A sharp look at the major stories shaping Ireland and the world.
Expect thoughtful analysis and robust discussion on the country’s only independent TV current affairs programme.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A sharp look at the major stories shaping Ireland and the world.
Expect thoughtful analysis and robust discussion on the country’s only independent TV current affairs programme.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Homelessness in Ireland has climbed to a new record, sparking political backlash after Tánaiste Simon Harris claimed a “significant number” of people in emergency accommodation do not have a housing right in the State. What do the latest figures reveal — and where does responsibility lie?
Joining the debate are Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe, Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy and homeless campaigner Alice Leahy.
The discussion then turns to rising tolls and chronic congestion on the M50, which is now generating more than €500,000 every working day. Is the motorway becoming an unavoidable tax on workers with no alternative transport? Motoring editor Geraldine Herbert weighs in.
Finally, as Taoiseach Micheál Martin leaves the door open to backing the controversial Mercosur trade deal, we go to China where Gavan Reilly reports on the closing stages of the Taoiseach’s trade mission, focused on food exports, tourism and wind energy.
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Guest host John Lee and his panel Neale Richmond, Patricia Stephenson, and Scott Lucas examine Donald Trump’s aggressive start to the year — from seizing Venezuela’s president to threats against Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and now Greenland, with military options reportedly under discussion.
Later, Neale Richmond, Patricia Stephenson, and Alex Cooney discuss the European Commission’s investigation into Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, which is reportedly producing sexualised deepfake images of women and children.
Global power plays and digital dangers — on The Tonight Show.
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2025 was certainly eventful. The Tonight Show looks back at the stories, moments, people and villains that defined the year.
Guest presenter Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Shane Coleman, Newstalk Breakfast Presenter; Liz Carolan, Tech and Democracy Journalist; and Larry Donnelly, Lawyer and Political Columnist, to reflect on the political highs and lows of 2025 — including who had the strongest year and who struggled the most.
A year in review — on The Tonight Show.
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The long-awaited report into Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign has finally been published. It confirms that senior party figures were warned on two occasions — just days before the selection vote — about concerns involving Jim Gavin and a tenant issue. He was asked about it and professed no recollection. The report states: “Nothing further was done.”
Joining the discussion are Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins, Sunday Times columnist Alison O’Connor, and public affairs consultant and former Fianna Fáil adviser Derek Mooney. Gavan Reilly, Virgin Media News Political Correspondent, reports from Leinster House where a special party meeting is underway.
Also covered: the Government has approved plans for a new hospital with its own emergency department for the Midwest, following serious concerns about patient safety at University Hospital Limerick highlighted in a HIQA report.
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A senior EU official has linked last week’s drones over Dublin Bay to “hybrid attacks from Russia”, marking the first public accusation of its kind. With Ireland set to host the EU presidency next year, how secure are we? John Mooney, Investigations Editor with The Sunday Times, former TD and retired Army Officer Cathal Berry, and Euronews Europe Correspondent Shauna Murray join the debate.
Later, the panel examines the rise of violent drug gangs in rural Ireland, following the tragic deaths of four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and his grand-aunt Mary Holt in an arson attack linked to Midlands drug intimidation.
Plus: Storm Bram batters the country, leaving thousands without power. We get the latest from Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.
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The Government is set to pilot a new digital age-verification system aimed at strengthening online protections for children. Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan says the tool will be vital in tackling harmful content and improving online safety. We discuss the implications with Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, and Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent.
Later, hospitals across the country tighten visitor restrictions as a new flu strain hits “fast and hard,” raising concerns about mounting pressure on the health system. Professor Christine Loscher, Immunologist at DCU, breaks down what this means for the weeks ahead.
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On The Tonight Show with Fionnán Sheahan:
From ‘vetocracy to democracy’ - the government’s new Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan promises a cultural shift in Irish planning. We ask whether these reforms can finally rebalance individual rights to object with the need to deliver major public projects.
And as the Herzog Park controversy reignites debate over historical links and colonial origins in place names, we explore whether Ireland is entering a wider national discussion about how we commemorate our past.
