Newstalk Weekend

Newstalk
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Feb 8, 2026 • 39min

Epstein files, Housing & the Airport Passenger Cap

New documents released delve into how Jeffrey Epstein used an elite Dublin summit to forge contacts with world leaders. New laws to remove the highly controversial 32 million Dublin Airport passenger cap and permanently preclude any future caps are to be approved by cabinet. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is John Cunningham, Marketing Insights Director for BAM Ireland, Fergus Finlay, columnist with the Irish Examiner & Former CEO of Barnardos and Hazel Chu Deputy Leader Green Party.
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Feb 8, 2026 • 11min

Can diplomacy in Oman really pull Washington and Tehran back from the brink of war?

The US and Iran are holding high-stakes talks in Oman as fears of a direct military confrontation grow. With Trump warning of strikes, Iran under internal pressure, and a massive US naval build-up in the region, these negotiations may determine whether diplomacy or escalation comes next. Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
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Feb 8, 2026 • 7min

What's next for Ireland's defense and security?

Cathal Berry, Former Independent TD and former member of the Defense Forces joins Emmet Oliver to discuss the Royal Air Force agreeing to protect Irish Airspace, our military hardware that leaves us vulnerable and Russian oil ships entering Irish water.
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Feb 7, 2026 • 16min

As the Expert: Pete the Vet

This week on Ask the Expert, Pete the Vet joins Emmet Oliver to answer all of your pet-related questions.
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Feb 7, 2026 • 12min

The ‘AI afterlife’ & the rise of “grief tech”

AI “afterlife” services let people create digital twins that outlive them, trained on voice, memories and data, but current legal frameworks don’t recognise personality rights or ownership beyond simple data protection, raising crucial questions about consent, legacy, privacy and the risk of misrepresentation in an unregulated digital graveyard. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Andy O'Donoghue, technology broadcaster and columnist.
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Feb 7, 2026 • 12min

Brian Lloyd's favourite winter films

From underdog kids on the ice to Cold War politics played out in a hockey rink, some of the greatest sports films don’t just entertain; they tell us something about who we are. Emmet Oliver is joined by Brian Lloyd, Movie Critic and Entertainment Journalist, to break down why these films still resonate and what separates a good sports movie from a great one
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Feb 7, 2026 • 17min

Epstein, Mandelson & the future of Starmer’s Government

Political judgement is the skill that is seen as compulsory if you are to reach high office. In the past week, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has had his judgment questioned from all sides of the political spectrum as revelation after revelation flows from the Epstein papers. Central to the story is the disgraced financier’s relationship with Lord Mandelson, the co-architect of the New Labour project in the 1990s. Instead of policy, Starmer is dealing with photos of the peer in his pants, and the unsightly mess could even cost the PM his job. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Enda Brady, presenter with TRT World.
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Feb 7, 2026 • 4min

Ireland’s top agility dog, Indiana Bones, is heading to Crufts

Once abandoned in a Tesco bag as a puppy, Indiana Bones is heading to Crufts to represent the country for a fourth year in a row. Laura Murphy, trainer with WaggyMamas Agility – Dog Agility and Training in Wicklow, joins Emmet to chat about the honour and what preparations need to take place before the event itself.
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Feb 7, 2026 • 28min

Newstalk Weekend Saturday Paper Review February 7th

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stores from the Saturday papers is Gina London, former CNN White House Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist & Paul Hayes, founder of Beachhut PR.
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Feb 1, 2026 • 14min

Will the Vatican finally face up to the truth about their role in systemic clerical abuse?

David Ryan, who exposed abuse linked to Blackrock College, is set for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, where he says he’ll ask tough questions about how the Church buried abuse for decades. Abuse survivor and campaigner Colm O’Gorman joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

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