Newstalk Breakfast

The Teachers Union of Ireland has announced that it will ballot its members for industrial action. This is over the lack of implementation of a one percent salary increase as part of an agreement on the new senior cycle. Speaking to Anton was Michael Gillespie, the General Secretary of the TUI.

Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, aged 80, in Nashville, Tennessee.  Her family announced her death, with her nephew Bryan Seaver sharing the news publicly announcing in a video posted on social media. 

Speaking to Anton was Baylen Leonard, Country Music Broadcaster and Native Tennessean. 

Climate change and supply chain threats to our import-dependent food system should impel us to stockpile food, just as we do with oil

That is the thoughts of  Environmental Journalist and Commentator John Gibbons who joined Anton this morning to explain why.

A motorist is fined on average every 45 minutes for non-compliant car licence plates.

The revelation came as new figures revealed a whopping €502,440 in fines have been issued since October 2025 for motorists who insist on using non-compliant licence plates on Irish roads. 

The peak month for fines was November when gardaí issued 1,451 fines for illegal number plates.

Ger Herbert Motoring Editor Sunday Independent joined Anton on air this morning.

Members of the Fórsa trade union employed at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin will engage in a 12-hour strike later today and a 48-hour strike from Monday 31 August.  

The industrial action is the fourth in a series of planned weekly work stoppages, which began earlier this month in a dispute over resourcing and staffing levels. 

Niall Shanahan Media Relations Director for Forsa joined Anton to discuss.  

Uisce Eireann has extended the hosepipe ban for 13 counties until September 30th, while 13 other counties will see the ban lifted today.   

Joining Anton to explore this further was Member of the DCU Water Institute, an expert in water and environmental technologies, Dr Jenny Lawler. 

The US has announced a host of sanctions against Iran and its supporters as part of what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was "the single greatest financial offensive ever".  

Labelling it an "economic D-Day" for Iran, Bessent said the US would sever all economic ties with the country and added that any nation financially partnering with Iran would also be isolated. 

Duncan Bullivant, CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Former British Army Officer & Former UK Diplomat joined Anton this morning.  

The funeral of the final M9 crash teen is to be held on Tuesday following mass in the same church in Co Kildare where the service for 15-year-old Joey Carthy took place on Friday. 

Jack Kennedy, from Greenhills, funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday at 11am at St. Michael's Parish Church, Athy, ahead of a private cremation later that afternoon.  

Kennedy was one of five teens who lost their lives when the car they were travelling in drove against the flow of traffic on the M9 before colliding with another car. 

Newstalk's Chief reporter Barry Whyte joined Anton.

Irish consumers anxious to repair washing machines, phones, vacuum cleaners and other household goods rather than replace them when they break down are being given new rights and supports under EU-wide rules coming into force this week. 

To explore this further, Anton was joined by Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail.  

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Eamon Ryan, Former Environment Minister and Chair of the European Commission Housing Advisory Board.