Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Elderly and vulnerable patients will be forced into paying new monthly fees for pill boxes in the new year. Instead of the Government giving pharmacies funding to cover the cost of blister packaging, pharmacies will be forced to put the cost on the patients Guest: Sheena Mitchell Pharmacist and host of the Wondercare podcast  

Yesterday, Australia became the first country to ban social media for under 16’s. Here in Ireland, we are on route to introducing an age verification system through a digital wallet took that will restrict access to social media for under 16’s. Pat discusses this further with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O Donovan.

How living with dogs may influence our microbiome and our mental health and how we might share the same behaviours. Also we hear about the new approaches to deal with forever chemicals. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Critics call it "carspreading". In the UK and across Europe, cars are steadily becoming longer, wider and heavier. Consumers clearly like them – a lot. Big cars are seen as practical, safe and stylish, and sales are growing. So, why are some cities determined to clamp down on them and are they right to do so? 

Australia is set to become the first country to implement a minimum age for social media use. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent brings us the details.All with thanks to Renault.

A planned taskforce dedicated to the revival of Cork’s city centre was included in the programme for government In October, Tánaiste Simon Harris repeated his desire that a taskforce for cork be urgently introduced, adding that when he was Taoiseach, he had established a Dublin city centre taskforce which had resulted in clear benefits for the capital. Last week Mr. Harris explained that there would be no task force for cork city in 2025. How badly is a Cork task force needed? Pat asked Catríona Twomey, Volunteer coordinator Penny Dinners and also Colm Burke, Fine Gael Spokesman for Cork.

Trending on Tik Tok and Instagram the wabi sabi trend for authenticity and imperfection. The bird theory bids for connection and the dating till your hating.Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and Co-Host of The Tough Love podcast tells us about the new online relationship trends.

No matter what new rental law the Government introduces, private landlords continue to sell up in droves. The latest figures from Sherry Fitzgerald show that for every three landlords who sell, only one new landlord is entering the market. Private landlord Michael Houghton recently wrote about a mentality shift he had where he lost the quiet guilt he held on to for being a private landlord. Michael chatted to Pat this morning.

The 49 day Prime Minister is back! Liz Truss has launched her new YouTube Show, The Liz Truss Show, where she promises to expose those who brought an end to her premiership in 2022. Enda Brady reviews 

The entire country is now under a Status Orange weather warning as Storm Bram makes landfall. We get the latest on the storm with Cathal Nolan, Founder, Ireland’s Weather Channel, Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent, Irish Independent and Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager, DAA.

The Christmas period is often the busiest time for retailers, both on the high street and online. One online store that is on a mission to boost its sales is ASOS. in the hopes of bringing back customers, they have introduced an ai stylist to their app. But how does it work?  To tell us was Laura Jordan, Image and Brand Consultant, Owner Of Style Savvy.

This week, talks are due to be held with the Government over taxi drivers go-slow protests and Uber’s fixed fare system after they paused their six-days of protests. But should they just accept the fact that fixed fare and dynamic pricing is the norm across other countries and get on with it? All to discuss with Economist David W. Higgins.

Arthur Cummings, a consultant eye surgeon at Wellington Eye Clinic joins me now to talk about all things Oculomics The science of using the eye as a window to reveal information about the body.  Arthur also answered listeners eye related questions.

Airports really ramp up for Christmas, with hundreds of thousands of passengers on the way in and out. Cork and Knock are having their busiest ever years. December 23 is ‘Take-off Tuesday’ according to On the Beach. It says this will be the busiest day for holidaymakers jetting off to escape the season.With tips on where to go this holiday season Pat was joined by Travel with Pol Ó Conghaile Irish Independent Travel Editor.All with thanks to Ryanair.

We hear about the US’ new national security strategy that’s worrying allies and being welcomed by Russia. Speaking to Pat about this was David Dunne, Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham.

Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent explains the best and most sensible way to finance a car, explains why the driving test waiting time is still up as high as 22 weeks in some areas. Also we hear how hauliers may protest. 

Women are twice as likely as men to get stuck in and organise Christmas. A survey found 76 per cent of women took responsibility for prepping most of the Christmas workload. Doing it by themselves and also buying most of the presents. By Christmas Day they feel wrecked. Henry McKean met Christmas shoppers and sent this report.

Amidst the drone and missile strikes in Ukraine, music and the arts are still managing to survive and helping many, including kids, during the trauma of war. Chloe Craft, a reporter with HotPress is just back from Ukraine where she visited the Ukrainian Suzuki Association. 

We were speaking to our own reporter Kyle Butler a little earlier on the show of the tragic events that took place in Offaly over the weekend.  After a petrol bomb aimed at a house in Castleview park, Edenderry tragically claimed the innocent lives of two, four-year-old Tadhg Farrelly and his 60-year-old great aunt Mary Holt. We get reaction from John Clendennen, Fine Gael TD for Offaly 

McLaren driver Lando Norris has won the World Drivers Championship after a close fight across the season, the first to win it for the team since Lewis Hamilton in 2008...Joining Pat to look back on the biggest stories of the season, and what to get excited for in 2026 is Newstalk's Rory Galvin.