Even a spell from a witch's cauldron couldn’t save Halloween this year, as our next guest can attest.  Barbara Lee is a Witch, an Alexandrian High Priestess and member of the Wiccan tradition and she joined us on the show.   Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

Halloween Is Cancelled – So What’s A Witch To Do?

Most of us are used to wearing face masks as we continue our way through COVID-19, but a Japanese robotics company has taken the humble facemask to the next level. Our Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined us on the show with the details. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The New 'Smart' Facemasks

It could take up to three years to clear the BreastCheck backlog. That’s according to the HSE who say the pandemic pause in screening, combined with Covid-19 restrictions, means it will take up to 36 months to complete the current round of screening. Professor Ann O’Doherty, Lead Clinical Director for BreastCheck and consultant radiologist at St Vincent’s Hospital joined us on the show to discuss this situation. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

It Could Take Three Years To Clear BreastCheck Backlog

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee launches a plan to reform the system of investigating and prosecuting sexual crimes, and thereby creating a victim centered approach.  To tell us what she has planned Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joined us on the show.  Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A Plan To Reform How Sexual Assault Victims Experience The Legal System

Would you get married if you couldn’t have hair and makeup on the day? Lots of brides-to-be are postponing their weddings for that very reason. New Covid-19 rules have deemed hairdressers and make-up artists as non-essential for weddings under Level 5 restrictions .An online petition appealing for a change to the rule has over 600 signatures. Irene Terry, Photographer and co-owner of Ray Terry Photography in Cork, who set up the petition joined us on the show to explain why. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Would You Get Married With No Hair And Makeup On The Day?

Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery-Kearney said Operators of unregulated ‘dial-a-drink’ Facebook pages should be immediately prosecuted. She said anonymous online operators are delivering alcohol to people of all ages without any accountability or oversight.  To discuss further Prof. Frank Murray, Former President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance in Ireland joined us on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Calls For A Crackdown On ‘Dial-A-Drink’ Facebook Pages

There are calls for Government invention as motorists unable to renew driving licences 'reaches farcical situation' .For more we were joined by Senator Paddy Burke. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Motorists Unable To Renew Driving Licences 'Reaches Farcical Situation'

The Irish Aviation Authority has warned that unless "urgent action" is taken at a political level the Irish aviation industry will not exist. The stark statement was made yesterday at the Oireachtas Transport Committee, which continues again today. For more we’ heard from Pádraig Ó Céidigh Founder of Aer Arann Regional. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Will Ireland’s Aviation Industry Survive?

A Father and two sons have died in a suspected murder-suicide in North Cork. The dispute is believed to have arisen over a family will. Gardaí were called to the scene at around 6.30am on Monday after a woman reported hearing a gun shot. Ralph Riegal of the Irish Independent gives us the latest.

Father and two sons die in suspected murder-suicide

The 2020 US Presidential Election is just one week away. As many voters opt to vote early or use a postal ballot due to worries around the coronavirus, Joe Biden still maintains a healthy lead in the polls but many in the Trump camp are feeling optimistic about President's chances of staying in The White House. Law lecturer at NUIG, Larry Donnelly joins Shane and Ciara to discuss.

2020 US Presidential Election

  The north Cork community of Kanturk have been left confused and heartbroken after a father and two sons died in a shocking murder-suicide shooting. Diarmuid (23), Mark (25) and Tadhg (59) O'Sullivan have all been confirmed dead. The dispute which lead to the tragedy took place in the early hours of Monday morning, believed to be over the inheritance of farmland. The wife and mother of the deceased alerted a neighbour to call the guards when she heard a gun shot. Paul Gallagher of the local GAA club joins as a guest to sum up the local reaction to this tragic event.

Local reaction from Cork following suspected murder suicide

President Micheal D Higgins yesterday signed the Mother and Baby Homes Bill into law yesterday. This permits the sealing of the records for 30 years as per 2004 legislation. While the president expressed concerns over elements of the bill, he added that it was not a constitutional issue so did not warrant referral to the Supreme Court. Protestors gathered outside Áras an Uachtaráin to demonstrate what they say is a continuation of Ireland's silencing of women's trauma and abuse at the hands of the state. Ruth Coppinger gives us her reaction and analysis.

The sealing of Mother and Baby Home Records

The average number of close contacts for those testing positive for Covid 19 has fallen to 3 from an average of 5 last week and an average of 6 last month. The HSE's Paul Reid said this was a good development and shows that we all have the power to stop the virus. Is this a sign that level 5 restrictions are working? Catherine Motherway, former President of the Intensive Care Society of Ireland is joins the Breakfast NT team to discuss.

Coronavirus close contacts down

A new report has found that only 2 out of 3 women initiate breastfeeding before they leave the maternity hospital. This is in comparison to 90% in Australia, 81% in the UK and 79% in the US. Professor Michael Turner of the HSE national programme for obstetrics said the figures, which showed only 37.3% of mothers breastfeeding upon discharge, were disappointing. Kay Brown, Coordinator at La Leche League joins us to discuss why she believes Ireland is slacking behind other countries and what needs to be done to improve the situation.

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world

A food bank in Dublin, that began from the back of a car at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, is now delivering groceries to more than 300 households a week. The People’s Foodbank in Bluebell gets no State funding, yet the demand for the service is continuing to grow. And they expect more and more elderly people to use the delivery service during the six week lockdown. Our reporter Barry Whyte has been along to the food bank in Bluebell…

"The deliveries from the food bank have been my only social interaction during the pandemic"

Newstalk Breakfast - every weekday morning from 7-9am, giving you the first bite at news, sport, business, tech and entertainment

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Highlights from Newstalk Breakfast

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