Virgin Media Originals
The Tonight Show
A sharp look at the major stories shaping Ireland and the world. Expect thoughtful analysis and robust discussion on the country’s only independent TV current affairs programme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Author
Virgin Media Originals
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 8, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Monday 6th October - Jim Gavin, Remaining Presidential Candidates & Budget 2026 06.10.2025 45:51
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Fianna Fáil in crisis as Jim Gavin spectacularly exits the presidential race. Are Michael Martin’s days numbered after this ‘serious miscalculation’? Plus, what does this mean for the remaining two? Will Fianna Fáil back Heather Humphreys, and will the latest Áras polls prove correct as Catherine Connolly pulls ahead? And predictions on the eve of...
Wednesday 01 October - Hospitality VAT rate, Budget 2026, Gaza Foltilla 01.10.2025 46:01
As Budget day looms, we ask will cutting VAT be helpful to a struggling hospitality sector, or is it simply wasteful spending and "economically illiterate? Plus, our panel will be forecasting other key areas in next Tuesday’s package, as households brace for no repeat of one-off supports. And, a look ahead to tomorrow’s front pages and the Gaza Flotilla 🏛️John Lahart TD, Fianna Fáil ...
Tuesday 30 September - Presidential Debate, Voluntary Asylum Seeker Returns & The Gaza Peace Plan 30.09.2025 45:53
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: What did yesterday's presidential debate reveal about the candidates, and the key issues that will dominate this election? Is the government's plan to splash cash at asylum applicants a "right-wing dog whistle"? We'll also discuss the Gaza "peace plan" along with all of tomorrow's front-page news. 🏛️ Colm Brophy TD, Fine Gael 🏛️ Gary Ganno...
The Tonight Show Presidential Debate: Connolly, Humphreys & Gavin Face Off 29.09.2025 1:10:21
Independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin go head-to-head in the first major TV debate of the presidential election. In this special edition of The Tonight Show , the three candidates outline their visions for Ireland’s future, challenge each other’s policies, and set the tone for the campaign ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
Wednesday 24 September - Three Candidates, Trump’s Tirade & The Vape Debate 24.09.2025 46:08
Ireland’s presidential election is down to just three candidates — the fewest since 1990. Is the system concentrating too much power in too few hands? Minister of State and Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae , Labour TD Marie Sherlock , and Virgin Media News Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly join the debate. Meanwhile, fallout continues from Donald Trump’s explosive speech at the UN General Assem...
Tuesday 23 September - Áras Race Heats Up, Workers Locked Out of Housing & Trump at the UN 23.09.2025 46:09
With presidential nominations closing, the election debate intensifies. Fianna Fáil TD Séamus McGrath, Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, Fine Gael TD Joe Neville, and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín — backing independent hopeful Maria Steen — set out their positions as the race for the Áras heats up. On housing, Séamus McGrath and Eoin Ó Broin are joined by Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish...
Wednesday 17 September - Rising Costs & Rising Threats 17.09.2025 46:05
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: The Dáil returns with the budget now firmly in sight, and opposition TDs are hitting out over the removal of energy credits amid spiralling costs. Meanwhile, the Ceann Comhairle is calling for a cross-party legislative response to growing threats against politicians, including attacks on the Tánaiste’s family. We unpack what measures might be proposed and w...
Tuesday 16 September - Blackface, Ballots & The Bombardment of Gaza 16.09.2025 46:04
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns faces a tough return to the office after photos emerged of deputy Eoin Hayes in blackface at a Halloween party 16 years ago. Meanwhile, independent presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan secures the green light in Tipperary thanks to a rogue Fine Gael councillor. Plus, the UN releases a devastating report accusing Israel o...
Wednesday 10 September - Political Intimidation, Presidential Picks & UK/Ireland Relations 10.09.2025 46:04
On this episode of The Tonight Show, we tackle recent threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris’ family and ask how political intimidation can be de-escalated. We also explore Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s moves on presidential nominations, and hear from the outgoing British Ambassador on UK/Ireland relations. Guests include TDs Neale Richmond and Peadar Tóibín, and Kevin Doyle, Executive Editor of the Irish...
Tuesday 09 September - Presidential Picks & Budget Battles 09.09.2025 46:04
Fianna Fáil has chosen former Dublin manager Jim Gavin as its presidential candidate — but with divisions in the party and Sinn Féin yet to make their move, will Catherine Connolly emerge as the left’s choice or could a late twist change the race for the Áras? At the same time, food and fuel costs continue to spiral as the government confirms the upcoming Budget will drop one-off cost-of-living me...
Wednesday 3 September - The Tricolour Debate: Raised, Removed or Reclaimed? 03.09.2025 45:41
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: We discuss domestic crime issues in the New Garda Commissioner’s first week and hear from an Independent presidential hopeful who has pledged to “make crime illegal.” Plus, we look at the debate over the Irish tricolour being used by anti-immigration campaigners – should it be raised, removed, or reclaimed? Also, with the Gardaí now able to access evidence...
Tuesday 2 September - Joanna Donnelly Interview & The Race for the Áras 02.09.2025 45:56
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Joined in studio by former meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, who has just declared her interest in running for president, we unpack the latest developments in the race for the Áras. 🔴 Joanna Donnelly, Former Meteorologist & Presidential Hopeful 🏛️ Paul McAuliffe TD, Fianna Fáil 🏛️ Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin 📰 Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Iris...
