The Pat Kenny Show

Minister Hildegarde Naughton will launch the transformative "Buttoned Up" initiative at Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Galway today. We discuss why it is so important to end the stigma around periods with Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Ellie Loftus Nurse, Barrister and Founder of Nickeze. 

A meeting between Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly has been postponed. It comes amid tensions between the UK and Ireland over the movement of migrants.We get the latest on this with Aisling Moloney Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mail and also talking to Pat was James Lawless TD Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North and Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice. 

Gold prices have hit an all-time nominal high above $2,400 per troy ounce in recent days. Who are Ireland's Gold 4 Money kings? Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden reports on the storied history of gold in Ireland.

The number of people being caught for speeding and driving while intoxicated is down but the incidents of mobile phone use while driving is on the rise. What does this mean for our poor road safety record? To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Kevin Doyle Group Head of News Mediahuis and Executive Editor at the Irish Independent. 

We take a look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat this morning was Regina Doherty Fine Gael Senator for Dublin, Harry McGee Political Correspondent for the Irish Times  and Peadar Toibin Leader of Aontu & TD for Meath West.  

On this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman, we hear about a digital doorbell in the Netherlands, connected to an underwater livestream is helping migrating fish pass through a Dutch Canal. Also we hear about new approaches to saving koalas.All with thanks to AIB Ireland.

With the lovely weather we’ve been having, a spring green crunch salad is on the cards from Gareth Mullins Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel.

This morning on the show Pat speaks to the family of GAA Chairman Sean Brown on their quest for answers on their father’s murder. Sean Brown was murdered in Bellaghy in May 1997. Joining Pat this morning was Siobhan Brown daughter of Sean Brown and also Daman Brown who is his grandson.  

"The day just lit him up, it was really the last thing he was able for and that was all thanks to Make A Wish” Conor and Anne tell us about the invaluable work of Make A Wish does to make children’s dreams come true, including for their son, Michael, who got the chance to meet Rory McIlroy.Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

On this day 30 years ago, South Africans went to the polls and voted for Nelson Mandela as President in a democratic South Africa. But what has the impact of Nelson Mandela’s politics been on the country? And how will the ANC fare in the upcoming election?  To discuss Pat was joined on the show by Professor Steven Friedman, Faculty of Humanities, Politics Department, University of Johannesburg.

An internal report raised concern about weak controls in relation to the “golden visa” scheme almost four years before the scheme was discontinued. We’ll get the details with Arthur Beasley Current Affairs Editor of The Irish Times.

Do sporting events sometimes cause a 'baby boom' nine months later? Shane Hannon from Off The Ball has been investigating the apparent phenomenon.

Whether flying solo, going on a date or heading out with the kids, we hear some fun suggestions for what to get up to this weekend with Eadoin Fitzmaurice, Food and Travel Content Creator.  

A survey has showed that a quarter of Irish adults flush incorrect items such as wipes, sanitary products and dental floss. Jo Linehan Editor of Climate Sunday Times Ireland and sustainability columnist with Irish Country Magazine examines the effects this has and look at some reusable alternatives.

25 years ago, two High School students murdered 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School in Colorado. One of the officers who was part of the SWAT team who entered the building that day was AJ DeAndrea. The event shaped the rest of his career. AJ joined Pat on the show this morning.

No one is above the law, not even the president. Or is he? Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer from University of Galway and columnist for thejournal.ie will join us on Trump’s immunity case.

This week on 'Boxed' John Fardy featured Ripley starring Andrew Scott.

German staffer in EU parliament arrested on China spying charges. An Employee of far-right AfD’s lead candidate is latest figure to be accused of passing information to Beijing. We get the latest on this with James Rothwell Berlin Correspondent Daily Telegraph.

The Tanaiste Michael Martin visited a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan yesterday as he concluded his visit to the Middle East. The Talbieh Camp, which is 35km south of Amman, is home to 10,600 people. It’s consists of a school, a medial centre and homes. And it’s one of ten UNWRA funded refugee camps in Jordan that accommodate 2.5m people. Our reporter Barry Whyte, who is part of a small group of journalists who travelled with the Tanaiste, sent us this report.

Do drivers fear penalty points? And if not, how can we make our roads safer. Shane O’Donoghue Editor of completecar.ie joined Pat to discuss.

My grandad’s war: It’s the 80th anniversary of D Day. The largest land, air and naval operation in history. We retrace Henry McKean's grandfather’s footsteps George Borny on Sword beach. 100,000 Irish fought with the Allies during WWII.

On Inside Hollywood, from This is Spinal Tap to What we Do in the Shadows, we take a look at the best Mockumentaries  with Dee Reddy Podcaster and Cultural commentator.

Paraic Horkan, Horticulturist & Keen Gardener, Graduate of the National Botanic Gardens  joined Pat with advice on what jobs to do in the garden in the next coming days.

Controversial career breaks? We discuss teacher’s career breaks and why they have come under so much scrutiny with Ian O'Doherty Journalist with the Irish Independent and also Simon Lewis Primary School Principal & Host of If I were The Minister for Education podcast.

