Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Many of you will be celebrating spooking season this weekend but did you know its origins and traditions have been passed up for our ancient Celtic ancestors to make it the tricks, treats and sweets extravaganza it is today! Speaking to Ciara was the Keeper of the Irish Folk Life Collection at the National Museum of Ireland - country life Clodagh Doyle.

Elon Musk has said he does not want Twitter to become a “free-for-all hellscape”, in a sudden bid to please advertisers. Musk, a self-declared “free speech absolutist”, initially stated he was buying Twitter to restore free speech. This triggered concerns among advertisers that the social media platform would become a breathing ground to toxicity and abuse. Kirsty Parks, Post-Doctoral Researcher at DCU & Disinformation lead for The European Digital Media Observatory Ireland spoke to Shane this morning.

The live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion house will not be going ahead this Christmas for the first time in 27 years despite weeks of preparation. Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy brought the subject to yesterday morning’s Dublin City Council meeting. Joining Ciara this morning was Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy and also IFA President Tim Cullinane.

Dublin's Capel Street shop owners are split on the new pedestrianisation. Some feel it has been left unfinished, encouraging antisocial behaviour. A drop in foot fall, with no dedicated cycle lane, leading to cyclists hitting pedestrians. Dublin City Council will vote in November to determine if the street will remain pedestrianised. Henry McKean took a stroll down Capel Street and met pedestrians, business owners and locals. He asked is it working?

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. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was John Finucane Sinn Féin MP for Belfast North and Doug Beattie Ulster Unionist Party leader.

“Jesus always talked about feeding the hungry and looking after the poor. It seems to me that opening their doors would be in line with what the church should be doing” That’s the view of Independent Cllr in Wexford Davy Hynes who has questioned whether the church has ever been approached to help with the homeless and refugee crisis Davy joined Ciara alongside Fr Iggy ODonovan, Priest and Member of the Augustinian Order.

Oireachtas committee members questioned Education Minister Norma Foley yesterday over increased number of Irish language exemptions granted under the revised process. Is this exemption rule fit for purpose? General Secretary of Conradh Na Gaeilge Julian De Spainn joined Ciara on the show this morning.

Sinn Fein remains by far the most popular party in the country according to an Irish Times/Ipsos poll. However, there has been a significant lift in support for both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil following Budget 2023. Pat Leahy Political Editor of The Irish Times brings us the findings of this Irish Times poll.

Parents of young kids should not celebrate Hallowe'en with wanton displays of throwaway plastic tat. That’s according to Environmental journalist and commentator John Gibbons who spoke to Shane this morning.

Men and women have more similar levels of ‘dark’ personality traits - including machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy when they are faced with harsh economic conditions – that's according to a new study by Queen University Belfast. For more on this Ciara was joined on the show by Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin, Leslie Shoemaker.

Ireland’s water services remaining in the state’s hands should be enshrined in the constitution. That is the view of a group of trade unions that have come together this morning to launch the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign, which calls on the Government to confirm a date for a referendum on the issue. John King SIPTU Deputy General Secretary spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Yet another assembly election is expected to be called in the North tomorrow as the DUP continue to refuse to re-enter power-sharing due to their opposition to the Protocol. For more on this Ciara spoke to Ben Lowry Editor of The Belfast Newsletter and also Brian Feeney Irish News Columnist and Political Commentator.

Everywhere, Any Day, You Can Play!” that’s the message Dublin City Council are sending out ahead of launching a new Play Strategy that will focus on the planning of play spaces throughout the city for children and young people. Earlier we spoke to Deborah Clarke, DCC’s Play Officer who explained what this strategy entails and also joining Shane was Catherine Woods, Professor of physical activity for Health at the University of Limerick.

“Cohabiting couples deserve the same compassion as married couples” that’s the message The Labour Party will be bringing to the Seanad today as they call for support on their Surviving Cohabitant’s Pension Bill. Labour Senator Mark Wall spoke to Shane with more on this.

Too many owners of large dogs are careless about keeping their pets on a leash. That’s according to Irish Independent Columnist Frank Coughlan who spoke to Shane on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Families who are looking to bring their little ones along to see Santa this year could run into some challenges. We are hearing from listeners that spaces are booked out and demand is higher than ever for Christmas experiences. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has already put his Christmas hat on and went along to one of these events.

Fines for speeding, driving while using a mobile phone, and not using a seatbelt are set to be doubled from tonight in a bid to tackle the increasing number of road deaths and injuries in Ireland. Is this a welcome move or just a money-making exercise? JoiningShane this morning was former Transport Minister Shane Ross Independent TD Michael Healy Rae .

Employees’ rights to request remote working are set to be strengthened following a review of new draft laws. Employers may be given fewer grounds to turn down applications for home working after the Department of Enterprise puts the finishing touches to the proposals. Mary Connaughton is the Director of the professional body in Ireland for HR and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Experts have said that by forgoing the winter clock change, households could potentially save up to €400 a year on energy bills. Is that reason enough to consider scrapping the clock change? To discuss this, Ciara spoke to Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinty College Dublin, John Fitzgerald

There is a severe teacher recruitment and retention crisis across the education sector. That’s according to a survey carried out by the Teaching Union of Ireland. Liz Farrell is the TUI President and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.