The Pat Kenny Show

Anti-immigration protests blocked the main entrance to Leinster House yesterday evening and who are the likely runners and riders for the Presidential Election? Political Correspondent with the Irish Times  Harry McGee discusses all.

U.S. President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a second time this week to discuss the “close” progress of the 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. We get the latest on this with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University.

Elon Musk has announced that he plans to launch a new political party in America the America Party. It comes after the Tesla founder has fallen out with Donald Trump over his recently passed Big Beautiful Bill. So could it have an impact? All to discuss with President of The Global Situation Room and former Director of Global Engagement at The White House during the Obama Presidency Brett Bruen.

A new policy to 'likely scam' text messages under new rules from Comreg is now leading to confusion over hospital appointments and much more.  A number of large organizations have seen legitimate texts labelled scams. We get the details from Adrian Weckler Technology Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent .

Irish Conductor and Musician, David Brophy will conduct National Symphony Orchestra Ireland at the National Concert Hall in a compelling programme pairing Shaun Davey’s The Brendan Voyage with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, 'From the New World'. David joined Ivan to chat about his career and upcoming shows.

In 2024 Irish residents took nearly 17 million overnight trips within Ireland. Despite the high cost many are still taking a staycation. Henry McKean has been looking at the advantages of holiday in Ireland.

The Kremlin yesterday announced that Vladimir Putin had sacked their Transport Minister, Roman Staravoit. Hours later, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced that he had been found dead. So, what happened to the former minister? We discussed this with Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News.

The deadline for Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs to come into effect has been extended once more, this time to 1st August. It means negotiations with the European Union can now continue for another three weeks. So how close are the pair to a deal? Koen Verhelst reports and analysis from Professor Ron Davies.

Sean Defoe tells us what is on the agenda for cabinet today, if the Taoiseach really did switch his return flight from Japan to attend a match and if Mary-Lou is a likely candidate for the Aras! 

Ireland is known for being a nation of tea drinkers but lately that has started to change. All across the country people are swapping their cup of tea for an oat flat white or a medium roasted americano. As coffee now reigns supreme as Ireland's favourite break-time beverage has the coffee culture in Ireland reached new heights.Joining Ivan this morning was Paige Banks, Co-founder of GuyCoffee in Blackrock.

High pollen levels are a concern for people across the country this summer. Studies show that they trigger hay fever and allergies, putting people at higher risk for asthma. All to discuss with Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist at The Asthma Society of Ireland.

As the government plans to reduce minimum apartment size, we ask are apartments really a solution for our housing crisis? Ivan discusses this further with Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy.

Julie Galbraith, Head of Employment at Eversheds Sutherland and Chair of the Employment Law Association of Ireland is our expert today. Julie give advice to our listeners employment law queries.

Homeless and emergency accommodation has cost the state over 360 million euro last year. One way to cut down on this spending is the suggestion that Councils purposely build or buy designated accommodation for the homeless. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into the costs involved. He has also been meeting with those who have experienced these private homeless hostels. 

Search and rescue operations continue after the devastating flash floods in the U.S. state of Texas have taken the lives of at least 80 people. We get the latest in the operations there with Terry Sheridan Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio.

Demanding perfectionism from yourself or others has many complications.  Perfectionism is about striving for flawlessness, setting excessively high standards, and being overly critical of oneself, and indeed of others. All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.  

Are young people swapping the late-night club for the run club? The last number of years, there has been an increase in Gen Z ditching the late night drinks for an early morning run. This week we are looking at how socialising has changed over the last decade especially among young people.We chat to Sean Coughlan, Co-founder of Happy Feet Run Club  and Newstalk's own Ciara Treacy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently en route to Washington DC to meet with US President Donald Trump. There are hopes that the third meeting between the pair will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza. We get the latest from Gregg Carlstrom Middle East Correspondent, The Economist.

As the Dáil winds down for the summer, how have first time TDs found the experience in Dáil Éireann? We are joined by two new TDs: Albert Dolan of Fianna Fáil and Sinéad Gibney of the Social Democrats along with our political correspondent Seán Defoe.

