The Pat Kenny Show

Today on Green Scene, Dr Ruth Freeman explains Hydroclimate whiplash and Hairy legs and hairy stems how Spiders use their hairy legs to smell. Also how tomatoes set booby traps for pests using their hairy stems who could have known!

Which Film Stars comes from Hollywood royalty? Also what’s the difference between nepo-baby and dynasty? Podcaster and Cultural commentator Dee Reddy tells us more.

In this week’s Commuter Slot, Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan tells us what we can expect from the new Government on Transport.

The 34th Dáil resumes today where Micheál Martin will be elected Taoiseach following the formation of a coalition Government between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Regional Independents and the Healy-Raes. After a new Taoiseach is elected, where will the cabinet posts go? Host of the ‘Let Me Explain’ podcast and Political Correspondent for Newstalk Seán Defoe brings us through the runners and riders and the schedule for the day. 

The wedding gift dilemma, do you have to give cash? How much is the going rate? If you get an invite and don’t attend, do you still give a present? Wedding expert Sara Kennedy has all the answers.

We are three days into the Gaza ceasefire, but there is still uncertainty at what lies ahead. A search is currently underway to find ten thousand Palestinians who are believed to be buried under rubble. We speak to UNICEF’s Communication Specialist in Gaza Rosalia Bollen.

With the future of TikTok remaining uncertain in the US, how are other social media platforms reacting? Our Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us the latest.

Ireland's divorce rate is relatively low when compared to its European Counterparts. However, you still have to live with your partner for two years before filing for a divorce. Is this too long of a wait? To discuss, we are joined by Keith Walsh, a Family Law Solicitor.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing

Prince Harry is preparing for battle against Rupert Murdoch’s media empire in the long awaited High Court trial. The Duke of Sussex is suing News Group Newspapers over claims that the paper worked unlawfully with private investigators to get information on the Prince between 1996 and 2011. We get the latest on this with Freelance Journalist Vincent McAviney.

Are you struggling to achieve your New Years Resolutions? Well, Dr. Mark Rowe’s new practical book called ‘Things your Future Self Will Thank You For’ can help guide you on a roadmap to a healthier future. 

President Donald Trump has signed actions on the first day of his second term to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement. This is the international climate change treaty in which nearly 200 countries agreed to work together to limit global warming. We get reaction from Sadhbh O’Neill Climate Policy Researcher and Trinity candidate for the senate election.

How to get best deals in summer, why September is good for over 55s, and November good for 5-star deals in Ireland. Pól Ó Conghaile bring us some great travel tips and ideas.All with thanks to Ryanair.ie

Today, Donald Trump will have become just the second US President to serve non-consecutive terms when he is sworn in as the forty seventh president of the United States. If the first number of days of his first presidency are anything to go by, this could be a very busy week. So, what can we expect? To discuss we are joined by Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin , Scott Lucas, Head of Training at The Communications Clinic and Columnist at The Sunday Independent Lorcan Nyhan and from Democrats Abroad Ireland Patti Shiels.

Posting pictures, saying too much! The sensitivities of sharing too much with Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan. 

The governor of Mountjoy prison says he is grappling with an “overcrowding crisis.” We find out how the congestion issue is affecting Mountjoy, but other prisons in the country. We discuss this with Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent with the Irish Examiner.

Schools have issued a warning about highly addictive nicotine pouches being used by students. the tiny pouches, which users tuck inside their lips to receive a nicotine hit, fall outside of existing laws on tobacco or vapes. the pouches are based off the Scandinavian tobacco product called ‘snus.’  To find out more about this huge concern, we are joined now by Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals.

After 470 days of fighting, Israel and Hamas enter its second day of a ceasefire. Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich discusses what will happen in the next stage of the ceasefire.  

The setbacks facing sustainable aviation fuel, who is flying where and we get further insight into the Jeju air accident. All to discuss with retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Expert.

It’s Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. Donald Trump will, this afternoon, be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States at a ceremony moved inside the US Capitol due to cold weather. Seán Defoe, our Political Correspondent has been talking to those there for the inauguration and brings us through the day. 

With a ceasefire agreement set to be approved today, family members of the hostages are pleading with Netanyahu to push forward. Moshe Emilio Lavi is urging for all hostages to be released as his brother in law Omri Marin, who was captured by Hamas on the October 7th , has not been released. 

In our Friday Forum this week we examine the new programme for government and the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Joining Pat this morning in studio was Timmy Dooley TD, Fianna Fáil, Clare, Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor, Irish Examiner and Richard Boyd Barrett TD, People Before Profit, Dún Laoghaire.

Nearly 14% of children are exempt from Irish and now schools have been told that they cannot award exemptions for the study of Irish on the basis of psychologists’. So what has lead to the increase in secondary school students opting out of Irish?Pat discusses this with Carl O’Brien, Education Editor with The Irish Times and Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir, Former Deputy Dean at the Institute of Education at DCU. 

We are in for a real treat this week. Gareth Mullins takes us through a delicious profiteroles recipe.

It's the final leg of the pool stage for the Champions Cup and the Australian Open starts to heat up as Alcaraz secures his spot in the fourth round. Colm Boohig, Broadcaster of Off The Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

As Trump's inauguration is on Monday Newstalk's own Simon Tierney brings us this report on moments from the history of American inaugurations. From JFK's famous inauguration speech in 1961, Obama messing up his oath in 2009 and having to redo it later in the day, to Trump's infamous 'America First' speech in 2017. 

