Newstalk Breakfast

“Ireland needs to abolish mandatory retirement and encourage longer working lives”. That’s the call from Adjunct Professor in Economics in Trinty College Dublin John Fitzgerald who spoke to Anton this morning.

Hairdressers across the country are preparing to increase their prices between three and five per cent as mounting cost pressures, according to the Irish Independent. To discuss further with Anton was Lisa Eccles, Owner of Zinc hair and beauty and spokesperson of the Irish Hairdressers Federation. 

2025 saw 190 road deaths, the highest number in over a decade. 2025 also saw a drop in number of checkpoints Gardaí are carrying out across the country, according to new figures from Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Ireland South MEP for Fianna Fáil who spoke to Anton this morning on the show.

Now it’s time for “Between the Lines”, where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. With Anton this morning was Author and Journalist Valerie Cox.

A status yellow weather warning is in place this morning in the south east until later this afternoon, following a week of heavy rain across the country. Anton spoke to  Holly O’Neill, a meteorologist with Met Eireann. As the rain continues, concerns grow over flooding and to discuss this further is Keith Leonard, Chairperson of the National Emergency Coordination Group. 

From Tuesday February 3rd, this podcast will feature all the very best content from Newstalk Breakfast (7-9am) on Ireland’s only independent talk radio station. 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. It’s the perfect mix of news, current affairs, craic, entertainment, sport, politics, and everyday life issues to delve into over your coffee and commute, whether that’s out to the yard, into the city, or a short jaunt to the office in the back garden.  If you’re talking about it, we’re talking about it!  

Drivers of vans and small trucks are nearly twice as likely to use mobile phones while driving when compared to other road users, a new RSA survey has shown. To chat about the findings of the report was Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with completecar.ie.

A €2.5bn redress scheme for up to 100,000 owners of defective Celtic Tiger apartments will be brought to the Dáil in the coming months. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Micheál Carrigy Fine Gael TD for Longford–Westmeath and Chair of Oireachtas Housing Committee.  

Parts of the country that have been hit by flooding due to Storm Chandra are once again bracing for more heavy rain in the coming days. A status yellow rain warning will be in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford from 12pm this morning to midnight on Saturday.  We heard from Director of fire and emergency management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Keith Leonard. Also speaking to Jonathan was Cathoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy and live from Rathfarnham, Dublin - Newstalk reporter Emily Keegan.  

The average child’s birthday costs over 600 euros, according to the latest research. Between bouncy castles, party favours and lavish themes, are parents going to far to celebrate their kids? All to chat with Kirsty Ketley, parenting consultant and freelance writer.