Share

cover art for Tuesday 19th September 2023 - Farmers and Climate Change: Do Farmers Get a Bad Rap? Spinal Surgery Issues at Temple Street, and President Higgins says UN is "Losing Credibility".

The Tonight Show

Tuesday 19th September 2023 - Farmers and Climate Change: Do Farmers Get a Bad Rap? Spinal Surgery Issues at Temple Street, and President Higgins says UN is "Losing Credibility".

Season 13, Ep. 10

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 13. Wednesday 18 February - House Prices 20% Above Peak – Is the Affordability Crisis Here to Stay?

    46:02||Season 19, Ep. 13
    House prices are now more than 20% above the 2007 peak. Demand is high. Supply is short. So where does that leave would-be homeowners?Crowds gather outside The Hoxton Hotel as a legal row over late-night DJs sparks a bigger question – is Dublin becoming a city for tourists first and residents second?And we break down the runners and riders in the Dublin Central by-election.With Mary Fitzpatrick, Rory Hearne and Fionnan Sheahan.
  • 12. Tuesday 17th February - SNA Review Backlash and the Future of Classroom Support

    45:57||Season 19, Ep. 12
    Guest presenter Shane Coleman leads a lively Tonight Show debate. First, the minister for education pauses a controversial review of Special Needs Assistant allocations after backlash from teachers and parents fearing major cuts to classroom support. Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty, Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion, and Irish Examiner Special Correspondent Mick Clifford share their views.Later, Moscow hits back at Irish proposals to board sanctioned Russian vessels, calling the move “piracy,” as tensions rise over maritime security. And we ask — should Ireland’s Nations League fixtures against Israel go ahead as planned, and where should they be played?
  • 11. Wednesday February 11 - Scrambler Safety & ICE Detention Questions

    42:54||Season 19, Ep. 11
    Why was stronger action on scrambler bikes not taken sooner? Following Colette Fitzpatrick’s Big Interview with Siobhan Lynch, whose daughter Grace died after being struck by a scrambler in Dublin, our panel examines gaps in public safety enforcement and what changes may now follow.And as US authorities reject appeals on behalf of Irishman Seamus Culleton, we speak to his attorney about what comes next in his detention case.Guest presenter Richard Chambers is joined by:Joe Neville TD, Fine Gael Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times Ogor Winnie Okoye, Principal Attorney BOS Legal, representing Seamus Culleton 
  • 10. Tuesday 10 February - The Detention of Seamus Culleton

    46:03||Season 19, Ep. 10
    Guest presenter Richard Chambers begins tonight’s programme with the story of Seamus Culleton — an Irish citizen detained in a Texas ICE facility for five months despite having a valid US work permit and no criminal record.Amid growing concern over the conditions he describes as “absolute hell,” there are increasing calls for Taoiseach Micheál Martin to intervene.Joining the discussion are Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe, Labour TD Duncan Smith, journalist Aisling Moloney, and US-based immigration lawyer John Foley.
  • 9. Wednesday 4 February - X A No Show At The Oireachtas as Pressure Grows to Rein In Social Media

    45:59||Season 19, Ep. 9
    X was a notable no-show as executives from major social media platforms faced tough questioning before the Oireachtas Media Committee. The Taoiseach branded X’s decision not to appear as “concerning” and “disrespectful” — but how far is the Government really willing to go in standing up to Big Tech?John Lee is joined by Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming, Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly, and Elaine Burke, host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, to debate political accountability, regulation and the power of global platforms.The discussion then turns to growing momentum across Europe for an under-16s social media ban, as the European Commission warns Spain that new national rules on digital platforms may breach the EU’s Digital Services Act. Olga Cronin, Senior Policy Officer with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, joins the panel.Finally, the programme looks to the US, where deep cuts at the Jeff Bezos–owned Washington Post are affecting around a third of its workforce, including hundreds of journalists. Former Washington Post fact-checker and author Glenn Kessler reacts to the impact on journalism and media independence.
  • 8. Tuesday 3rd February - Ireland's Flood Defences, Social Media Bans, and the Mandelson Investigation

    45:59||Season 19, Ep. 8
    Guest presenter John Lee leads tonight’s discussion. Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris joins to talk flooding responsibility, the Mercosur deal, and restricting teens on social media. Later, Michael Fitzmaurice, John Gibbons, and Joanna Donnelly debate Ireland’s flood defences. Plus, Enda Brady updates us on Peter Mandelson’s resignation from the House of Lords amid the Epstein investigation.
  • 7. Wednesday 28th January - Flood Warnings, Garda Vetting and Ireland’s Neutrality Debate

    46:10||Season 19, Ep. 7
    Storm Chandra brings renewed rain and flood warnings for counties across the east and south east, leaving homeowners and businesses facing devastation and raising fresh anger over Ireland’s preparedness for extreme weather.John Lee is joined by Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh and Irish Examiner Special Correspondent Mick Clifford to discuss the flooding and what it reveals about resilience and planning.The panel also tackles growing controversy over delays in Garda vetting, which may prevent newly trained recruits from taking up duties after graduating. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has acknowledged problems with the process, but questions remain over accountability and reform.Finally, pressure continues to mount on Bord Bia Chairman Larry Murrin after confirmation that his company, Dawn Farms, used Brazilian beef in its meat products — despite backing from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture.Flooding, policing and political pressure — on The Tonight Show.
  • 6. Tuesday 27th January - Scrambler Safety, Rental Reform and Storm Chandra Fallout

    46:11||Season 19, Ep. 6
    The death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas has reignited calls for tougher action on scramblers and e-scooters on public roads. After the teenager was fatally struck by a scrambler bike that ran a red light, the Taoiseach acknowledged in the Dáil that proposals to ban scramblers had previously been brought forward — but never enacted. Guest presenter John Lee is joined by Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan and Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne to discuss whether the Government is now being forced to act.The focus then turns to the rental sector, as Cabinet signs off on major reforms just weeks before they are due to come into force. The changes include a new six-year minimum lease and a 2% annual rent cap, while allowing landlords to reset rents in certain circumstances. Maurice Deverell of the Irish Property Owners Association joins the debate.And as Storm Chandra brings severe flooding across parts of Dublin, Wicklow and the south east, questions are raised about Ireland’s preparedness for extreme weather. Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather breaks down what happened — and what comes next.
  • 5. Tuesday 20th January - Russian Drones, Rural Drug Gangs & Storm Bram

    46:14||Season 19, Ep. 5
    One year on from his inauguration, Donald Trump appears determined to follow through on promises to expand US power — with Greenland now firmly in his sights. Asked how far he is willing to go to acquire the territory, the US president responded: “You’ll find out.” What does this mean for Europe, and how should leaders respond?Guest presenter John Lee is joined by Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne, Labour TD George Lawlor, and Martina Lawless, Director of the ESRI. They are also joined from Brussels by Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews. The panel reacts to sharp warnings from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has urged Europe to stand united and confront Donald Trump directly.The programme also examines the sentencing in the fatal one-punch attack on Martin Lynn in Whitehall, and the Lynn family’s call for the six-year sentence imposed on Christopher O’Neill to be appealed.