Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has signalled support for a decriminalisation of drugs, saying he backs calls from his own TDs for a health-led approach. Two Fianna Fáil TDs, including Dublin North West TD Paul McAuliffe, have said the war on drugs is not working, and there must be a legalisation of drugs in this country. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Paul McAuliffe and also Bobby Smyth Child Psychiatrist working in adolescent addiction services in Dublin.

"Why are the right-on Oscars lauding a movie that depicts the Irish as drunks and imbeciles?” Those are the words of Brendan O’Neill Chief political writer at Spike, on the Oscar-nominated film ‘Banshees of Inisherin’ and Brendan spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

"Dads are capable too: We need to change how we talk about childcare if we truly want gender equality" That was the headline on a fascinating piece from Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training - The Communications Clinic and Columnist with The Sunday Independent spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Too many of Dublin city’s streets honour aristocrats, landlords, and slaveowners, Councillors Say. Green Party Councillor Janet Horner is one of these councillors and explained to Newstalk Breakfast how it all came about?

The Palestine and on Occupied Territories Bill was passed over 18 months ago and condemns the de facto annexation of Palestinian land by Israeli authorities. To date, the bill has yet to be acted upon. To discuss further Ciara spoke to People before profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett and Editor of Gript Media John McGuirk

The Cat and Dog Protection Association of Ireland has said that there’s a growing issue with feral cats having lots of kittens. They will now use funds from the Friendships Connects campaign to tackle this crisis. Carmel Rooney, Chairperson of the Cat and Dog Protection Association of Ireland spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Decisions on which cost-of-living supports will continue and which will be dropped will be made by the middle of next month, the Taoiseach has said. John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinty College Dublin discusses the measures he foresees staying to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. what measures do you foresee staying to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis?

Opposition parties have called on the Government to release documents relating to an alleged failure to provide payouts to families who were illegally charged for nursing home stays. The Public Accounts Committee will meet to discuss today Brian Stanley, Chair of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee & Sinn Féin TD Laois/Offaly spoke to Ciara this morning with more on this.

The launch of the St Patrick’s Festival took place on Monday, and as with many things, many people loved what was on the show, and many had issues with it. Speaking to Shane this morning was Brian Merriman, founder of International Dublin Gay theatre Festival.

“We’re already obsessed with the British, so sometimes we should be a little more like them” So wrote Irish Independent Columnist Frank Coughlan yesterday and Frank spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

An Oireachtas Committee heard yesterday that the ESB misapplied a support measure for 1,500 of the largest power consumers in Ireland, resulting in households being penalised with higher bills over a 12-year period. For more on this Ciara spoke to Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist and Host of the Home Show on Newstalk.

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar told the Dail yesterday a decision on cost-of-living supports will be made in mid-February. The eviction ban is set to end in March having been in place since November 2022 – but should it stay or go? To debate with Shane was Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Southwest, and Karl Deeter, Financial Advisor, and Analyst.

We’ve been talking all morning about the origins of St.Bridgit.. Here now to answer our questions is Dolores Whelan Organiser of Bridgit of Faughart Festival.

Original programmes from Netflix are getting worse. That’s according to new data compiled by the Sunday Times which found that viewer ratings for Netflix’s original series are in a state of decline. Deirdre Molumby is Audience Editor at Independent.ie and spoke to Ciara with more on this.

Plans to change the legal status of childminders are to go before Cabinet this morning, which would mean that childminders would no longer be exempt from regulations. Childcare providers that do not comply with regulations could be shut down if the plans are approved. Tanya Ward is CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance and joined Ciara and Shane on Newstalk Breakfast.

Extended bar opening times could have an impact on our health & emergency departments. The proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill will be in front of the cabinet today. The bill is facing further pre-legislative concern from many groups. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Dr. Owen Keane, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Secretary for the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine.

Emirates Airlines has successfully flown a Boeing 777 with one engine entirely powered by so-called sustainable aviation fuel. The flight is the latest attempts by the industry to improve their carbon footprint which accounts for 2.5% of global emissions. Alex Macheras Aviation Analyst spoke about this historic flight.

The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index has been released today and shows Ireland to be less affected by corruption than UK for the first time in 25 years. Ireland ranks tenth on the list of the least corrupt countries worldwide. Despite the good news, Transparency International Ireland is warning we have “no room for complacency. For more on this Ciara spoke to Chief Executive of the Irish Chapter, John Devitt.

An Irish Examiner analysis on death notices shows that we had more deaths in the period December 1st 2022 to January 25th, 2023 compared to the year before. Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín, joined Shane to discuss.

Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined Ciara this morning with her latest top tips on saving costs with your monthly phone bill.