Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Trust in medical professionals is under severe threat due to fringe conspiracy theories and “colossal” lies entering the mainstream. That’s the warning to future doctors from Dr Colin Doherty, Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Neurologist at St. James' Hospital. 

Under new government proposals, learner drivers who have not passed their driving test after seven years will be required to take additional driving lessons in order to go back on the road.  Ciara discusses this further with Ger Herbert, Motoring Expert. 

The race to the Áras is fast approaching and today, Conor McGregor has announced he will now not seek a presidential nomination from Dublin City councillors. We get all the latest on the presential race with Pat Leahy,Political Editor of The Irish Times and Daniel McConnell, Editor at The Business Post   

2024 saw over 1,400 incidents involving difficult and unruly passengers on commercial flights operated by airlines certified by the Irish Aviation Authority. How much of this comes down to alcohol, and should it be banned on flights?  All to discuss with Eoghan Corry, Editor of TravelExtra.ie.

Even though many still find manners hugely important, there’s a growing attitude that children are ruder than they once were. So, are manners really on the decline, and who’s to blame? Genevieve Roberts, parenting columnist with the iPaper, recently asked that question herself and she joined Shane this morning to discuss further.

RTÉ has said it will pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest next year if Israel participates. We get reaction to Oliver Sears, Founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland.

The Governor of Utah Spencer Cox has pledged to find the killer of Charlie Kirk and pursue the death penalty. The death of the conservative commentator has shocked America across the political divide, raising questions for the future of discourse and debate in the US. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with reaction to the killing was Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States. 

Are good manners becoming a thing of the past for today’s kids? Shane and Fionnuala discussed this morning.

Ireland has one of the highest and most valuable minimum wages in the world, according to a study by HR company Moorepay. It found that the €13.50-an-hour basic legal pay rate ranks as the sixth most valuable globally. So is this rate too high to sustain? All to discuss with Dr Laura Bambrick Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Karl Deeter Financial Advisor and Analyst.

Only two candidates campaigning for the presidency are confirmed to be vying for backing from Fingal County Council today. It's a result of the local authority’s more stringent requirements for Áras hopefuls. One of them is Maria Steen, who announced yesterday that ten Oireachtas members have promised to nominate her for the presidency. We discuss further with Louise Burne, Political Correspondent for the Irish Examiner. 

Tackling the shortage of public health nurses must be a priority for the sake of child protection. So wrote Dr Suzanne Crowe, a Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care.

The Governor of Utah Spencer Cox has pledged to find the killer of Charlie Kirk and pursue the death penalty. It comes after the FBI has released images of a “person of interest” and is offering a 100,000-dollar reward for information.  We get the latest on this with Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian David Smith. 

Minister for Housing James Browne has announced that €50 million will be used to target the removal of families from long-term emergency accommodation. Minister for Housing gave details of the plan to Shane.

Irish acts CMAT and Fontaines D.C. are among the artists nominated for the 2025 Mercury Prize, a sign that Irish music is really having a moment on the main stage. All to chat with Newstalk Presenter Tom Dunne. 

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that Russian drones “did not veer off course” but deliberately targeted Polish airspace, as he called out “lies and denials” from Russia. Speaking to Fionnuala this morning was Misha Glenny, Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and a former BBC Central Europe Correspondent.

US President Donald Trump has said he is "filled with grief and anger" following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot dead at a university event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon. Speaking to Shane this morning with reaction to the killing was Amy Tarkanian, Former Nevada Republican State Chairwoman and Republican Strategist.

US Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk dead following shooting. Shane and Fionnula discussed this further this morning and President Trump's response.

Dublin Town, the collective voice of traders in the city centre, says businesses in the city centre cannot wait any longer for urgent action to restore confidence. The are calling for immediate funding of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce report. We discuss further with CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney. 

Today, An Post is marking a milestone in Irish music history by issuing a limited-edition stamp collection celebrating 25 years of Westlife. But what goes into the making of a commemorative stamp? All to discuss with Aileen Moloney, Irish Stamps Manager at An Post.

Planning permission for the Greater Dublin Drainage scheme was applied for in 2018. However, seven years later, it remains under judicial review.  Is this a symptom of greater issues with our planning legislation? Shane discussed this further with Michael McDowell, Independent Senator and Irish Times Columnist.