The latest restrictions to curb the spread of covid 19 kick in today, including an 8pm hospitality curfew and a 50% capacity cap at major sporting and cultural events.  Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan joined Sinead on the show this morning. 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

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan joins as the 8pm curfew on hospitality kicks in

We’ve all had to rethink how things are done this year, including Santa.  Many boys and girls around the country won’t get to see Santa in person this year, but he has been embracing technology!   Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined us this morning with all 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'.    

We find out how Santa has been embracing technology

The Government said yesterday that there are no plans for further Covid-19 restrictions before the end of the year, but warned there are no guarantees about the future trajectory of the disease.  Joining Shane this morning was Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.   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 Government said yesterday that there are no plans for further Covid-19 restrictions

The winter solstice sunrise will stream live this year from inside the passage tomb of Newgrange, and you can watch it online today.  Sinead spoke to Anthony Murphy - of Mythical Ireland and author ahead of this live stream. 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 Winter Solstice sunrise will be live streamed from Newgrange today

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that physician-assisted suicide is not compatible with good medical care

Why psychiatrists say assisted suicide is not the answer

Thousands of people queued outside vaccination centres yesterday

Thousands of people queued outside vaccination centres yesterday

Participation in sport is returning to pre pandemic levels according to new research from Sport Ireland.  However, the gender gap widened suggesting women were slower to return to sports and exercise.  To discuss this further Ciara spoke to Dr Una May Director of Participation and Ethics at Sports Ireland. 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'.

Sports participation nears pre pandemic levels, but women are slower to return?

Security Measures In Place To Prevent Christmas Tree Theft

TDs and Senators are recommending a ban on wet wipes, hotel toiletries, and single sachets of sugar and sauce, while they also say that a fifth of supermarket floor space should be given to refillable products.  Mindy O'Brien is Co-ordinator of VOICE, the voice of Irish Concerned for the Environment and she joined Ciara on the show this morning with her reaction to this news. 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 climate committee may have a gift for the environment this Christmas

NPHET has recommended that pubs and restaurants close a 5 pm from Monday. They’re also recommending that capacity at all sporting, theatre, and cultural gatherings be cut by 50% and that events finish before 5 pm. For reaction, Ciara spoke to Marc McSharry, Independent Sligo Leitrim TD. 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'.  

 NPHET has recommended that pubs and restaurants close a 5pm from Monday

The government is today set to increase restrictions due to concerns around the Covid Omicron variant. To discuss this and more we were joined on the show this morning by Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE. 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'.  

HSE boss Paul Reid on, boosters, omicron, hospitals and more

The North Shropshire election has thrown a spanner in the works for the Conservative party   Joining Shane this morning was Columnist with The Times and former Conservative MP Matthew Parris. 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'.  

We get the latest on the UK by election

Cabinet will meet today to discuss recommendations made by NPHET  how will hospitality fair out?   With less than 10 days to go until Christmas are they already seeing a decline in customers?   Joining Shane this morning was Deirdre Devitt, owner of The Two Sisters pub in Terenure and Paul Treyvaud, Owner of Treyvaud's Restaurant in Killarney. 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'.  

Cabinet will meet today to discuss recommendations made by NPHET – how will hospitality fair out?

NPHET met yesterday to discuss tightening rules as the Omicron variant continues to cause problems for Christmas. For more Ciara was joined by Dr. Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine physician at St James' Hospital in Dublin. 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'.  

Omicron causing Christmas headache, we get reaction

Inflation will continue to rise next year, peaking at 6% in March 2022. That’s the prediction coming from the Economic and Social Research Institute today and to discuss this further Shane spoke to Edgar Morgenroth is Professor of Economics at DCU. 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'.

Inflation will continue to rise next year

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