Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

40% gender quotas for political parties running candidates for election to the Oireachtas will come into force today, with the threshold rising by 10% from 30%. Joining Shane this morning was Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are to meet in London today, with the two expected to announce a deal to resolve the Northern Ireland protocol dispute. With more on this, Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Matthew Parris, Columnist with The Times and former Conservative MP, and also Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter.

“There’s now a huge, fresh interest in the tongue, and so here’s a golden opportunity to capitalise on that trend by scrapping compulsory Irish” That is the view of Brenda Power, Columnist with The Sunday Times and Daily Mail who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast along with Julian De Spainn, General Secretary of Conradh Na Gaeillge.

Later today, Extinction Rebellion Ireland will kick off the first step in its 2023 campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience. Manuel Salazar, Spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Ireland, spoke to Ciara this morning to explain what they are planning.

The waiting list for eye care remains unacceptably long. That’s according to Optometry Ireland – and their spokesperson John Weldon spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

‘I never felt pretty growing up but when you discover the origins of our beauty standards, it’s a real eye-opener. That’s according to beauty journalist and broadcaster Anita Bhagwandas who has written a book on the tyranny of modern beauty ideals. Anita joined Shane on the show this morning to chat about her new book.

Day 55 of #100DaysOfWeeking Day 55 of 100 days of walking! Every Friday we recognise some of our great ‘100 days’ community ' by crowning a walker of the week! This week's Walker of the Week is Nicola from Drogheda, She told us why she got involved.

It seems that the Government is unlikely to extend the ban on no-fault evictions at the end of next month. Will this have an impact on the current homelessness crisis? To discuss this further Shane spoke to John-Mark McCafferty is the CEO of Threshold.

It was on this morning one year ago that the people of Ukraine were awoken to the sounds of air raid sirens and bombs as Russia invaded the country. But 12 months into what Vladimir Putin describes as his “special military operation,” is there any end in sight for the war? Kira Rudyk, Ukrainian MP gave her thoughts this morning 12 months on from the brutal invasion. Also speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Gerard Toal Professor of Government and International Affairs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

The Dún Laoghaire Baths reopened in December, following almost two decades of local campaigning. However, with no pool and limited access for people with disabilities, concerns are being raised about the development. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, went along to a public meeting last night to meet with residents and local groups.

“It seems that those happy to blast their inclusive values have a much harder time when it comes to the ideological other: the social conservative, the extremely devout, the economically cautious. Perhaps that really is the limit of our tolerance.” That is the view of Finn McRedmond, a Columnist with The Irish Times who spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

As we discussed on Wednesdays show, on-pitch alcohol advertising during sports matches has been banned in Ireland since 2018. However, viewers of Ireland’s recent 6 Nations win over France will have noticed the logo of Guinness Zero Zero (0.0) on the field of play. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast earlier this week Sheila Gilheany CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland told us that she believed this was the marketing of alcohol products through the back door. Cormac Healy, Director of Drinks Ireland joined us this morning with his view on these advertisements.

Water supply to 350,000 homes and businesses in North Dublin will be temporarily cut off on Sunday to facilitate the connection of a new water pipeline Tom Cuddy, Head of Asset Operations at Uisce Eireann spoke to Ciara this morning with more details on this.

'As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & the Good Friday Agreement' is a new podcast that tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement as told by those who negotiated it and marks the first time all those involved have reunited to reflect on the negotiations in 25 years. Head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.

Minister for Education, Norma Foley has announced that parents will have the right to withdraw children from the sex education curriculum – if they do not agree with the content being taught Speaking to Shane with reaction to this announcement was Alan Whelan, President of Catholic Secondary School’s Parent’s Association.

Gardaí has arrested a former GAA star who is currently at the centre of an alleged fraud scandal. With more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Amy Molloy is Public Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Independent.

Ireland has a “new” working class. They are university-educated, work in tech, and earn 'good money' but have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis and can’t get on the housing ladder. To discuss further Ciara was joined by Claire Hyland, Head of The Youth Lab at Thinkhouse.

The 2023 Dublin International Film Festival kicks off today! The festival’s Director, Grainne Humphreys joined Shane this morning and told him what should people expect to see and experience from this year's festival. – Grainne, what people can expect?

In 2023 so far, the rate of STIs has risen by 76% While Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, and Gonorrhoea remain the most common viral infections, the rate of HIV has also risen by nearly 50% year on year Dr. Derek Freedman, a Specialist in Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Health spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with his reaction to these figures.

We get an update on the shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh last night An off-duty police officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being shot in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Crime Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph, Allison Morris