Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

The health service is currently facing into its time of greatest pressure with rising flu heading into December. So how will the system cope? Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill discusses this and the launch of the updated Sectoral Plan for Health. 

In 2011 Shane O'Farrell was knocked off his bicycle by a driver who should have been in jail at the time. As part of his public apology to Shane's family in May of this year, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan requested Senior Counsel Lorcan Staines to do a full review of the bail laws in Ireland.   Lorcan joined Pat in studio to discuss all 15 of his recommendations.

Michael McGrath has said the European Commission has recommended to extend the nitrates derogation for Ireland. The Nitrates Directive is an EU law for farms that puts limits on the amount of fertiliser including slurry that farmers can use on their land, and effectively the number of livestock that they can have, to protect water from pollution by agriculture.ie.We debate this with Elaine McGoff, Head of Advocacy at An Taisce and also Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP. 

Donald Trump's overseas envoy Steve Witkoff will hold talks at the kremlin next week as the us continues to push for a deal to end the war in Ukraine. speaking on last week's 28 point “peace plan”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, the draft peace plan could serve as a basis for future negotiations to end the war, but insisted Ukraine would have to surrender territory for any deal to be possible. Pat discusses this and more with Lara Marlowe, Paris based Journalist and Author.

Ireland has long been a veritable backwater when it comes fashion - never touching the likes of London or Paris in terms of local style, creativity or trends.  But with Irishman Jonathan Anderson now at the helm of Dior, and homegrown fashionistas like Verona Farrell gaining more than 700,000 followers online, is Ireland's time to shine nigh? Is Irish fashion now in vogue? 

Here’s one for you: which relatively niche sport may be responsible for one of the greatest scientific discoveries in human history? Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can reveal all.

When somebody is arrested on suspicion of committing a crime, how much should we, the public, be told about the suspect before the formal charge. In the absence of concrete information about the alleged perpetrator, rumours can spread suggesting the suspect may have a particular background and this can, and has, led to public unrest.To discuss this further Pat spoke to David Robert Grimes, Author of ‘The Irrational Ape, How Flawed Logic Puts Us All At Risk’

The Christmas season brings with it lots of merrymaking and in spite of less drinking happening overall  and the availability of many zero alcohol products, many of us will be getting drunk. And soon afterwards, many of us will regret it. Surely the answer is simple: to avoid a hangover, just drink less? Alas, that is easier said than done. Alcohol’s inhibition-reducing effects can undermine the steeliest resolve.All to discuss with Professor Luke O Neill , Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.   

Taxi drivers are set to bring Dublin to a standstill at rush hour today as part of an ongoing protest against a new feature introduced by uber, which they say will decimate their income. Pat spoke to David Mitchell, Taxi driver and protest coordinator and also Richard Boyd-Barrett, People Before Profit Leader ahead of the protest today.

Black Friday is the annual online shopping event that sees almost every brand and business offer promotions and tantalising incentives to spur pre-Christmas purchasing. But a so-called unmissable deal isn't a win if that item sits on the shelf or, worse, ends up in landfill.But what is the environmental impact of Black Friday? Pat discussed with Climate Journalist Jo Linehan.

Over the next few weeks as you buy presents for loved ones, you are going to be presented with endless amounts of packaging when purchasing and more when you begin wrapping the gifts. But have you become more conscious when purchasing Christmas gifts? And are you aware of all the ways to reduce the impact of potential Christmas waste?Joining Pat on the show this morning was Zoe Kavanagh, CEO at Repak.

What is ‘Microshifting’? How can it improve our work-life balance? Is it the future of work? Microshifting is the practice of breaking up the workday into short, flexible blocks rather than adhering to a continuous eight-hour stretch. But is it the future of work?All to discuss with Damien McCarthy, Founder and MD of HR Buddy.

A new campaign called ‘Project Aware’ is being launched this morning by E.Y which aims to raise awareness on human trafficking in Ireland. But what are the signs we should be looking out for, what industries is it happening in and what is the link to financial services? To discuss further Pat spoke to EY Ireland Financial Services Partner Jenny Pattwell and also Detective Superintendent - Derek Maguire - from An Garda Síochána.

Presenter and author Richard Osman is the mind behind the record-breaking ‘Thursday Murder Club’ series. Off the back of this year’s Netflix film adaptation, he’s released the newest installment in the series - ‘The Impossible Fortune’. Which debuted at no.1 on the Sunday Times best seller list. 

In Hollywood, we often imagine actors chasing roles, clawing their way toward the perfect character or the perfect script. But the Golden Age of Hollywood and even much of modern Hollywood is full of stories where actors didn’t choose their iconic roles they endured them.All to chat with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media.

On the agenda for cabinet today is a ban on electro-convulsive therapy for under –18's, a reform of migration procedures and they will seek approval to allow people affected by defective concrete blocks to apply for increased grants. But the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council have warned that the government are spending the budget “like there’s no tomorrow”.  All to discuss with Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe.

As the evenings are colder and darker more people are opting for the car to travel. But why does it become so tedious in the winter months? With big HGVs taking up space and other motorists slowing down on motorways are drivers not following driver etiquette? Also why are there so many roadworks in the month of November.

US President Donald Trump has said he will send his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the Kremlin next week to hold talks as work continues on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. We get the latest on this with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of The Red Matrix Podcast.

There are over 300 different dog breeds across the world, through ancient fossils and DNA sequences, scientists have now discovered this diversity in breed dates to thousands of years ago. Also scientists have observed chimpanzees weighing up evidence in to make decisions and then changing that decision when presented with new clues. This level of rational thinking was thought to be reserved for humans.All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.With thanks to Repak.

Something as simple as walking can be incredibly effective for losing weight, improving your mental health, and building strength. In his new book, The Walking Effect, health and fitness expert Karl Henry reveals how walking can transform your life and shares his guide to Ireland's best walking trails. Karl joins us now, you're very welcome to the show.