The Pat Kenny Show Highlights

Joining Ivan on this week's Friday Forum was Maeve O’Connell TD, Fine Gael, Dublin Rathdown, Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin, Galway West, Spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Also Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times. 

Denmark has made military service compulsory for women for the first time, marking a significant shift in the Scandinavian nation's defence policy. We get the details from Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at The University Of Bath, Former NATO Analyst and Army Officer. 

Gareth Mullins takes us through a Buttermilk chicken burger and BBQ Pork ribs to celebrate the 4th of July. 

Donald Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed through congress yesterday and will head to his desk to become law today. Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD Scott Lucas brings us full analysis of the Bill and what effect it might have on America.

This summer in Copenhagen a new scheme offers you something free, if you pick up rubbish. The CopenPay initiative offers around 100 activities in exchange for free or reduced prices on a selection of experiences, from museums to meals out. So should Dublin City Council introduced something similar? Newstalk Henry McKean finds out. 

Ryanair have cancelled a number of flights today due to strikes by French air traffic controllers. This is the second day of planned industrial action that is said to have affected up to 30,000 passengers across both days. We discuss this effects of the strike with Eoghan Corry Air and Travel Magazine Editor.

Birdwatch Ireland wants the Government to officially designate key locations around and off the coast of Ireland as protected areas. For more on this Ivan spoke to Oonagh Duggan, Head of Advocacy at Birdwatch Ireland.

From today, parts of Parliament Street are being pedestrianized. The sections between Essex Quay and Essex Gate are now car-free, only open to cyclists and pedestrians. We get the details of these changes with Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent Geraldine Herbert.

Last week, NATO held its annual summit in the Hague, Netherlands. Where U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded most NATO countries to commit to a target of 5% of GDP to increase the budget for defence. We are not a member of NATO but with talks about giving up our neutrality policy, we might be left with no choice but to join and pay the €20 billion annual membership fee. For context, this could pay to build a new Metrolink in 2026 and every year thereafter. All to discuss with Economist, Colm McCarthy. 

In the 1960s, three babies were left at differing locations around the country shortly after their birth. David McBride was found in a Belfast driveway, John Dowling was found in a Drogheda phone box and Helen Ward at a Dundalk phone box. All are siblings. Their story was told in a documentary which aired last night and Helen and David joined Ivan to tell their story.