The Pat Kenny Show

Ireland has just three specialised eating disorder beds for the entire country. Despite a plan in 2018 to open 20 more beds by 2023, there are still only three, all in St Vincent’s University Hospital. Patients are left having to seek treatment in general and general psychiatric hospitals with the HSE also purchasing capacity in the private sector and abroad. Last year the HSE spent over €8m on eating disorder services in Ireland, but spent almost €5m sending patients abroad. Cian Burns reports.

Farmers want to form tree-cutting groups to stop storm damage to electricity lines after Éowyn wreaked havoc. Pat discusses this idea further with Denis Drennan President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association.

Ireland continues its winning streak as they defeated Scotland in the 6 Nations over the weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs lost out the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. From Off The Ball Colm Boohig brings us the latest from the weekend sport. Also Nathan Murphy popped in with some big news from Off The Ball.

Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl yesterday, but ensured he himself could take centre stage before even arriving. Aboard Air Force One, he spoke to reporters about tariffs and his plans for Gaza, all as he declared yesterday Gulf of America Day. We get all the news stateside with Terry Sheridan.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel and airport safety and security expert Kevin Byrne brings us the the latest from the Washington air accident. We also discussed the handling of passengers of reduced mobility by airlines and airports.

France has set the bar high for itself as it prepares to gather global leaders on artificial intelligence at the AI Action Summit in Paris. For more on this we heard from Jack Power Europe Correspondent with the Irish Times.

Tonight is Eurosong on the Late Late Show, where six acts will compete to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel Switzerland.Henry McKean has been backstage, and joins Pat to share what he’s seen!

We take a look at the news stories of the week with Hildegarde Naughton TD, Fine Gael, Galway West, Minister of State for Disability, Padraig Mac Lochlainn TD, Sinn Féin, Donegal, Sinn Féin Chief Whip and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times. 

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins will be talking about bang bang chicken ciabatta with red cabbage slaw, spiced potato wedges.

The new Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has quite the volume of work across his desk as a first time cabinet minister. To take us through his priorities and aims is Jim O’Callaghan.

Ireland’s Rugby team head to Edinburgh this weekend for their Six Nations clash with Scotland this weekend. Colm Boohig looks ahead to that clash, the rest of the Six Nations and the weekend’s FA Cup and GAA Action.

US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, accusing it of ‘baseless’ actions against its ally Israel. Pat discusses this move with Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University Paul Rodgers.

Surge in complications from botched lip-filler treatments strengthens call for regulations. Doctor says women don’t realise level of risk they are taking with ‘backstreet clinics’ . Pat discusses this further with Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology.

Commuters across Dublin are facing with the rise of ‘ghost’ buses as a number of buses are not showing up. What is causing the huge number of buses not showing up? Pat discussed this further with Fiona Connelly, Labour Councillor for DCC.

We still don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s disease but around 1% of us will develop it and that’s only going to get worse with that number predicted to at least double by 2050. One important question is can we do anything to stave it off? A fascinating recent study says yes. Professor Luke O'Neill brings us the details.

Disney+ "Paradise" is set in a serene community inhabited by some of the world's most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high-stakes investigation unfolds. John Fardy tell us about the show in this week's 'Boxed'.

Primary school teachers are expected to get training over several years to teach foreign languages over the coming years. We discuss this with Primary School Principal and Host of the Podcast If I were the Minister for Education Simon Lewis.

One question that always seems to crop up among wishful sporting hopefuls is: what would be the easiest sport in which to become an elite athlete. Some believe darts might be the most straightforward. However, one could argue that resurrecting the archaic sport of ‘pedestrianism’ could provide the answer to this question. But how did this sport begin?  Cameron Hill from Off The Ball tells us all.

Almost two thirds of doctors working in Ireland did not take sick leave for serious mental ill-health, with 19% fearing this may have led to missed or incorrect diagnosis, a “worrying” survey shows .Some 50% of doctors felt not taking sick leave may have meant delivering a lower standard of patient care.Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden has been looking into this and she joined Pat in studio this morning. 

This morning David Robert Grimes looks at the Lucy Letby case again and misinformation in the Senate Confirmation hearings in this weeks disinformation slot. 

Dr Clodagh Campbell, Psychologist, Host of Unspoken podcast and The Wellness Psychologist on Instagram joined Pat on the show this morning. Dr Clodagh has just written a new book called The Steps’ which help you find your inner peace.

Yesterday the Dáil return to sit for the first time since Micheál Martin was elected as Taoiseach. Increased number of super junior ministers and the Occupied Territories Bill were just some of the big topics. Newstalk Political Correspondent Sean Defoe reviews the first day back for us.

When it comes to the climate crisis, while the media continues to downplay the situation and world leaders renege on their commitments, it can be easy to feel like there isn’t much hope. However, some of our most significant challenges can also be opportunities.All to discuss with Jo Linehan, Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland.   

A day after Donald Trump’s remarkable suggestion that the United States would take over the Gaza strip, the White House appeared to walk back the idea ever so slightly, despite Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu believing it was the best idea he heard for the Gaza strip. As this rumbles on Elon Musk’s cost and staff cutting initiative is continuing behind the scenes. We get all the latest stateside from Senior Director of News WSHU Public Radio Terry Sheridan.

