This Week

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A look at events making the news in Ireland over the last week, presented by Carole Coleman and Justin McCarthy. Listen live every Sunday at 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

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    • May 17, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 1,252 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from This Week

    Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Fianna Fáil at 100, RTÉ, Aughinish

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 22:55


    Fianna Fáil held its Ard Fheis in Dublin this weekend as the party marks its centenary year. Micheal Martin has been the party leader for the past 15 years. He joined Paul to discuss what Fianna Fáil stood for in 2026.

    Around 80,000 take part in Darkness Into Light events

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 9:55


    Around 80,000 people participated in events last weekend in the annual Darkness Into Light to raise funds for suicide prevention services. However, Pieta House says there's been a decrease in income in recent years that triggered a restructuring process last year. Paul was joined by the Chief Executive of Pieta House, Stephanie Manahan.

    Streeting confirms he will contest Starmer for leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 6:37


    The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has endured a rollercoaster of a week, with his ongoing tenure in Downing Street now an open question. Paul was joined by political analyst and Talk TV Presenter Peter Cardwell.

    Invasive plant species remain on the market

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 7:34


    In 2024, it became illegal to sell, exchange, transport or breed more than 30 non-native plant-types in Ireland under both Irish and EU law because they are deemed to be invasive. However, some of these plants are still being sold here. RTÉ's Eithne Dodd reported on the matter.

    WHO declares international health emergency over rare Ebola strain

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 4:06


    The World Health Organisation has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a "public health emergency of international concern." This particular strain of Ebola has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. For more Paul was joined by Professor Kingston Mills, immunologist at Trinity College Dublin.

    First passengers evacuated from virus-hit cruise ship

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 5:43


    Two Irish citizens have been evacuated from a cruise ship in Tenerife and are scheduled to be repatriated home on the Government jet after health checks. Both passengers are currently asymptomatic and will be transferred to an HSE isolation facility for monitoring. From Tenerife, we were joined by journalist Cliodna O'Flynn with the latest.

    Minister Jack Chambers on budgetary overruns

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 13:57


    The Government has a recurring problem with budgetary overruns. Last year, overspending amounted to €4.1 billion. Already this year Education needs an extra 646m, while the HSE is 250m over for the first three months of the year. Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Jack Chambers joined Paul now in studio to discuss the way forward.

    New electoral register due by end of year

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 6:47


    Last year An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the independent electoral commission, published an 'Oversight Report on the Electoral Registers.' The 190-page document was billed as the beginning of the end of Ireland's dodgy electoral register. To get an update on the task, Paul was joined in studio by the Commission's Chief Executive Art O'Leary.

    Galway West bye-election: what you need to know

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 14:57


    The twin bye-elections in the Dublin Central and Galway West constituencies take place on May 22nd. Today RTÉ Western Correspondent Pat McGrath and RTÉ reporter Ethne Dodd joined us to give the lie of the land in Galway West.

    Calls for nationwide wildlife rescue service

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 7:12


    A wildlife rescue centre in Kildare is calling for the creation of a nationwide service, with multi-annual funding. Kildare Wildlife Rescue opened just four years ago and is heavily reliant on volunteers and donations for its conservation work. RTÉ reporter Eithne Dodd joined a shift, as volunteers rescued wildlife and brought them to the centre.

    Three people killed in Ukraine despite ceasefire

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 3:10


    A ceasefire is supposed to be in place in Ukraine and Russia, with US President Donald Trump hoping it can be extended and end the four year old war. However, Ukrainian officials say that at least three people have been killed over the past 24-hours by Russian drone strikes. Paul was joined by Emmanuelle Chaze from Kharkiv for the latest.

    Flotilla Activist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 11:48


    Irish activists, whose vessels were boarded by the Israeli navy on Wednesday, in international waters off the Greek island of Crete, returned home last night. Martin Guilfoyle was on the vessel Kafr Birim skippered by Dubliner Colm Byrne

    CETA - Controversial trade agreement

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 8:39


    Controversial legislation heads to the Seanad on Wednesday, on a topic which has already triggered rancorous debates in the Dáil and even Supreme Court challenges. For more we speak to Pat Leahy, Political Editor with the Irish Times.

    Central Bank targeting social media fraud

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 8:46


    The Central Bank of Ireland is now targeting illegal financial promotions on social media, in a bid to protect Irish consumers. To discuss this we speak to Peter Gallagher, who is the Bank's Head of Enforcement, Market Abuse and Oversight.

    Dublin Central by-election

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 14:22


    RTEs Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri joins Paul in studio to have a look at both the candidates and the issues in the constituency.

    Sexual Assault Treatment Unit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 8:34


    40% of people have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime, according to a Central Statistics Survey. Eithne Dodd 'This Week' reporter has more.

    Free transport for people fleeing domestic violence

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2026 4:45


    From Tuesday, people fleeing domestic violence, and gender based violence, will be able to avail of free travel on public transport for three months. Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson.

    Suspect arrested, Donald Trump taken to safety after shooting at Washington event

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 4:19


    Police in the United States are investigating a shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, in which a man opened fire on security personal. The event took place at the Hilton Hotel, and President Trump and his wife were in attendance. Sky News Correspondent David Blevins, who was at the event, told Paul what had happened.

    IDF strike kills journalist in Lebanon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 4:35


    The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed outrage at the killing of a Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, and wounding of another, in southern Lebanon by the Israel Defence Forces. Paul was joined from Beirut by Correspondent Rania Abouzeid for more about this case.

