Newstalk Breakfast

The Government should develop legislation that officially makes imprisonment a last resort in the criminal justice system, as the cost of imprisoning one person costs 100,000 euro per year. That’s the call from the Irish Penal Reform Trust and Anton spoke to Saoirse Brady the Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust. 

EPA calls on the food and drink sector to deal with the causes of foul smells emitting from their premises. A new report from the Agency was published this morning. Discussing this further with Anton was Pamela McDonnell is a Programme Manager in the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement.

The Government will use public-private partnerships and spare bedrooms in private homes to create an additional 42,000 beds for students over the next nine years. The measures are part of a new student housing strategy published today. Anton discusses further with Emma Monahan Vice President for Welfare with AMLÉ, the national students' union.

Yesterday, Donald Trump claimed Iran has agreed to "never" have a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, the US is reportedly sending thousands of extra troops to the Middle East, after Iran vowed to keep fighting until "complete victory We get the latest on the war in the Middle East with Mark Weiss, Israel Correspondent with the Irish Times. 

One of Ireland’s biggest home-builders has paused signing any new fixed contracts for housing developments until there is a clear timeline on when the war in the Middle East will end. Developer Michael O’Flynn joined Anton this morning to explain why.

The Central Banks’s new modernised Consumer Protection Code is coming into force from today, giving consumers stronger protections when using banks, insurance companies, and other financial services. To explain all we heard from Colm Kincaid Deputy Governor for Consumer and Investor Protection with the Central Bank of Ireland.  

Yesterday, Donald Trump said the threatened US strikes on Iranian power plants had been postponed after "very good and productive" discussions with Iran about a "complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East" Whereas, Iran said Trump had "backed down" after its "firm warning", with the foreign ministry denying talks had happened. But, which is it? Anton asked Duncan Bullivant, CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Former British Army Officer and Former UK Diplomat.   

Driving test waiting times have risen nationally from 10 to 12 weeks, with drivers in Dún Laoghaire facing the longest delays at 21 weeks, more than double the target. We get reaction to this with Brenda Bolger Owner Bolger School of Motoring.   

The Government is set to cut the price of diesel and petrol from midnight tonight.   Minister for Finance Simon Harris will bring forward proposals at today’s Cabinet meeting to cut excise duty on diesel by 20 cent and on petrol by 15 cent until the end of May. All to discuss with Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

A proposed Luas line linking the city centre to Bray via UCD and Sandyford has emerged as the preferred option for the Dublin Eastern Bypass Corridor, according to a new transport assessment for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Speaking to Anton was Conor Dowling, Green Party Councillor for Blackrock.