The Pat Kenny Show

Today Meta AI has launched in Europe and is now accessible for free across Europe through the messaging apps people already know and love. It's is available across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us the details.

It's 60 years since the Irish blood transfusion board was set up. With 1 in 4 of us needing a donation at some point or other, countless lives have been saved and shaped by the service. But what is the history of the IBTS and whose stories are inextricably linked to it? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

Today, Donald Trump faces two electoral tests in both Wisconsin and Florida with two state elections taking place. It comes against his planned ‘liberation day’ tomorrow with significant tariff announcements expected. We get the latest from Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

Weapons flights over Ireland have increased almost 70% in a decade, hitting their highest level in 13 years last year. Senators will propose a bill on Wednesday to ensure none of these flights are destined for Israel. One of those Senators, Alice Mary Higgins joined Pat on the show.

Vacant and derelict properties have long been floated as one part of a solution to the housing crisis. But how easy would it be to bring those vacant properties on stream and do the various schemes work as intended?Pat discussed this with Dr Cian O’Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Urban Geography at Trinity College Dublin and also Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Labour, Tipperary County Council.

The True Story of Ireland’s Mafia’ is landmark television Kinahan: The True Story of Ireland’s Mafia started last night on BBC – its a four part series that looks into the rise of the Dublin crime gang to global power. Pat spoke to Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor, Sunday World. Author, producer, podcaster about what is featured in the series.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy faces a vote on motion of confidence in the Dáil today, Barry Heneghan has asked for a seat swap to get away from Michael Lowry and of course tariffs will be on todays agenda too.To look ahead to a busy day in the Dáil was Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent. 

Peter Cosgrove joined us for this week’s Ask the Expert slot. Peter discussed the skills auditing and upskilling, how to broadening your interests and how to best to search for a job. All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

In-laws, potential in–laws, the challenges for parents, and big relationships with breakups and when new ones begin. But there is a third group, and it is the parents of adult children who split with their significant long-term partners. Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist, joined Pat on the show.

Journalist and Author Lara Marlowe, who will deliver the annual lecture to the arts and humanities faculty of University College Dublin on Wednesday evening, joined Pat on the show this morning.

It was a weekend of celebrations for Aston Villa, who are off to the FA Cup semi-finals. They secured against Preston's north end following two strikes from Marcus Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United.  Meanwhile, Ireland's women’s rugby team dominated Italy in their second game of the 6 nations. Colm Boohig from Off the Ball joined us on the show this morning.

All this week Newstalk is teaming up with Make a Wish to raise money for children with critical illness. Make A Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Ruth McDonnell Mum of Ruairi (RIP) & Fionn McDonnell had the same genetic illness, and both have been granted a wish by Make a Wish. Ruairi’s illness was caught late and sadly Ruairi passed away. Fionn’s was caught early and thankfully he is doing well after a long journey. Ruairi’s wish was to have sensory equipment and Fionn’s wish was to have football goals. Ruth McDonnell Mother of Ruairi (RIP) & Fionn McDonnell joined Pat Kenny on the show.   

The Government is considering legislation to exclude decisions on the Dublin Airport passenger cap from the planning system. It comes as the passenger cap risks being dragged into the EU-US trade war. Kenny Jacobs, Group CEO of the DAA joined Pat on the show.

The head of Roundtower Capital, a leading alternative funder of housebuilders, has claimed a “culture of silence” among developers over infrastructure bottlenecks. Developers refrain from criticising utility delays in housing developments for fears that they will be blacklisted, leading to further delays in generating housing. Ian Lawlor, Managing Director of Roundtower Capital joined Pat on the show this morning.

 Almost one year since taking over as Taoiseach, Simon Harris is now two months into his new role as Tánaiste, along with two ministerial portfolios in Foreign Affairs & Trade and Defence. Both portfolios have not been quiet in his first two months and neither has domestic politics. Simon Harris, Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister for Defence and Leader of Fine Gael, joined Pat Kenny on the show.

If you have any little people in your life, it is not uncommon for them to pick up swear words. Kids can often blurt out a curse or two.But what if some of the words they have picked up are very offensive curse words.Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author joins The Pat Kenny Show to talk us through what we can do when our little ones pick up curse words.

