Calling It

If you had to bet your house on it, would you know for sure what should and should not be going in your bin? Conor Walsh, Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association, joins Claire to tell us what goes where...

As many listeners may be packing up and jetting off in the coming weeks, it’s time to chat about the airport ‘golden hour’ - the 60 minutes spent between checking in and heading to your flight.  This time is tactically used by the airport to make sure you spend your money while you wait for your gate.  Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times joined Claire this morning.

In a shocking development yesterday, disgraced US attorney Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for the 2021 double murders of his son and wife has been overturned. In a unanimous decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court, the justice agreed that the jury at Murdaugh’s 2023 trial was improperly influenced by the actions of  County Clerk Rebecca Hill. US Journalist Sarah Firth joined Claire to discuss.

We are constantly being told that AI will change the way we live, work and play. We are also told that we need to adapt to AI and use it or we will miss the boat.  But philosopher, author and Oxford Professor Carissa Véliz says that before we buy into ANY predictions, we need to stop and ask  - who is telling us this? And what are they selling?  

President of the Irish Planning Institute, Gavin Lawlor joined Claire in studio to discuss planning permission, what you need it for, how to do it, and how to avoid the pitfalls.

President Xi Jinping has called for China and the US to be "partners not rivals" in talks with President Trump that lasted for two hours  Amy Hawkins, the Guardian's senior China correspondent in Beijing  joined Claire Byrne.

Have you ever not been able to see something that's right in front of you?  Maybe it's your keys, your phone or a pair of shoes – or all three when you are desperately trying to get out the door.  So why does it happen – why do things remain  hidden in plain sight?  Dr Anne Kehoe, Principal Clinical Psychologist  joins Claire Byrne

Allies of Wes Streeting have said he is preparing to stand down as health secretary amid deep frustration with Keir Starmer’s leadership, and could mount a formal challenge for the leadership as early as today Claire was joined by LBC Reporter Henry Riley and Mike Lynch, trade unionist  

To mix music and politics...We’ve been hearing all week how the political end is nigh for Britain’s Prime Minister Kier Starmer. So just to make sure we’re ready, Ed Smith from Go Loud joins Claire to bring us through the best ‘Goodbye’ songs... 

Last Thursday, Championship-side Middlesbrough spotted a SPY recording their training session from afar, ahead of the two legs of the play-off semi-final against Southampton. Despite being subsequently knocked out by Southampton on Tuesday night, Middlesbrough are pursuing a case with the English Football League, to have their opponents expelled from the Play-Off Final next weekend.  As of yesterday, the spy at the centre of this storm was identified. To chat through all of this Claire was joined by John Brewin of The Guardian. 

Michael McGrath EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection  joined Claire Byrne to discuss home agenda, tech, Ireland's EU presidency and more.

Jazz, blues and soul singer Mary Coughlan for What Made Me? Claire heard about Mary's long career of song writing, singing and touring.

Emily Felix was on the programme a few weeks ago talking about the decision by the National Centre for Pharma-coeconomics not to finance medication for Friedreich's Ataxia. Emily spoke to Claire again to explain what it is like to live with the condition. 

Children’s Books Ireland this week warned that children are missing out on a lifetime of reading because the government doesn’t fund school libraries properly. Someone who is passionate about encouraging children to read is children’s author Patricia Forde who was previously the former Irish Children’s Laureate. 

This week is Organ Donation Week. Joining Claire to talk about the importance of it along with the advancement in the field of transplants was Consultant Transplant Surgeon at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Professor Emir Ho-ti. 

Basking sharks have returned to Irish waters. Where can you to catch a glimpse of not just basking sharks, but dolphins and whales too? Padraig Whooley, Sightings Coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group explained the best places you can see these wonderful sightings.

The Irish state collected 106 billion euro in taxes last year and a half-a-billion euro earned in fuel taxes that had yet to be spent. Is our tax money being well spent? Claire asked Albert Dolan, Fianna Fail TD for Galway East and Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist with the Institute of International and European affairs and columnist with The Currency.

