Newstalk Weekend

This weekend sees the 6th and final meeting of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. The 100-member body has been meeting since April and will agree on recommendations to the government that will reduce the harm that the illegal use of drugs causes to Irish society. Anton speaks to the Assembly’s Chair, Paul Reid to discuss.

Ivan Yates joins Anton for a chat and a drive through the places in Dublin that are the most significant to him. Together they discuss his pathway to politics, how he made his way into broadcasting, and whether he would ever go back into public life.With thanks to NiftiBusiness one of Ireland’s most experienced and innovative fleet management providers.

Joining Anton to go through the top stories in the Saturday papers is Richie Oakley, former Business Post editor and now with PR firm Murray Group & Stefanie Preissner, writer and broadcaster.Anton also spoke with Fergus McCarthy of McCarthy News in Midleton & Vice President of Midleton Business Chamber to get a sense of the extent of the damage caused by Storm Babet.

Amazon, Google, and Meta are the latest in a stream of tech companies to withdraw their participation in this year’s Web Summit following comments made by CEO Paddy Cosgrave regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.To discuss the fallout, Anton is joined by Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor with the Business Post.

Joining Luke to talk about What’s Going On in today’s papers are Barbara Scully, author and broadcaster, and Brenda Power, columnist with the Sunday Times and the Irish Daily Mail.

Imagine living every day in fear, constantly looking over your shoulder, because stalking, harassment or online abuse is your reality. The chilling experiences of victims echo loudly even amidst the heralded triumph of Ireland's recently enacted legislation, which finally recognises stalking as a standalone offence. Yet, are we doing enough?Luke is joined by Eve McDowell, Co-Founder of Stalking Ireland and a staunch campaigner for justice; and Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ciara Kelly, who has faced the sinister spectre of online abuse.

On this week’s Ask The Expert, Luke is joined by our resident GP, Dr Eleanor Galvin.

Communities, business groups and volunteers across the country took part in the Focus Ireland - Shine A Light - sleepout overnight. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie, was out there with them and he joined Luke in studio to explain what the event is for.

All eyes are on Paris as Ireland take on New Zealand in the first quarter final of the Rugby World Cup. Henry McKean joins us Luke O’Neill from Paris as Irish fans arrive en masse, and OTB’s Aisling O’Reilly breaks down the team news for us.

Anton spoke to former Chief Economist of the Bank of Ireland and has previously worked in the UK Treasury and the National Institute of Economic & Social Research in London, Chris Johns and Chair of the Irish Society for Women in Economics , and Economist and Lecturer at the Technological University Dublin, Dr Emma Howard about what to expect from next weeks budget.