Newstalk Breakfast

A large number of Irish people are still stranded in the Middle East as conflict in the region has caused chaos for international travel. There are also about 22,000 Irish living in the gulf region who are fearful of what may come next. To discuss the support the government are giving for those stranded Anton spoke to Neale Richmond Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown. 

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Christina Finn Political Editor with The Journal.ie. 

“It’s been 15 years since my mum died but the grief and unfairness of losing her has roared back to life”. Those are the words of Irish Independent Columnist Tanya Sweeney who spoke to Anton this morning about her grief journey.

Members of the Irish Farmers' Association have ended their sit-in protest at Bord Bia, after the State agency’s board agreed to an independent expert-led governance review into its operations. Larry Murrin will stand aside from chairing board meetings for the duration of the review. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, chose not to protest, though they did call for Larry to step aside. Their President Denis Drennan spoke to Anton this morning.

The national Gaeltacht housing campaign group TINTEÁN will hold a protest today outside Leinster House. They are calling on the government to take immediate action on the housing and language crisis in Irish speaking areas. Speaking to Anton was John Prendergast, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge.

US President Donald Trump has said the “big wave” of the US attack on Iran is yet to come, when he yesterday laid out his war objectives, saying he wanted to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, annihilate its navy, end its nuclear ambitions and stop it arming militant groups. Anton discusses this further with, Middle East Journalist and Analyst Borzou Daragahi. 

It is officially bird nesting season! Today, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD is asking people to play their part by helping to protect birds and wildlife. Legislation does majorly prohibit the pruning or removal of hedgerows during nesting season, but why are these hedgerows so important? All to discuss with Eanna ni Lamhna, biologist, environmentalist broadcaster and author.

More than 30 households in the Hazelwood estate in Wexford were served eviction notices over the weekend. The renters in Bridgetown have been given until August to vacate the properties which are set to be sold. This is said to impact about 100 people across the 36 homes and will ‘devastate the village.’Speaking to Anton this morning was local Sinn Fein Councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien.

Cabinet will consider a range of options on how to reduce traffic gridlock in parts of the country tomorrow as Dublin has been found to be the third most congested city in the world. Titled “Moving Together” the paper includes options like the introduction of congestion charges, further taxes on heavy vehicles, and a reduction in the number of parking spaces.  With more on this we heard from  Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent.

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton this morning was David Smith, Guardian’s Washington Bureau Chief and also Nicholas Hopton, Former UK Ambassador to Iran and non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.