Dublin radio station NewsTalk goes on air

The State’s first all-news and current affairs station, NewsTalk 106 FM, went on air this morning.

We'll be competing. Make no bones about it, that's what our morning show will be about. Mr Pete Lunn

The Dublin-based station is aimed at music-based radio listeners who are making the transition to news and current affairs and is targeting the 25-54-age bracket.

NewsTalk broadcasts from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week and has rolling news bulletins every 20 minutes.

Former TV3 presenter David McWilliams hosts the early morning programme The Show, which will be competing with RTÉ's Morning Irelandbut will run until 9.30 a.m.

"We'll be competing. Make no bones about it, that's what our morning show will be about," said Mr Pete Lunn, programme editor and former assistant editor of the BBC's Newsnightprogramme.

Columnist and former television reporter Daire O'Brien, presents the The Flip Side, which is intended to have a wide-ranging agenda that includes listener interaction.

Former Sunday Business Posteditor Damien Kiberd presents the lunchtime programme and promises analysis of the day's current affairs and interviews. This will be followed by The Right Hook, presented by George Hook.

98FM and FM104 each have a 23 per cent share in the station.