The Tonight Show

Shane Coleman is joined by TDs Naoise Ó Cearúil, Louise O'Reilly, and Paul Murphy as well as economist John Fitzgerald to discuss the public sector strike as well as a full debate on the dangers of AI for the Irish economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Coleman is joined by Seamus McGrath TD, Fianna Fáil, Ged Nash TD, Labour Party spokesperson on Finance, Public Expenditure & Reform, Michael Gillespie, TUI General Secretary, Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, Sunday Times Ireland to discuss the imminent public sector strike. While, Kyle Butler, Reporter, WLRFM gives us the latest from Waterford following the launch of a murder inves...

A clash over RTÉ’s funding and reform plans, questions over the future of the TV licence, and the fallout from Budget 2027. Shane Coleman was joined by: Niall Collins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice Cian O’Callaghan, Spokesperson for Finance, Social Democrats John Lee, Executive Editor, Irish Daily Mail & Mail on Sunday Dr. Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin...

Budget 2027 promises more money in workers' pockets, limits on childcare costs and continued relief at the pumps. But will the measures make a meaningful difference to household finances, or leave families struggling with the cost of living? Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers and Sinn Féin's Mairéad Farrell debate the Government's priorities and who stands to gain on #TonightVMT...

The FAI faces a grilling before an Oireachtas Committee over safeguarding and governance, against a backdrop of protests outside Leinster House and calls to abandon Sunday’s second game against Israel. Did the beleaguered association come away with a result? Plus, with less than a week to Budget 2027, new research finds one in four adults aged 35–44 are receiving financial help from their parents,...

Following Joyriders, Ireland’s Lucky Dip Gang on Virgin Media One, our panel examines mobile gang terror, the fallout from the M9 crash and what can be done about joy-riding teenagers. Plus, the Garvaghy Road standoff enters its third day as Nationalist residents and the Orange Order remain deadlocked in Drumcree. What will break the impasse? And Manchester City fans get the Blues as the Premier L...

Social media firms face an Oireachtas grilling over dangerous driving videos being shared online. Will new laws help, or is the sharing of harmful material inherent the design of the platforms themselves? Ireland's AI Minister refutes claims that the Irish presidency had a hand in drafting legislation that would scrap GDPR protections for AI products. And Micheál Martin meets Mamdani and plays...

With Budget 2027 just weeks away, we debate Sinn Féin’s renewed push to remove the carbon tax from home heating oil and the wider pressure on Government over the cost of living. We also go live to New York as world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine and the energy crisis on the agenda. Plus, why are so many young people considering leaving Ireland? And as...

Metrolink returns to the Dáil agenda as the project enters the tender phase, with concerns its price tag could rise beyond €17.5 billion. Plus, Micheál Martin accuses Sinn Féin of a “strategic error” over Irish unity, while Ursula von der Leyen proposes a stronger EU security response to threats including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incursions. Could Ireland’s military non-alignment pose a ch...

The Ploughing Championships get underway as soaring fuel and energy prices put pressure on farmers. With diesel now above €2 a litre, will proposed tax cuts and subsidies in the Budget prevent a repeat of this spring’s fuel protests? Plus, despite a series of wrong-way driving incidents on Irish motorways, just six Gardaí are expected to have received pursuit training by the end of the year due to...

The fallout from the GAA integration row, tougher proposed citizenship rules and the political debate around Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland are among the issues discussed. Shane Coleman was joined by: Aisling Maher, Co-Chair of the National Executive Committee for the Gaelic Players Association  Cora Staunton, former Mayo Footballer and Broadcaster  Shane Moynihan TD, Fianna Fail ...

Coalition divisions over a potential stamp duty cut for first-time buyers, tax reform and whether a second tier of Child Benefit could help tackle child poverty are among the issues discussed. Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by: John Clendennen TD, Fine Gael  Rose Conway Walsh TD, Sinn Fein  Mary Regan, Political Editor, The Irish Independent &n...

European Defence Ministers meet in Ireland as questions grow over the country’s limited defence capabilities and reliance on its nearest neighbour for security. With closer NATO ties also under discussion, how much pressure is Irish neutrality under? Plus, as cost-of-living pressures mount, how long can Government continue deferring carbon taxes and reversing excise cuts to shield households from...

