Newstalk Breakfast, hosted by Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly, is well-known for its theatrical arguments on various topics. On Wednesday’s show, the hosts discussed whether solid fuel fires should be banned in the Clean Air Strategy, and their debate became increasingly snappy. While Kelly enjoyed the “primitive and communal” quality of an open fire and believed it would be a loss to humanity to give it up, Coleman trusted the science on the subject and doubted Kelly’s skepticism. The clean air plan aimed to improve health and reduce carbon emissions, but Professor John Sodeau of UCC believed that all solid fuel should be banned. On the other hand, Tuesday’s discussion on the housing crisis was less acrimonious, and the presenters had concrete information to dissect. Similarly, the topic of teaching gender identity in the new Junior cycle curriculum received roughly the same coverage as housing, despite its far greater impact. Meanwhile, Adrian Kennedy’s presence on Lunchtime Live didn’t live up to his reputation as one of Ireland’s pioneering shock jocks. Despite occasionally prompting frissons of excitement, Kennedy mainly heard the views of his callers and moved on. His delivery, with its why-oh-why undertone, was a throwback to an age when DJs portentously held court on the airwaves. Kennedy can’t kindle the same reaction this time out.
