Newstalk Breakfast

Three in four teachers from early years to secondary and special education work overtime hours daily to get things done. 

That’s according to a new “Teachers of Ireland Survey” carried out by Schooldays.ie. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Michael Gillespie is General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

The number of people in Ireland buying weight-loss drugs in the form of jabs, drops and tablets online has soared. With seizures up from 1,582 in 2024 to 48,752 last year. We ask dangerous are black market weight loss drugs? All to discuss with Dr Donal O’Shea, HSE Lead for Obesity. 

Independent Senator Michael McDowell has called on the Government to introduce a cap on the number of TDs. While there are currently 174 members of the Dáil, he claimed population growth could mean we have 250 TDs by 2050. 

Should we put a cap on the number of TD's in Ireland. Anton asked Adrian Kavanagh, Lecturer at the Maynooth University Department of Geography.

The Dáil will debate a Labour Party motion today  to ensure that there are more Gardaí on the streets and in communities, provide enhance conditions for gardai and to role out Domestic Abuse Coordination teams across every region. 

All to discuss further with Alan Kelly Labour party Justice Spokesperson and TD for Tipperary North.

Measures brought forward by the Government to tackle the rising cost of fuel have kicked in this morning. To tell us how people are responding at the pumps is Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden. Also speaking to Anton was Lisa Ryan, Professor in Energy Economics, UCD.

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Louise Burne, Political Correspondent for the Irish Examiner.

Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting will stage a “Suffragette”-themed protest outside the Dáil today. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Donna Mullen, Ecologist, a farmer and a horsebreeder, and member of the group and also Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae. 

Over 13,000 artefacts in the British Museum originated in Ireland but just 194 of them are actually on display in Britain. 

The question, according to Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD for Clare, is if the British Museum won’t display Irish artefacts, why don’t they return them? Cathal discussed further with Anton.

The Government should develop legislation that officially makes imprisonment a last resort in the criminal justice system, as the cost of imprisoning one person costs 100,000 euro per year. 

That’s the call from the Irish Penal Reform Trust and Anton spoke to Saoirse Brady the Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust. 

The Government will use public-private partnerships and spare bedrooms in private homes to create an additional 42,000 beds for students over the next nine years. The measures are part of a new student housing strategy published today. 

Anton discusses further with Emma Monahan Vice President for Welfare with AMLÉ, the national students' union.