The Tonight Show

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 🏛...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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’...

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? 🏛️...

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’...

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...

On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy A sharp decline in people taking out private health insurance is raising serious concerns , as rising premiums push coverage out of reach and add more strain to the public system. In Ballymena, unrest has intensified with arrests and injuries after protests over a sexual assault case turned violent and racially charged. Meanwhile, the Central Bank say they c...

On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy Cabinet has agreed on new rent measures aimed at boosting supply and protecting tenants. Rent caps will now apply nationwide, with stronger protections for existing tenants - but higher rent increases will be allowed in new-build apartments. Will the changes help tenants—or push prices up and drive landlords away? Meanwhile, Donald Trump is being accused of...

Israel suspends aid into Gaza after more Palestinians are killed while queuing for food, amid claims Netanyahu’s government is using starvation as a weapon of war and undermining the UN. As Trinity College moves to cut ties with Israeli organisations, pressure grows on the Irish government to act. A new EPA report also warns Ireland’s infrastructure is unprepared for the growing threat of climate...