The Pat Kenny Show
Newstalk
Pat brings you the sharpest analysis of news and current affairs on the radio and fresh perspectives on the issues that will define a generation. Breaking news is interwoven with reflective news features and reports from a variety of reporters based across the country. Experts are on hand to guide listeners on everything from consumer and employment rights and health issues to savvy holiday options. And Pat is joined by all the best personalities from the entertainment world.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 13, 2026 • 10min
Tech with Jess Kelly
Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent answers all your tech questions.
Jan 13, 2026 • 13min
Has the tipping culture in Ireland become more like the US?
Has the tipping culture in Ireland become more like the US? Is that a good thing? What is the average tipping rate, and how important are your maths skills when deciding what to tip?Tanya Sweeney, journalist and author, and Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland both joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.
Jan 13, 2026 • 18min
A deeper look at what sparked the deadly protests in Iran
Vincent Durac, Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations at UCD, joined Pat on the show to take a deeper look at what sparked the deadly protests in Iran.
Jan 13, 2026 • 17min
Is Ireland too reliant on corporation tax?
Ireland's recent exchequer returns showed that, despite concerns surrounding Trump’s tariffs, the State was unaffected - and you can thank the corporation tax for that. Corporate tax receipts, excluding the Apple tax money, amounted to a record €32.9 billion last year. But are we too reliant on it to fund the state and what happens if it collapses? Pat Kenny was joined by economist Colm McCarthy to discuss.
Jan 13, 2026 • 11min
Construction activity continues to decline to end 2025
Construction activity continued to decrease in December, according to the AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index. It marked the eighth straight month of decline, despite a slightly slower fall for the final month of the year. However, there were some brighter signs looking into 2026, as new orders increased for the first time in five months. Peter Finn, better known as Pete the Builder, joined us on the show to explain the figures further.
Jan 13, 2026 • 7min
Can heinous artificial images of children actually reach a prosecution?
The past week stories of surrounding X and Grok AI have dominated the airwaves both in Ireland and abroad. Degrading images of children and women with their clothes digitally removed by Grok AI continue to be shared on Elon Musk’s X, despite the platform’s commitment to suspend users who generate them. A number of countries are now banning the AI Chabot to protect users and children, but can these heinous artificial images of children actually reach a prosecution? Mick Moran, CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline and a former Garda, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.
Jan 13, 2026 • 11min
Do saunas actually boost your health?
January is usually the time when many of us decide to embrace a healthier lifestyle, whether it's cutting out the booze, joining the gym or even going for a sauna. Saunas have become increasingly popular over the last yea,r with more people trying to make healthier choices, but do they actually boost your health? Pat was joined by Dr Heather Massey, associate professor of extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth, to discuss.
Jan 13, 2026 • 13min
Will a Farage clause protect the EU from financial fallout in UK trade deals?
It’s been over nine years since the UK voted to leave the EU, yet both parties are still working on various trade agreements. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in the midst of negotiating an agricultural deal and while some see it as the UK edging closer to the EU, politicians worry what a Farage premiership will do to the already fraught relations between the two blocs. Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.
Jan 12, 2026 • 12min
Ask The Expert: On microneedling
: Dermatologist Dr Rosemary Coleman is our Monday Expert and tells us all about microneedling. T he procedure that involves creating multiple, controlled micro-injuries in the skin with devices embedded with fine needles.
Jan 12, 2026 • 6min
How to escape dating app fatigue!
In an age of an online world an increasing amount of people are looking to find love behind screens. Naturally enough, this is leading to burnout and fatigue when it comes to dating apps. But what is a single person to do? Pat chats to Emma Kehoe, Life Coach and host of All Of The Above podcast.