A new study has shown that many lifts are now becoming unsafe, due to the rise in obesity. The report by University College London states that lift capacities have not changed over the past two decades, and that they’ve failed to take into account the weight increase of the population.  We discuss further with Dr Mick Crotty is the Clinical Lead for Obesity with the Irish College of GPs, Dr Mick Crotty. 

Prize bonds feel like something from a bygone era but people spent €365m buying the bonds last year. Are they worth the investment? Claire asked Leah McMahon is Senior Financial Planner with Fairstone.

Keir Starmer is still fighting to stay on as British prime minister, as he meets Health Secretary Wes Streeting, his likely leadership rival, this morning. Claire gets the latest from Channel 4 presenter Matt Frei, who has been watching this unfold all week.

On-the-spot fines for littering and dog fouling will rise from €150 to €250 from the beginning of September. But will this make a difference if enforcement is still an issue?  I am joined now by Donal Ryan, Vet from City Vet in Limerick.

What you should freeze, and what you shouldn’t. With some tips on how to get the most out of our freezer was Orla Drumgoole is the author of ‘Irish Mammy Cooks’.

America is producing huge amounts of oil, more than it uses, and fracking has also led to so much gas being produced that they don’t have the pipelines in place to transport it. Could this have made Donald Trump’s decision to go to war in the Middle East a more feasible option? Claire discusses this with Ed Conway, Economics and Data Editor at Sky News.  

Three years ago five people who went to see the wreckage of the Titanic, lost contact with their support crew  Hours and days ticked by, until it was confirmed that the vessel had imploded 500 metres above the wreckage. Christine Dawood’s husband and her son, Suleman and Shahzada, died on the Titan. waiting for days and watching the horizon for the submersible to surface.  Christine has written a book about her experience of that time and she joined Claire this morning.Photo Credit: Cristine Dawood

On the morning of May 14th 2021, “Conti” ransomware infiltrated the HSE IT system. This cyber-attack led to all IT systems within the service shutting down, forcing staff to revert to pen and paper, and it impacted people across the country.  Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly took a look back at the true impact of this cyber-attack, and why it’s front of mind as Ireland prepares for the EU Presidency.

The Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley has officially opened the nation’s embassy on Baggot Street in Dublin.  Ireland’s links with this Caribbean nation run deep, with thousands of our forefathers being forcibly sent to Barbados four hundred years ago, to serve as indentured servants. Writer, Academic and Filmmaker, Professor Bríona Nic Dhiarmada told the story of the Irish in Barbados.

New figures out today show that the building of homes in Ireland SLOWED last month, due to the fuel protests and ongoing middle east conflict.   To discuss the impact of this Claire spoke to Engineer and Director of KMC Homes in Cork, Kieran McCarthy. 

Parkrun has become a huge non-competitive community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate  But is it still a level playing field when some runners turn up in 500 euro carbon-plated ‘supershoes’ while others are in battered trainers that have seen their day? Claire askes Joe Humphreys, Deputy News Editor at The Irish Times. 

Adare will have temporary train station and bypass completed before the Ryder Cup in September 2027.  Questions have been raised over the speed of these projects, while other infrastructure plans seem to get mired in delays. Claire brought these questions to Minister of State and Limerick TD, Niall Collins and Sinn Fein Public Expenditure spokesperson and Chair of the Finance Committee, Mairead Farrell. 

Sibling rivalry can go from zero to one hundred in an instant, and back down as quickly again. What is it that makes these relationships so tricky, and how do we navigate it? To try and get some insight Claire was joined by Psychotherapist Michelle Flynn.