Wednesday 30 July - Policing Under Pressure, Budgets Under Strain 31.07.2025 46:22
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: With rising resignations, low recruitment and a Garda hospitalised after an unprovoked stabbing in Dublin; just what lies ahead in the in-tray of the new Garda Commissioner? And, with more than 9 out of 10 Irish people worried about the daily cost of living, and no one-off lump sums expected; are we heading for an austerity Budget for 2026? 🏛️ Regina D...
Tuesday 29 July - Overhaul for Modular Home Planning Laws and EU-US Trade Deal 29.07.2025 45:52
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: The government seeks to overhaul planning laws in order to boost housing supply, but should garden cabins really be exempt? Plus, Europe capitulates to Trump over tariffs, but what does the trade deal mean for budget planning and Irish jobs? And should the Irish hospitality sector still get its tax cut? 🏛️Billy Kelleher MEP, Fianna Fáil 🏛...
Tuesday 22 July - The Price of Progress: Can Ireland Deliver on a Decade of Spending? 22.07.2025 46:01
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: The Government unveils its big investment plan for the next decade , with new funding earmarked for housing, water and Metrolink. But where's the detail to match the ambition? And what tariffs? Despite dire warnings over trade and FDI, today's budget projections present a "business as usual" tax and spending plan. 🏛️ Emer Higgins TD, Minister of...
Wednesday 16 July - Dáil Review: Coalition Under Fire 16.07.2025 46:05
It’s been a stormy first six months for the newly-formed coalition — from bitter rows over speaking rights to growing pressure on healthcare and housing. Has the government weathered the storm, or are cracks already showing? In this episode of The Tonight Show , Bríd Smith, John Lee, and Gabija Gataveckaite hand out gold stars (and some red cards) as they dissect a turbulent political term and wha...
Tuesday 15 July - Cost of Living Supports Axed: Budget 2025 & the Political Fallout 15.07.2025 42:47
The government has ruled out any new cost of living supports in the upcoming budget, citing falling inflation and a shift toward infrastructure investment. Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the move in Leaders’ Questions, while Tanaiste Simon Harris confirmed one-off measures will be scrapped. But with reduced VAT for hospitality still costing over €700 million annually, has the government prepare...
Wednesday 9 July - Tourist Taxes, Trump’s Tariffs & Grok’s Hitler Scandal 09.07.2025 46:06
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy: Is it finally time to copy other countries and introduce a ‘tourist tax’ in Ireland? Will Trump pose 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals , or will he chicken-out? And Elon Musk’s Grok AI sparks social media outrage with Hitler praise . 📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Mirror 📰 Thomas Hubert, Editor, The Currency&n...
Tuesday 8 July - Shrinking Spaces, Rising Costs & A Presidential Wildcard 08.07.2025 46:06
On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy Cabinet agrees to ease apartment size rules in an effort to reduce costs and increase supply. But will the plan do either? Plus, pressure mounts on government over lack of cost of living supports in the next budget , after Barnardos survey reveals scale of families pushed to brink by rising costs. And the r ace for the Aras finally gets inte...
Wednesday 02 July - Tariffs, Trump, and the Race to Áras 02.07.2025 45:42
With U.S. tariffs looming and EU trade policy at a crossroads, Tánaiste Simon Harris hints at a 10% rate becoming the "new normal." Lucinda Creighton, Kevin Doyle, and Dr. Nora Strecker unpack what this means for Ireland and beyond. Then, President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” clears the Senate — but what’s in it, and who wins or loses? Niall Stanage of The Hill joins the panel for a fiery br...
Tuesday 01 July 2025 - Housing Progress, Rising Student Fees & Europe’s Heatwave Warning 01.07.2025 46:10
On The Tonight Show , we marked 160 days of the new coalition by asking: where are the bold solutions to the housing crisis? We also examined the shock news that student fees are rising again—despite previous government pledges to reduce them. Plus, as Europe swelters under extreme heat, with schools shut in France and bans on outdoor work in Italy, we ask: is this the new normal, and are we ready...
Wednesday 25 April - Ireland’s Soaring Costs, AI, and a Venetian Wedding For The 1% 25.06.2025 46:12
On The Tonight Show with Gavan Reilly Driven by economic growth, rising demands and government policies , Ireland is now ranked as Europe’s second most-expensive country. But for many, the prosperity is not trickling down. Also, what does the future hold for jobs and the economy in an AI world , and can Ireland keep up? Plus, gondolas and angry locals: Jeff Bezos’...
Tuesday 24 June - Missile Strikes & F-Bombs 24.06.2025 46:18
On The Tonight Show with Gavan Reilly After the missiles came the F-bombs - Donald Trump furious as both Israel and Iran appear to flout the terms of his brokered ceasefire. As the EU threatens consequences over Gaza , Ireland prepares a bill to ban goods from occupied Palestinian territories. And the trailer drops for Saipan — but 20 years on, does Keane v McCarthy still stir the same emotion? 🏛️...
Wednesday 18 June - Youth Detention Capacity, Trump’s Iran Gamble, and Kneecap Court Appearance 18.06.2025 46:03
On tonight’s episode of The Tonight Show , we examined the government’s response to overcrowding at Oberstown Child Detention Centre after two Dublin teenagers were released despite being denied bail. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan announced the creation of extra spaces, citing the need to protect public safety. Joining the discussion were Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher, Solas Project’...
Tuesday 17 June 2025 - Rent Caps, CityWest, and Rising Tensions in the Middle East 17.06.2025 46:40
On tonight’s episode of The Tonight Show, we break down the government’s push for emergency legislation to extend rent caps nationwide—potentially by Friday. While part of a broader rental reform plan, Housing Minister James Browne admits the changes could leave some renters, including students, without protection. We also examine the government’s €148 million purchase of the CityWest Hotel, now s...
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