Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Babies as young as two-months-old can categorise objects in their brains, which is far younger than previously thought, according to new research by Trinity College Dublin, Queen's University Belfast and Stanford University.  To discuss these findings was Professor Rhodri Cusack from Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and co-author of the research. 

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group is warning that peak flooding is expected to hit towns across the east and southeast of the country.   Enniscorthy local Maureen Peare, who met with the Taoiseach after her home was destroyed during the flood spoke to Anton ahead of another flood warning. We also heard from  Independent Councillor for Enniscorthy, Jackser Owens.

“Ireland needs to abolish mandatory retirement and encourage longer working lives”. That’s the call from Adjunct Professor in Economics in Trinty College Dublin John Fitzgerald who spoke to Anton this morning.

Hairdressers across the country are preparing to increase their prices between three and five per cent as mounting cost pressures, according to the Irish Independent. To discuss further with Anton was Lisa Eccles, Owner of Zinc hair and beauty and spokesperson of the Irish Hairdressers Federation. 

Now it’s time for “Between the Lines”, where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. With Anton this morning was Author and Journalist Valerie Cox.

2025 saw 190 road deaths, the highest number in over a decade. 2025 also saw a drop in number of checkpoints Gardaí are carrying out across the country, according to new figures from Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Ireland South MEP for Fianna Fáil who spoke to Anton this morning on the show.

A status yellow weather warning is in place this morning in the south east until later this afternoon, following a week of heavy rain across the country. Anton spoke to  Holly O’Neill, a meteorologist with Met Eireann. As the rain continues, concerns grow over flooding and to discuss this further is Keith Leonard, Chairperson of the National Emergency Coordination Group. 

From Tuesday February 3rd, this podcast will feature all the very best content from Newstalk Breakfast (7-9am) on Ireland’s only independent talk radio station. Presented by Anton Savage, a seasoned broadcaster and communications expert, this show has everything you need – and want – to know first thing each morning, brought to you with insight, intelligence and wit. It’s the perfect mix of news, current affairs, craic, entertainment, sport, politics, and everyday life issues to delve into over your coffee and commute, whether that’s out to the yard, into the city, or a short jaunt to the office in the back garden.  If you’re talking about it, we’re talking about it!  

Drivers of vans and small trucks are nearly twice as likely to use mobile phones while driving when compared to other road users, a new RSA survey has shown. To chat about the findings of the report was Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with completecar.ie.

A €2.5bn redress scheme for up to 100,000 owners of defective Celtic Tiger apartments will be brought to the Dáil in the coming months. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Micheál Carrigy Fine Gael TD for Longford–Westmeath and Chair of Oireachtas Housing Committee.  

Parts of the country that have been hit by flooding due to Storm Chandra are once again bracing for more heavy rain in the coming days. A status yellow rain warning will be in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford from 12pm this morning to midnight on Saturday.  We heard from Director of fire and emergency management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Keith Leonard. Also speaking to Jonathan was Cathoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy and live from Rathfarnham, Dublin - Newstalk reporter Emily Keegan.  

The average child’s birthday costs over 600 euros, according to the latest research. Between bouncy castles, party favours and lavish themes, are parents going to far to celebrate their kids? All to chat with Kirsty Ketley, parenting consultant and freelance writer. 

Today is the 54th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when British troops opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry, killing 14 unarmed civilians. To this day, none of them have ever served a day in prison. All these decades on, the trauma of their bereavement, as well as the lack of justice, has left many family members of those killed struggling with their mental health. That report by James Wilson was supported by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in the Republic of Ireland, in partnership with Shine.

Legislation to abolish the three-day waiting period for abortion on request has been introduced in the Dáil. For more on this Jonathan spoke to  Karen Sugrue, Psychotherapist and Sociology Lecturer at TUS and also Eilis Mulroy, Spokesperson for the Pro-Life Campaign. 

Met Éireann has warned that any additional rainfall, particularly in southeastern, northeastern and eastern areas, could cause further river flooding today.  A Status Yellow rainfall warning for counties Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford comes into effect at 9am. We get the latest on the weather with Alan O’Reilly, From Carlow Weather.

Romantic partnerships and breakups are seen as a natural part of life, but few acknowledge the trials and tribulations of the “friendship breakup”. But is it okay to dump a friend?  We asked Dr Ann-Marie Creaven, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Limerick. 

Primary school enrolment has fallen by almost 6,500 over the past year, the largest decline in recent years. Remote rural schools are expected to feel this drop the quickest – but what does it mean for the future of rural Ireland? All to discuss with Edgar Morgenroth Professor of Economics at DCU.

Seven out of ten fast-track large-scale residential development applications made over the past four years have yet to begin construction. That is according to a new report from consultants Mitchell McDermott. Jonathan discusses this further with Paul Mitchell is co-founder And Director of Mitchell McDermott, and co-author of the report.

China has suspended imports of Irish beef following the detection of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co Wexford last week. While more cases of the virus have been confirmed in three additional cattle herds in the county. To discuss this and more Jonathan was joined in studio by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

A bill designed to regulate the use of commercial drones from Green Party Leader and TD for Dublin West Roderic O’Gorman will be debated in the Dáil this afternoon.   Roderic O’Gorman spoke to Jonathan ahead of the Dáil debate.