Newstalk Weekend

2024 promises to be a big year for global politics and we here in Ireland are no different as we gear up for the local and European elections later this summer. But with a general election also on the horizon, how are we to make sense of all the coalition permutations? Joining Anton to discuss this as well as their new podcast 'Path to Power’, is Ivan Yates, broadcaster and former Fine Gael Minister & author and broadcaster, Matt Cooper.

Irish rugby players have been enjoying a rare weekend off with big challenges ahead in both provincial and international rugby over the next few weeks, but for former Irish international, Frankie Sheahan, a huge event looms large on the horizon. Wednesday, January 10th, will see the opening of the 10th edition of the World’s No.1 leadership & self-empowerment event, the Pendulum Summit. Frankie Sheahan, the CEO and founder of Pendulum Summit joins Ivan Yates to discuss.

On Thursday UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, signaled that the UK's next general election will take place in the autumn, saying his “working assumption” was that the UK would go to the polls in the “second half of this year”. But with his Conservative Party trailing Labour by an average of 18 points in the polls, is Kerr Starmer a safe bet to be the next UK PM? Writer, communicator, and strategist, Alastair Campbell joins Ivan Yates to discuss this and more.

Ivan Yates is joined by the Labour Party Leader and TD for Dublin Bay South, Ivana Bacik.Together they discuss Labour plans for the upcoming local and European elections, speculation regarding a possible merger with the Social Democrats, as well as the ongoing issues surrounding immigration in Ireland.

Joining Ivan Yates to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Cara Augustenborg, Assistant Professor in Landscape Studies and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin; Larry Bass, CEO of production company, ShinAwiL; and Peter Leonard, Barrister and presenter of the Fifth Court, Ireland’s Legal Podcast.Ivan is also joined by comedian, Alison Spittle to talk about her New Year's resolutions.

The RSA released its “Provisional Review of Fatalities” report for 2023 earlier this week. The report showed that road deaths surged by almost 20% last year with 184 people losing their lives representing the highest number of deaths on Irish roads since 2016. And with seven deaths on the roads this week alone already, what can be done from a legislative point of view to reduce this figure in 2024? Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport joins Ivan Yates to discuss.

January 6, is Nollaig na mBan, traditionally a day that rewards women for their hard work over the Christmas season. While that idea might now seem somewhat antiquated, it is still important to recognise the role women play in Irish society and to reflect on just how far we’ve come and how far we have to go when it comes to creating true equality. Joining Steffanie Preissner to discuss is journalist Mary Kenny, who was among those on the Contraception Train in 1971 & singer, Mary Coughlan who is taking part in this year’s Nollaig na mBan festival.

Joining Stefanie Preissner for this week's installment of Ask The Expert is Sonia McEntee, Principal Solicitor at Sonia McEntee Solicitors and Chair of the Law Society PR Committee.

Yesterday the Department of Housing released stark statistics showing that the number of men, women, and children in homelessness in Ireland reached a new high of 13,514 in November and a record 4,105 children faced Christmas without a home. Joining Stefanie Preissner to reflect on this and discuss whether enough is being done to solve this crisis are Brandon O’Connor, founder of Dublin Homeless Awareness & Wayne Stanley, Simon Community’s Executive Director.

This weekend will see the Golden Globe Awards take place with many Irish actors being nominated, from Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott to Barry Keoghan. But what’s it like to receive this kind of global recognition and how much bearing does it have on the Oscars? Joining Stefanie Preissner to discuss is Nora Twomey, Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated director from Cartoon Saloon.