Tributes continue following the death of Glen Hansard. Friends and colleagues reflect on the life and legacy of the Oscar-winning musician and frontman of The Frames, described by Bono as the "Voice of the streets". Plus, our final political panel of the season debates the deepening legal aid dispute, an under-subscribed fuel support scheme despite months of protests, and looks back on a turbulent...

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet again at the White House — has their turbulent relationship finally thawed? As wildfires rage across France and Spain, and firefighters battle blazes in Munster, is Ireland prepared for more extreme fire seasons? Plus, the All-Ireland celebrations continue in Ballyhaunis. Shane Coleman is joined by Robert Troy, Patricia Stephenson, Larry Donnelly, Naomi O’...

The Government has set aside €8.5 billion for tax measures and higher spending ahead of Budget 2027. But how far will that money go — and does the Government have the fiscal discipline to deliver? Plus, RTÉ's latest pay figures spark fresh debate, with executives making up nine of the broadcaster's top 10 earners. Shane Coleman is joined by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, James Geoghega...

Finance Minister Simon Harris says income tax cuts will be a priority for Budget 2027, but questions remain over whether narrowing the tax base is economically sustainable and who will benefit from a proposed savings scheme. Meanwhile, with energy prices facing renewed pressure from tensions in the Persian Gulf, we ask whether the Government is doing enough to protect households from potential win...

Ireland’s extended heatwave has raised questions about how prepared the country is for extreme weather, as a hosepipe ban was announced, crèches closed early, roads melted and fires raged in Kerry. The panel also examined the angry exchanges in the Dáil over plans for apartments on part of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site, where the remains of 859 children are still unaccounted for...

Are scramblers and e-scooters becoming an epidemic of reckless behaviour? Can Ireland protect artists from industrial-scale AI copyright theft? And as the World Cup reaches the semi-finals… is it ever acceptable to support England? Shane Coleman was joined by: Michael Murphy TD, Fine Gael  Daniel Ennis TD, Social Democrats  Orla Ryan, News Reporter, The Irish Times  Sarah Glenn...

Metrolink moves a step closer after Transport Infrastructure Ireland acquires a major section of O’Connell Street, but questions remain over rising costs and whether Ireland’s biggest infrastructure project could become a financial burden. Meanwhile, concerns grow over e-scooter safety after almost half of Temple Street’s ICU beds are occupied by children with head injuries linked to accidents, pr...

Sinn Féin’s proposal for a United Ireland preparations bill faces opposition from Government, reigniting debate over who should lead the conversation on a future referendum and the path towards unity. Meanwhile, questions grow over the justice system after a murder accused was left without legal representation during Garda custody, while the family of Shane O’Farrell calls for urgent action on bai...

Ireland begins its EU presidency amid growing pressure over defence, neutrality and online regulation. We examine whether Ireland can remain an impartial broker, ask if tech regulation is compromised by its ties to Big Tech, and discuss why illegal scramblers remain a danger despite Grace's Law. Shane Coleman was joined by: Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State Richard Boyd Barrett TD, People Before...

Fuel cuts extended to September. Is the Government afraid of more protests?  Plus, are the one-off rural housing changes a solid foundation for future generations? Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by: Seamus McGrath TD, Spokesperson on Housing, Fianna Fail  Pearse Doherty TD, Spokesperson on Finance, Sinn Fein  Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times Ireland &...

The Taoiseach defends the decision to scrap the triple lock amid criticism from Fianna Fáil backbenchers, who argue it represents a fundamental shift in Ireland’s traditional approach to neutrality. The move comes as the Government prepares for a forthcoming EU presidency, where defence spending is expected to be a contentious issue. Meanwhile, opposition parties are calling for a proposed meeting...

Extreme temperatures across Europe have raised fresh questions about climate resilience, with two-thirds of the continent’s population experiencing heat above 35 degrees, conditions intensified by human-induced climate change. Ireland is also expected to record its highest temperature on record in the coming days, prompting renewed debate about preparedness and long-term adaptation. On The Tonight...