This Week

After failing to make the ballot for the 2025 Presidential Election, barrister and conservative campaigner Maria Steen gives her reaction to Catherine Connolly's victory and the substantial amount of spoiled votes.

After Catherine Connolly's decisive victory in the 2025 Presidential election, there's plenty to sift through with Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport; John McGuinness, Fianna Fáil TD and Leas-Cheann Comhairle; and Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin.

Eithne Dodd has been to Saggart to gauge the mood of locals after ugly protests at an accommodation centre in Citywest where 30 people were arrested for throwing bricks and missiles at Gardaí.

Returning to work after cancer is a huge milestone. Marcella McDonnell was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in July 2023 and she has been sharing her experiences of getting back to work.

Presented by Áine Lawlor and Rachael English, this special edition of This Week covers the climax of the 2025 Presidential election as Catherine Connolly becomes the 10th President of Ireland. With reporting from Barry Lenihan at the RDS and full analysis and reaction in studio.

With 1,800 teaching posts reported to be vacant this year, the shortage of teachers continues to make an impact throughout the county. The Department of Education is set to make it easier for teachers trained abroad to work here. Helen McEntee, Minister for Education speaks to This Week.

With polling day approaching next Friday, Catherine Connolly has a sturdy lead over Heather Humphreys according to polls. We get analysis from Mary Regan, Political Editor of the Irish Independent, and Radio na Gaeltachta Political Correspondent Cuan O'Sioradain.

Just half of homes targeted to be built on Dublin City Council lands were constructed last year. DCC will now make land available for 25,000 homes. Mick Mulhearn, Assistance Chief Executive for Housing at DCC, explains.

Paris-based journalist Sharon Gaffney reports on a robbery that took place at the Louvre Museum today.

Professor Rónán Collins, Consultant Geriatrician and Director of Stroke Services at Tallaght University Hospital, discusses the proposal to make vaccines for RSV and Shingles available to older people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged allies against appeasing Russia after his trip to the White House did not yield a new supply of Tomahawk missiles. Christopher Miller, Chief Ukraine Correspondent with the Financial Times, speaks to This Week.

With less than a fortnight to polling day, Presidential candidates Catherine Connolly (Independent) and Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) join presenter David McCullagh on This Week.

Political correspondent Paul Cunningham and Editor of the Business Post, Daniel McConnell, reflect on the This Week debate.

An Israeli government spokesperson has said that the release of living hostages held in Gaza will begin on Monday. 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will also be handed over. Edmund Heaphy, Deputy Foreign Editor, reports from Jerusalem.

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across Gaza overnight and this morning, destroying several residential buildings, witnesses said, as Palestinians hoped a US plan to end the war would soon ease their suffering. Aisling Kenny reports from Tel Aviv before we hear analysis from Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent with The Economist.

With opinion polls showing Catherine Connolly in a clear lead in the 2025 Presidential election, the independent candidate debated with Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin on The Week in Politics. Prof Gary Murphy of DCU and RTÉ's Sandra Hurley give their analysis.

On Tuesday, we will finally hear the details of how €120 billion will be spent in Budget 2026. Is the government spending more than it should? We hear from Dr. Emma Howard, lecturer from the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at TU Dublin.

Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, speaks about the Presidential election and the upcoming budget.

You may have recently received a letter from Revenue asking for a re-evaluation of your property's value. Homeowners have until the 7th of November to file a Local Property Tax return. Eithne Dodd reports on how these changes will affect homeowners.

Gardaí believe the bodies of a man and child discovered at a house in Finglas in Dublin are those of a father and his daughter. Sinéad Hussey, Midlands Correspondent, reports.

After months of controversy at Children's Health Ireland, the group is to be incorporated into the HSE. CHI has been under pressure after controversies involving orthopaedic and spinal surgeries, and long waiting lists for children with scoliosis. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster joins us from Limerick.

The 2025 Presidential campaign clicks into gear as Jim Gavin launches his campaign in Dublin. Mícheál Lehane, Political Correspondent, reports before we hear analysis from Ger Howlin, political columnist and public affairs consultant, and Liz Carolan of thebriefing.ie comments on their social media strategies.