Maeve O’Connell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Eoin Ó Broin Sinn Féin TD Spokesperson on Housing and Lorcan Nyhan, Columnist with the Sunday Independent and Head of Training at the Communications Clinic, are on the Friday Forum.From the Dáil speaking row and no-confidence motion in the Ceann Comhairle to the Government plan to allow developers invest less and borrow more, get all the best discussion from the week’s stories here.

A group of academics writing in the British Medical Journal has found that blanket smartphone bans do not prepare children for a healthy relationship with technology. Professor James O’Higgins-Norman, is the Director of the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and joins the Pat Kenny Show to discuss.

Gareth Mullins joins The Pat Kenny Show to talk through us how to make Roast Striploin of Irish beef with hassle back potatoes and proper gravy ahead of Mother's Day.  

Shane Hannon from Off The Ball joins The Pat Kenny Show to go through all the weekend’s sporting action.The Allianz League football final is set to take place between Mayo and Kerry, the clash of Cork and Tipperary in the Hurling final and Ireland plan to secure a Women’s Six Nations.

Donald Trump on Wednesday announced 25% tariffs on auto imports to the United States.One country that will be particularly affected is Germany, which is the centre of the auto market in Europe. But Ireland will soon be impacted by these tariffs, so what could that mean for the country.Koen Verhelst of Politico and Economist Colm McCarthy join The Pat Kenny Show to discuss these fears further.

From a Milka Chocolate crossover with Tuc Crackers to a pink lemonade flavoured Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, the appetite for unusual food combinations has exploded.Reporter Simon Tierney has taken a deep dive into the treat cupboard of yore.

Many forms of violent crime reduced last year but the number of incidents of shop theft rose by 6 per cent compared to 2023, according to the CSOWith this increase, the promise of 1000 extra garda in the Dublin City Taskforce report would be welcome to retailers, pubs and other industries in the city centre, But city centre businesses are still waiting on the report to be implemented.Donal O’Keefe CEO of Licensed Vinters Association and Nikki Murran Director of retail at Excel Recruitment join The Pat Kenny Show to discuss the impact on Dublin businesses.

Calls have been made by road safety campaigners for real-time drivers information to be made available to Gardaí at checkpoints.This would allow them to see driver’s disqualifications if stopped, as well as their driver number and insurance. Mark O’Meara, President of the Garda Representative Association, joins The Pat Kenny Show to discuss.

David Robert Grimes joins The Pat Kenny Show for our weekly disinformation awareness slot.This week, the impact of vaccine hesitancy and disinformation on people.

Southern Correspondent, Jamie O'Hara, joins The Pat Kenny Show to give us the latest in the missing Kerry farmer, Michael Gaine.

EU crisis management commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, as part of the blocs wider 'preparedness strategy' is urging citizens to prepare 72-hour survival kits.  It comes with the backdrop of increased geopolitical tension and risk of environmental disasters.So, should we be getting survival kits ready in our homes?Shayne Phelan, survival instructor at Eagle Ridge Survival joins The Pat Kenny Show to discuss.

Buddhism was founded 2 and a half thousand years ago in ancient India, but it’s only in recent years that Irish people have turned to the buddha in numbers.So, what is an Irish Buddhist and what do they know that we don’t?Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports.

This week, Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill tells us the story of a Cork-born boxer, Jack McAuliffe, a World Lightweight Champion in the early 20th century, who was involved in one of the most controversial bouts in the sports' history.

For many, working from home can become isolating; it is harder to strike a work-life balance, to build relationships with your colleagues and to have variety in your days.Niamh Delmar, chartered registered counselling psychologist, joins The Pat Kenny Show to discuss such fallouts, and what can be done to better manage them. 

The Irish drugs gang known as 'The Family' had amassed considerable wealth and influence, before an Irish-Spanish operation dismantled its large hub in Spain and three of its leading figures were arrested in the Republic.Ivan Yates is joined by Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor with The Irish Times to go through all the latest in these arrests.

You may be well aware of the divide between left and right in television media in the US, but what of radio?You may be shocked to know it is a much less polarised medium and has still retained its audience.The Pat Kenny Show is joined by Professor Emeritus Steven Reiner to go through the remarkable resilience of the medium.

What is the story behind the expected vote of no-confidence against the Ceann Comhairle? As the debate on speaking rights rages on, The Pat Kenny Show has People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire, Richard Boyd-Barrett, to speak on the opposition’s case.

