The Pat Kenny Show

Yesterday afternoon, Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe announced the details of Budget 2026. While last year’s pre-election budget was widely described as a giveaway, this year’s was anything but.  We get more reaction to Budget 2026 with Peadar Toibin, Aontú TD for Meath West and also Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland.

Scientists have discovered that biochar can actively break down pollutants without any additional chemicals. This could have major implications for the treatment of wastewater, as well as for global pollution control. In the week of the Nobel prizes, Researchers in Japan have won the satirical Ig Nobel Prize in Biology for research that revealed that painting zebra stripes on cows could repel insects.All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Using solar panels to provide your car’s charge. What can solar power do directly for you and your EV? Also how will the budget impact commuters and drivers. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator.

In the background of an upended Presidential Election, Ministers Pascal Donohoe and Jack Chambers presented Budget 2026. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Pat in studio this morning to discuss this and more.

Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the Oura 4 the ring fitness tracker and answers listeners tech queries.

Following the October 7th attacks carried out by Hamas and several other militant groups back in 2023, 251 hostages were taken by the Hamas led militants.  Now, on the two-year anniversary of the attacks, only 48 hostages are being held by Hamas, 20 of which are believed to be alive. Speaking to Pat this morning was Moshe Emilio Lavi, Brother-in-law of Omri Miran who was taken as a hostage by Hamas. Also joining Pat was Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

What do the public want from Budget 2026? Josh Crosbie, Newstalk Reporter went out and about to ask the people on the street and in businesses.

Why do people steal other people's moments? What's going on? What dynamics?   Why do some people steal your thunder at life events like weddings, birthdays or graduations. All to discuss with Stephanie Regan clinical psychotherapist and cohost of the Tough Love podcast.

Comedian and bestselling author Bob Mortimer joined Pat on the show this morning to discuss his brand-new novel, ‘The Long Shoe’.

Australia’s second most populous state of Victoria is planning another groundbreaking move. A law giving workers in both the private and public sectors the right to work from home for at least two days a week. We ask should working from home be a legal right? Pat discusses this further with Damian McCarthy, CEO of HR Consultancy Firm, HR Buddy.

With just hours to go before the government announce their 2026 budget, political focus remains Jim Gavin's departure from the presidential election.  Pressure is building for Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his future as leader of Fianna Fáil hangs in the balance.All to discuss with Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor with The Irish Independent. 

The Sunbed Association, who represent regulated sunbed businesses owners across the country, is calling on the Government not to impose a ban on regulated sunbed use as they believe it will push the sector underground and into unregulated and unsafe conditions as has happened in Australia.Pat discusses this further with Gary Lipman, Chair, The Sunbed Association.

Fallout for Fine Fáil and what to expect in this year’s budget. All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast.

Frenchwoman Gilese Pelicot has returned to court as one of her rapists appeals their conviction. Catherine Porter is at the trial and brings us the latest along with news of the resignation of the French Prime Minister.

We speak to Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher after Jim Gavin’s dramatic exit from the Presidential race. 

In 1967, then Priscilla Beaulieu married Elvis Presley. The couple shared one daughter, the late Lisa Marie. Priscilla Presley's long awaited memoir 'Softy, As I leave You' is a deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from the man she loved.Priscilla sat down with Pat to chat about her memoir.

Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Fianna Fáil, Kerry gives her reaction to the new that Jim Gavin is no longer running in the presidential race.

n 2019 Bláthnaid Raleigh was out on a night out with her friends like most young people when her life changed forever.  After a night out with her friends, Bláthnaid headed back to a house party with people she knew from her hometown of Mullingar. It was back at this house party where she was raped by Jonathan Moran. It wasn’t until five years later when Bláthnaid finally got justice and Moran was handed down a nine-year prison sentence with one year suspended for raping her. Now one year on since the trial, she has written a memoir called aftermath and recounts about how she coped in the years following her attack. Bláthaid joined Pat in studio this morning.

With Jim Gavin out of the presidential race, what does that mean for Michael Martin’s leadership within Fianna Fáil? All to discuss with Derek Mooney, Derek Mooney, Former Fianna Fáil advisor and communications expert and Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCU.

