Newstalk Breakfast

Several TDs have written to the Ceann Comhairle to ask that Danny Healy Rae withdraw remarks he made about autism during a private members’ motion on special education school places this week. We get reaction to this with Adam Harris, CEO of AsIam Ireland’s autism charity. 

Alcohol consumption among Ireland’s younger population has been on the rise over the past decade. Are parents setting a bad example? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

Dublin’s four local authorities will meet this month to begin their campaign for government legislation that would allow councils to implement their own tourist tax. To debate this further was Dermot Lacey, Labour Councillor for Dublin City and Former Lord Mayor and also CEO of the Irish Self-Catering Federation Maire Ní Mhurchu.

Tonight is the much-awaited nationwide Culture Night! This year also marks twenty years of the event. So, what wonders can we expect this evening?  To tell us all was Ray Yeates, Dublin City Arts Officer.

Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will announce who they are endorsing for the presidential election, which leader Mary Lou McDonald has said will be a “gamechanger”.  Meanwhile today, Wexford and Waterford County Councils will vote on whether they will nominate their own candidate.  All to discuss with Daniel McConnell, Editor at The Business Post.

The charity Gambling Care is hosting a panel discussion today on the importance of accessible care for those with gambling problems and addictions. Central to this discussion is the impact that gambling has on the friends and family members of the person with the addiction.   Ciara spoke to Nicola Keating, whose husband is a recovering gambling addict, to share her story.

Adrian Chiles, broadcaster and Guardian columnist talks to Shane about saying sorry and the best way to apologise.

Curfews, community service and fines for parents of repeat offenders are among the suggestions going to the Dáil today to address anti-social behaviour in Irish towns. Ciara discusses these suggestions with  Independent TD for Dublin Mid-West Paul Gogarty.

International economic strife could lead to less investment in Ireland, and more immediate challenges to public finances.  That’s according to the latest Central Bank Quarterly Economic Bulletin, and to discuss more I am joined by John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Scientists want an urgent review of Ireland’s proposals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions after a major disagreement with the Climate Change Advisory Council    They believe an incorrect interpretation of the requirements has been used, which would allow Ireland, and especially farming, too much leeway to keep emissions high. All to discuss with  Emeritus professor in the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units at the department of geography at Maynooth University and one of those questioning the proposals, Professor John Sweeney and Denis Drennan President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.