🏛️ Ryan O’Meara TD, Fianna Fail
🎓 Orla Hegarty, Architect, Assistant Professor UCD
📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner
💼 Michael O’Flynn, CEO & Chairman, O’Flynn Group
📰 Ronan McGreevy, Author and journalist, The Irish Times
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On The Tonight Show with Fionnán Sheahan:
Ireland hosts a wartime president as Volodymyr Zelensky arrives for a state visit, coinciding with reports that Moscow is weighing amendments to a US-backed peace plan.
Plus, rumours are mounting that Gerry “The Monk” Hutch is preparing another bid for office in next year’s Dublin Central by-election.But what are his chances?
🏛️ Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State
🏛️ Marie Sherlock TD, Labour
📰 Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times
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The Cabinet approves tougher asylum and citizenship rules, while Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan promises more changes ahead.
At the same time, Ireland’s fiscal watchdog warns the Government to save more and stop “budgeting like there’s no tomorrow.”
Debating the impact: Niall Collins, Gary Gannon, Naomi O’Leary, and Seamus Coffey.
Big decisions. Big consequences — on The Tonight Show.
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IOn this episode, the cost of living surges back into focus as the price of home heating oil jumps by €80 in a single month, bringing the average cost of a 1,000-litre fill to around €980 — more than €200 higher than across the border. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by first-time TDs Catherine Callaghan (Fine Gael), Louis O’Hara (Sinn Féin), and Eoghan Kenny (Labour) to debate the pressure on households and what solutions are actually on the table.
As the show marks one year since the general election, our panel reflects on what has — and hasn’t — been achieved, and the realities of delivering on political promises from inside the Dáil.
Later, with Ukraine backing a US-supported peace plan and Russia signalling it may walk away, we assess whether a historic breakthrough is within reach. We go live to Washington for the latest with correspondent Toni Waterman.
A year of political promises, surging household costs, and shifting geopolitics — all on The Tonight Show.
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Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says Ireland must be “nimble” in responding to major shifts in British asylum policy after tough new reforms were announced by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. To debate the implications, Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn, and immigration lawyer Cathal Malone join the programme.
Later, Ivan Yates appears alone before the Oireachtas Media Committee following controversy over his media training for Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin. With Coimisiún na Meán and Newstalk now reviewing the matter, what does this mean for media transparency and future podcast regulation?
Featuring reaction from Labour TD Alan Kelly, and analysis from John Masterson of Purcell Masterson PR.
Policy tensions, media scrutiny, and questions of transparency — all on The Tonight Show.
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“Hang in there.” That’s the message from Housing Minister James Browne, who says the upcoming National Housing Plan will mark “a real shift” in solving Ireland’s housing crisis. But can the government really deliver the radical change needed to get homes built and prices down?
Debating the challenge: Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe, People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett, and Eimer McAuley, News Correspondent with The Journal.
Later, as Fianna Fáil avoids any discussion of the botched Jim Gavin presidential campaign at tonight’s parliamentary party meeting, attention turns to what’s next for the government — and the political stakes of the new plan. John Lee, Executive Editor at the Irish Daily Mail, brings the latest analysis.
Promises, pressure, and a plan to fix housing — all on The Tonight Show.
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Catherine Connolly has been sworn in as Ireland’s tenth President — pledging to be “a unifying president, a steady hand, but also a catalyst for change.” In her inauguration speech, she outlined a vision for a new republic built on equality, inclusion, and neutrality.
With the left now holding the highest office in the land, can Ireland’s progressive parties find common ground, and speak with one voice?
Joining the debate: Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton, Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell, Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan, and Naomi O’Leary, The Irish Times Europe Correspondent.
A new era, a new president — all on The Tonight Show.
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Housing Minister James Browne has played down claims that it could take 15 years to end Ireland’s housing crisis — even though the estimate comes from the Department of Finance. A new mapping exercise suggests the shortage could persist into the 2040s, until building finally catches up with demand.
