Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Ireland’s only anti-drone system cannot protect more than one location at a time and does not have the capability to shoot drones down, according to an internal Department of Defence assessment. The findings come as security concerns grow ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency, with senior EU, Cabinet and military sources warning the State will have to rely on British and French support to protect Irish airspace. All to discuss with Declan Power, Security and Defence expert.

Keir Starmer will address Labour MPs in private at the weekly Parliamentary Labour Party meeting this evening as he fights to save his leadership. Morgan McSweeney quit as the prime minister's chief of staff taking "full responsibility" for advising the PM to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador last year  Anton speaks to Edwina Currie Former British Government Minister and Broadcaster.  

New laws to remove Dublin Airport’s passenger cap and prevent any future caps  are set to be approved by Cabinet tomorrow, according to the Business Post.  We get reaction to this with Louise O’Leary, spokesperson for Children’s Rights Over Flights. 

 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 Aisling O’Rourke, the Communications Coach.

Two-thirds of people still prefer physical books compared to e-books or audiobooks, according to new research from the Local Government Management Agency.  Also physical books continue to anchor reading habits, even in a highly digital world.  Anton discusses the research findings with Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the LGMA. 

Manicure, shellac, acrylic and a lot of venting. Newstalk’s Sarah Madden investigates the role of nail techs as therapists.

Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has quit his role as the British prime minister’s closest aide amid anger over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.    We get the latest on this with Adam Boulton, Political Commentator and former Sky News Political Editor.

Panda Recycling, one of the largest waste collection companies in Ireland, is hitting thousands of households with a 9 per cent price rise. We discuss further with Charlie Weston, Personal Finance editor with the Irish Independent. 

Dubliners across the city are still reeling in the tragic incident of a bus crash on North Earl Street. Gardaí later confirmed that one man had been declared dead at the scene, and that three other adults had been taken to hospital with injuries varying severity.  Speaking to Anton was Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central. 

The latest on the weather around the country! First we head to Aughrim where Barry Whyte, Bauer Media Chief Reporter. We also heard from Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden is in Dundalk at the moment and reporter Josh Crosbie was in North Co Dublin.The rain has caused disruptions to commuters right across Dublin and surrounding areas. To get the latest with regard to the rail and bus network Anton spoke to Blake Boland from Dublin Bus and also Jane Cregan, Deputy Corporate Communication Manager with Irish Rail.

“You’re in our country. Tonight I’m going to your country.” Those were the words of DUP MP Gregory Campbell during an official visit by President Catherine Connolly to Derry and he joined Anton this morning on the show.

Do people treat each other differently based purely on the appearance of hair on their heads?  One person in a unique position to answer that questions is Psychoanalyst and Author Anouchka Grose. 

Women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for autism during their childhood. That’s according to new research led by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden scrutinised the diagnosis rates of autism between 1985 and 2020.  To discuss the findings of the research Anton spoke to Eleanor McSherry, Former head of Autism Studies at University College Cork and Neurodiversity Expert. 

One person is dead and three others are injured after a Bus Éireann double-decker bus crashed in Dublin’s North Inner City yesterday afternoon.  Emily Keegan, Newstalk reporter brought us the latest.

With orange and yellow rain warnings in place across 12 counties until later today, what can we expect weatherwise for the weekend ahead?  Speaking to Anton this morning was Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather and Keith Leonard, Chairperson of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. 

There is an ongoing cost-of-living crisis in Ireland that needs to be urgently addressed by the government. That’s according to a private members motion to be debated in the Dáil this evening. To debate this further was Richard Boyd Barrett People Before Profit TD supporting the motion and Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy for Tipperary South. 

Ireland will not follow other European countries and pass a law creating a social media ban for children in the short term. Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan has said any change to social media regulations will be “incremental” in Ireland.  With us to discuss more is Ollwyn Moran Neurological developmental therapist founder of Cogni Kids.

When couples break up, a division of assets occurs who will get the house, who will get the car, but what about who will get the friend group? All to chat about with  Dr Denise Taylor, Psychologist and Author of Rethinking Retirement for Positive Ageing. 

British Justice Secretary David Lammy has described an Irish bus driver who was sacked after chasing a thief as a hero.  He told the house of commons that Mark Hehir, originally from Limerick and now living in north-west London, deserves public support. Mark spoke to Anton this morning,

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern joined Anton in studio to discuss global politics, a path to peace, and former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson and Former Special Envoy to Northern Ireland George Mitchell's reported links to Jeffrey Epstein.