The Pat Kenny Show

A look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat this morning on the panel was Fine Gael TD for Louth Paula Butterly,  Labour TD for Dublin Fingal East and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence Ducan Smith and Christina Finn, political editor with Thejournal.ie.  

The Government is launching a new research programme to determine the risk of Russian sabotage on our undersea cables. With a rise in Russian ships visiting our seas, the project hopes to map out all or Ireland’s subsea cables, offshore windfarms and energy pipelines to assess how vulnerable we would be to an attack

Joining Pat to discuss the research programme is Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times.  

Friday Food Creamed Celeriac soup with toasted walnuts and garlic croutons, Classic Prawn cocktail and Roasted king scallops, black pudding, apple salad.  Some tasty Christmas starter recipes with Gareth Mullins.

A Nobel prize winning economist has said there is no true European single market. Phillipe Aghion says Europe is falling behind the US in terms of innovation because the market is over-regulated and punishes failure at every turn. If the EU is to keep up with Washington and Beijing, the barriers to entry need to be lowered. Economics lecturer from Technical University Dublin, Emma Howard joined Pat in studio to discuss whether a “true single market” is possible in Europe. 

Is Panto the highest artform? Up and down the country Pantos are showing. Henry McKean visited the Helix Panto in Dublin and this year they are putting on the Snow Queen. Henry sent us this report. 'Oh no he didn't, Oh yes he did.'

Taxi drivers will now protest for six days next week over Uber’s fixed fare system.  After four weeks of warnings and protests, taxi drivers have decided to escalate matters. 

They feel they have been ignored, dismissed and pushed to breaking point. Pat spoke to David Mitchell, Taxi Driver and Protestor coordinator.

It was a disappointing game for Man Utd last night as the Red Devils disappointingly drew against west ham. the results left former player and pundit Roy Keane has taken aim at Manchester United's subs for "bringing down the level".  in rugby the champions cup returns as Leinster face harlequins and Munster play Bath. And in Formula 1, drivers' championship will be decided in a three-way showdown that takes place this weekend on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.

To look ahead to the busy weekend of sport was Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.

Barretstown aims to rebuild the lives of children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses through its camps at its kildare campus and also through its outreach services in hospitals. All of their services are provided free of charge to families who use them. One of the families who have seen the importance of their services is the family of Fióna O’Reilly who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at just 14 months.

Sarah O’Reilly, mother of Barretstown camper Fióna chatted to Pat this morning.

With many people heading out shopping this weekend, some will Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. But there’s a chance you won’t be able to get in. Tomorrow protestors are staging a blockade over the introduction of parking charges.  An official complaint has been lodged to An Comisiúin Pleanála by Solidarity TD for Dublin West Ruth Coppinger who has praised the protest and who joined Pat on the show.  

Netflix psychological crime thriller TV series The Beast in Me  starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys features in this weeks Boxed with John Fardy.

Ireland will host the EU Presidency from July of next year and, ahead of it, cybersecurity experts are warning of the potential risks to Ireland for cyberattacks from hostile nations.

All to discuss with Richard Browne, Director of the National Cybersecurity Centre and Raluca Saceanu, CEO, Smartech247. 

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies, with most patients diagnosed only after the disease has already spread. For those with metastatic cancer, the five-year survival rate sits at just 2–3 percent, and median survival is typically measured in months. A breakthrough study from researchers at UCLA could be a pivotal shift in treatment.

Professor Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Immunology, Trinity College brings us the details.

“Next year marks 100 years of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, whose players dazzle crowds with their amazing skills and mischievous antics on the court. While times have changed and left the team behind somewhat, they played an important role in desegregating basketball in the US – even if some in the civil rights movement felt the Trotters didn’t foster change but inhibited it.

To give us the full story, Cameron Hill from Off The Ball joined Pat.

The MyFutureFund portal officially opened for employers this week. Any employees that aren't already contributing to a pension through their payroll will be auto enrolled into the MyFutureFund pension scheme, with payments set to start on the 1st of January 2026.

Joining Pat in studio to discuss the new scheme as well as the bonus payments available this winter is Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.

Ireland's top Google results for 2025 have been revealed and top of the list is Storm Eowyn. To chat about the results was Newstalk own Ciara Treacy.

The Irish people are no strangers to emigration, in fact last year nearly 14,000 of us moved to Australia alone. The majority of those emigrants will have been young, but data now shows emigration is on the rise among older people too. 

So, what's behind this wave of middle-aged emigration and is it a cause for inspiration or concern? Our report Sarah Madden finds out.

There’s plenty of time to plan for a low-impact festive celebration so this week Jo Linehan looks to trees, crackers, food waste, table settings and secret Santa as areas we can all be more sustainable.  

On December 10th, Australia will become the first country in the world to introduce age restrictions on social media. Communications Minister, Anika Wells, has stated she is not intimidated by major technology companies and is prepared for scrutiny from the United States. 

Author and Disinformation expert  David Robert Grimes looks at Australia’s social media ban and the CDC delivering vaccine misinformation.

A lot of people tend to reconsider their career choices this time of year. January might seem like the perfect time for a fresh start but is “new year, new career” really a good idea at the moment. We asked Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director at Sanderson Recruitment.  

Talks between us and Ukraine resume today following Tuesday’s meeting between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It comes as Putin visits India today and French President Emanuelle Macron visits China.

Pat discuss this further with Denis Staunton, China Correspondent, Irish Times.

Jacques Majorelle grew up in the soft industrial light of Nancy in north eastern France, the son of Louis Majorelle, a celebrated Art Nouveau furniture designer.Young Jacques was supposed to follow a respectable path into architecture, but painting pulled more strongly. He studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Nancy, then at the Académie Julian in Paris, and began to exhibit as a promising Orientalist painter. The world he painted, however, was not yet his own. Then, illness and chance carried him south, across the Mediterranean, to Morocco.

Diarmuid Gavin tells us about the La...

With player salaries, Saudi investment and commercial licensing, the premier league deals with an astronomical amount of revenue every year. Recently, premier league clubs have agreed a new set of financial regulations to replace the divisive profit and sustainability rules (psr) with a new squad cost ratio system, but how does it work? and, how does the money flow down throughout clubs? 

All to discuss with Kieran Maguire, Lecturer in Football Finance at University of Liverpool. Author of ‘The Price of Football’.

This week on Inside Hollywood, Why Santa on Film Matters. Santa Claus has appeared in more than a hundred films, but only a handful have shaped the global image of who he is: jolly, generous, slightly mischievous, and always arriving just in time with a sleigh full of hope. Movie Santas carry a responsibility they must be real enough for children, nostalgic enough for adults, and magical enough for everyone in between.

All to chat about with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media.

The Kennedy dynasty is the equivalent of American royalty. From presidents to wealthy philanthropists, the Kennedys have left their mark on every part of American society. But what does the Kennedy reputation look like today?  

Joining Pat on this was Larry Donnelly, NUIG law lecturer and columnist with the journal.ie.

Campaigners in the UK have urged ministers there to allow schools to pilot a four day work week in order to tackle worsening teacher burnout and recruitment and retention issues. The 4 Day Week Foundation says it’s not about doing less, but doing work smarter to ensure staff wellbeing. So should it be done here too?

Pat spoke to James Reeves, Campaign Manager, 4 Day Week Foundation and Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal, St Munchin’s College. 

Scientists have discovered that consuming food and drink that is high in flavanols may lead to increase vascular health over prolonged periods of sitting regardless of fitness levels. This in turn can decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems including heart disease, strokes and heart attacks. Also Scientists have created a wheat plant capable of producing its own fertiliser.

All to chat with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.

All with thanks to Repak.

Volodymyr Zelensky's whirlwind visit to Ireland is coming to a close. Yesterday he met with President Catherine Connolly before delivering his very first in-person address to the Oireachtas, thanking the Irish people for their continued support. We look back on visit and discuss the ongoing peace talks with Sean Defoe, Newstalk political correspondent and host of the Let Me Explain podcast and also Donnacha O Beacháin, professor of politics at DCU and author of Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad.

Three Austrian nuns, all in their 80s, have absconded from their retirement home residence to return to their former convent. Sister Bernadette, Sister Regina, and sister Rita, are now the last three nuns at the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, just outside Salzburg. 

For more on this Pat spoke to Kate Connolly, Berlin Correspondent with The Guardian.

A new survey from the Children’s Ombudsman has found that 63% of young people come across extremist views online, when only 6% of them come across those views in real life. The content seen by younger people of secondary school age include negative commentary on immigration and views that society should reverse to ‘traditional’ gender roles. However, children still say that parents or guardians are the biggest influence in their lives

We discuss this all further with Colman Noctor, Child and Adolescent Psycotherapist.

TII has admitted that the M50 is ‘maxed out’ and that there are no interventions or upgrades planned that will fix it. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant. 

On this week’s Tech, Jess Kelly is continuing the gift guide. Today Jess brings us details of  Photo prints, books gifts, STEM gifts for kids. An affordable laptop for teen and much more. All great suggestions for Christmas.

With thanks to Renault.

Herbert Simms was Dublin City’s first Housing Architect, beginning his term in 1932. But how much of an impact did he make over his 16 year tenure? And can we still see his impact today? Eoin Ó Broin TD, Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Sinn Féin; Author of Flats and Cottages

A new pilot programme is launching this week in which 100 gardai will be equipped with taser stun guns.  This new proposal from Justice Minister O’Callaghan will argue that currently frontline gardaí have “limited tactical options” in potentially violent encounters. So, will this be supported by members of an Garda Síochána? All to discuss with Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

UNICEF is emphasising that despite the ceasefire starting on 11 October, nearly two children are still dying every day in Gaza. The situation is dire as winter takes hold. Recent storms have washed away tents and belongings, leaving countless families exposed to freezing conditions. Pat discuss this with Tess Ingram UNICEF Spokesperson.

Three years on from when he first addressed the Oireachtas, Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Ireland. He landed in Dublin Airport yesterday and is set to call in to President Catherine Connolly before meeting with the Taoiseach and addressing the Oireachtas in person. Joining Patto chat about Ireland's support for Ukraine since Russia's invasion is Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Thomas Byrne. 

As you may know, Christmas is a very busy time for the diamond market. with many people spending large on dazzling diamond rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

But, did you know that many people are now opting for lab grown diamonds, rather than the traditional mined mineral. All to discuss with Chris Andrews, Weirs and Sons.

Dublin has developed a reputation for anti-social behaviour and danger after dark, but since the summer, a new initiative has tried to enhance community safety with a non-judgmental welfare zone on busy Camden street. Funded by the department of justice, Dublin City Council’s Nee Naw service will finish up it’s trial period after Christmas, but is there a permanent place for the Nee Naw in the Capital? Newstalk’s Sarah Madden went out over the weekend with it’s operators to find out.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenzky has landed in Ireland for his first official visit. It is not, however, his first time in Ireland having previously visited as part of his comedy group in 2017. It comes as Donald Trump’s envoy visits Russia today to discuss a potential peace plan.

For more on this state visit Pat spoke to Seán Defoe, Political Correspondent and also Duncan Bullivant, CEO, Henderson Risk Group.

As the end of the year is near so too is the end of the financial year. So how can you make the most of your returns? Our expert today gave us tips and advice. Mairéad O'Driscoll, professional tax advisor AKA The Tax Nerd joined Pat this morning.

Nothing kills connection faster than glancing at your phone every few minutes the screen lighting up-what does it say it says I'm not important enough to hold your attention-it's an insult Timing. Being too late or too early a few minutes is fine 20 minutes is significant and says something .

How a dealbreaker can be a mood killer on a date. All to chat about with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and Co-Host of The Tough Love podcast.