Despite being declared a success, there are still Issues with the deposit/return scheme for some of the smaller industries. We speak to someone affected. Joining Pat this morning was Dean McGuiness, Managing Director for Premier Beers.

We get the latest from the former President’s hush money trial with Professor David Dunn  Professor of International Politics, at the University of Birmingham. 

Cabinet ministers were yesterday given a stark warning to rein in their spending or face a difficult budget in October. Paschal Donohoe, minister for public expenditure tells us more.

The Tanaiste Michael Martin and a small group of Irish journalists visited the Rafah border crossing yesterday.Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was one of them. And despite Israel’s war causing the near total destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, killing over 34,000 people, Barry found out that many Palestinians, who had fled the region into Egypt, now want to return to the place they call home.He sent us this report from the Rafah Border crossing.

This week, Lochlainn Harte joins us with his newest music release the AI Pat Kenny song! Lochlainn Harte designed this song via AI about the show. Jess Kelly answered listeners technology questions.All with thanks to Viatel Technology Group.

Energy price cuts are on the way – but what is the current state of the industry? Pat is joined by Professor in Energy Systems Engineering Aoife Foley to discuss.

Ads pulled, events cancelled and a growing divide: Author and Journalist Nathan Thrall joins us live from Israel to discuss his experience of writing about the conflict.

With a call for more divorce cases in the District Court, we ask why are members of the legal profession opposing it? To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Keith Walsh Family Solicitor.

39% of adults say they’re not very aware or not aware at all of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, a further 24% are unsure. But sepsis requires urgent medical attention. Dr Martina Healy, Consultant Pediatric Intensivist at Crumlin Hospital and HSE Critical Care Lead joined Pat this morning on the show to give some guidance on what to look out for.

Has Donald Trump already violated his gag order in his hush money trial? Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with thejournal.ie brought us the latest on the trial in New York.

Experts at Rose Clinic are warning that the use of sunbeds can drastically increase the risk of skin cancer, even after one use. Pat was joined on the show by Dr Shane Redmond, Medical Director, Rose Clinic.

Today, the Taoiseach will issue an official state apology to the families of the Stardust victims. What would the families like to see and will there be a possibility of redress and a criminal inquiry? Speaking to Pat this morning was Antoinette Keegan, lost two sisters in Stardust, campaigned for the victims.

Our expert today was Margaret Barrett Managing Director, Mortgage Navigators who advised our listeners on mortgages and all you need to know about green mortgages.

Is it actually harder to find long lasting love these days, Stephanie Regan tells us how tech has changed romance.

The fab 50 best places to stay in Ireland. Pol O’ Conghaile Travel Editor, Irish Independent talks us through his list.All with thanks to Ryanair.

The World Health Organisation have raised concerns about the spread of bird flu to  humans. How serious a threat does it pose?  We spoke to Kingston Mills Professor of Experimental Immunology, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin.  

Cillian Murphy has won another award. This time on home turf. Over the weekend the IFTAS took place in the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin and will be on our TVS tonight on RTE 2 at 9.35. Henry McKean was there to capture the glitz and the glamour. With lots of familiar shining lights in film and TV. Henry sent this report,

It certainly wasn’t a quiet weekend in sport – Coventry and Manchester United entertained at Wembley yesterday while the GAA football and hurling championships hit another gear. We look back on a busy weekend of sport with Cathal Mulanney from Off The Ball.

Smaller class sizes primary pupils are projected to drop over the next 10 years. But what impact will that have on class sizes? To discuss Anton spoke to Deirdre O’Connor Deputy General Secretary of the INTO.

This week, Newstalk is partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland to celebrate Wish Week. Join us all week as we talk to some incredible children and their courageous families, and hear how Make-A-Wish Ireland have been beacons of light for children facing the toughest battles of their lives. Speaking to Anton this morning Natasha, mum of Sydney who has STXBP1 encephalopathy. Sydney’s wish was to be a zookeeper which Make A Wish was able to make happen.Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate. 

The Garda Representative Conference begins this evening. President Brendan O’Connor joined Anton to discuss what’s expected to be discussed, what motions are likely to be voted upon and the impact of the Justice Minister no-show.

We take a look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat in the studio today was Mary Seery Kearney Fine Gael Senator for Dublin, Cathal Berry Independent TD for Kildare South and Kevin Doyle Group Head of News, Independent.ie & Executive Editor - Irish Independent.

Israel has conducted air strikes on Iran overnight but is their room for cautious optimism about a de-escalation in hostilities? We discuss with Fawaz Gerges Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science  and Author of the book ISIS: A history 

We get the latest on Dublin City Council’s commitment to ensuring there is to be a full-size playing pitch at Marrowbone Lane in Dublin 8 with JJ O'Mahony Sporting Liberties Chairperson.

Andrew Henderson Global citizen, CEO and Founder of Nomad Capitalist explains global citizenship and how to acquire it.

Ryan Dolan , Chairperson of Roscommon Comhairle na Noig, talks about the impact of school stress on young people.