Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has privately vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership that may come after this month’s budget or next May’s local election. For more on this Pat was joined by Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.

With restrictions on vapes such as banning single use vapes, mandating that vapes be hidden in shops,  and restriction on flavoured vapes, are we doing enough, or too much, to tackle vaping? All to discuss with John Crown Consultant medical oncologist St Vincents Hospital Group, Professor of Translational Cancer Research DCU & UCD Professor.

There’s a whole graveyard of badly handled remakes and “reimagining’s” of beloved classics that just didn’t live up to their legacy. Some weren’t disasters exactly, but they lost the sparkle, magic, or wit that made the originals timeless.  All to chat about with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio at DMG Media.

In 2019 a couple were found guilty of procuring female genital mutilation, otherwise known as FGM, sentenced to prison and their children removed from their care. Now, they are fighting to clear their name. First Conviction from RTÉ Documentary on One and RTÉ Investigates chronicles their quest for justice. Joining Pat in studio to discuss the details was Pamela Fraher, Reporter, RTÉ Investigates and also James McGuill, Solicitor.

As COP-30 takes place in Brazil, scientists there detail what happened in the heart of the Amazon Basin in 2023. We hear how lake temperatures surged past 40 °C. Also, researchers in Kansas have been researching what is know as the legacy effect in microbes. They found microbes in soil were able to remember past drought and share properties with new plants to make them better equipped to survive similar conditions. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland on this week's 'Green Scene'All with thanks to Repak.

New car buyers are placing their 2026 orders now. Why does January matter so much, and is it worth buying new at all? All to chat with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant. 

Catherine Connolly Inauguration, Party leadership criticised for focus on ‘parachuting in’ famous names .Fine Gael spin doctors got €1,000 ‘gifts’ for election campaign volunteer work .Housing plan aims to deliver 90,000 ‘starter homes’ over five years Government has pledged overall delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by end of 2030.All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent and Host of Let me Explain Podcast.

On this week’s Tech Slot, Jess Kelly will review the brand new Google Pixel4 Watch and also answers listener's tech queries.All with thanks to Renault.

In 1974, then Assistant National Director for Simon Ireland, nurse Alice Leahy authored a comprehensive study entitled ‘Medical Care for the Vagrant in Ireland’ where she noted the gaps that separated medical staff from the socially deprived group, resulting in medical problems going untreated. This report led to the founding of ‘Trust’, now known as Alice Leahy Trust which is now marking its 50th Anniversary.All to chat with its founder Alice Leahy.

In 2020, 21-year-old showjumper Katie Simpson was murdered by her sister’s abusive partner. Yet it took 5 months of persistence from suspicious nurses, Katie’s concerned family and friends, and an investigative journalist for the PSNI to open an investigation into her death. Nicola Tallant discusses her new book on the murder of Katie Simpson with Pat on the show.

Aviva are going to renew their sponsorship of the Aviva stadium by another five years. It will bring their sponsorship of the stadium to 20 years. We hear about the legacy 15 years of great sporting and cultural moments especially as the home of Irish Soccer and Rugby. The evolution into a world class sporting venue and what the future brings.All to discuss with Declan O’ Rourke, Aviva Insurance Ireland CEO.

What can we do to protect our children from bullying? Does the rise of cyberbullying mean that children can never truly be safe? To mark Anti Bullying week this week. Pat was joined on the show by by Rena Maycock, the founder and CEO of Chirp, an anti-cyberbullying software, to discuss what we can do about bullying.

Catherine Connolly’s inauguration takes place today in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be Ireland’s tenth president, and the third woman to serve in the role, following her victory over Heather Humphreys in October.   Joining us live from Dublin Castle is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and host of the ‘Let me Explain’ Podcast, to give us a closer look. 

Dana Abu Koash, is the International Humanitarian Law coordinator with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, based in Ramallah, the West Bank. Dana is in Dublin for the Irish Red Cross, International Humanitarian Law Conference, ‘From Commitments to Action: Protecting Humanity in Crisis’ which took place on Thursday. Dana discusses the perspective of someone working on the ground in Palestine.

Over 150 motorists avoided penalty points last year by making a charity donation. This is according to figures from the Courts Service. That is despite a 2014 High Court ruling saying this approach is inappropriate and circumvents legislation. Pat discusses this further with Michael Murphy TD, Chair, Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tipperary South, Fine Gael and also Susan Gray, Founder and Chairperson, Parc Road Safety Group.

Consultant Ophthalmologist Arthur Cummins is our Ask the Expert this week and outlines the importance of a regular eye exam. 

Newfoundland may feel far away, but would you be surprised to know it’s as close as the Canary Islands, and home to some of the most Irish communities outside Ireland? Well, a direct flight from Dublin, is now in place. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with Irish Independent brings us the sights and sounds of Newfoundland.Travel is with thanks to Ryanair.

Working in a family business can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s a unique situation where personal and professional lives often overlap — and that affects relationships on every level. But there are many issues such as of trust, resentment, entitlement etc. There are 930,000 family business covering a wide variety of business firms, micro small and medium enterprises.So what are the difficulties of working in a family business? Pat discuss all this with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

BBC chair is expected to respond to MPs after Director General and News CEO resign following a criticism of a Panorama documentary. We get the details from Enda Brady, International TV News Anchor, TRT World.

The high-cost burden of skin disease for patients in Ireland skin disease is among the most common and psychologically distressing health problems in Ireland.  While many skin conditions are medically benign, their financial and emotional burden can be profound. We discuss this all with Selene Daly, Registered advanced Nurse and Nurse Tutor.