Newstalk Breakfast

It's Valentine's weekend so with thought we would bring you a special Kidstalk. Henry McKean met the kids at St Molagas Balbriggan, North County Dublin.

The role of a stay-at-home parent is now valued at over 60 thousand euro per year. That’s according to new research from Royal London Ireland whose Senior Propositions Executive Karen O’Flaherty explain the research.Anton discusses these findings with Susanne Rogers Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.

Now 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 Former Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Francis Fitzgerald.

Trinity College Dublin will become a vape-free campus from March 18th. Members of the Trinity Health team will be monitoring the campus, asking students, staff and visitors do not smoke.  Anton spoke to Martina Mullin, Healthy Campus Manager at Trinity College Dublin on this new initiative.  

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation this week to the Munich Security Conference, one year on from US Vice-President JD Vance’s bombshell speech castigating Europe for its policies on migration and free speech. We get the latest on this with Irish Times Journalist Derek Scally is at the conference in Munich.

More than 1,600 cases of sexually transmitted infections were recorded in Ireland in the first four weeks of this year, which is an increase of over 500 versus the same period last year.  Joining Anton to discuss this is Dr Aisling Loy Consultant in Genito- Urinary Medicine at St James hospital and Himerus health.    

Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has died at aged 48 following a three-year battle with cancer.  The actor was best known for his role in the iconic TV show, playing Dawson Leery.  We look back on his life and career with Brian Lloyd, Entertainment Journalist.

There is growing concern among young people about abusive behaviours in relationships.  That’s according to Women’s Aid, who are today launching a campaign aimed at teaching young people what red flags they should be on the look out for.  To hear all about the campaign Mary Hayes is the Coordinator of the “Too Into You” campaign joined Anton on the show.

Dublin City Council has opened a public consultation for its 80-million-euro design for a pedestrianised College Green plaza – eight years since the last plaza plans were rejected by An Bord Pleanála.  Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor for the Irish Times explained what’s on offer. To discuss this more we heard from Dr Carole Pollard, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co-Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.

Has the kind words of a stranger ever put a smile on your face? Well, if it has, that could be down to English man Jay the Author who he travels around the world leaving letters on random lampposts, walls and electricity boxes in cities across North America, Asia and more recently in Ireland.