Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

A plebiscite asking the people of Dublin if they want a directly elected mayor should take place alongside the Presidential elections later this year. That’s according to Aodhán Ó Riordáin, Labour MEP and Dublin Spokesperson and also Daithí de Róiste, Former Lord Mayor of Dublin.  

Many parents are now deep in the trenches of summer survival. We hear why Summer camps are the key to surviving summer for parents with Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor and Saturday Weekend Magazine Columnist with The Irish Examiner.

The Government is due to announce the details of a flagship plan to build infrastructure over the next five years, as well as outlining in its Summer Economic Statement how much money will be set aside in the Budget for tax cuts. We discuss all with Paul Hosford, Acting Political Editor with the Irish Examiner.  

“Abortion numbers can triple, and still Ireland refuses to acknowledge that the reluctant repealers were wrong, wrong, wrong. The Eighth was saving lives in the thousands.”  So says Breda O’Brien, Columnist with the Irish Times and Patron with the Iona Institute. Breda spoke to Ciara this morning.

People living in more disadvantaged communities had more negative attitudes towards immigration, in particular, disadvantaged communities where there was an increase in migrants since 2011.    That’s according to ESRI research published today. To discuss this research further was Senior Policy Officer at the ESRI and co-author of the report Keire Murphy and Dr Mike Murphy Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology in UCC.  

Funeral directors in the south-east are waiting on the decision for a planning application that would see a crematorium built on the outskirts of Waterford.  It comes as cremation becomes an increasingly popular practice around Ireland. We discuss further with Aidan Walsh from Aidan Walsh & Sons Funeral Directors who filed the planning application.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the "accelerating breakdown of humanitarian conditions" in Gaza.  It comes after Israeli forces launched air and ground offensives on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, a key hub for humanitarian efforts in the territory. Speaking to Shane this morning was Aseel Baidoun, Medical Aid for Palestinians’ Deputy Director of Advocacy and Campaigns. 

The Irish Road Haulage Association calling on the Government to remove the driver testing system from the Road Safety Authority. Before, they say “any more damage to the Irish economy is done”. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer, Road Safety Authority.

People taking selfies with puffins on Saltee Islands or feeding the deer in Phoenix Park need to keep their distance or risk causing unintentional harm to wildlife.  That’s according to Richard Nairn, Ecologist and author of Future Wild.

Ryanair has said it is considering increasing the commission it pays to staff who identify oversized bags at boarding gates. All to discuss with Eoghan Corry, Editor of TravelExtra.ie.  

The second part of the Online Safety Code comes into effect today, with a view to making the Internet a safer place for all, with a particular emphasis on children.  What does it entail and will it really make an impact? All to discuss with Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said that the revised National Development Plan will provide a "significant uplift", particularly in areas that need strategic investment such as water, energy, transport and housing.   We discuss this further with Gavin Lawlor, President of Irish Planning Institute.

The HPV vaccine “catch-up” programme is set to be renewed and rolled out “without delay”, according to the Tánaiste, giving anyone under 25 a chance at immunisation. It comes following a backslide in the number of people taking the vaccine.  All to discuss with Sheena Mitchell, Owner of Milltown Total Health Pharmacy and Host of the WonderCare Podcast.

A second half for the ages saw Tipperary seal the Liam MacCarthy Cup at the All-Ireland Hurling Final yesterday in Croke Park.  We review with game with Tommy Rooney, Off the Ball GAA Correspondent.

This weekend saw several more people come out of the woodworks to weigh in on the Presidential election, including none other than Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley.  Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent brings us the latest on the race to the Aras.

The Government have published an independent evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy, has found it made significant progress in advancing a health-led approach to drug use.  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Dr Garrett McGovern, Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic and GP Addiction Specialist.

A Status Orange warning for rain is in place for four counties in Leinster, with Met Éireann warning of widespread surface flooding and "hazardous" travel conditions. We get the latest on the weather this morning with Aoife Kealy, Forcaster with Met Éireann.

Are you travelling to the All-Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park?  Michael Moynihan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner has the list of the dos and don'ts ahead of Sunday’s game.

Earlier this week we heard from Sarah Jane Allen about her endometriosis diagnosis and the issues she has had accessing treatment. Following on from the interview with Sarah Jane we discuss the endometriosis care in Ireland with Dr Niamh Daly, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital. 

It’s been one year since the ICJ ruled Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful under international law. Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, joined us to discuss the potential impacts of the Occupied Territories Bill