The Pat Kenny Show
Newstalk
Pat brings you the sharpest analysis of news and current affairs on the radio and fresh perspectives on the issues that will define a generation. Breaking news is interwoven with reflective news features and reports from a variety of reporters based across the country. Experts are on hand to guide listeners on everything from consumer and employment rights and health issues to savvy holiday options. And Pat is joined by all the best personalities from the entertainment world.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 15, 2025 • 14min
US could remove financial backing from the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon
There are growing concerns that the United States could remove financial backing from the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon this august. The Irish government are in talks with us officials to dissuade them from withdrawing their funding. Pat discusses this further with Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst.
Jul 14, 2025 • 13min
Ask The Expert: On family law
Solicitor Keith Walsh joins us live in the studio for our Monday Ask the Expert. Keith specializes in family law and will be answering listeners' questions about divorce, civil separation and domestic disputes. He also teases out “big-money” divorce and why it made headlines last week.
Jul 14, 2025 • 17min
All the news stateside
Donald Trump announces plans to sell military defence weapons to Ukraine.He has not specified the type of weapons or the amount, but he did warn the EU that they will cover the cost. We get the latest on this and more with Scott Lucas Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD.
Jul 14, 2025 • 9min
Travel: The delights of Maderia
Travel with Pol Ó Conghaile Irish Independent Travel Editor tells us about the delights of Madeira and the new route from Shannon.All with thanks to Ryanair.
Jul 14, 2025 • 12min
Have we seen the last of the Irish missionaries abroad?
At the peak of the Irish missionary movement, in the 1960s, over 6,000 Irish Catholic missionaries were dispersed over 80 countries. Today, there are only about 450 Irish missionaries still scattered around the world and by the end of this decade, that number is likely to fall below 200.A new two part series on RTE called The Last Irish Missionaries with former RTE Presenter Bryan Dobson and Dearbhail MacDonald explore the history of Ireland's missions. Bryan and Fr Shay Cullen, founder the PREDA Foundation joined Pat on the show.
Jul 14, 2025 • 12min
French Ambassador Céline Place on celebrating Bastille Day
Today, approximately 25,000 French people living in Ireland will be celebrating Bastille Day. We are joined live in the studio by the French Ambassador to Ireland, Céline Place, to discuss the holiday and relationship between both countries. We will also discuss Franco-Irish relations, French defence and migration policies, and much more
Jul 14, 2025 • 18min
What can a President of Ireland actually achieve?
Over the next three months we will hear pitches from candidates as to why they believe they should be the next Uachtaráin na hÉireann. But when it comes to those pitches…what can a President of Ireland actually achieve? What are their powers? PhD candidate at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University Seán Rainford and , Law Lecturer, South East Technological University Dr Jennifer Kavanagh explained to Pat this morning.
Jul 14, 2025 • 17min
EU ministers to weigh up their response to Trump’s tariff threat.
EU ministers are to debate the bloc's approach to trade talks with the United States. With Brussels scrambling to head off 30% tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. Pat discusses this and more with Nora Strecker, Associate Professor of Economics at UCD and also Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent for Euro News.
Jul 14, 2025 • 12min
Would a tax on vapes lead to a decline in usage?
As the government is expected to launch a new tax on vapes, will this actually lead to a decline in usage? There have been a number of measures introduced to help curb the number of people using vapes. Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden finds out if these measures really do act as a deterrent or are they simply ignored.
Jul 14, 2025 • 14min
Are our cycle lanes even safe to ride on?
The government has spent 20 bn on walking and cycling projects since 2020. However, many people are still reluctant to cycle around the city. Melanie Finn of the Irish Independent is one of those people and explained why to Pat this morning.
