Skip to content

Artwork for Newstalk Breakfast

Newstalk Breakfast

Newstalk

Presented by Anton Savage, a seasoned broadcaster and communications expert, this show has everything you need – and want – to know first thing each morning, brought to you with insight, intelligence and wit.

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment

Listen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk

159 episodes
Avg 5 min
English

Episodes 159

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

August 26 · 5 min
Dublin civil servant accused of leaking sensitive government
A Dublin civil servant accused of leaking sensitive government information to a hostile foreign power now faces extra charges. Charges including breaking the Official Secrets Act. We get the details from Court Reporter Tom Tuite.
August 26 · 3 min
Active Travel Investment Programme research findings
New research from the NTA has shown that every one euro invested in active travel this decade generates almost four euro in benefits to society. We get the details from Conor Geraghty is Head of Active Travel with the NTA.
August 26 · 4 min
TUI ballots for potential strike action
The Teachers Union of Ireland has announced that it will ballot its members for industrial action. This is over the lack of implementation of a one percent salary increase as part of an agreement on the new senior cycle. Speaking to Anton was Michael Gillespie, the General Secretary of the TUI.
August 26 · 6 min
The life and legacy of Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, aged 80, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her family announced her death, with her nephew Bryan Seaver sharing the news publicly announcing in a video posted on social media. Speaking to Anton was Baylen Leonard, Country Music Broadcaster and Native Tennessean.
August 25 · 4 min
Should the state have a 90 Day food stockpile?
Climate change and supply chain threats to our import-dependent food system should impel us to stockpile food, just as we do with oil That is the thoughts of Environmental Journalist and Commentator John Gibbons who joined Anton this morning to explain why.
August 25 · 3 min
Illegal number plates
A motorist is fined on average every 45 minutes for non-compliant car licence plates. The revelation came as new figures revealed a whopping €502,440 in fines have been issued since October 2025 for motorists who insist on using non-compliant licence plates on Irish roads. The peak month for fines was November when gardaí issued 1,451 fines for illegal number plates. Ger Herbert Motoring Editor Sunday Independent joined Anton on air this morning.
August 25 · 4 min
Oberstown staff will be back on strike today
Members of the Fórsa trade union employed at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin will engage in a 12-hour strike later today and a 48-hour strike from Monday 31 August. The industrial action is the fourth in a series of planned weekly work stoppages, which began earlier this month in a dispute over resourcing and staffing levels. Niall Shanahan Media Relations Director for Forsa joined Anton to discuss.
August 25 · 6 min
The hosepipe ban has been extended in 13 counties
Uisce Eireann has extended the hosepipe ban for 13 counties until September 30th, while 13 other counties will see the ban lifted today. Joining Anton to explore this further was Member of the DCU Water Institute, an expert in water and environmental technologies, Dr Jenny Lawler.
August 25 · 7 min
Iran faces 'greatest financial offensive ever'
The US has announced a host of sanctions against Iran and its supporters as part of what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was "the single greatest financial offensive ever". Labelling it an "economic D-Day" for Iran, Bessent said the US would sever all economic ties with the country and added that any nation financially partnering with Iran would also be isolated. Duncan Bullivant, CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Former British Army Officer & Former UK Diplomat joined Anton this morning.
August 25 · 3 min
The funeral of the final teen from the M9 crash to be held today
The funeral of the final M9 crash teen is to be held on Tuesday following mass in the same church in Co Kildare where the service for 15-year-old Joey Carthy took place on Friday. Jack Kennedy, from Greenhills, funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday at 11am at St. Michael's Parish Church, Athy, ahead of a private cremation later that afternoon. Kennedy was one of five teens who lost their lives when the car they were travelling in drove against the flow of traffic on the M9 before colliding with another car. Newstalk's Chief reporter Barry Whyte joined Anton.
August 25 · 5 min
Right-to-repair law takes effect
Irish consumers anxious to repair washing machines, phones, vacuum cleaners and other household goods rather than replace them when they break down are being given new rights and supports under EU-wide rules coming into force this week. To explore this further, Anton was joined by Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail.
August 25 · 6 min
Did You See?
We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Eamon Ryan, Former Environment Minister and Chair of the European Commission Housing Advisory Board.
August 25 · 6 min
Why do we use emojis differently?
The most popular emoji last year was the traditional crying emoji, according to a New York Times analysis of 665 million emojis used by people worldwide. However, not everyone uses emojis the same, as analysis shows the differences between generations when it comes to the charming little faces. Keith Broni, Editor in Chief of Emojipedia joined Anton to talk all things emojis.
August 25 · 3 min
People in Italy will be fined for crossing the road on their phone
Italy is set to fine pedestrians €75 or more for using phones or other electronic devices while crossing roads, under an updated highway code expected by mid-October. The aim is to improve road safety, reducing accidents caused when distracted pedestrians leave drivers too little time to react. Senioru reporter with the Daily Mail who is currently in Italy, Nick Pisa joined Anton to discuss.
August 25 · 4 min
The world’s oceans hit their highest average temperature ever
The world’s oceans were hotter than ever this past Saturday with an average surface temperature of twenty one point one degrees. Hotter oceans exacerbate the sea level rise and extreme storms that threaten billions of people, as well as driving marine heatwaves that decimate sea life and undermine coastal livelihoods, scientists warned. Marine Biologist with MarineCreatures.com Rowan Byrne joined Anton to discuss this.
August 25 · 6 min
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warning for budget 2027
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warns that the actual budget package is likely to be much larger than what is announced on Budget Day. Spending overruns have become routine and have repeatedly pushed spending above budget-day plans. Over the past decade, spending overruns have averaged more than €2 billion per year in today's terms. The last time spending was at, or below, budgeted levels was in 2013. Anton was joined by Niall Conroy, acting chief economist at IFAC to discuss further.
August 24 · 5 min
Tougher tests for migrants to become Irish citizens been considered
Foreign nationals seeking Irish citizenship could face language proficiency tests, enhanced background checks. With stricter good-character requirements under proposals being considered by the Government. We get reaction to this with John Lannon, CEO, Doras.
August 24 · 5 min
TikTok to pay $400m settlement in US children's privacy case
Last week TikTok dominated headlines for its actions in the aftermath of the crash on the M9 that left 5 teenagers dead. The company came under scrutiny over the lack of action in terms of removing videos of criminality on the platform. In recent days it agreed to pay a $400 million settlement in a lawsuit with the US Department of Justice. We get the latest on this with Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.
August 24 · 5 min
Carney stands firm with Trump over tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did something over the weekend something few world leaders have done so far, stand up to Trump. That has resulted in fifty percent tariffs on some Canadian products and Canada has retaliated with tariffs of its own. To discuss further with Anton was Dr Emma Howard is a Lecturer in Economics at TU Dublin.
August 24 · 5 min
HSE decision on funding the drug for Friedreich’s Ataxia tomorrow
Friedreich’s Ataxia campaigners demonstrated yesterday for the reimbursement of Skyclarys ahead of a HSE decision on funding the drug tomorrow. Speaking to Anton this morning was Niamh Ní Hoireabhard a journalist from Kildare who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia when she was 13.

Showing 61–80 of 159 episodes