Former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co- Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.
Dec 18, 2025 • 6min
ESRI warns housing crisis set to deepen in 2026
Housing output will remain below underlying demand, while average rent levels are set to rise again in 2026. That’s the warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute in its quarterly economic commentary. We discuss this further with Dr. Conor O’Toole, Associate Research Professor at ESRI.
Dec 18, 2025 • 5min
Backlash to Government decision not to disband the RSA
There has been huge backlash against the Government’s u-turn on disbanding the Road Safety Authority, with road safety groups arguing that the organisation is still not fit for purpose. Muireann O’Dea, spokesperson for the “Love 30 campaign for lower speed limits” gave her reaction to this.
Dec 18, 2025 • 7min
The question of cooking and cultural appropriation
A British baker has caused a stir in Mexico after claiming on a podcast that the country lacks a real “bread culture.” The remark sparked outrage and places him alongside other British chefs who’ve upset food purists abroad, from Jamie Oliver’s chorizo paella to Nigella Lawson’s creamy carbonara. Sarah Madden reports on the question of cooking and cultural appropriation:
