Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Almost half of insurance payouts in the first six months of the year were issued through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board rather than through litigation or the courts – a figure which is up from 34% for the same time the previous year. The report from the PIAB also shows that the overall average compensation award was €14,786, nearly 40% lower than the rate before the Guidelines were introduced. Stephen Watkins, director of corporate services for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Poultry flock owners will be obliged to house their birds indoors from next Monday onwards due to rising bird flu cases. The move has been described as a "precautionary measure". Charlie McConalogue Minister for Agriculture spoke to Poultry flock owners will be obliged to house their birds indoors from next Monday onwards due to rising bird flu cases. The move has been described as a "precautionary measure". Charlie McConalogue Minister for Agriculture spoke to Vincent this morning to explain why he is taking this measure.

Halloween cossies, pints of the black stuff and the dreaded return of the heel all make Louise and Sarah’s good and bad books this week. The book club check in takes a murderous turn while Letters from the Litterati sparks hot (water bottle) debates. If you have any book recommendations, feedback or questions you'd like to ask, do email the podcast at openbook@goloudnow.com. Join the book club and read along with the latest selection at @louisesbookclub on Instagram and follow the girls while you're there at @louisecooney_ and @sarahmaddening. Happy Reading, Listeners! Book List: Forever Home, Grahame Norton The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy Magpie, Elizabeth Day Trouble, Marise Gaughan There’s been a little incident, Alice Ryan Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, Phil Knight Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

rish Christmas turkey is under threat of an avian flu virus which has decimated flocks across Europe, UK and US according to the Irish Independent. The cases of virus have been recently discovered in dead swans in Cavan. Irish Farmers Association had put “red alert” to its poultry producer members, and Brendan Soden, Poultry Vice Chair of the IFA spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

A two-day conference titled “Transforming Higher Education” will take place at the University of Limerick today and tomorrow. The conference will challenge whether traditional university degrees are a thing of the past and alternatives to innovate degree programmes Professor Ann Ledwith, Executive Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies, University of Limerick spoke to Vincent this morning on the show.

The family of a young boy who was struck in a hit-and-run incident last month has appealed to the motorist involved to come forward. 13-year-old Jack Duggan suffered severe injuries including to his head in the incident in Cork City. Jack’s older sister Donna Duggan spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

According to a Gas Networks Ireland report released yesterday, there will be no disruption to gas supply expected this winter but is it time for a grown-up chat about Ireland’s use of the UK’s LNG? Speaking to Vincent this morning was Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil Senator and John McElligot, Member of Safety before LNG

Last weekend thousands of Brazilian citizens living in Ireland cast their vote in the country’s presidential election. This has prompted questions about whether Irish people living abroad should be given the same right for our presidential votes. Joining Vincent to discuss this is Current Affairs Commentator Keith Mills & Emma De Souza, Spokesperson & Vice-chair of votingrights.ie.

Yesterday, Bishop Ray Browne, the Catholic Bishop of Kerry apologised after a retired priest, Fr Séan Sheehy delivered a homily where he voiced disparaging remarks about abortion, transgenderism, and homosexuality. A number of people got up and left the church in protest at the priest's controversial homily. Joining Ciara to discuss this event is Theologian, Gina Menzies.

Just 52% of consumers who have their main account with Ulster Bank or KBC have opened a new account. That’s according to new research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Both banks are leaving the Irish market in the coming months. Kevin O’Brien Commission Member with the CCPC. Kevin, can you bring us through what is in this survey? Was it expected it would be as low as half at this stage?.

Gardaí have launched an investigation after discovery of a man’s body in “unexplained circumstances” in County Monaghan. The discovery was made outside the M Hotel near Carrickmacross yesterday morning. Conor Lally Irish Times Crime and Security Editor spoke to Vincent this morning on the show.

Friday night movie screenings have been underway at Tiglin’s Homeless Café, The No Buck Café on Pearse Street for the last month giving service users “a place to belong”, that’s according to an article in the Irish Examiner Aubrey McCarthy, Chairman of the Tiglin Homeless Services spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

Ireland is to be hit by a “frightening” wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year and for many, it could be too late for medicine. That was the stark warning Taoiseach Mícheál Martin issued speaking at a Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party meeting last week. And for more on this Ciara spoke to Professor John Crown Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Get out and exercise this winter! That is the message today from Sport Ireland and the government as they launch their Winter Initiative. The scheme will see over 700 events and activities planned by national sports governing bodies encouraging people to get out and exercise over the cold months. Jack Chambers Minster of State for Sport and The Gaeltacht joined Vincent this morning on the show.

For the past month, activists from Just Stop Oil have been protesting across London to ensure the Government commits to halting new fossil fuel licensing and production. But can disruptive action help to save the planet? Lora Johnson, an Activist from Just Stop Oil joins Vincent this morning to discuss.

Was Halloween night a horror show for the fire brigade? Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Dublin Fire brigade, John Guilfoyle to Ciara how did Halloween night go.

Today is World Vegan Day, and the practice of steering clear of animal products has surged in popularity across the country in recent years. So is going vegan the ethical thing to do? To discuss this further Newstalk Breakfast spoke to Sandra Higgins of GoVeganWorld.com and the Eden Farmed Animal Sanctuary.

Strategic Russian missile attacks on energy facilities have left millions of Ukrainians facing rolling blackouts The attacks have also hit other services 80% of Kyiv residents having their water supplies cut. James Waterhouse BBC’s Ukraine correspondent joined Vincent this morning with an update on the recent attacks.

Average private rents have almost doubled their 2012 level, but income inequality is at a new record low - that’s according to the latest ESRI report. For more on the findings of the report, Shane spoke to Economist at the ESRI and the author of the report, Dr. Barra Roantree.

The North looks set for fresh elections after political parties missed the midnight deadline to restore power-sharing at Stormont. It means that Assembly elections will likely take place for the 2nd time this year on December the 15th. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been to Lisburn which is in the Unionist stronghold of Lagan Valley. Speaking to Ciara was Eóin Tennyson – Alliance Party MLA for Upper Bann.