Donegal will face off Kerry in the All-Ireland football final in two weeks time as they dominated against Meath in yesterday’s semifinals.  Also, the Wimbledon's final came to a close as Jannick Sinner managed secures first Wimbeldon title against reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz. Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off The Ball reviews the weekend of sport.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have recently joined Europe-wide investigations into practices related to online purchases in games. With the aim of protecting children from online purchases in games and the tactics companies use to induce children into purchasing from the virtual world.Ivan discusses this and more with Ciara O Brien, Tech and Business journalist from Irish Times. 

It was a blockbuster weekend in sport as Tipperary defeated Kilkenny in a nail baiting All Ireland Senior Hurling final yesterday. Tipperary will now face cork in the hurling final after they dominated against Dublin in Croke Park on Saturday. Also, English amateur Lottie Woad won the KPMG Women's Irish Open by six shots after Sunday's final round. Over in Wimbledon, as the top seeds fall Alcaraz and Sab Alenka are one step closer to getting a Wimbledon title.Cathal Mullaney Broadcaster with Off The Ball looks back on the weekend of sport.

Over 1800 teaching posts still vacant ahead of the new school year. We ask why and how the shortage will impact students come September. All to discuss with Paul Crone, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies.

Drivers have been warned that motor ­insurance premiums will rise further after a massive surge in claims. Ivan discusses this further with Tracy Sheridan, Alliance for Insurance Reform board member, Member of Play, Activity & Leisure Ireland (PALI).

Joining Ivan on this week's Friday Forum was Maeve O’Connell TD, Fine Gael, Dublin Rathdown, Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin, Galway West, Spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Also Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times. 

Donald Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed through congress yesterday and will head to his desk to become law today. Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD Scott Lucas brings us full analysis of the Bill and what effect it might have on America.

Gareth Mullins takes us through a Buttermilk chicken burger and BBQ Pork ribs to celebrate the 4th of July. 

Denmark has made military service compulsory for women for the first time, marking a significant shift in the Scandinavian nation's defence policy. We get the details from Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at The University Of Bath, Former NATO Analyst and Army Officer. 

This summer in Copenhagen a new scheme offers you something free, if you pick up rubbish. The CopenPay initiative offers around 100 activities in exchange for free or reduced prices on a selection of experiences, from museums to meals out. So should Dublin City Council introduced something similar? Newstalk Henry McKean finds out. 

Ryanair have cancelled a number of flights today due to strikes by French air traffic controllers. This is the second day of planned industrial action that is said to have affected up to 30,000 passengers across both days. We discuss this effects of the strike with Eoghan Corry Air and Travel Magazine Editor.

Birdwatch Ireland wants the Government to officially designate key locations around and off the coast of Ireland as protected areas. For more on this Ivan spoke to Oonagh Duggan, Head of Advocacy at Birdwatch Ireland.

From today, parts of Parliament Street are being pedestrianized. The sections between Essex Quay and Essex Gate are now car-free, only open to cyclists and pedestrians. We get the details of these changes with Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent Geraldine Herbert.

Last week, NATO held its annual summit in the Hague, Netherlands. Where U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded most NATO countries to commit to a target of 5% of GDP to increase the budget for defence. We are not a member of NATO but with talks about giving up our neutrality policy, we might be left with no choice but to join and pay the €20 billion annual membership fee. For context, this could pay to build a new Metrolink in 2026 and every year thereafter. All to discuss with Economist, Colm McCarthy. 

Egg freezing is a booming business with a 400 percent increase since 2012. But should men consider freezing their sperm? A study found men’s fertility drastically decline for those over the age of 50. Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin Professor Luke O’Neill discusses men’s fertility and their options, including freezing their sperm.

In the 1960s, three babies were left at differing locations around the country shortly after their birth. David McBride was found in a Belfast driveway, John Dowling was found in a Drogheda phone box and Helen Ward at a Dundalk phone box. All are siblings. Their story was told in a documentary which aired last night and Helen and David joined Ivan to tell their story.

