Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

This week, the housing Minister unveiled new rules allowing studio flats as small as 32 square metres.  But are these moves for smaller apartments harkening back to Soviet style housing models? All to discuss with  Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy. 

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. 

The exhumation of remains at the former Tuam Mother and Baby Home begins today. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Breeda Murphy, PRO of the Tuam Mother & Baby Home Alliance.

With temperatures hitting 30 degrees this weekend, beach trips are a no-brainer but do you know your seaside do’s and don’ts? Features Journalist at the Irish Independent, Kirsty Blake Knox tells us.

Supermarkets have pushed back against claims of price gouging, saying their prices remain competitive and their profit margins are slim. We discuss further with Charlie Weston, Personal Finances Editor with the Independent.