Newstalk Breakfast

 Thousands of digital missionaries and young Catholics have arrived in Rome this week to discuss the role of social media and how young believers can drive change. As part of this, the Vatican is seeking the help of “hot priests” to spread the good word.  Fr David Vard a 33-year-old Irish priest at the Jubilee in Rome and he joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

The science has finally spoken; you need to cut your toxic friends and ‘frenemies’ for the good of your health. Yes, a team of researchers from NYU found that negative social ties could cause premature ageing. Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght Hospital, joined Jonathan Healy on the show to discuss.

A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while serving in the region in December 2022. Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent with the Irish Times joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

 The new Garda Commissioner will be announced later today, taking over from Drew Harris after seven years in office. Whoever fills the role will face issues such as rising resignations and low recruitment in the force. Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association joined Jonathan Healy on the show.

Local authorities will be told to zone more land for housing, as the Government plans to more than double the national annual target as part of efforts to tackle the housing crisis. Under planned guidelines being brought to Cabinet today, councils will be asked to collectively zone enough land to hold 83,000 new homes per year, up from the current 33,000 annual target. Tom Philips Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates joined us on the show this morning.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam has invited former US President Barack Obama to formally accept the Freedom of Dublin during their visit to the city in September. However, the Irish Anti War Movement is now considering a protest against the honour. Jim Roche PRO of the Irish Anti-War Movement and Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin joined us on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss.  

A major international study has found that streetlights aren’t the only culprit when it comes to light pollution. Georgia MacMillan University of Galway researcher based in Dark Sky Park County Mayo joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Nearly a quarter of doctors work more than 48 hours per week, with that figure rising to half of doctors working in surgery in hospitals. That’s according to the latest figures from the Medical Council. Jantze Cotter, the Executive Director for Regulatory Policy, Standards and Research joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

A 15% EU-US tariff deal is preferable to a “ruinous” trade war, according to the Taoiseach, as talks continue on the finer details, including potential exemptions for key sectors. Will pharma be among them?  Joining Shane Coleman was Cathal Friel, Chairman and co-founder Poolbeg Pharma.

The only suspect in the murder investigation into the fatal shootings of a Vanessa Whyte and her two children James and Sara Rutledge in Co Fermanagh has died. Amanda Ferguson, Belfast-based Journalist brought us the latest.