Following the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, many of us are hearing about this disease for the very first time. To separate fact from fear and fiction was Christine Loscher, the Head of the School of Biotechnology and Professor of Immunology at Dublin City University

Keir Starmer is gearing up to face his cabinet soon as he fights to stay on as Prime Minister. At least 74 Labour MPs have now urged him to resign immediately or draw up a timetable. What will happen? Claire asked Mark Paul, London Correspondent with the Irish Times. 

The National Ambulance Service is engaging in a strike today in a dispute over pay, with the HSE warning of significant disruption to ambulance services Claire spoke to Brendan O'Shea, Assistant Professor in Medicine at Trinity College Dublin about the impact that will be felt today. 

Perfectionism appears to be on the rise, particularly amongst children and adolescents.  What is perfectionism, why can it be so harmful and how do we manage it? Dr. Harry Barry joined Claire to discuss.

Fresh from their six nations win against Wales at the weekend. Claire was joined in studio by the Captain of the Ireland Women’s Six Nations team Erin King. 

Slow travel is  the idea of really switching off and taking your time rather than rushing to tick off the tourist checklist. Kevin Penrose, Irish travel content creator told Claire how to embrace slow travel.

Claire was joined in studio by Author Anna Carey to chat about her brand-new book, Love Scene. 

Gavin Cooney is sports correspondent with The 42 took a look back on the weekend of sport.

The National Ambulance Service is taking industrial action today, with their operations expected to be impacted and patients being advised to seek alternative care. To give us the latest on this, I’m now joined by work correspondent with The Irish Times, Emmet Malone. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure from all sides after Labour's disastrous local election peformance. The PM has made a key speech this morning in a bid to save his premiership. To get further details Claire spoke to LBC Reporter Henry Riley. 

The sun is shining but there’s still a little chill in the air. The cold wind can still make its way in the little nooks and crannies of your house. How do you stop them?! With some advice was Founder of The Irish School of DIY Declan Buggy..

Justice Minister and Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan has called for a cut in the 52% marginal rate of tax . Calling the tax rate imprudent, demoralising and contrary to the common good. Claire discusses this further with Barra Roantree is Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College and Barry Ward, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire.

As conflict in the Middle East raises fears over energy supplies, a new report from the Irish Academy of Engineering argues that the State should be prepared to convert Moneypoint power station back to burning coal as a “last resort” and allow it to remain open until 2036 to protect Ireland’s energy security. Claire discusses this possible option with Roderic O’Gorman the Leader of the Green Party and Michael Collins the Leader of the Independent Ireland Party.

Deputy Business Editor at The Sunday Times Ireland Jon Ihle wrote a powerful piece in the London Times about his experience of being Jewish in Ireland at the moment. John joined Claire on the show this morning.

Passengers from the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship have been evacuated following the outbreak, with two of those returning to Ireland yesterday, and now entering a period of quarantine. For the latest on this Claire spoke to Senior Reporter with The Daily Mail in London, Nick Pisa. 

You might also be interested in the Newstalk Daily podcast with Ciara Doherty. This episode is a discussion of the review into the Katie Simpson murder investigation featuring Katie’s aunt Paula Mullen and Allison Morris from the Belfast Telegraph. 

We look back on some of the biggest stories of the week. Joining Claire on 'The Debrief' this morning was Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor for the Irish Independent, Caitriona Redmond, Journalist and Consumer Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Simon Lewis, Principal and host of If I Were The Minister For Education podcast.

The majority of us are not prepared for retirement. A new survey of workers shows that many are really worried that they won’t have enough set aside to allow them to fully retire. MD of DNG Financial Services Cian Carolan spoke to Claire with some financial advice on retirement.

22-Year-old Wu Yize became the world’s latest snooker Champion on Monday evening continuing China’s winning streak in the sport. We profile the latest champion and discuss China's rise in snooker with Fact Check Editor at the Journal and snooker fan Stephen McDermott and Manya Koetse, Editor of Eye on Digital China .

To preview all the big sporting action this weekend Claire was joined by Eoin Sheahan from Off The Ball.