Joining Kieran Cuddihy to debate the government’s response and what it means for homebuyers:
-Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muirí
-Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney
-Executive Editor, Irish Independent Kevin Doyle
-Solicitor & Planning Law Expert Fred Logue
Later — Donald Trump’s “worst nightmare” Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest in a century. With Democrats celebrating big wins in Virginia and New Jersey, is this the first major test for the Republican Party and President Trump since his return to the White House?
Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute UCD, Scott Lucas for analysis.
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Seven children were among 52 people deported to Georgia last night on a chartered flight from Dublin Airport — the sixth deportation operation so far this year as the government tightens its stance on failed asylum applications.
With the Tánaiste saying migration numbers are now too high, is the coalition shifting to the right on immigration? And what does this signal about attitudes across Ireland?
Joining Kieran Cuddihy to debate this on The Tonight Show:
Later — the political fallout from Ivan Yates’s media training for Fianna Fáil sparks tensions within the coalition, and we’ll ask: is a left-wing outsider about to become mayor of America’s biggest city?
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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:
The collapse of Fastway Couriers delivers a “body blow” to an already struggling industry, with hundreds of jobs lost. Is the business a casualty of green taxes and government policy?
On the eve of COP30, are public attitudes toward climate change shifting as policies retreat? And in the wake of the presidential election, do the high numbers of spoilt ballots signal a growing anti-democratic force in Irish politics?
🏛️ John Clendennen TD, Fine Gael
👨🏫 Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin and Founder at Ireland Thinks
🏛️ Cllr Linda de Courcy, Independent Ireland
📰 John Gibbons, Journalist & Author
🚚 Ger Hyland, Irish Road Haulage Association President
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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:
With the presidential election over, the fallout has begun.
Government parties are counting the cost of defeat, with Fianna Fáil facing renewed internal unrest and whispers of a no-confidence motion against Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly has accused his party of “shafting” him, deepening the coalition’s woes.
Plus, Stripe co-founder John Collison says Ireland is “stuck” - caught in a web of agencies and red tape that’s stalling progress on housing and infrastructure.
The panel debates: is he right, and have our leaders lost sight of the basics of running a country?
🏛️ John Connolly TD, Fianna Fail
🏛️ Senator Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats
📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner
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Tensions remain high in Citywest, where protests continue outside a centre for asylum seekers. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has promised a “robust response” to any violence as concerns grow over public safety and community division. Joining the discussion are Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Sinn Féin TD and Justice Spokesperson Matt Carthy, and Eimer McAuley, News Correspondent with The Journal.
Later, outrage after a deepfake video of presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, falsely claiming she had quit the race, spreads online. Could AI manipulation truly sway voters? Adrian Weckler, Irish Independent Technology Editor, and Dr. Susan Leavy, Assistant Professor at UCD’s School of Information and Communication Studies, explore how deepfakes threaten democracy.
Unrest on the ground, deception online — all on The Tonight Show.
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Violence has erupted outside a centre for asylum seekers in Citywest, Dublin, after an alleged sexual assault in the area. A Garda van has been set alight, and fireworks and bottles thrown at officers.
Journalist Ronan McGreevy reports live from the scene, as our panel — Fianna Fáil Senator Dee Ryan, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, entrepreneur Declan Ganley, and Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay — debate what’s driving the unrest.
Later, with just three days to go until the presidential election, nearly half the electorate say neither candidate represents them. Could a growing campaign to spoil votes send a message — or backfire?
Tensions on the streets, frustration at the polls — all on The Tonight Show.
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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:
With just days to go before voters head to the polls, our panel analyses The Big Interview with Colette Fitzpatrick, dissecting Heather Humphreys’ performance and presidential vision.
Plus, controversy over a Fine Gael attack ad targeting Catherine Connolly - a legitimate challenge or a sign of campaign panic?
🏛️ Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael
🏛️ Ciarán Ahern TD, Labour
📰 Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent
📰 Jenny Maguire, Activist and Columnist
📰 Sarah Carey, Columnist
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