The ‘Coalition of the Willing’ are set to meet in Paris today to lay the groundwork for an enduring peace in Ukraine.This comes as the United States have announced a truce between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea.Enda Brady joins The Pat Kenny Show to discuss the aims of this peace summit, and whether ground force peacekeepers will be a viable solution. 

Last Sunday, Paris voted to pedestrianize 500 more streets across the Capital. On The Pat Kenny Show, we’re asking the question; would increased pedestrianisation work in Dublin? Ivan Yates is joined by Green Party Councillor, Hazel Chu, and Feargus O’Sullivan, Writer for Bloomberg CityLab to go through the possibilities this could offer.

Minster for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon, joins The Pat Kenny Show on the Dáil speaking row, incoming Tariffs and Mercosur deal.

Diarmuid Gavin takes us to Japan on The Pat Kenny Show this week!As the countries cherry Trees bloom in the Sakura season, Japan braces itself for a time of natural theatre across the country.

You might be very proud of how environmentally conscious you are with your reusable water bottle…But have you ever stopped to think about how clean it actually is?Associate Professor Amalia Scannell, Microbiologist from the UCD Centre of Food Safety, joins The Pat Kenny Show to tell us what may be inside along with your drink.

Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from conflict with his institutions or individuals that may stand in his way.More recently though, this has taken a more sinister turn with attentions focused on the judicial system.Ryan Barber, Wall Street Journal Reporter covering US department of justice and courts, joins The Pat Kenny Show to go through all the latest Stateside.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) are set to begin industrial action on Wednesday.The actions comes following a long-standing dispute over staffing levels in the mental health services.Peter Hughes, General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, joins The Pat Kenny Show to go through the latest in this work-to-rule action.

The idea of a trip to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is an unlikely possibility. For Janet Newenham, this just became a reality. Newenham, an avid traveller and founder of Janet’s Journeys, was part of the second group to enter the DPRK after their borders opened for the first time in 5 years. Janet joins Anton for The Pat Kenny Show to tell us more.

With the success of Netflix’s Adolescence, We look at films on the complexity of, just that, adolescence; when we go Inside Hollywood.Lisa Cannon, Entertainment Presenter and Producer joins Anton Savage for The Pat Kenny Show today to talk some of these incredible films.

With our pets providing so much joy and happiness in our lives, when they take ill, it can be quite challenging knowing what to do financially.Caring for pets that have serious medical conditions can cost many hundreds if not thousands of euro.Pete Wedderburn, or Pete The Vet, joins The Pat Kenny Show to go through what costs to expect in taking care of our furry friends.

Chaos erupted in the Dáil once more on Tuesday as opposition mulls no confidence in Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy.Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, and Marie Sherlock, Labour TD and Health Spokesperson, join The Pat Kenny Show to go through all the latest.

The air we all breathe is increasingly polluted by fossil fuels like plastic, which is now so widespread that simply breathing can introduce microscopic fragments into your brain. Dr Ruth Freeman from Research Ireland sits down on The Pat Kenny Show on what could be done about this and the increasing issue of coastal erosion.

As the summer approaches you may be making plans for your summer holidays.Holidays cost around three times more in peak season and children are missing school at an increasingly higher rate, so what is the solution to a double-edged sword?Eoghan Corry, Travel and Aviation Journalist and Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence’s O'Toole's Senior boys National School in North Dock Dublin, join The Pat Kenny Show to go through whether it’s appropriate to take kids out from school during term.

Where are the autonomous cars? Fuel prices are still high and why you need to update your driver numbers on your car insurance policies.Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator & consultant to the RIAC joins The Pat Kenny Show now with all the latest motoring news.

The search continues for a missing Kerry Farmer.We get the latest On the mysterious case with Jerry O’Sullivan, presenter of Kerry Today on Radio Kerry.

Friday is the Irish cancer society’s daffodil day. The day aims to bring hope, provide support and drive progress for cancer patients and survivors. Dr. Liz O’Riordan, author, former breast surgeon and breast cancer survivor speaks about her own experience.

Cooking has just got a whole lot easier as Lidl have announced their very own Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine. The kitchen tech is aimed to make your weeknight meals easier with no fuss. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent tell us all.