Time now to look back over a busy weekend in sport. With Cork City and Shamrock Rovers through to the FAI cup finals, Liverpool losing three consecutive matches for the first time since 2023. George Russell victorious in Singapore grand prix, and Leinster continue their poor start to the United Rugby Championship Season.All to chat to with Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.With thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

As we hear more and more warnings about what young people are seeing online and the ease of access to disturbing material online, how can we help take young people away from their phones? The National Youth Council of Ireland is hoping that it can be achieved by more offline spaces for young people to take part in activities sans phone.To discuss with Pat was Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Youth Council of Ireland and also Franek Dobronski, NYCI Local Champion for Carlow Kilkenny Constituency.

Demand for quality property talent continues to outstrip supply. This is resulting in wage inflation and the requirement for employers to be more inventive. Avril Clare, Owner and Managing Director of Avril Clare Recruitment has the details.

Late last night Fianna Fail's candidate for president, Jim Gavin withdrew from the presidential election. It followed reporting in Saturday Irish Independent, that Mr Gavin was overpaid rent to the tune of 3,000euros due to a banking clerical error, which Mr Gavin did not return.Speaking to Pat this morning was Fionnán Sheahan who broke the story this weekend.

Hildergarde Naughton, FG, Galway West TD - Minister of State attending cabinet with responsibility for Disability, David Cullinane, SF, Waterford TD – Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Health and Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times were our Friday Forum today. 

According to wealth manager Moneyfarm joint accounts are beginning to go out of date. Some 44% in a long term relationship thinking they are outdated. So, what is the best way to manage joint funds as a couple? 

Its National Potato Day so Gareth Mullins talks us through some of the best potato dishes. 

Its estimated that 10 percent of people in Ireland have access to ADHD treatment. But those numbers don’t reflect the current demand.  With an increase of demand has resulted in a shortage of services for those with ADHD, people are now waiting long periods for even an assessment. As it is ADHD Awareness Month, two people who are here to shine a light on all of this and more are Ethan Lloyd, a young person with ADHD and Dr Michelle Hill, consultant psychiatrist.  

Russia will not stop until they are forced to do so – that was the opening remark from Danish Prime Minister at a European Leaders summit.  EU leaders have been calling to boost European defence after a series of Russian incursions into EU airspace, and days after drones targeted Danish airports.  But can the 27 EU countries work together as the threat of Russian aggression continues to loom over Europe?   Guest: Anand Menon, director of The UK in a Changing Europe and professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College London.

The Premier League back this weekend with a thrilling lineup including Chelsea vs. Liverpool. F1 goes to Singapore for the Grand Prix, and an exciting weekend of rugby, with Australia facing off against New Zealand and Argentina taking on South Africa for the rugby championship.Colm Boohig from Off The Ball takes us through a very busy weekend of sport.All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

THE European Association for the study of obesity has issued new guidelines stating weight loss drugs should be the first treatment for patients. European doctors argue that these jabs can be used as powerful slimming aids and reduce other health concerns such as such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. All to discuss further with Professor Donal O’Shea, Clinical Lead for Obesity at the HSE.

Recent changes to Ireland's Local Property Tax. Properties valued up to €525,000 will see an increase of between €5 and €25 annually, while those valued above €1.26 million will be taxed proportionally, with properties over €2.1 million taxed based on their actual value.Pat discusses all the changes with Rowena Quinn, Managing Partner of Hunters Estate Agent.

Storm Amy is approaching Ireland today, bringing heavy rain and strong to gale-force winds with a risk of power outages and significant travel disruption. We get the latest on the approaching storm with Liz Walsh, Meteorologist with Met Éireann and David Martin from the Road Safety Authority  

All eyes were on Dublin for the NFL game in Croke Park last Sunday.7.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the Steelers beat the Vikings, making it the second most-watched NFL Network International Game ever. Of course, the GAA also has a long tradition of sending teams Stateside to promote Gaelic games in North America but their first attempt at an ‘American Invasion’ brought the association to the brink of collapse. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more.All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania

Investment scam victim conned out of €150k as criminals target people in recovery scams. Swindle involves panicked customers losing more money on top of what was stolen from them in the first place. For more on this Pat spoke to Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.  

