Newstalk Breakfast

Pope Leo XIV has called for artificial intelligence to be "disarmed" and made "human-friendly" in a major text on the ethical challenges raised by the boom of the new technology. 

Anton discusses this further with Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor of The Business Post.

Ireland needs a “resilience-focused” Budget to allow the economy to deal with energy shocks and the growing threat of AI in the workplace. That’s the warning from IBEC, who are launching their pre-Budget submission today. 

Anton discusses this further with Gerard Brady, Chief Economist and Head of National Policy of IBEC. 

From sustainably harvested crab to the revival of poitín, Ireland’s top food producers were honoured at the 2026 Euro-Toques food awards last night. 

Gary O’Hanlon, Executive Chef at the K club and member of Euro-Toques Ireland spoke to Anton about these awards.

Former DUP Leader Jeffery Donaldson is at Newry Crown Court after being charged with 18 historical sexual offences, including one count of rape. 

Speaking to Anton this morning with more on this was James McCarthy, Political Reporter with Belfast Live and The Daily Mirror Northern Ireland. 

Clare County Council has passed a motion to make high-vis jackets mandatory for pedestrians and cyclists. The local authority will now write to Minister for Transport requesting that it be enshrined in law. 

The motion was proposed by Fine Gael Councillor for Whitegate Pat Burke who spoke to Anton this morning.

A delegation of 9 MEPs will undertake a three-day fact-finding mission in Dublin to examine challenges linked to access to housing and to review policy responses at local and national levels. With more on this fact finding mission Anton spoke to Aodhán Ó Ríordaín, Labour Party MEP for Dublin.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Owen Reidy, General Secretary, ICTU.

Temperatures are notably hotter on the continent with temperatures in Portugal and Spain approaching forty degrees. That is unlikely to break any May temperature records, but a little further north in France, temperatures are heading north of thirty degrees and highly likely to break May records. Elaine Cobbe is a Paris Based Correspondent and joined us with the latest. 

The Occupied Territories Bill is set to be put before Cabinet today as Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee aims to enact the bill before the Summer recess. For more on this Anton spoke to Karol Balfe, CEO of Action Aid. 

The trial of former DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and ‘trial of facts’ of his wife Lady Eleanor will begin today in Newry Crown Court. Both trials will run alongside each other. 

To discuss further Anton was Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter.