

The Tonight Show
Virgin Media Originals
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2025 • 46min
Tuesday 09 September - Presidential Picks & Budget Battles
Fianna Fáil has chosen former Dublin manager Jim Gavin as its presidential candidate — but with divisions in the party and Sinn Féin yet to make their move, will Catherine Connolly emerge as the left’s choice or could a late twist change the race for the Áras?At the same time, food and fuel costs continue to spiral as the government confirms the upcoming Budget will drop one-off cost-of-living measures. Will targeted supports be enough, or are households being left behind?Fianna Fáil TD Shane Moynihan, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, and Virgin Media Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly join the debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 3, 2025 • 46min
Wednesday 3 September - The Tricolour Debate: Raised, Removed or Reclaimed?
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: We discuss domestic crime issues in the New Garda Commissioner’s first week and hear from an Independent presidential hopeful who has pledged to “make crime illegal.”Plus, we look at the debate over the Irish tricolour being used by anti-immigration campaigners – should it be raised, removed, or reclaimed?Also, with the Gardaí now able to access evidence from Enchrochat, can organised crime finally be held to account? 📰 Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor, Sunday World 🏛️ Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael 🏛️ Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats 🔴 Nick Delehanty, Independent Presidential Hopeful Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 2, 2025 • 46min
Tuesday 2 September - Joanna Donnelly Interview & The Race for the Áras
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Joined in studio by former meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, who has just declared her interest in running for president, we unpack the latest developments in the race for the Áras.🔴 Joanna Donnelly, Former Meteorologist & Presidential Hopeful🏛️ Paul McAuliffe TD, Fianna Fáil🏛️ Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin📰 Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2025 • 46min
Wednesday 30 July - Policing Under Pressure, Budgets Under Strain
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: With rising resignations, low recruitment and a Garda hospitalised after an unprovoked stabbing in Dublin; just what lies ahead in the in-tray of the new Garda Commissioner?And, with more than 9 out of 10 Irish people worried about the daily cost of living, and no one-off lump sums expected; are we heading for an austerity Budget for 2026?🏛️ Regina Doherty MEP, Fine Gael 📰 Cormac O'Keeffe, Security Correspondent, Irish Examiner🔴 Michael Taft, Research Officer, SIPTU 📰 John Lee, Political Editor, Irish Mail on Sunday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 29, 2025 • 46min
Tuesday 29 July - Overhaul for Modular Home Planning Laws and EU-US Trade Deal
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:The government seeks to overhaul planning laws in order to boost housing supply, but should garden cabins really be exempt? Plus, Europe capitulates to Trump over tariffs, but what does the trade deal mean for budget planning and Irish jobs? And should the Irish hospitality sector still get its tax cut? 🏛️Billy Kelleher MEP, Fianna Fáil🏛️Ciaran Mullooly MEP, Independent Ireland🏠 Robin Mandal, former president, Royal Institute of Architects Ireland🎓Martina Lawless, Director, ESRI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 22, 2025 • 46min
Tuesday 22 July - The Price of Progress: Can Ireland Deliver on a Decade of Spending?
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: The Government unveils its big investment plan for the next decade, with new funding earmarked for housing, water and Metrolink. But where's the detail to match the ambition? And what tariffs? Despite dire warnings over trade and FDI, today's budget projections present a "business as usual" tax and spending plan. 🏛️ Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State, Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform🏛️ Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure📰 Daniel Murray, Policy Editor, Business Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2025 • 46min
Wednesday 16 July - Dáil Review: Coalition Under Fire
It’s been a stormy first six months for the newly-formed coalition — from bitter rows over speaking rights to growing pressure on healthcare and housing. Has the government weathered the storm, or are cracks already showing?In this episode of The Tonight Show, Bríd Smith, John Lee, and Gabija Gataveckaite hand out gold stars (and some red cards) as they dissect a turbulent political term and what it signals for the months ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 15, 2025 • 43min
Tuesday 15 July - Cost of Living Supports Axed: Budget 2025 & the Political Fallout
The government has ruled out any new cost of living supports in the upcoming budget, citing falling inflation and a shift toward infrastructure investment. Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the move in Leaders’ Questions, while Tanaiste Simon Harris confirmed one-off measures will be scrapped. But with reduced VAT for hospitality still costing over €700 million annually, has the government prepared for the political fallout?Also on the show: the Tanaiste warns of serious risks from potential US tariffs, and Fine Gael confirms Mairead McGuinness as its presidential candidate.Joining Kieran Cuddihy tonight were Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney, and Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2025 • 46min
Wednesday 9 July - Tourist Taxes, Trump’s Tariffs & Grok’s Hitler Scandal
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Is it finally time to copy other countries and introduce a ‘tourist tax’ in Ireland? Will Trump pose 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, or will he chicken-out? And Elon Musk’s Grok AI sparks social media outrage with Hitler praise.📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Mirror 📰 Thomas Hubert, Editor, The Currency 📈 David W. Higgins, Economist 📰 Mick Clifford, Irish Examiner 🏨 Michael Magner, President, Irish Hotels Federation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 8, 2025 • 46min
Tuesday 8 July - Shrinking Spaces, Rising Costs & A Presidential Wildcard
On The Tonight Show with Kieran CuddihyCabinet agrees to ease apartment size rules in an effort to reduce costs and increase supply. But will the plan do either? Plus, pressure mounts on government over lack of cost of living supports in the next budget, after Barnardos survey reveals scale of families pushed to brink by rising costs.And the race for the Aras finally gets interesting, after Mary Lou McDonald refuses to rule herself out as a presidential candidate.🏛️ James Geoghegan TD, Fine Gael🏛️ Eoin O Broin TD, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson📰 Sarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mail 🔴 Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant🏠 Robin Mandal, Architect and former RIAI president Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


