Newstalk Breakfast

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Gabija Gataveckaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent. 

Artificial intelligence chatbots are leading children into “terrible harm” and can push people towards sexualised and pro-eating disorder content, an Oireachtas committee has heard. 

For more on this Anton spoke to Tanya Ward, CEO Children’s Rights Alliance.

Last year saw a 24% increase in cocaine use and increases in treatment for new psychoactive substances and ketamine. 

That’s according to new figures on drug use published by the Health Research Board. Speaking to Anton this morning was Dr Garrett McGovern Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic & GP Addiction Specialist.

European households waste more than 70kg of food per person every year, amounting to an estimated 69 million tonnes across Europe and the UK in 2025. 

How does Ireland compare when it comes to tackling food waste? Speaking to Anton with more on this was Machaela O’Leary from Too Good to Go.

Market rent rose by 4.4 per cent between December and March, the largest quarterly increase in rents extending back to 2002. That’s according to the newest Daft report, which is the first since new legislation on rent came into effect. 

To discuss the findings further was Ronan Lyons, Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of the report. 

Ministers O’Donovan and McConalogue announce €3.25m in additional Government support to advance Galway Regional Aquatic Project.

Joining Anton this morning was Patrick O'Donovan is the Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport 

Marking World IBD Day (May 19), Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland has developed a new hands-on guide on supporting people with inflammatory bowel disease as part of the It Takes A Village campaign. 

Victoria Spillane, from Cork, has been living with Crohn’s disease for 28 years, having been diagnosed at just 13. Her journey began not in the gut, but with joint pain before quickly progressing into severe gastrointestinal illness and she joined Anton this morning.

The government has today published the Rapid response model for Asian hornet, a new strategic approach for managing any future occurrence of the invasive species in the country.   

Christopher O'Sullivan Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity & Fianna Fáil TD for Cork Southwest joined Anton this morning.

Local authorities completed 1,466 septic tank inspections in 2025 targeting  areas of greatest risk from an environmental and health perspective. Of these, 59 percent (863) failed inspection with many posing a risk to  nearby rivers and drinking water wells.  

Since 2013, 7,212 septic tanks failed inspections, with 84 percent fixed by  the end of 2025. Improved resolution of faulty septic tanks by homeowners has been aided  by increased Government grant support.  

Joining Anton to discuss the problem, and what’s being done about it, is Noel Byrne, EPA’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Enforcement team 

The sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly is said to be among at least six Irish citizens on an aid flotilla to Gaza to have been detained by Israel off the coast of Cyprus.

In a video shared on social media following the Israeli interception, Dr Connolly, a GP based in Co Sligo, is seen holding her Irish passport as she explains that she has been detained. 

Anton was joined by Karen Moynihan, Irish lead for the Global Sumud Flotilla.