RTÉ - Drivetime

Sarah spoke to Michael Healy Rae TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - with responsibility for forests. She spoke to him about the Climate Change Advisory Council's POOR review of Ireland's forests strategy.

Birthday party party bags for children: a long-standing tradition now facing growing debate. Parents are increasingly questioning the cost, waste, and necessity of these take-home treats. Irish Times journalist Jen Hogan discusses.

Farmers say a major overhaul of CAP, planned by the EU, will lead to higher food prices. To discuss further, Ciaran Mullooly- Independent Ireland, MEP in the Midlands/North-West and Ollie Moore, Representative of the Environmental Pillar.

The battle to succeed Michael D Higgins is intensifying- with a candidate the outgoing president knows well now officially in the race. Our reporter Barry Lenihan reports from our Oireachtas studio outlining some of the potential candidates.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee tells Ireland to "sober up" over the Occupied Territories Bill. We heard from Israeli professor at George Mason University Scalia School of Law, Eugene Kontorovich for his reaction.

Government promises 'fiscal restraint' and no one-off cost of living payments in Budget 2026, we debate if they're right with Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist with the Sunday Times Ireland and Suzanne Rodgers, Research & Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland.

David Ryan - who featured in the Blackrock Boys documentary which led to a Commission of Investigation into Historical Sexual Abuse in Schools - says he hopes survivors will get justice in the years ahead. RTÉ reporter Barry Lenihan spoke as the Dail formally debated how the Commission will operate.

No more one-off payments as discussions between the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Ministers for Finance and for Public Expenditure concluded that increased capital spending and the ending of one-off payments will usher in a time of restraint. We were joined by Minister of State Alan Dillon.

As the world's top golfers are gathering in Portrush in County Antrim for the The Open championship this week, a small group of women from the Traveller community in Laois have been quietly changing perceptions about the sport. RTÉ reporter Una Kelly speaks to one of the women.

Greg Swenson - Chairman of Republicans Overseas discusses the latest in US and EU relations, particularly the potential 30% tariffs announcement by President Trump.

The number of people applying for international protection here has reduced by 43% in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2024. For more on this, John Lannon, CEO of the migrant organisation Doras discusses.

Melanie Finn, Entertainment and News Correspondent at the Irish Independent outlined her frustrations with the level of aggression and lack of consideration by fellow cyclists using cycle lanes.

US President Donald Trump announced he would impose a ramped-up 30% tariff on the EU if no agreement is reached by the 1st of August. To discuss, Dr Nora Strecker, Assistant Professor School of Economics UCD and John O'Loughlin, global trade & customs partner with PwC.

The Department of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General are modifying the State's consent laws to no longer allow "honest belief" of consent as a defence in rape cases. For more, Dr Catherine O'Sullivan, Senior Lecturer School of Law, UCC.

Wicklow farmer Joe Hayden discusses the benefits of serenading his cows, with music ranging from pop. rock and classical music.

One buyer Caitriona who has just recently gone through the house-bidding process, spoke to Cormac about the challenges she faced.

To discuss the whole process of bidding on houses Rory Hearne, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, Regina Mangan, Managing Director of Liberty Blue Estate Agents in Waterford and Don Colleran, of Colleran Auctioneers in Galways.

Portugese Police are analysing new information in the case of Jean Tighe a Cavan woman who disappeared in Lisbon five years ago this weekend. The Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has held discussions with An Garda Siochana over what more could be done to help find the missing woman. For more on this reporter Barry Lenihan.

As we rush towards a cashless future, what happens to those being left behind? For many older people, going digital isn't so simple, to talk about the real impact of this shift is Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link.

For reaction to this Jon Burrows, Retired Senior PSNI Officer, Sarah Creighton, Unionist Political Commentator & Writer and Allison Morris, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan gave a state apology to the family of Monaghan cyclist Shane O'Farrell -- who died in a hit-and-run at the hands of a man who should have been in prison. It was vindication for the O'Farrell family- who fought tirelessly for justice for Shane.

With the heat that we're all feeling today and which is forecast for the next few days, Animal and pet experts are warning about their welfare as well as our own. Pete Wedderburn, better known as Pete the vet has some advice.

A planning row has broken out between Dublin Bus & residents of a south Dublin housing estate over a proposal to install a portable toilet for drivers. It does raise questions about the lack of facilities for bus drivers, especially those driving long bus routes. For more Dermot O' Leary, General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union.

