Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Today, the Oireachtas will consider a petition calling on the expansion of voting rights to Irish people living abroad.  A referendum to offer voting rights to Irish citizens living outside the Republic was postponed way back in 2019, but should it be reconsidered?  All to discuss with Emma DeSouza, Writer, Political Commentator and member of VotingRights.ie. 

Ukraine’s top peace negotiator said Monday that U.S. and Ukrainian officials had achieved “real progress” in the second round of peace talks in Berlin aimed at ending Russia’s war. We heard from Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath and former NATO analyst. 

The long-awaited review of Fianna Fáil's presidential election campaign was submitted to the party leader Micheál Martin last night. Under the review's terms of reference Mr Martin will share its findings with the members of the parliamentary party after he has considered the report. With more on this Sean was joined by Malcom Byrne, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford. 

The government has launched a survey asking responders if they prefer mixed or single-sex schools. While the results have yet to be published. Ireland, which has had a long history of single-sex schooling is bound to yield interesting results.   We discuss further with Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College and Simon Lewis Primary School Principal and podcaster.   

There was a 259 per cent increase in deaths by cocaine poisoning between 2013 and 2022, according to the latest research by the Health Research Board. Joining Sean to discuss more is Dr Suzi Lyons, Head of National Health Information Systems. 

The European Commission is expected to reverse the effective ban on the sale of engine-combustion cars. This change is due to take place from 2035 after pressure from automakers across the EU.  We discuss further with Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent. 

US President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking at least 10 billion dollars from the BBC over a documentary that edited his 2021 speech to supporters ahead of the US Capitol riot.  We get the latest on this with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with the Guardian.

Where to spend Christmas when you and your partner hail from different counties? We are joined now by Cork-native Fionnuala Jones, Broadcaster and Podcaster,

You may already be planning your TV watching for over the festive period. But those of us looking to consume content from the BBC will have to watch it live as it's no longer possible to record the channel in Ireland, as a result of newer set top box technology.  All to discuss with Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.With thanks to Renault.

A summit is getting under way this morning in Berlin between US envoys and European leaders, in the hopes of ending the Russian war in Ukraine.   In a bid to secure peace, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is willing to concede Ukraine’s ambitions of NATO membership   What might this mean for Ukraine, and for European defence?  All to discuss with Sean Bell, Former fighter pilot, military analyst ad co-founder of Red Matrix Productions.

A new analysis of Census figures has shown that the population of the Gaeltacht is growing but the number of families raising their children through Irish is falling.  We discuss further with Director of Development at Conradh na Gaeilge  Aodhan O’Dea.  

"Have you the Christmas tree up?" It's the standard greeting in Ireland every December. But do you go for spruce or fir, star or angel?  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

A terrorist attack on Bondi Beach yesterday has left at least 15 people dead including a 10-year-old girl. The shooting targeted a Hannukah event, at which about 1,000 people were present.  Speaking to Sean Defoe this morning was Jack Hahn, News Reporter at the Today Show in Sydney.

Memorials to crash victims on the side of many roads will be banned under new powers from The Government.  Roadside tributes will not be allowed on Motorways, dual carriageways, regional or local roads where the speed limit is 60kph or above. So reports the Irish Daily Mail this morning. We discuss further with  Michael Murphy, Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee & Fine Gael TD for South Tipperary. 

‘The Ghosts of Rome’ by Joseph O’Connor has been announced as the overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’. Shane spoke to Joseph on this big win!

Ireland's economy is highly vulnerable to external risks in a pessimistic global economic environment.  That’s the warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute, who have today published their medium-term Economic Outlook. With more on this we heard from John Fitzgerald Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin. 

The Irish Times reports that the State agency in charge of air traffic control was not told about drones near the approach to Dublin Airport on the night Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived.Because of this, air traffic controllers couldn’t warn pilots even though several incoming flights were carrying hundreds of passengers. For more on this we heard from Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Auditor. 

A scientist at the University of Cambridge has attempted to measure how monogamous humans really are and how we compare with the rest of the animal kingdom. The research suggests Humans are not complete angels but we do sit near the top of the league table of lifelong devotion.  All to discuss with Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of 'The Science of Happiness'.

GAA County boards across Ireland are warning matches could be cancelled as the referee shortage and abuse crisis worsens.  Joining Ciara to discuss more is Rory Hickey, Former Intercounty GAA Referee and GAA referees Administrator for Clare. 

The funeral of Tadgh Farrell, aged 4 who was killed alongside his great-aunt in a house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly to take place today. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Fergus McDonnell, Independent Ireland Councillor for Edenderry .