Newstalk Breakfast

It’s the final countdown to the 98th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre this Sunday night from 11pm. All eyes are on Jessie Buckley in the Best Actress Nomination category.  Henry McKean is out in the Hollywood Hills and he spoke to Anton with all the news from the Annual Oscar Wilde Awards.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will meet today with the CEO of the construction group BAM to discuss the progress and pace of construction of the National Children's Hospital. 

The project has been mired by consistent changes to costs and timeframes, and joining Anton to talk about how we’ve got to this stage is Paul Davis Public Procurement Expert from DCU.  

Friggatriskaidekaphobia !The fear of Friday the 13th, also known as the chill, that runs down your neck when you spot it on your calendar once more.  But where did these superstitions even come from, and why do we still believe them (just in case)? 

Dr Kelly Fitzgerald, Head of the UCD School of Celtic Studies and Folklore discusses the longevity of this Western superstition.  

Gerry Adams is facing a civil suit for £1 in damages by three victims of IRA bombings in England, who argue that he was “directly responsible” for IRA bombs between 1973 and 1996. 

Joining Anton was Mark Henessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of the Irish Times, who has been reporting on the case from London.  

Short-term lets outnumber homes to rent by 4 to 1 nationwide. That’s according to new figures released this morning by National housing charity Threshold, whose CEO John-Mark McCafferty spoke to Anton. Also to discuss these figures was Noelle Casey Vice-chair of the Self-Catering Federation and owner of Knockcarrig House in Killarney. 

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 Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant and former Senior Political Advisor.

Rugby fans will be heading to the Aviva this weekend to watch Ireland take on rugby and some of those fans could have paid €3,000 for their ticket. Anton discusses this further with John Clendennen, Fine Gael TD for Offaly. 

“Even in households where chores are shared, the invisible ‘thinking work’ of parenting still falls to women”, writes Freelance journalist Niamh O’Reilly in The Journal.ie. Niamh joined Anton to discuss this further.

Lee Cox, along with his Clumber spaniel, Bruin, beat around 18,000 other competitors to the top spot at Crufts on Sunday. However, it has since been revealed that the champion handler was previously found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog in his care. 

We get the details on this story with Vinny McAvinney, Broadcaster and Journalist. 

Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam is calling for an increase in litter fines from 150 euros to 250 euros to reduce waste on the streets. With more on this Anton spoke to Conor Horgan, Spokesperson of Irish Business Against Litter.