The United States government remains shutdown as neither side have been able to reach agreement on continuing to fund the government. With thousands of job cuts threatened, who serves to benefit from a prolonged shutdown? All to discuss with Brett Bruen President of the Global Situation Room and Former Director of Global Engagement at the White House during the Obama Administration. 

We buy so many clothes but return a lot of them. We discuss the complexities of returns/refunds with Laura Jordan, Image and Brand Consultant owner of Style Savvy.

We might think of Dublin city being built up, noisy and devoid of anything but humans going about their business. But the reality could be nothing further from the truth. Éanna Ní Lamhna brings us through the remarkable collection of wildlife inside the M50.

Yesterday activists on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla say the Israeli navy has begun intercepting their vessels. Israel stopped a total of 14 flotilla vessels carrying aid to Gaza. We get the latest on this with Tariq Ra’ouf, spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Some children are not being seen for their crucial child developmental checks. While parents in some parts of the country find it hard to access these appointments at all, due to a post code lottery. Newstalk Reporter Stephaine Rohan has been looking into this and explained her findings with Pat.

From venues and sporting events to equipment and travel, sport, like every industry, has an environmental impact. As the climate continues to change, heatwaves and other extreme weather phenomena negatively affect competitions and impact athletes’ health and performance. Sustainability Journalist Jo Linehan tells us what is being done to reduce this impact.  

In the early 1960s, the United Nations was regarded as Humankind’s best hope for ending war. A peaceful world seemed possible. In Peacemaker, Thant Myint-U shows the forgotten role played by his grandfather, Secretary-General U Thant, in many of the pivotal confrontations of the twentieth century: from the Congo to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1967 Arab-Israel War to Vietnam. U Thant’s tireless efforts gave voice to the newly decolonised world as he championed racial equality, environmental protection, and a fairer international economy, all while racing to prevent a third world war. 

According to a new survey, a majority of people believe that the family home should be exempt from inheritance tax. The survey also found that many are unsure about the inheritance tax thresholds. Joining Pat to discuss further is the Irish Independent’s Personal Finance Editor, Charlie Weston.  

Most people know Alcatraz as the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay, a place of punishment, isolation, and harsh living. Yet the story of the island is much richer than that. Long before it became a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz had gardens. In fact, the history of gardening on the island stretches back three times longer than its life as a prison.Dermot Gavin tells us the story of the gardens of Alcatraz.

In June of 2020, Katherine Zappone stepped down as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. A latecomer to elected politics, Zappone was first nominated to Seanad Éireann in 2011 before making in to a seat at the Cabinet table. Katherine chronicles her life leading up to this in her new memoir. 

VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health (ILH) recently announced further rate increases from the 1st of October. For VHI and ILH, the average increase will be 3% whereas the Laya average increase will be 4.5%. To discuss the increases and how to get the best deal was Dermot Goode health insurance expert with Healthinsuranceireland.ie.

Why job turnover at Irish workplaces has surged to a record high? All to discuss with Donal O’ Donoghue, MD Sanderson Recruitment.

Lisa Cannon, TV Host and Executive Producer for ‘Spotlight’ takes a look at the family favourite movie 'Toy Story.

European leaders are meeting in Copenhagen today to discuss continued support for Ukraine. It follows one of the largest attacks of the war over the weekend where at least four people were killed in Kyiv. Sean Bell Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host Of The Red Matrix Podcast, in Kyiv  joins us from on the ground in Kyiv.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is among several EU leaders gathering in Denmark today for an informal European council meeting to discuss defence and drone incursions. Ministers across several departments have clashed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We discuss this and more with Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times and also Michael Gillespie, TUI General Secretary.

In the Green Scene this week our Moon is rusting and it could be Earth’s fault. We also hear how scientists used AI to create a brand-new virus, and a couple of new antibiotics. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.