Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

There’s something about the New Year that cinema understands better than almost anything else. That strange pause between who we were and who we might become. And some of the best films don’t just use New Year’s Eve as a backdrop they use it as a turning point.” Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media tell us all about these films.

Over the past number of days we have been focusing on events in Venezuela. Conditions on the ground continue to be unpredictable with the maduro regime essentially intact without him. Jeeny Maltese is a Venezuelan-Irish chef and has been watching events from afar but also attempting to make contact with friends and family back in Venezuela.

As most of us return to work this week a quarter of workers say they are unhappy in their jobs. With almost one in ten planning to hand in their notices in January, a new survey has revealed and work place trends for 2026.  Pat discusses this further with Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director Sanderson Recruitment. 

Inspired by her father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, former CNN and RTÉ journalist Fionnuala Sweeney, explores both the challenges and the constantly evolving therapies, for dementia, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms and how to live well longer.Professor Seán Kennelly, Head of the Institute of Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant Geriatrician and Fionnuala both joined Pat to chat about the The Many Faces Of Alzheimer’s podcast.

Oil prices fell sharply last year, and they are expected to stay low for 2026. Sadly though, the Irish motorist isn’t going to see it. M50 a ‘cash cow’ as drivers pay higher tolls on increasingly congested roads. Total funds collected could have covered the construction cost more than 30 times over. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.  

European leaders show support for Greenland as U.S. increases its takeover overtures. We get the latest with Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg.

The Taoiseach has described reports of the Grok artificial intelligence tool being used to create sexually explicit images of adults and children on social media as "shocking" and "unacceptable". Yet Irish authorities have refrained from tackling Elon Musk on this. We ask why with Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor at the Irish and Sunday Independent.

Today marks the third day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China.  Trade remains high on the agenda as well international relations following Donald Trump’s comments on possible military action in Greenland. He met with the Kerry Group along with WuXi Biologics, who employ about 700 people in Dundalk, and Trip.com, as this market could be very strong for Irish tourism.We get the latest from China with Newstalk Report Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter.

Finally we might have a way to stop nearly all microplastics from our laundry before they enter the environment. Thanks to a new fish-inspired filter that removes over 99 % of these tiny plastic fibres from washing machine wastewater. Scientists are now arguing that microbes underpin almost every ecosystem on the planet, from fertile soils to healthy oceans.All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Government ministers are to return for their first Cabinet meeting after the winter recess. Issues such as immigration, data centres and the triple lock are all on the agenda today, and here to tell us more about it Pat was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk political correspondent and host of the Let Me Explain podcast.

Autonomous driving technology is expected to dominate the CES trade show in Las Vegas this week as investors bet that artificial intelligence will invigorate an industry beset by slow progress, high costs, safety incidents and regulatory scrutiny. For more on this Pat was joined by Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.All with thanks to Renault.

No bottled water in school meal scheme would save €10 million. Ten million euros is what the state would save if they scrapped bottled water in the school meal scheme. That’s according to a review by the Irish Government Economic and evaluation service. We discuss this further with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD Kildare North.

A new year brings a new world of travel possibilities. So what new flights are available from Ireland, and what travel trends that will shape how we holiday? Pól O Conghaile, Travel Editor with The Irish Independent bring us all the travel trends for 2026.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arraigned in a New York courtroom yesterday. The pair pled not guilty to drugs and weapons charges with maduro striking a defiant tone, stating he was the President of Venezuela and had been kidnapped.We get the latest on this with Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor, The Independent and also Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

A warning about the dangers of unlicensed Botox procedures. Getting botox or filler from an unlicensed practitioner can have “devastating consequences”, a doctor has warned. Dr Caitríona Kieran, vice-president of the Irish College of Aesthetic Medicine (ICAM), said some people view getting aesthetic procedures “in the same way as popping in to get your hair done for Christmas, or a facial”. Pat discusses this further with Professor Caitriona Ryan Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology. 

Following his military intervention in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has turned his sights to other potential targets – one of which has previously come onto his radar: Greenland. The Danish territory is home to a US Space Force base but Trump has restated his desire to now fully take the country. Pat discusses this and more with Mogens Lykketoft, Former Foreign Minister for Denmark. 

Do you often find yourself battling with others to turn the heating up or down? Or maybe people in your workplace are feeling colder than you despite sitting under the same air conditioning. Well, what does that actually mean and what makes women feel the cold more than men? All to chat about with Leona Donaghy, PhD researcher in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University.

Today marks the second day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China and trade was high on the agenda.  However Martin’s meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing was mired with questions surrounding the ousting of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.Pat spoke to Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter who is reporting for us in China.

As the fallout from Maduro’s ousting continues, as it's estimated that a dozen oil tankers are trying to escape a US naval blockade of Venezuela country and one was 250 miles off the coast of Ireland. Pat discusses this further with Conor Gallagher, Security Correspondent with the Irish Times.

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at last night's Golden Globes. Henry McKean visited Jessie's old school Ursuline Secondary SchoolThurles, Co -Tipperary and met the students and the drama teacher.