Allergic diseases are on the rise here in Ireland for more reason than one. Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden has been investigating the upward trend

This year’s League of Ireland has already produced a slew of crazy stories and tasty rumours as it heads towards the business end of the season. Whether fact or fiction, fans of the domestic game have always been kept in good supply of drama and debacle-and even a little bit of glamour. The story of the first Brazilian to play in the League of Ireland is a perfect example of this, as Cameron Hill from Off The Ball explains.

One of the biggest stories for the past almost two years has been the horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza which seems to get worse on a daily basis The death toll has now passed 57,000 according to health authorities in the Enclave.  Speaking to Ivan is the global spokesperson for UNICEF, James's elder, who only two weeks ago was in Gaza and he outlined what he saw on his recent visit. 

This weekend will see the all-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-finals take place. With Saturday's fixture of Cork and Dublin selling out, in a little over two hours. Stand tickets were priced at €60, which is €5 more than last year.  This begs the question, are we getting our money's worth from these rising prices? All to discuss with Diarmuid Lyng, Former Wexford Hurling Captain and Maurice Brosnan, Senior Sportswriter for The Irish Examiner.

Joining Ivan on the show this morning was Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology, to answer your dermatology questions and to give expert advice on skincare treatments and more. 

Less than one week out to a deadline for a deal on tariffs between the European Union and the United States, where do negotiations stand? And is it likely that a base rate of 10% tariffs will remain? Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe is in studio to discuss this and the latest around coalition disagreement on college fees.

Garden Stories this week features Kerry woman Annette Dalton who has worked in senior roles in Britain’s gardening establishment including the Royal Horticultural Society, Kew Gardens and the National Trust. She has since returned home to Ireland and joins Jonathan to tell us her story. All with thanks to Tirlán.

An intense heatwave is continuing to grabble across mainland Europe with as countries are dealing with record-breaking temperatures. We go to France and speak to Lindsey Tramuta, reporter based in France. We also heard from Paul Moore climatologist with Met Eireann.

New figures show that new electric car sales up 27% in first half of 2025 - a jump of 81.9% from the 685 registrations in June of last year. This comes as overall new car registrations for June were up 63.5%. The Luas line turns 21 years old, so how long will it take for Cork to get a tramline? All to discuss with Conor Faughnan Transport commentator.

The cost of food is rising, and families across the country could be paying three thousand euros more for groceries. Farmers are blaming the Government. We speak to Denis Drennan President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and also Damien O’Reilly Lecturer in Retail Management at TUD. 

With the news that Aaron Sorkin is penning a follow-up to David Fincher's The Social Network, we look at other films where the 'real-life' story they were based on evolved (or even changed) after its release with Dee Reddy.

The Department of Health has launched a new 10-year national sexual health strategy to tackle the rising of sexually transmitted infections among young people in Ireland. While there has been an increase of at home STI testing, there are still a number of issues in the treatment of STI across the country. Among those are staff shortages, clinic closures and long waiting lists.All to discuss with Dr Aisling Loy Genitourinary Medicine Consultant.

Dr Ruth Freeman looks at grooming behaviour discovered in orcas and how plastics bottles can now be turned into paracetamol. Orcas, also known as killer whales, have been observed mutually grooming each other with a type of seaweed. Also a new discovery has been made researchers have found that bacteria can be used to turn plastic waste into painkillers, opening the possibility of a more sustainable process for producing the drugs.All to discuss in this week's Green Scene with thanks to Repak.

US President Donald trump has claimed that Israel is ready to agree a peace deal with Hamas. We get more on this with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace at Bradford University.

With the recent government announcement to scrap the temporary 1K college fee subsidy, students and their parents are concerned about being able to afford their children’s college tuition. Sinéad Ryan talks to us about the cost-saving measures parents can avail of, like the SUZI grant and tax benefit.