Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Some parts of the country are facing backlogs of almost 10 years for access to the HSE’s School Dental Screening Service, which means children who should be receiving three check-ups in primary school are not being seen until their fourth year of secondary school. That’s according to the Irish Dental Association, whose Chief Executive Fintan Hourihan spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

The question of how, when, and whether to cap gas prices dominated another meeting of European Union countries yesterday, as they pursue a joint plan to target high gas prices. Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Concerns are already being raised about stockpiling of fireworks and flammable materials for bonfires ahead of Halloween at the end of the month. So what can be done to tackle the problem ahead of time? Daithi Doolan is a Sinn Féin Councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh and Chairperson for the Joint Policing Committee and joined Shane this morning on the show.

In the wake of that historic victory, last night where Ireland beat Scotland 1- nil - We are now going to the World Cup! Speaking to Ciara this morning was Ireland Ladies Football Manager Vera Pauw.

THE HSE has announced a €169 million plan to address concerns about the provision of healthcare during the winter months. Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE, Dr. Colm Henry spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

A trial allowing soccer referees to wear body cameras in the adult grassroots game in England is expected to start in the first half of next year. Should the GAA be looking at a similar policy to tackle referee abuse? Maurice Deegan is a Former inter-county referee and joined Ciara this morning on the show.

RTÉ has questions to answer over its decision not to broadcast an interview with former Minister for Transport Shane Ross about his biography of Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. That’s according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said in the Dáil yesterday that development has a chilling effect on democracy. Shane Ross joined Shane this morning on the show with his reaction.

Teenage girls are becoming increasingly interested in STEM careers - That’s according to a new report by I Wish. 93 per cent of female transition year students surveyed in the report reject the idea that boys are more suited to STEM careers than females. However, nearly two-thirds of female students said persistent poor gender equality is a barrier to getting into the field. To discuss further Newstalk Breakfast spoke to the Lecturer of Mathematics at TU Dublin, Dr. Fiona Faulkner.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for holiday homes to be excluded from the Government’s universal electricity credits. To explain why Jennifer spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

“My child got an attendance award at school – and I’m furious about it”, so says Lauren Crosby Medlicott, Freelance Writer, who feels “We are teaching them that strong is good, and fragility is bad. Lauren spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

One in five women worries about being attacked by a stranger – almost twice the level of fear of men. That’s according to a new survey commissioned by the Department of Justice. To discuss this further Ciara spoke to Cliona Sadlier Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland and also joined by Sexual Assault survivor Rachel McElroy.

Granting legal rights and protections to non-human entities such as animals, trees, and rivers is essential if countries are to tackle climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, experts have said. A report for the Law Society explores how the relationship between humans and mother earth might be recalibrated in the future. So should animals have legal rights? Animal rights campaigner John Carmody

A colony of bats has divided the people of Kerry, as its existence as led to a strategic housing development being refused planning permission. Plans for 228 residential units of houses, apartments, duplexes and a crèche were proposed for Killarney. An Bord Pleanála refused the planning due to artificial lighting that could impact the Lesser Horseshoe Bat in the nearby Killarney National Park. Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been to the Kingdom to get some local reaction.

The IABA is gifting period packs to over 350 boxing clubs to combat period poverty and support boxers. The initiative was launched as part of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association’s celebration of the Day of the Girl. Women In Sport Lead, coach, and former competitive boxer Louise McKenzie spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

October is cyber security month and one of the key themes this year is phishing - which is on the rise. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us advice on keeping safe on line.

Large explosions were heard in Ukraine's capital Kyiv following the sound of incoming missiles on Monday. General Sir Richard Barrons spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning with the latest from Ukraine.

Thousands of people have attended vigils across County Donegal tonight to remember the 10 people who lost their lives in the explosion in Creeslough. Shane spoke to Local priest Fr John Joe Duffy.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said that Car lanes will begin to be phased out of College Green from next year as part of wider plans to remove traffic from Dublin city centre over the next three years To discuss this Shane spoke to by CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney and Green party councillor for North Inner City, Janet Horner.

A consultant neonatologist has called on Irish maternity hospitals not to provide the free baby formula to mothers unless it is medically prescribed. Consultant neonatologist at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Professor Roy Philip spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Supplies of more than 160 vital drugs are dangerously low. Pharmacy unions have voiced “increasing concern” that dearth poses a serious risk to patients forced to switch or even come off their meds. For more on this Shane spoke to Kathy Maher, a Community pharmacist in Duleek, co. Meath and chair of the pharmacy contracts committee of the Irish Pharmacy Union