Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

A report for the UK government has suggested that stiffly formal driving testers might be making women feel ‘potential anxiety’, leading to a gender imbalance in pass rates. Also a rise in e-scooter crashes sparks brain injury warning following crackdown on the seizure of these vehicles. Councillors are now calling for education to warn of dangers of high speeds as illegal models are readily available from retailers. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan Transport Consultant. 

European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will virtually meet with US President Donald Trump today ahead of his summit with Vladimir Putin this Friday. But what would happen should the pair reach an agreement without Europe and Ukraine at the table? All to discuss with Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD.

This week on the Green Scene, how we are interrupting bird sleep, and a new deep ocean superhighway that has been discovered studying museum specimens. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Members of the Irish charity One4Humanity chat to Pat on their life saving work in Ukraine and Gaza. In studio this morning with Pat was Shane Leahy ex Munster rugby player and co-founder of One4Humanity, Professor Chris Fitzpatrick, Vice Chair of the UCD/Ukraine Trauma Programme and also Dr Lyudmyla Zakharchenko Consultant Neonatologist in Rotunda.

There is no denying that prices have gone up dramatically. We ask should we really be blaming farmers for rising food prices? Pat discusses this further with Denis Drennan, President Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association and John McManus, Duty Editor Irish Times.

Buying a laptop for a student is a big investment, and it's easy to get lost in all the specs. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins us to advise and answers listeners tech questions.

As many people know, sometimes the harshest critic you will face throughout your life can be yourself. Many will be hindered by the unrealistic expectations they place upon their own shoulders. You may ask yourself questions like why haven’t I achieved this by now, or why don’t I own the car or house I always dreamt of? This can of course have several negative implications on a person’s mind.

As the sun is making somewhat of a return, it is important to remind ourselves of just how crucial it is for all us, regardless of whether the sun is high in the sky or not, to be protected by sun cream to protect ourselves against the risk of skin cancer. Gill Costelloe has twice been diagnosed with skin cancer and now knows all too well of the impact that the diagnosis can have on anyone’s life. Gill joined Pat this morning.

Since 2005, 2,119 pubs have closed across the country, which represents a 25 percent overall decline in the total number of pubs. Many in the industry are looking to the government in hope of a solution. To discuss further Pat spoke to Donal O’Keefe, Chief Executive of Licensed Vintners’ Association of Ireland.

The kidnapping of Gena Heraty in Haiti has garnered international attention in recent days. However, American aid worker Jeff Frazier, who was kidnapped in Haiti in 2023, claims this was a ‘misstep’ that may work against Heraty. He instead recommends a secretive approach to negotiation. He joins us to discuss this, as well as the political situation in Haiti and his experience of his own kidnapping.

We have all heard the tag cowboy builder. Meaning a tradesperson who fails to carry out work to standard or for an agreed price. But what about cowboy customers? Do we have false expectations over the quality and cost in which work can be done?  All to discuss with Peter Finn, Aka Pete the Builder from the series 'Home Rescue'. 

Donald Trump yesterday announced that he was putting Washington DC’s police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to combat a wave of crime despite statistics showing violent crime falling. We discuss this and more with Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with The Journal.

Despite over 90% of educational institutions in Gaza having been destroyed since the start of Israel’s war in the territory, teachers in the Occupied West Bank are finding ways to educate Gazans remotely. Sally Hayden, Irish Times Correspondent brings us the details.

Ciara Geraghty began writing at the age of 34 when she had two young children at home and was working in insurance. Now the bestselling Irish novelist is on her tenth book, Late Learner, which is published by HarperCollins. Ciara joined Pat in studio this morning.

Every years issues around student accommodation shortages are raised. On top of high rents and limited supply, Gardai have now issued a warning about rising incidents of rental scams in the student market. Our reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into this.

Writing a will can be a daunting task even for young, healthy people. but if you die without a will, your loved ones will find it much more difficult to gain access to your finances and make your final arrangements. What are the best ways to legally prepare for that eventuality?  Our expert today to answer all these questions was John Costello Solicitor at Noble Law Solicitors Past President of The Law Society of Ireland. 

Best-selling author Lynda La Plante has written dozens of books and screenplays, including the award-winning prime suspect. Her latest, The Scene of the Crime, was released last month.  Lynda chatted to Pat about her new book.

Pól O’Conghaile Travel Editor at the Irish Independent has just returned from Mallorca and he brings us tips and what to do and see there.All with thanks to Ryanair.

From Japanese knotweed to giant hogweed to the much fabled rhododendron. What do you do about invasive plants in your garden? And how can you actually identify them? Paul Smyth talks us through how to manage invasive plants that may have appeared in your garden.

With the October presidential election looming large, what really makes a good campaign? From finance to face, what does the Irish electorate value in a candidate? In a rapidly changing political landscape, what really counts when it comes to the campaign?  Is money needed to succeed? How important is personal image in the race for the Áras? All to discuss with Eoin O’Malley,  Professor of Politics at DCU on political spending and also Barry McLoughlin  Head of Client Engagement at the Communications Clinic.