Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Fourteen counties have no specialist teams for treatment of eating disorders. That’s the warning given to members of the Oireachtas Health Committee. They also heard families are at ‘breaking point’ due to absence of eating disorder care.   Harriet Parson, CEO of Bodywhys.ie, appeared before the committee yesterday and spoke to Ciara this morning.

US president Donald Trump has dropped his threat to impose tariffs on several European countries for their stance ‌on Greenland, and says he ⁠has reached a ‍deal with NATO on the island’s future.  We get the latest on this with Jack Power, Acting Europe Correspondent for the Irish Times. 

Today it was announced that sporting organisations will receive a boost of over €33 million in funding.  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport. 

“I was in a work-commute-collapse cycle and didn’t know what to do. Then I began sampling hobbies I’d previously dismissed and it became oddly addictive.”  Those are the words of freelance journalist Amy Wild who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Patient safety is at risk due a range of continuing failures in how Dublin’s children’s hospitals are run, according to a new report from the Medical Council. The report highlights how some doctors are afraid to report clinical mistakes amid fears of career repercussions, and how bullying continues at one hospital.  We discuss further with Dr Chris Luke, Retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Author and Columnist.

Almost one in 10 Irish people aged between 18 and 29 believe the Holocaust is a “myth”. Ciara and Shane asked how can we explain ignorance?

Newbridge Cutlery has announced it will cease the production of silver-plated cutlery in April.  They say it comes after several years of falling sales driven by “changing tastes and dining habits at home”.  Is the traditional family dinner getting the axe? All to chat about with Noel Cunningham, Hotelier, TV personality and author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners. 

US President Donald Trump is arriving at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, where his threats on new tariffs and Greenland dominates global conversation.  EU leaders have met to discuss how they will respond to the US, but according to Barry Andrews, Fianna Fail MEP for Dublin and rapporteur for the EU Parliament’s position on EU-Greenland relations, “The only way to deal with Donald Trump is to stand up to him.” Barry Andrews, Fianna Fail MEP explained this further to Shane this morning.

The government should introduce a right for employees to flexible and remote work in order to deal with the issue of congestion. That’s according to a new private members motion from the Labour Party.   Our reporter Sarah Madden asked commuters what they think of the proposal and we discussed further with Ciaran Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin Southwest and Spokesperson on Transport. 

The Justice Minister is facing criticism after securing approval for legislation to expand garda powers to intercept digital communications.. With the Irish Council of Civil Liberties warning the measures amount to “profoundly intrusive powers”.  To discuss this further Shane spoke to Olga Cronin, Surveillance and Human Rights Senior Policy Officer with the Irish Council of Civil Liberties. 

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke are both in attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the key focus is set to be US President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on countries that oppose his plans for Greenland.  We discuss further with Eoin Burke Kennedy, Economics Correspondent of The Irish Times in Davos. 

Canadian TV show “Heated Rivalry” has blown up online, both for its more explicit scenes, but also how it depicts the secret romance between two male hockey players on rival teams. But while the characters on the show are fictional, their story of sexuality and competitive sports is very much a reality for many people.   Kevin Penrose, Irish travel content creator and Gaelic footballer, joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

A public register of convicted domestic abusers is to be established under new legislation which will also strengthen the law on sexual consent. The legislation known as “Jennie’s Law’ will receive pre-legislative scrutiny at the Justice Committee later today   Jason Poole, Jennifer Poole’s Brother, will be part of today’s discussion and he joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.

There should be a greater emphasis on equity, inclusion and diversity in schools to address the reduced sense of belonging reported by marginalised student groups. That’s according to a new report on wellbeing in our schools from the Economic and Social Research Institute.   Dr Caoimhe Dempsey, Report Author & Lecturer, University Colleg,e joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.

Brooklyn Beckham took aim at his parents David and Victoria in an explosive statement as he tried to clear up why the family is involved in a bitter feud. Ali Ryan, Founder and CEO of Goss.ie joined us on the show to discuss.

Europe is facing an ‘existential moment’ in its response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. Bobby McDonagh, Former Irish Ambassador to the EU and the UK joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.

The Government has announced €360 million in capital funding for active travel and greenway projects in 2026, aimed at expanding walking and cycling infrastructure right across the country. Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Dublin players are reportedly set to refuse to appear in front of Allianz-branded signage during the forthcoming National Leagues. There have been calls for the GAA to cut ties with Allianz which through its German parent company, was among a series of companies listed in a report by UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.    Daniel Epstein O’Dowd, Representative for the Jewish Community in Ireland, joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.

Europe is facing into an “existential moment” in how it responds to US threats of further trade tariffs and demands to take over Greenland, according to Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris. He said in a meeting of Eurogroup ministers in Brussels yesterday.  Jack Power, Irish Times Europe Correspondent, in Brussels, joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Cosmetic clinics are warning that on a weekly basis they are receiving multiple requests from under 18s seeking aesthetic Treatments such as lip filler and Botox. There have been renewed calls to strengthen legislation to stop unregistered Botox injectors from giving treatments. Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology, joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.