Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Reformed planning laws are the latest measure aimed at speeding up housing delivery. The Bill proposes policy changes in several areas which are already proving controversial not just to the opposition, but among the Green Party members of the Government too. Take a listen to what Eamon Ryan had to say yesterday about this

New Zealand passed into law a plan to stamp out tobacco smoking over time by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes – Should Ireland follow suit? Ciara spoke to a Consultant in pediatric respiratory medicine at Children's Health Ireland and Chair of the Policy Group on Tobacco at Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Des Cox, and also the Spokesman of smokers' rights organization, Forest – John Mallon.

Today marks ten years since the Sandy Hook school shootings in Connecticut which killed 26 people including 20 children. The massacre led to the then US President Barack Obama promising change on US gun laws. So what laws have changed in the past decade? Since the Sandy Hook massacre, there have been 189 shootings on school grounds, claiming some 279 more lives. Larry Donnelly, University of Galway Law Lecturer and Political columnist with The Journal spoke to us with more on this.

Advertising increases the public’s carbon footprint by almost a third by encouraging extra consumption, an Oireachtas committee has heard. Shane spoke to Researcher and Climate Activist, Sadhbh O’Neill.

Passengers have been left frustrated this week amid a series of cancellations and delays in Dublin Airport as a result of the cold weather. Eoghan Corry is the Editor of Air and Travel Magazine spoke to Newstalk Breakfast to explain how bad the delays are. Also speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Darren O'Rourke, Sinn Féin’s Transport Spokesperson.

Darragh O’Brien should be sacked of his government position as a Minister of Housing. That's according to People Before Profit, who will table the motion of no confidence before the Dail today. But is there merit in this motion? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Cian O’Callaghan is a Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North and Mary Fitzpatrick is a Fianna Fáil Senator.

Ireland’s cold snap is expected to continue for the rest of week with some places registering temperatures as low as –7 degrees. Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather and meanwhile, a significant strain has been put on homeless services dealing with the tough conditions we heard from Paul Sheehan, Campaigns manager with Cork Simon Community,

There won’t be fireworks at the Council events, as they have a detrimental effect on humans and pets – Dublin City Council had decided. Is a motion to restrict the use of fireworks in the festive season a “killjoy”? To discuss Shane spoke to Deirdre Heney, a Fianna Fáil councillor in Clontarf, and Hazel deNortúin, People Before Profit councillor.

“Everything that my child needs educational-wise is a battle” that’s according to Cork mother Elba O’Sullivan, mother of Cillín who has been told her child’s school will no longer be opening special classes for autism. We heard how this decision impact her child’s life?

As we continue through these below freezing temperatures, one city in Ireland is struggling to grit their footpaths. Limerick City Council is saying they simply do not have the resources. Here to tell us more is Conor Sheehan, Labour Councillor for Limerick City North.

“Sinn Féin in government would train and retain more key frontline staff and fix the housing crisis to help healthcare workers come home.” that’s according to party’s spokesperson for Health David Cullinane, that will bring forward a motion to stop healthcare workers from being forced to emigrate from Ireland. David Cullinane Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Christmas has long begun earlier than December 24th, with carols playing in November, lights up straight after Halloween and festive stores even opening during the summer. But this year, workers have mentally checked out earlier than usual - with many reportedly switching off before the 12th. Newstalk’s Sarah Madden’s been speaking to those enjoying a “Merry Slack-mas” and she sent us this report.

With an estimated 4.7 billion people using social media, it’s no wonder it has become a prime marketing tool for cosmetic procedures. But what happens when your friends start going from filters to fillers? For more on this Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist, and author of her forthcoming book, “What Your Teen is Trying to Tell You.

Shane spoke to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin ahead of his final week in the office.

Met Éireann’s Status Yellow warnings for low temperature and ice have now been extended until Friday. Matthew Martin is a Met Éireann forecaster and gave an update on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

An Bord Pleanála is to be renamed and given new structures in the most significant overhaul of the country's planning laws in 20 years. What can we expect from these reforms? Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner joins us to discuss...

People were left stranded in Dubin over the weekend because of an ongoing shortage of taxi drivers. Why do we have such a poor night-time taxi service, despite high demand? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Jim Waldron a spokesperson for National Private Hire and Taxi Association and Neale Richmond a Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown

The Government’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group met yesterday and agreed that schools should remain open this week despite freezing temperatures and frosty conditions. Keith Leonard is Chair of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and chaired yesterday’s meeting and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

At least five aircrafts were targeted in laser attacks as they came into land at Dublin Airport last Friday night. The lasers are reported to have caused “serious concerns” Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Gerry Byrne, Aviation Expert.

The Government intends to make high-speed internet the law across the country by 2030 If enacted the move is likely to make Eir legally responsible for providing gigabit fibre broadband to every home outside the state-subsidised ‘intervention areas’. David Murphy, Managing Director of Agrispread in Ballyhaunis in Mayo, will this news benefit your business?