Newstalk Breakfast

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien is meeting with the four main biggest energy suppliers today to discuss the impact of rising energy prices and what can be done to ease the burden on households.  David Kerr, Founder and CEO of Bonkers.ie discusses this further.

This year saw a 43 per cent increase in applications for Leaving Cert appeals compared to 2024. The results of the 2025 Leaving Certificate Appeals will be available from 11am this morning. For more on this we spoke to Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor, Irish Times Education Columnist. 

How important are financial matters when choosing a romantic partner?  All to chat with Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker at Love HQ Matchmaking.

The Government has been warned of the danger of overheating the economy with its planned €9.4 billion spending increase in the Budget next month by the Economic and Social Research Institute. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.  

There has  been a 24% increase in the number of drink driving offences caught in the first half of this year.  That’s according to new data from the Central Statistics Office.    So why is the message not ringing through to motorists, and what more needs to be done?   All to discuss with Meghann Scully, Freelance Journalist and Broadcaster.

Tens of thousands of US visitors are travelling to Ireland this week for an NFL game in Croke Park on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking on the Minnesota Vikings in the first-ever regular season game in Ireland. Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting with fans and those who play American football here at home.

Catherine Connolly, an Independent politician and presidential candidate, joins the discussion to share her vision for Ireland's future. She passionately outlines her commitment to peace, climate action, and community support. Connolly addresses her controversial views on Israel and Palestine, condemning both Hamas and Israeli actions. She emphasizes the necessity for a United Ireland and highlights the significance of the Irish language. Additionally, she discusses gender inclusion and the importance of self-identification in shaping progressive policies.

We need to do more to protect clean air in towns, villages, and cities across Ireland. That’s the message from the Environmental Protection Agency as it publishes it’s latest Air Quality report  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Niamh Connolly, Senior Scientific Officer in the Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance Unit at the EPA.

In the wake of Maria Steen’s failed bid to get on the ticket for this year’s presidential election, Independent Ireland is now calling for a referendum to change the nomination process for future elections.  Jonathan discussed this further with Michael Collins is Leader of Independent Ireland and a TD for Cork South-West.

Now, 24 players entered Slane Castle three weeks ago, and last night we saw Kelley, Oyin and Vanessa emerge victorious as the very first winner of the Traitors Ireland.  The show has taken the nation by storm, but did the series finale deliver, and why was the series so iconic? Faye Louise Brennan, who made it all the way to the penultimate episode joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.