Donald Trump is setting his sights on Ukraine’s stock of rare earth minerals as a possible exchange for continuing to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia. Emmanuelle Chaze brings us more on the minerals’ importance from Kyiv. We get more information on this with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent RFI and France24.

New lower speed limits come into force this week. Default speed limit on secondary roads will be reduced from 100kmh to 80kmh.On local roads the speed limit will drop from 80kmh to 60kmh.  We discuss these new speed limits with Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor with the Independent.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump suggested what the New York Times called “one of the most brazen ideas that any American leaders has advanced in years”. To take over the Gaza strip, level it, rebuild it and create a “Riviera of the Middle East”. To get reaction to these comments by President Trump Pat spoke to Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

We hear how to save money and sort your finances if you are paying a child through college. Director at Private Client's Metis Ireland Paddy Andrews discusses the rising cost of third-level education for parents with Pat on the show this morning.

Fans of Joe O’Connor will be happy to know that the second part of the Escape Line Trilogy, ‘The Ghosts of Rome’ is out now. The story is inspired by the true story of Contessa Giovanna Ladii, as she risks everything to help refugees escape, while under threat from the Gestapo. Joe joined Pat on the show.

Travel insurance can be essential in a world of delays, extreme weather and lost luggage, but few have the time to read its policies. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with he Irish Independent, is here to share his tips.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Alex Slazenger head gardener at Powerscourt explain how they managing trees and storms in Powerscourt Estate. 

Lisa Cannon, Entertainment Presenter and Producer brings us some incredible films about public figures that you need to check out.

With Donald Trump suggesting the US could take over Gaza and move its entire population out of the strip, many are asking does the US actually have any authority to do this? We discuss this with Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at University of Bradford Prof Paul Rogers and hear plenty more reaction from the US.

Russian billionaire Abramovich is exposed for dodging millions in tax with superyachts-for-hire. The investigation carried out by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC reveals that former Chelsea FC owner could owe the UK £1 billion in taxes.  Simon Lock,  Reporter at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland Dr Ruth Freeman is here to explain the wonder material that is biochar and a look at extreme heat in Europe.

In this week’s Commuter Slot, our secondary roads are second best, a UK team may have invented Potholes that fix themselves…also tesla sales tumble and new speed limits. All up for discussion with Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan.

Sky is set to increase their broadband prices, what will this mean for customers? Pat discussed this with Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Anti-government protests have been taking place across Serbia in recent months with students at the heart of the protest calling for change. Pat discussed why these protests are taking place with Ingrid Gercama, Freelance journalist covering the Balkans.

The last weekend in the United States saw tariffs imposed, paused and threatened; a sign-off on shutting down the US international development agency and, today, Trump will meet with his first world leader since returning to office. To bring us fully up to date is Terry Sheridan Senior Director of News WSHU Public Radio.

Donald Trump has been steamrolling through with his agenda after just two weeks in office. But where are the Democrats when all of this is happening? Is there an effective opposition? To look at this and the prospect of EU tariffs is Larry Donnelly of the University of Galway and columnist with The Journal.

Emmanuel Macron last week announced the move of the Mona Lisa to a new space in the Louvre for the first time in decades. Newstalk's Reporter Simon Tierney talks about the storied history of the world's most famous painting. Including the times it was stolen and vandalised over the years and exactly why it became so famous in the first place.

The Iraqi Parliament is passing a law that will permit children as young as nine to marry. There are calls for the law to be abolished, as activists warn it could legalise ‘child rape’. According to UNICEF, one in five girls globally marry as children. Pat spoke to Juliane Schmucker, Head of Programming at Plan International Ireland.

The end of the Dáil Technical Groups speaker rights, results for the Seanad after a marathon count and the EU reaction to Trumps tariffs. Editor of the Business Post Daniel McConnell brings us the latest in politics.

We look back on the big news stories of the week with our Friday Forum. Joining Pat today was Marie Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central  Shane Moynihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid West and Christina Finn, Political Editor, The Journal. 

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins talks us through sweet and sour King prawns with steamed jasmine rice dish perfect for a long weekend.

A new law went into effect yesterday, preventing UNRWA from operating in Israel and Palestinian territories. This move is expected to leave tens of thousands of residents in occupied West and East Jerusalem without access to education, healthcare and other essential services. We speak to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Communications Director.

In 2023, 21 year old Joe Drennan was killed in a hit and run in Limerick. Yesterday, his killer was sentenced to a concurrent sentence to run alongside a drive by shooting sentence. Joe’s mother, Marguerite spoke to Pat this morning.

Head of Training at the Communications Clinic Lorcan Nyhan unpicks how Melania Trump is shaping her image from first lady to boss lady.

As life expectancy increases, many are questioning whether Ireland should set a mandatory age for retirement. Should you be forced to retire if you wish to continue working? What does the law say about age discrimination and equality?  All to discuss with Clíona Kimber, co-author of Cyberlaw and Employment.  

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Taliban Leaders over the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pat this morning was Pashtana Durrani, an Afghan activist who is defying Taliban rule by running the country’s first digital school network, providing education to girls and boys.