Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

John O'Brennan, Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University, joined Pat on the show to discuss whether US and EU relations are breaking down. Also with Declan Power, security and defence writer, we ask is Ireland’s defence strong enough for when we take up the European presidency? 

Working remotely has become the norm for many with some even opting to work abroad of a different jurisdiction entirely. however, there are growing concerns over the employees in the Republic of Ireland working living in the North as issues surrounding auto enrollment income tax arise. So how has this become such a minefield for employers? Pat discussed this further with Joanne Hyde, Employment Partner at Lewis Silkin Ireland. 

Shamrock Rovers missed out on a place in the knockout stages last night against Breidablik. Drama continues for Liverpool as most of the squad are backing Arne Slot over the Mo Salah row as they play Brighton this weekend. The Champions Cup continues this weekend as Leinster take on Leicester tonight and in darts, teenager Luke Littler is hoping to defend his world championship title.  Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

Just under 500 people nationwide were in hospital yesterday with flu and other winter related illness. Around three quarters of them having not been immunised by the flu jab. In the UK the number in hospital with flu has jumped 55 percent in the space of a week.  It adds to concern that this year the flu could peak early in the run up to Christmas. And we could be instore for one of the worst seasons we have seen in recent years.All to discuss with Tomas Conefrey, Pharmacist, Care Plus, Pearse St Dublin and also Dr Brendan O Shea Kildare based GP and medical director at K Doc.

For better or worse, Ernest Hemingway has come to be synonymous with ideas of supreme masculinity, machismo and virility. But when Hemingway was knocked down during a friendly boxing match, it not only caused serious damage to his pride, but also irrevocably hurt his relationship with another famous writer, F Scott Fitzgerald. To tell us more, Cameron Hill from Off The Ball.

A quarter of primary care doctors in the UK admit to using generative AI like ChatGPT while at work. Whether it's for taking appointment notes or searching for possible diagnoses, AI is revolutionising the healthcare sector for better or for worse. Joining Pat to chat about all the ways the role AI is playing in medicine is Dr Charlotte Blease health researcher and author of ‘Dr. Bot, Why Doctors Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives. 

Probate disputes are often complex and usually involve family members, wills, inheritance, and lots of tension. But how does a person go about probate disputes, how do you solve them and what are the most common kinds of conflict within families? All to talk about with John Costello, Solicitor,with Noble Law Solicitors in Dundrum.

Vaseem Khan is the mastermind behind the newest installation in the James Bond universe. His new novel ‘Quantum of Menace’ follows gadget mastermind Q, after he is ousted from MI6, Q is thrown into a dangerous conspiracy as he investigates the death of his scientist friend. Award winning crime writer Vaseem Khan joined Pat to chat all about his brand-new spinoff series.

Sadly, many conflicts are raging around the world, and some are more publicly discussed than others. One country where hopes for peace are fragile is Ethiopia, and in particular the Northern Tigray region. Trocáire is working on the ground to rebuild the lives of those impacted by the conflict. And our reporter, Josh Crosbie, travelled to the area that has been left devastated by a two-year war. 

Irish visitors to the US could be required to submit five years worth of social media history in order to enter the country, whether they need a visa or not. The notice from the Trump administration has sparked huge outrage in the international community, with many worried it will further reduce already declining tourist numbers in the US. To discuss this new proposal is Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra and Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews.

Today marks 40 years since the first ever mobile phone call in Ireland which Pat made with former Minister for Communications Jim Mitchell in Dublin in 1985. It was during a time when Ireland had the lowest uptake in landline service to then becoming one of the leaders in mobile phone usage. But how has the mobile phone developed since then and what does the landscape look like now?  All to chat about with Derek Cassidy, Founder of the Irish Communications Research Group (ICRG) who is a network technologist and previously worked for BT Ireland and Nicola Cooke, Director Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII).

Jo Linehan Climate Journalist  brings us some great suggestions of some sustainable food and drinks to support this Christmas. 

This morning chaos continues for commuters as the Luas Green Line remains out of service following a power outage on the line yesterday. The Luas red line services are operating normally after a disruption on that line yesterday. Emma Tyrrell, Newstalk Reporter give us an update.

A new report from the IIEA and Deloitte has said that food supplies could begin to run out within three days in the event of an attack on Dublin Port.Cathal Berry, Former Member of the Defence Forces analyses this further with Pat.

The story of the Christmas tree begins with the ancient use of evergreens in midwinter. Long before Christmas existed, people in ancient Egypt, China and among the Hebrews used evergreen plants as symbols of enduring life during the darkest months of the year. Across pre-Christian Europe, evergreens decorated homes and barns, part of long-standing seasonal customs linked to tree worship. When Christianity spread, these older traditions did not vanish but merged into new religious practices, giving a familiar structure to winter feastsDiarmuid Gavin brings us the interesting story of the Christmas tree.

When you think of Christmas movies, you’ll get the classics. It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Love Actually but towering above them all, year after year, is a film about an eight-year-old boy, an overlooked plane ticket, and two unlucky burglars. Home Alone isn’t just a holiday favourite  it’s the most-watched Christmas movie of all time,Lisa Cannon talks us through this all time Christmas classic movie.

 A sperm donor who unknowingly carried a rare cancer-causing gene has fathered almost 200 children across Europe. The EBU conducted an investigation into the donor and found his sperm was used in 67 clinics in 14 different countries. It was also sold to Ireland but it hasn’t been used to conceive any babies. The children carrying his DNA now have a 90% chance of developing cancer. We get reaction to this with Dr John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility.

Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros at 108 point 4 billion dollars. This challenges Netflix, who reached a 72 billion dollar takeover in an effort to create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant. But what does this actually mean and who is likely to win?  All to discuss with Lorcan Nynhan Head Of Training at the The Communications Clinic.

The Herzog park renaming controversy caught international attention and resulted in widespread accusations that Ireland was antisemitic. However, it is not the Irish people that are antisemitic, argues Dr Dominic Green, but what he calls official Ireland, i.e. our representatives and those in power. Dr Dominic Green, Historian and Columnist with the Wall Street Journal explained why to Pat.

Is Irelands defence strong enough for when we take on the European presidency next year? After a number of suspected Russian drones were spotted near the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Ireland's ability to protect global politicians has come into question.Pat was joined on the show by Naomi O'Leary, Europe correspondent for the Irish Times to discuss further.