

The Anton Savage Show
Newstalk
Anton Savage presents a bright, lively and engaging current affairs magazine show to kickstart your weekend.The programme features all the latest news, features and opinion along with conversations about the conversations you are having on a Saturday morning from 9-11am.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

Jan 18, 2026 • 19min
The rapid rise of cocaine use in Ireland
Cocaine use in Ireland has surged in the past decade, moving from the margins into the mainstream Irish social life, with Ireland now ranking among the highest users in Europe. So, what’s driving the boom, and what’s it doing to us? To discuss, Anton is joined by Jo-Hanna Ivers, Professor in Addiction at the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin & Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Boland, the head of An Garda Síochána's Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Jan 18, 2026 • 12min
In conversation with Tom Shakespeare
Anton is joined 'In conversation' by Professor of Disability Research, a sociologist and bioethicist, Tom Shakespeare.

Jan 18, 2026 • 14min
Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Education & Youth
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has exposed serious gaps in online safety, highlighted this week by concerns around so-called “nudification” tools linked to Grok. At the same time, the Government has launched the National Conversation on Education, a public consultation aimed at shaping how Ireland prepares young people for a future defined by AI, digital risk, and constant change. Anton is joined by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, to discuss.

Jan 18, 2026 • 32min
Anton's Sunday Newspaper Panel January 18th
Joining Anton to go through the main stories for the Sunday papers is Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour MEP; Valerie Cox, journalist; and Gavan Reilly, Political Correspondent at Virgin Media Television.

Jan 18, 2026 • 14min
Trump’s tariff threats, looming economic war & the 'mother of all recessions'
EU diplomats are set to hold an emergency meeting after Donald Trump announced tariffs against European countries over their opposition to US control of Greenland. Joining Anton to discuss the latest developments and how European leaders may respond is Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent for Euronews.Also joining Anton to discuss concerns over whether Donald Trump succeeds in exerting control over the US Federal Reserve and the possible ramifications for the global economy is Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs & columnist with The Currency.

Jan 17, 2026 • 27min
What's Going on with Lise Hand & Joan Burton
Joining Anton to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Lise Hand, journalist & Joan Burton, Former Tánaiste and Labour Minister.

Jan 17, 2026 • 9min
Trump's claim that paracetamol causes autism debunked
An international review of hundreds of thousands of pregnancies has found no link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD, directly contradicting claims made by Donald Trump and some US officials. Joining Anton to discuss is Dr Brendan O’Shea, Adjuvant Professor in Primary Care and Public Health at Trinity College Dublin.

Jan 17, 2026 • 12min
Grok & the Harms of AI “Nudification”
As concerns grow about artificial intelligence being used to create sexualised images without consent, the Alders Unit CHI at Connolly in Blanchardstown warns that the harm is real and lasting and not restricted to the online, virtual world. Joining Anton to discuss the issue is Keith O'Reilly, Director at The Alders Unit CHI at Connolly in Blanchardstown & People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett.

Jan 17, 2026 • 17min
Tanya Sweeney on her new book ‘Esther Is Now Following You’
Tanya Sweeney, features writer and columnist for the Irish Independent & author, joins Anton to discuss her new book ‘Esther Is Now Following You’.

Jan 17, 2026 • 15min
Ask the Expert: Eleanor Galvin
Dr Eleanor Galvin joins Anton to answer listeners' questions on all things medical.