In 2021, Jennifer Poole, a 24-year-old mother of two, was murdered by her former partner, Gavin Murphy. He had a history of abusive behaviour, including an assault on another partner, and in the years since, her family have campaigned for the creation of a domestic violence registar to be established. Jennifer's brother Jason Poole spoke to Cormac.

The Social Democrats introduced a Bill to the Dáil today calling for full transparency on the profits that supermarkets are making. To discuss this Cian O'Callaghan is the acting Leader of the Social Democrats, and Spokesperson on Finance and Damian O'Reilly, Lecturer in Retail Management at TU Dublin.

A leading immunologist is seeking contact from people who've been refused funding to be treated with a ground-breaking cancer drug. Professor Bernard Mahon is seeking political support to make Pembro more accessible after he was refused the drug by his private health insurer. Reporter Barry Lenihan has more. fund.immunotherapy@gmail.com

There was a big increase in the levels of self generated child sexual abuse material appearing online, in 2024, according to the Irish Internet Hotline. 2024 saw a 166% INCREASE in this kind of material appearing online. For more on thi sProfessor Mary Aiken is a Cyberpsychologist

The Government is to establish a Commission of Investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools across the country. For more on this reporter Barry Lenihan, Liam O'Brien, producer of the Blackrock Boys Doc on One and reaction from Deirdre Kenny, CEO of One in Four and Independent Senator and Senior Council Michael McDowell.

The Housing Minister has issued new guidelines on apartments, changing the minimum sizes, reducing the requirement for open spaces & removing requirements for communal spaces. To discuss this Tom Phillips, Town Planning Consultant /Adjunct Professor of Planning in UCD & Darragh Moriarty, Labour Party Councillor for Dublin South West Inner City.

The Cabinet is bringing forward legislation to limit discrimination against cancer survivors when applying for certain insurance products. This follows the introduction of a voluntary Code of Practice..introduced by the insurance sector in 2023. For more on this Robert Troy TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance.

Families of children who might be buried at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, say they are hoping to finally have answers as the excavation of the site is set to begin next week. They were in Tuam today for a final visit before the area is forensically sealed off for the next couple of years, Our reporter Una Kelly was there.

Last week, 8 men were jailed for their roles in trying to smuggle 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth over €157m, the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history. The drugs were seized following a joint garda, customs & Defence Forces operation. For more Marie Gleeson, Former Irish Navy Ships Captain & Cormac O' Keefe, Security Correspondent, Irish Examiner.

The next 48 hours will be crucial, as momentum gathers in negotiations towards a potential Gaza ceasefire. Israel has escalated its offensive in the enclave, while indirect talks between Israeli and Hamas officials continue in Qatar. To discuss this Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent with the Economist.

Another thirty people have come forward in the past month to offer DNA samples to help identify human remains at the site of a former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. Daniel MacSweeney, the head of the team which will excavate the site, was holding a media briefing in the town today. Our reporter Una Kelly tells us more.

From having just one small plane in the mid-1980s Ryanair now flies nearly 200 million passengers a year. It flies 3,600 flights a day, on 618 planes, through 230 airports in 37 different countries, Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent at The Independent in London, takes a look at the airline's history.

If you've ever had a car with a manufacturers warranty, you've probably been told: 'If you get this car serviced outside the main dealership, it may void the warranty. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a warning to the motor industry following a report on this. To tell us more transport consultant, Conor Faughnan.

A new recruitment campaign aimed at hiring 300 new prison officers in full-time positions has gotten under way. With Donna Craven, Director of Corporate Service and IT with the Irish Prison Service.

Amid US accusations of Irish anti-semitism, could the the Occupied Territories Bill do more harm than good? With Conor O'Neill, Head of Policy, Christian Aid, on behalf of the "Campaign to Pass the Occupied Territories Bill" and Dan Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the US.

Is Europe loosing its optimism as tariffs negotiation deadline with the US looms? With Dr Eoin Drea, Senior Researcher in the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels.

With the boom in food delivery companies ever since the pandemic, the takeaway sector has been booming. But how recyclable are the container, wrapping, bag and cutlery that you might be using? Pat Kane, sustainability advocate and founder of Reuzi.ie

Generation Z's long-held reputation for abstinence and being anti-alcohol might not be as accurate as we thought. A new survey of more than 26,000 people across 15 countries shows an increase in young people's drinking. Richard Halstead is Head of Consumer Research at IWSR, which carries out consumer research on alcohol trends.

With Alan Corr, RTÉ entertainment journalist