Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

As the government sets out our budget. We ask where does it fit into the position of the global economy? All to discuss with Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times.

Yesterday afternoon, Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe announced the details of Budget 2026. While last year’s pre-election budget was widely described as a giveaway, this year’s was anything but.  We get more reaction to Budget 2026 with Peadar Toibin, Aontú TD for Meath West and also Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland.

Scientists have discovered that biochar can actively break down pollutants without any additional chemicals. This could have major implications for the treatment of wastewater, as well as for global pollution control. In the week of the Nobel prizes, Researchers in Japan have won the satirical Ig Nobel Prize in Biology for research that revealed that painting zebra stripes on cows could repel insects.All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Using solar panels to provide your car’s charge. What can solar power do directly for you and your EV? Also how will the budget impact commuters and drivers. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator.

In the background of an upended Presidential Election, Ministers Pascal Donohoe and Jack Chambers presented Budget 2026. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Pat in studio this morning to discuss this and more.

Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the Oura 4 the ring fitness tracker and answers listeners tech queries.

What do the public want from Budget 2026? Josh Crosbie, Newstalk Reporter went out and about to ask the people on the street and in businesses.

Following the October 7th attacks carried out by Hamas and several other militant groups back in 2023, 251 hostages were taken by the Hamas led militants.  Now, on the two-year anniversary of the attacks, only 48 hostages are being held by Hamas, 20 of which are believed to be alive. Speaking to Pat this morning was Moshe Emilio Lavi, Brother-in-law of Omri Miran who was taken as a hostage by Hamas. Also joining Pat was Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

Why do people steal other people's moments? What's going on? What dynamics?   Why do some people steal your thunder at life events like weddings, birthdays or graduations. All to discuss with Stephanie Regan clinical psychotherapist and cohost of the Tough Love podcast.

Comedian and bestselling author Bob Mortimer joined Pat on the show this morning to discuss his brand-new novel, ‘The Long Shoe’.

With just hours to go before the government announce their 2026 budget, political focus remains Jim Gavin's departure from the presidential election.  Pressure is building for Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his future as leader of Fianna Fáil hangs in the balance.All to discuss with Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor with The Irish Independent. 

Australia’s second most populous state of Victoria is planning another groundbreaking move. A law giving workers in both the private and public sectors the right to work from home for at least two days a week. We ask should working from home be a legal right? Pat discusses this further with Damian McCarthy, CEO of HR Consultancy Firm, HR Buddy.

The Sunbed Association, who represent regulated sunbed businesses owners across the country, is calling on the Government not to impose a ban on regulated sunbed use as they believe it will push the sector underground and into unregulated and unsafe conditions as has happened in Australia.Pat discusses this further with Gary Lipman, Chair, The Sunbed Association.

Fallout for Fine Fáil and what to expect in this year’s budget. All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast.

Frenchwoman Gilese Pelicot has returned to court as one of her rapists appeals their conviction. Catherine Porter is at the trial and brings us the latest along with news of the resignation of the French Prime Minister.

We speak to Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher after Jim Gavin’s dramatic exit from the Presidential race. 

Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Fianna Fáil, Kerry gives her reaction to the new that Jim Gavin is no longer running in the presidential race.

In 1967, then Priscilla Beaulieu married Elvis Presley. The couple shared one daughter, the late Lisa Marie. Priscilla Presley's long awaited memoir 'Softy, As I leave You' is a deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from the man she loved.Priscilla sat down with Pat to chat about her memoir.

n 2019 Bláthnaid Raleigh was out on a night out with her friends like most young people when her life changed forever.  After a night out with her friends, Bláthnaid headed back to a house party with people she knew from her hometown of Mullingar. It was back at this house party where she was raped by Jonathan Moran. It wasn’t until five years later when Bláthnaid finally got justice and Moran was handed down a nine-year prison sentence with one year suspended for raping her. Now one year on since the trial, she has written a memoir called aftermath and recounts about how she coped in the years following her attack. Bláthaid joined Pat in studio this morning.

Time now to look back over a busy weekend in sport. With Cork City and Shamrock Rovers through to the FAI cup finals, Liverpool losing three consecutive matches for the first time since 2023. George Russell victorious in Singapore grand prix, and Leinster continue their poor start to the United Rugby Championship Season.All to chat to with Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.With thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.