Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Former Minister Heather Humphreys has been confirmed as the sole nominee for Fine Gael to contest the upcoming Presidential Election, which is set to take place on October 24th.Heather spoke to Shane in her first interview since announcing her Presidency election bid.

The new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is considering whether frontline Gardaí should carry taser guns. Tasers are already used by specialist units in the force, but could arming the frontline curb violence in the State?  To discuss further we heard from Christy Galligan, Retired Garda Sergeant and Local Peace Commissioner in Donegal and Dr Pat Leahy, Former Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin.

Many parents out there will be familiar with the first-time preschool drop off, the cries for mammy or daddy not to leave, and tears flowing - from both the toddler and parent.   With the first week almost halfway done what can parents do to ease that separation anxiety?  To discuss we heard from Dr Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and Early Childhood Education.

The Government must improve its supports for retrofitting, heat pumps and solar PV panels. That’s the call from the Climate Change Advisory Council, whose Chair Marie Donnelly who explained it all to Shane.

Dublin Airport's busiest ever August saw it welcoming close to 3.8 million passengers, 4% higher than the same month last year, while Cork Airport experienced its busiest summer on record with 1.1 million passengers. All to discuss with Kenny Jacobs, CEO of the DAA.

Students in Ireland being priced out of college.  So says Bryan O’Mahony, President of AMLÉ formerly known as Union Students of Ireland who explained why to Newstalk Breakfast.

More than a quarter of primary school children and over a third of secondary school children have engaged with AI chatbots, according to figures published today in CyberSafeKids’ annual Trends and Usage Report. Here with us to discuss is CEO of CyberSafeKids, Alex Cooney. 

Gardaí are today searching an area of open land in Donabate, Co Dublin as part of an investigation into a missing child who they now presume is dead. We get the latest on this with Conor Lally, Irish Times Crime and Security Editor.

There has been a rise among children in AI Chatbot use. This is according to figures published today in CyberSafeKids’ annual Trends and Usage Report. Shane and Ciara discussed this morning.

Following the introduction of six new litter wardens, one hundred extra waste management staff and more, Dublin City Council is now asking those living here to do their part to keep the streets litter-free. To discuss further Ciara spoke to Derek Kelly, Executive Manager in Environment and transport at Dublin City Council.

Billions of euros in planned data centre projects could be at risk following reports of a new government strategy looking to move future builds away from Dublin.   Joining me now is Mike Beary, country leader for Amazon Web Services from 2017 to 2023, Now chair of the governing authority of University College Dublin. Mike, should we be concerned with this plan to move data centre projects away from Dublin? 

Gardaí are investigating the disappearance of a child whom they fear may have died in unreported and suspicious circumstances in Dublin. Our reporter Stephanie Rohan is in Donabate and brings us the latest.

The European Commission has confirmed that President Ursula von der Leyen's plane disrupted due to suspected Russian GPS jamming while attempting to land in Bulgaria on Sunday. We get reaction to this from Ian Bond, Former British diplomat in Moscow, and now the Deputy Director at the Centre for European Reform.

Traitors Ireland kicked off last night on RTE 1, what can we expect from this season? All to chat with Hannah O’ Connell, Host of “Shrine Podcast”. 

Sabrina Carpenter’s new album “Man’s Best Friend” features some of her most explicit lyrics yet, but is it a bold statement of female empowerment, or a step too far?  We discuss with  George Monaghan, Commissioning Editor at the New Statesman and author of the weekly newsletter Peaceable Land.

It's the first full week of the new academic year, and while timetables and after school activities will feature heavily on parents’ minds, so too will the issue of screentime. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly bring us advice.

Sláintecare reforms being introduced into the health system are playing a major role in pushing up the cost of health insurance. Are Sláintecare reforms worth the cost? Shane and Ciara discussed this morning.

Sláintecare reforms being introduced into the health system are playing a major role in pushing up the cost of health insurance. We discuss all with Dermot Goode from Health Insurance Ireland. 

Irish Novelist Naoise Dolan is among those taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla setting sail this week in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid. Naoise explained to why she is taking part to Ciara this morning.

More than half of adults in Ireland believe children should start receiving pocket money by the time they reach the age of nine. But what is the right age to start? We asked Kel Galavan, Money Coach and Author.