Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The FAI has confirmed that Ireland will play against Israel in the UEFA Nations League to avoid disqualification.  This is despite FAI calls to ban Israel from European club and international competitions.   Anton gets reaction to this with Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour MEP and also Daniel Epstein O’Dowd, Spokesperson with Ireland Israel Alliance. 

Overgrown roadside hedges can seriously put lives at risk by blocking road signs and forcing vehicles into oncoming traffic.    Anton discusses further with Barry Kehoe, Chair of the County and City Management Association on Transport, Infrastructure and Networks Committee and Chief Executive of Westmeath County Council. 

Now it’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Former Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Francis Fitzgerald.

It's Valentine's weekend so with thought we would bring you a special Kidstalk. Henry McKean met the kids at St Molagas Balbriggan, North County Dublin.

The role of a stay-at-home parent is now valued at over 60 thousand euro per year. That’s according to new research from Royal London Ireland whose Senior Propositions Executive Karen O’Flaherty explain the research.Anton discusses these findings with Susanne Rogers Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.

Trinity College Dublin will become a vape-free campus from March 18th. Members of the Trinity Health team will be monitoring the campus, asking students, staff and visitors do not smoke.  Anton spoke to Martina Mullin, Healthy Campus Manager at Trinity College Dublin on this new initiative.  

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation this week to the Munich Security Conference, one year on from US Vice-President JD Vance’s bombshell speech castigating Europe for its policies on migration and free speech. We get the latest on this with Irish Times Journalist Derek Scally is at the conference in Munich.

More than 1,600 cases of sexually transmitted infections were recorded in Ireland in the first four weeks of this year, which is an increase of over 500 versus the same period last year.  Joining Anton to discuss this is Dr Aisling Loy Consultant in Genito- Urinary Medicine at St James hospital and Himerus health.    

Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has died at aged 48 following a three-year battle with cancer.  The actor was best known for his role in the iconic TV show, playing Dawson Leery.  We look back on his life and career with Brian Lloyd, Entertainment Journalist.

There is growing concern among young people about abusive behaviours in relationships.  That’s according to Women’s Aid, who are today launching a campaign aimed at teaching young people what red flags they should be on the look out for.  To hear all about the campaign Mary Hayes is the Coordinator of the “Too Into You” campaign joined Anton on the show.

Dublin City Council has opened a public consultation for its 80-million-euro design for a pedestrianised College Green plaza – eight years since the last plaza plans were rejected by An Bord Pleanála.  Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor for the Irish Times explained what’s on offer. To discuss this more we heard from Dr Carole Pollard, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co-Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.

The Oireachtas Education Committee has been examining changes to the new primary school curriculum, with TD Ruth Coppinger arguing that it will still allow too much religion to be taught. Anton discusses this further with Alan Whelan, President of Catholic Secondary School’s Parent’s Association and Michael Nugent, Chair of Atheist Ireland.

Has the kind words of a stranger ever put a smile on your face? Well, if it has, that could be down to English man Jay the Author who he travels around the world leaving letters on random lampposts, walls and electricity boxes in cities across North America, Asia and more recently in Ireland.   

Now it’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Valerie Cox, Author and Journalist. 

The HSE is set to review the cases of 62 children who had spinal care at Children’s Health Ireland following concerns that some surgeries did not lead to the expected outcome.  Speaking to Anton this morning was David Cullinane, Sinn Fein spokesperson for Health and TD for Waterford. 

Canadian police have identified the person who carried out a school massacre as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who they said had mental health issues, but they did not give a motive for one of the worst mass shootings in Canada's history. We get the latest on this with Kim Bolan, Journalist with the Vancouver Sun. 

Several Irish citizens have sought official help after being arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in the US, according to the Irish Government.  It comes following news that 42 year old Seamus Culleton, originally from Kilkenny but living in Boston for over 20 years, has been held by ICE for more than five months in what he’s described as appalling conditions.  Speaking to Anton to discuss further was John Foley an immigration attorney.

“Social media has opened up mass narcissism and everyone has main character syndrome. It’s every person for himself. While government and industry are cracking down on an uncivil public, what can we, the public, do?”  So writes Author and Guardian Columnist Brigid Delaney and she joined Anton on the show.

Figures in the UK Government are preparing to hand over reams of material to parliament's security watchdog. They face pressure to reveal the extent of what was known about Peter Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein when he was picked for the role of Ambassador last year.  To discuss further with Anton was James Lyons who was the Former Director of Strategic Communications for Keir Starmer and was in role until September of last year.

The Government’s approved legislation to change the current rental system is to be debated in the Dail later today. Sinn Fein is accusing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents of “pushing through the Rip-Off Rent Hike Bill”  To debate further Anton was joined by Eoin O‘Broin Sinn Fein’ Spokesperson on Housing and James Geoghegan Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South.