Newstalk Weekend

Joining Anton to discuss this week's Grant Thornton report on Toy Show the Musical as well as the delayed report on RTÉ's voluntary exit package that is expected to be released in the coming days is Seamus Dooley, National Union of Journalists.

You can tell from the reaction in the media that Irish people are only too happy to bask in the reflected glow of our homegrown stars of screen and stage, and the announcement of Cillian Murphy’s Oscar nomination this week was no different.But novelist, poet, and short story writer, William Wall is one man who can actually claim some credit for the Cork actor’s success as he is the man who advised him to give acting a go in the first place - William joins Anton to discuss.

Businesses have been facing a lot of challenges in recent weeks as evidenced by the spate of restaurant and small business closures across the country. Joining Anton to discuss the issues is Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment, Simon Coveney.

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Children's Rights Alliance Chief Executive, Tanya Ward; Paul Hayes, CEO of Beachhut PR; and public affairs consultant & Irish Times contributor, Gerard Howlin.Anton also spoke to Daniel Murray, Political Correspondent with the Business Post about support for Sinn Fein slipping in the latest opinion polls as well as Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, who has accused RTÉ of ‘cooking their books’ with regard to the funding of 'Toy Show the Musical'.

Ed Guiney and Element Pictures celebrated an incredible 11 Oscar nominations for the film 'Poor Things' recently, making it the highest number of nominations a film with Irish connections has ever had. Ed joins Anton to reflect on his success.

In March the country will go to the polls to decide on two amendments to the Irish Constitution, one relating to the provision of care and one relating to the definition of family. Joining Anton to discuss the issues involved are conservative commentator and former barrister, Laura Perrins, & Karen Kiernan, CEO of One Family.

A federal jury ruled on Friday that former US President, Donald Trump, must pay a total of $83.3 million in damages for defamatory statements made denying he sexually assaulted E. Jean Carroll. Joining Anton to reflect on the loss for Trump and the impact this may have on his bid for a second term as US President is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway.

Last night six musical acts battled it out on The Late Late Show's Eurosong special to represent Ireland at this year’s song Eurovision Song contest in Sweden - but is this finally our year to reclaim Eurovision glory? Broadcaster, Máiread Ronan joins Anton to discuss.

Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor with the Irish Times & journalist, Lise Hand join Anton to run through some of the top stories from the Saturday papers.Anton also speaks with Barry Roche, Southern Corr with the Irish Times to discuss Gardai in Bantry searching the flat where Ian Bailey had been living.

While organising a wedding is no small feat at the best of times, what about the logistical and sometimes linguistic barriers to planning a wedding abroad? Joining Anton to discuss is Ireland’s first-ever wedding planner, Tara Fay, who’s been helping couples on their big day for nearly 30 years.