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Is nuclear energy a realistic option for Ireland?
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For decades, nuclear power has been the ultimate taboo in Irish energy policy, with proposals dating back to the late 1960s ultimately defeated by massive public opposition. But as energy bills soar and climate targets loom, some politicians are asking if it's time to rethink the nuclear option. Has modern technology answered the long-standing concerns over nuclear safety, and is it a realistic solution for a country of our size? We’re joined by Dr Pádraig Lyons, head of the International Energy Research Centre, based at UCC’s Tyndall National Institute.
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How will Eurovision boycotts impact the song contest?
13:07|The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is playing out this week, in the shadow of unprecedented controversy. Five traditionally participating countries, including Ireland, are boycotting this year's competition in Vienna over Israel's inclusion in protest over the country’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The Journal’s News Editor and resident Eurovision expert Daragh Brophy joins us to examine the impact on the song contest.Will garden cabins actually help fix the housing crisis?
18:15|The government has announced plans to let homeowners build habitable units of up to 45 sq metres in their back gardens without planning permission, and to rent them out under the Rent-a-Room scheme. It says the move will ease the housing crisis, but critics warn it could create a wave of unregulated rentals where tenants have almost no rights. We're joined by Robin Mandal, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and vice chair of the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance.How do you start tracing your family tree?
19:02|The recent release of the 1926 census has sparked a huge wave of interest in Irish family history. It was the first census taken after the foundation of the State, capturing a snapshot of the country after a period of massive upheaval. But between missing records, complex transcription errors, and endless name variations, building your family tree can quickly become a daunting puzzle. Jennifer McLachlan Doherty, a Donegal-based genealogist and family history expert from IrishAncestral.com, tells us where to start.Will the government's fuel package actually work?
22:45|In response to the fuel protests, the government scrambled to announce a €505 million euro support package, slashing excise duties on petrol and diesel. But with the Strait of Hormuz now blockaded by Donald Trump and global oil prices continuing to surge, will these cuts actually be felt by consumers at the pump? And what does this massive supply chain disruption mean for Ireland's food and energy security? We’re joined by Dr Emma Howard, an economist at TU Dublin.How far can a protest go before the State steps in?
22:37|Ireland's fuel protests have brought parts of the country to a standstill this week, with blockades at refineries and slow-moving convoys on major roads - and currently with no end in sight. But the disruption has raised a much bigger question: where exactly is the legal line when it comes to protest in Ireland? Dr Illan Wall, professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, takes us through the law, the policing of demonstrations, and why Ireland's protest landscape may be shifting in ways we haven't seen before.The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
14:43|New CSO data shows the average age of a homebuyer in Ireland has hit 40. What does that mean for an entire generation stuck in the 'deposit trap'? And is this opening up a whole new front in the pension crisis? Rachel McGovern, deputy chief executive at Brokers Ireland, joins us to break down the wider knock-on impacts of delayed homeownership.Can Ireland really qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
23:31|It has been 24 long, long years since the Republic of Ireland men's team last played in a World Cup, but suddenly, the dream is alive again. This week, Ireland faces Czechia in a high-stakes qualifier, as the nation holds its breath. How did we get here after years of disappointment? We're joined by David Sneyd, Senior Sportswriter at The 42.Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
12:58|For generations of teenagers, it was the go-to high street spot for ear piercings and fashion jewellery., but now, the iconic retailer Claire's Accessories is rapidly closing its doors across Ireland, leaving staff furious and suddenly out of pocket. It follows a failed rescue attempt by an investment firm last year, which cited legacy debt, inflation, and weak consumer confidence. How did a high street staple fall so far? We're joined by our reporter Eoghan Dalton.