Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Chimneys, flues, hot ashes and soot were the top cause of fire recorded last year, according to new data compiled by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, in the Department of Housing. We discuss further with Ben Woodhouse Chief Fire Officer with Carlow County Council. 

Protests erupted over the weekend in Israel, with more than thirty people arrested for “disruption of order.” Families of hostages held in Gaza took to the streets to demand a deal be made by the Israeli government for their release. The protests come days after the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. We get the latest on the situation with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Gallagher brothers are landing in Dublin this weekend as Oasis’ reunion comes to Croke Park for two nights! The band have already performed sell out shows around the UK and to tell us what’s in store for Dublin is Brendan O’Neill, Chief Political Writer at Spiked and writer for the Spectator, who saw Oasis at Wembley.

Donald Trump has said he believes Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal on the war in Ukraine as the two leaders prepare for their summit in Alaska  today.  We heard fromLisa Yasko, Ukranian Member of Parliament and member of President Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party. 

From today, crowds will gather in the Kingdom as the Rose of Tralee gets underway. Speaking to Shane was the festival’s front man, Dáithí O’Sé.

On October 7th, Sharone Lifschitz’ parents were kidnapped from Israel by members of Hamas. Her mother was released two weeks later, but her father’s body was returned to Israel last February. Now, she is urging the Israeli Government not to annex Gaza as they will be risking the lives of all remaining hostages.  Ciara spoke to Sharone began by asking her about the shocking events of the day her parents were kidnapped. 

The presidential election race has been thrown into uncertainty by the shock announcement by former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness that she was dropping out for health reasons. All to discuss with Paul Hosford  Acting Political Editor of the Irish Examiner.

Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has called for an urgent overhaul of Ireland’s school transport system following a surge in complaints from parents who cannot secure bus places for their children. Eoghan spoke to Shane this morning.

Fossil fuels were Ireland's primary energy source last year, accounting for 81% of primary energy supply, according to an analysis of global energy data by KPMG. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast to discuss further was Clare O’Connor, Friends of the Earth Programme Coordinator.

US President Donald Trump is meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska later today to discuss the possibility of peace in Ukraine. It comes after Trump said Putin must agree to a ceasefire or face “serious consequences”  Speaking to Ciara was Ian Bond, former British Diplomat and now the Deputy Director of Foreign Policy at the Centre for European Reform.

After visiting Egypt and the Rafah border with Gaza, former Irish President Mary Robinson has called on states to implement “decisive measures” to halt the “unfolding genocide and famine” in the region.  Mary discussed her visit with Shane.

Ireland is the seventh most expensive country in the eurozone when it comes to taking out a mortgage despite falling interest rates. That’s according to Central Bank statistics. We discuss these findings with Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie. 

US President Donald Trump has said that if his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin goes well, he would like to have a quick second meeting with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and himself. We discuss this further with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast. 

There is still a stark gender gap in the Leaving Cert, with boys still more likely than girls to be studying physics, chemistry, engineering and other STEM subjects, new figures show. Ciara and Shane discussed further.

‘Pet-friendly cafes? No thanks, the only animals I want to see in a restaurant are on a plate’ So wrote Sinead Ryan, Presenter of The Home Show and Columnist with the Irish Independent. Sinead explained why to Shane this morning.

Racist attacks by young people in Ireland is becoming 'a national crisis'. That's according to the Special rapporteur for the National Plan Against Racism and CEO of the Institute of Anti-Racism and Black Studies, Dr Ebun Joseph.

Thousands of Oasis fans are set to flood into Dublin this weekend as Croke Park plays host to their two long-awaited concerts. With demand for travel to the capital surging, Irish Rail has announced extra Intercity services to accommodate the crowds, urging passengers to book early.   We get the details from Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager, Iarnród Éireann.

President Donald Trump has stated that if his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is successful, he would be open to arranging a follow-up meeting involving himself, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.  This comes after the US President held talks with European leaders on Wednesday ahead of Friday's Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin. We discuss further with BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse is in Berlin. 

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, launched a nationwide public consultation on the future of Basic Income for the Arts. Should basic income for artists stay in place? We asked Maria Fleming, Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts.

The return to school is fast approaching, but the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has warned that students will miss out on subject options this year due the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis. All to discuss with Anthony Quinn, TUI President.