Aldi Ireland is calling on aspiring Irish entrepreneurs to apply to the ‘Grow with Aldi’ programme. Successful applicants will see their products stocked in 162 stores nationwide.  Cassie Stokes, Foodie Content Creator and ALDI brand ambassador told Pat all about this year's programme. 

David Robert Grimes brings us through some of the myths being peddled surrounding the LA Wildfires, including by some prominent public figures.

266 motorists were caught using their mobile phones when driving during a Garda national day of action to detect the offences. Gardaí used their lorry cab in helping to catch those using the mobile phones.

Cork native and stand-up comedian Chris Kent is performing the biggest gig of his career ‘offline’ at the marquee in cork this July. The show follows the funny stories of how Chris gave up the internet entirely last year.    Additionally, Chris has joined the cohort of Ireland's biggest comedians at cherry comedy’s stand-up for Gaza gig at Dublin's iconic vicar street to kick off 2025. Chris joined Pat on the show today.

The science of sleep and the hidden dangers of sleeping tablets. All up for discussion with Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College Luke O'Neill.

This weekend, the highlight of the Irish basketball season takes place at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght with the National Cup finals down for decision. This year, the finals weekend coincides with the anniversary of the first publication of the rules of the sport back in 1891. Here to tell us more is Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill.

After fifteen months of war, a Gaza Ceasefire deal has finally been reached between Israel and Hamas. This ground-breaking deal could see a halt in fighting and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. We get the latest on this with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

More than 4,400 fines were issued to motorists by gardaí for parking on footpaths last year. The Dublin Metropolitan Region North had the highest number, with over 1,170 fixed penalty notices issued.  The figures have been obtained from the Minister for Justice through a Sinn Fein Parliamentary question.  Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been speaking to those who want greater enforcement, and those who are calling for a more localised approach.

Fiona Gratzer is CEO of Unislim, Ireland's longest running slimming and health organisation. She has released a new cookbook called The 30-day Diet, which offers practical advice on healthy eating and gut health. Fiona joined Pat on the show today.

Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology Professor Caitriona Ryan answers all listeners questions for everything dermatology related.

Today, lawyers for Nikita Hand will seek a High Court injunction to stop the release of CCTV footage. Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney previews the case ahead of court proceedings. 

Award winning Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin on the 43ft vertical garden in the shape of a puppy in Spain. 

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, joins us next to discuss the latest health news, from the government calling for the HSE to shift staff working patterns, to the delayed HRT rollout, as he reflects upon his ten-year career.

The practice of returning or refusing major awards, such as the Oscar, Golden Globe, or Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award, is rare and typically occurs under extraordinary circumstances. Some individuals have returned their awards in protest or as a personal or political statement, while others have been forced to return awards due to controversies or issues related to their conduct. Lisa Canon brings us more on Inside Hollywood. 

Danish officials fear Trump is much more serious about acquiring Greenland than in first term. The concerns come after Trump warned he has not ruled out military invasion of Greenland if necessary. 

Does Veganuary put people off meat for life and the running abilities of modern humans, and how we compare to our ancestors? All up for discussion on this week's 'Green Scene' with Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland.All with thanks to AIB Ireland.

2024 saw a number of high profile criminal and civil cases that all had one thing in common: the victim was a woman.  We may have had an increase in media attention with a number of victims in cases waiving their rights to anonymity throughout the past year, but the fact of the matter is the issue of violence against women remains a significantly prevalent problem in Ireland. To discuss what can be done about this we are joined by Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid and Frank Greaney, our Courts Correspondent. 

In this week’s Commuter Slot, Transport Consultant  Conor Faughnan looks at the waiting times for a driving test with nearly 70,000 registered and how to stop a hit and run. 

Fingal County Council says it will not consider an application to lift the passenger cap that limits numbers at Dublin Airport to 32 million a year, saying the application from the DAA is invalid. Speaking to Pat this morning with more on this was Councilor Cathal Boland, former mayor and deputy mayor of Fingal Co. Council  and former Vice President of the Airport Regional Council of Europe. 

TikTok says reports of possible sale to Elon Musk are ‘pure fiction’ We get the latest on this with Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

It might be the busiest month of the year for gyms, but not everyone is rushing to sign up.  Infact, according to recent UK research, a quarter of people are too embarrassed to work out in a gym, 27 per cent worry what regular members will think of them, while 28 per cent fear they wouldn't use the equipment properly. So, is gym culture as judgmental as we perceive it to be? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is concerned over the use of online advertisements in Ireland. Social media platforms are advertising AI undress apps, so called nuidify apps allow users to create deepfake naked images of any woman.Speaking to Pat this morning about this concern was Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

A new register of builders has been set up by construction industry regulation Ireland to crackdown on cowboy builders – but who does it work? The Construction Industry Federation explains how this will give home buyers more confidence. Speaking to Pat this morning on the show was Hubert Fitzpatrick Director General of the Construction Industry Federation. 

Last week the UK introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation for visitors from non-European countries. There is significant concern on the impact this could have on the Northern Irish tourism industry. We hear from Joanne Stuart, CEO of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance.

US President Joe Biden has said that Israel and Hamas are “on the brink” of a ceasefire deal that would bring peace to Gaza which has been under relentless attack by Israel since the October 7th 2023 attacks. For analysis we are joined by Gershon Baskin, former Israeli hostage negotiator.