    Mary Lawlor finishes term as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 11:56


    One of Ireland's leading human rights advocates, Mary Lawlor, has completed her six-year term as the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders this weekend. She joined Paul in studio to share her experiences in the role.

    McDonald calls for urgent Government action to make life more affordable

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 13:28


    Sinn Féin held its Ard Fheis in Belfast this weekend, with delegates being told that an immediate mini-budget was required to make life more affordable for people. This is despite the Government having already ruled-out another cost-of-living package. The party leader Mary Lou McDonald has returned to Dublin and joined Paul for a conversation.

    Ex-TD Jim Glennon confirms he wrote character reference for sex offender

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 2:05


    Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon says he provided a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, who was convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old child. RTÉ Political Correspondent Barry Lenihan joined the show with the details.

    Clare council to acquire 20 derelict properties in bid to increase housing supply

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 6:50


    Clare County Council is moving on the scourge of dereliction by commencing the compulsory acquisition of 20 properties in a bid to increase housing supply. Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of the Irish Times, joined Paul for a conversation focused on the issue of dereliction.

    Prediction markets should be regulated - addiction expert

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 7:22


    An addiction expert has called for prediction markets to be regulated in Ireland. These markets, which allow anyone to gamble on any kind of political or world event, have ballooned in popularity in recent months. RTÉ journalist Eithne Dodd reported on prediction markets, and the impact they have on the outside world.

    Minister Darragh O'Brien

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 14:37


    Householders could see energy price hikes in the order of 30%, or above, should the US and Israeli war on Iran continue. To find out what the consequences might be for the Irish economy, and to talk about a tumultuous fortnight for Fianna Fáil, we're joined by the Minister for Transport, Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien.

    Daniel Kinahan arrest

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 6:48


    Daniel Kinahan remains in custody in Dubai this Sunday lunchtime, on foot of his arrest on Friday following the issuing of an arrest warrant by the High Court in Dublin. We speak to Pat Leahy, who is a former Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and was involved in tackling organised crime across the capital.

    Independent Ireland party leader Michael Collins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 10:07


    Independent Ireland held its annual conference in Galway yesterday, and party leader Michael Collins joins Paul Cunningham in studio.

    Concerns over a lack of technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 6:41


    The electric vehicle market continues to grow with battery-powered cars outselling petrol models in Ireland. If the latest trend continues, electric cars will likely outpace the combined sales of petrol and diesel cars this year. However an impending skill shortage could hamper this continued growth with concerns around a lack of technicians.

    Census 1926

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 7:53


    The 1926 Census records were released this weekend, providing a fascinating glimpse into the early years of the Irish Free State. To assess its significance, Paul is joined by genealogist, Jennifer McLaughlin Doherty, who's also Managing Director of the Irish Ancestral Group.

    French peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2026 5:03


    A French peacekeeping soldier was killed in southern Lebanon yesterday, and three others were wounded, while trying to clear a bomb from a road. We speak to Paraic O'Brien, Foreign Affairs Correspondent with Channel 4 News.

    Morning Update - Latest from fuel protests across the country

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 19:54


    In a special Sunday morning update, we get reports from around the country as the fuel protests wind down

    Fuel protests wind down across the country

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 24:03


    We hear from Chris Smyth, Group Chief Executive of Perennial Freight at Rosslare Europort; Iarnrod Eireann spokesperson Jane Creegan; Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan; Minister of State Timmy Dooley; Foynes protester Neilus O'Connor and South East Correspondent Marc O'Driscoll gives an update from Rosslare

    Political reaction as the fuel protests subside

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 9:51


    Political correspondent Micheal Lehane and Jack Power of the Irish Times outline the political reaction both at home and in Europe

    IMO President on fuel protests, the new HSE chief and reports of verbal abuse towards doctors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 7:00


    The Irish Medical Organisation's new President Matthew Sadlier joins us from their annual conference in Killarney

    Hungary votes in election closely watched by EU, Russia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 4:40


    In a very closely watched election, Hungarians are heading to the polls today... with polls suggesting this could end Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-years in power. RTE's Eastern Europe reporter Liam Nolan gives this update.

    Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail for Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 2:43


    Another Global Sumud Flotilla is setting sail for Gaza, with the aim of bringing humanitarian aid. One of the sailors, Colm Byrne, talks to us from Barcelona

    Latest from the Middle East

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 7:35


    Secunder Kermani, Foreign Correspondent with Channel 4 News, brings us the latest on the downed pilot, Trump's new deadline, and fresh Iranian strikes on energy sites.

    Fresh developments in Kerry Babies case

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 4:53


    Gardaí have submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions after what's described as an "extensive investigation" into the death of a baby in Kerry more than 40 years ago. Our Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy is following developments for us.

    Conserving energy amid soaring prices

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 7:16


    Professor Pete Lunn, who heads up the behavioural research unit at the Economic and Social Research Institute, tells us how people might respond to pleas to conserve energy.

    Honouring Irish women of the revolutionary period

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 7:47


    Dublin City Council has approved a monument to be placed on O'Connell Street to honour Irish women of the revolutionary period. The monument will be erected between the Spire and the James Larkin statue in front of the GPO. Donna Cooney is chair of the Commemmorations & Naming Committee of Dublin City Council and Green Party Councillor.

    Economic fallout from the Iran War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 7:01


    How are economists analysing the fallout from the Iran War? We hear from Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist with the Institute of International and European Affairs.

    Concerns over the possibility of Iranian attacks on US soil

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2026 7:14


    What does the Iran war mean for the threat of attacks in the US? Our Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox reports.

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