In the face of a hostile New York crowd, Luke Donald's European side head into the final day of the 2025 Ryder Cup with an impressive 11.5-4.5 lead over the United States. Greg Allen gives us the latest update.

Thousands of American tourists have come to Dublin this weekend to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Minnesota Vikings in Croke Park. But is it right for the Irish state to provide funding for such an event? Eithne Dodd reports.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces increasing pressure over his leadership of the Labour Party as Reform UK leads opinion polls. Mr Starmer has said that he believes Labour can "pull this round" as the party meets for its annual conference in Liverpool. Tommy Meskill, London Correspondent, reports.

Aer Lingus says customers travelling through Dublin Airport can expect delays and cancellations due to disruption caused by a Europe-wide technical issue impacting check-in and boarding systems. We get the latest from aviation journalist Eoghan Corry.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce today that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine. But will it change anything? We hear from Vincent Fean, retired British diplomat and a trustee with the British Palestine Project.

With the budget on the horizon, there have been calls for the government to reduce the VAT rate on food serving businesses back to 9% from the current 13.5%. Eithne Dodd reports.

With winter on the way, consumers will need to prepare for the increasing costs of staying warm. Why is energy so expensive in Ireland? Paul Deane, senior lecturer in clean energy futures at UCC explains.

With Sinn Féin's decision to back Catherine Connolly, the presidential field may now be set though Maria Steen is still pursuing a place in the race. Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, gives his analysis.

With two weeks to go until the budget, the Central Bank, ESRI and Fiscal Advisory Council believe that the government package will be too large. We speak to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers.

After weeks of speculation, Sinn Féin yesterday decided not to run a party candidate in the Presidential election, instead putting their support behind Catherine Connolly. Matt Carthy TD explains the decision.

Learner drivers who fail their driving test twice will be required to take additional driving lessons in order to go back on the road under new proposals. Learner drivers will also be required to sit a driving test after their third learner permit. The Minister responsible for road safety, Seán Canney, joined the show to break down the proposals.

Earlier this week Bord Gáis and Pinergy announced price increases for residential electricity customers. The Children's Rights Alliance says the cost of living crisis continues to rain down on poorer families. Justin went to Ballyfermot in Dublin to meet three mothers, who told him about the stresses and struggles of living on the breadline.

The government has confirmed that the energy credits which were paid in the wake of last year's budget have come to an end and will not be included in next month's budget. We were joined by the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to talk through the government's plan in regards to social welfare.

If you want to find a confirmed presidential candidate, head to the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly. In attendance are the three confirmed candidates: Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, and Independent Catherine Connolly. RTÉ Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham joined us to examine the candidates' strategies.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lost his US Ambassador Peter Mandelson this week over his links to the convicted child sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein, and his deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor resigned over a tax scandal. Can Kier Starmer himself survive? We posed this question to London Independent's Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul.

In the aftermath of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday, the US President and his advisors have escalated their attacks on left wing opponents, even before a suspect was identified. Doyle McManus, a contributing writer with the LA Times, reported on the assassination's aftershocks.

How do you know if the water quality is good enough to swim in? Tomorrow the official bathing season, when the quality of Irish bathing waters must be tested by law, ends. It means swimmers won't be able to tell if the water is clean enough to swim in. RTÉ reporter Eithne Dodd has been asking if people will still be getting into the water.

A search is continuing in Donabate, Co Dublin for a missing boy, who is presumed dead. The child - who would now be aged seven - has not been seen for the past four years. We heard from RTÉ reporter Sharon Lynch and the chairperson of the National Review Panel Dr Helen Buckley.

On Tuesday Fianna Fail will select its candidate to enter the presidential election. And tomorrow 12 hopefuls will address Kerry County Council seeking a nomination for the presidency. The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Fine Gael Councillor Michael Foley joined us to shed light on the nominating process and his party's strategy.

RTÉ political reporter Sandra Hurley broke down the odds of the main candidates - as well as the dark horses - in the race for the presidency.