Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have recently joined Europe-wide investigations into practices related to online purchases in games. With the aim of protecting children from online purchases in games and the tactics companies use to induce children into purchasing from the virtual world.Ivan discusses this and more with Ciara O Brien, Tech and Business journalist from Irish Times. 

Over 1800 teaching posts still vacant ahead of the new school year. We ask why and how the shortage will impact students come September. All to discuss with Paul Crone, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies.

Drivers have been warned that motor ­insurance premiums will rise further after a massive surge in claims. Ivan discusses this further with Tracy Sheridan, Alliance for Insurance Reform board member, Member of Play, Activity & Leisure Ireland (PALI).

Joining Ivan on this week's Friday Forum was Maeve O’Connell TD, Fine Gael, Dublin Rathdown, Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin, Galway West, Spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Also Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times. 

Gareth Mullins takes us through a Buttermilk chicken burger and BBQ Pork ribs to celebrate the 4th of July. 

Donald Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed through congress yesterday and will head to his desk to become law today. Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD Scott Lucas brings us full analysis of the Bill and what effect it might have on America.

Denmark has made military service compulsory for women for the first time, marking a significant shift in the Scandinavian nation's defence policy. We get the details from Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at The University Of Bath, Former NATO Analyst and Army Officer. 

This summer in Copenhagen a new scheme offers you something free, if you pick up rubbish. The CopenPay initiative offers around 100 activities in exchange for free or reduced prices on a selection of experiences, from museums to meals out. So should Dublin City Council introduced something similar? Newstalk Henry McKean finds out. 

Ryanair have cancelled a number of flights today due to strikes by French air traffic controllers. This is the second day of planned industrial action that is said to have affected up to 30,000 passengers across both days. We discuss this effects of the strike with Eoghan Corry Air and Travel Magazine Editor.

Birdwatch Ireland wants the Government to officially designate key locations around and off the coast of Ireland as protected areas. For more on this Ivan spoke to Oonagh Duggan, Head of Advocacy at Birdwatch Ireland.

From today, parts of Parliament Street are being pedestrianized. The sections between Essex Quay and Essex Gate are now car-free, only open to cyclists and pedestrians. We get the details of these changes with Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent Geraldine Herbert.

Last week, NATO held its annual summit in the Hague, Netherlands. Where U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded most NATO countries to commit to a target of 5% of GDP to increase the budget for defence. We are not a member of NATO but with talks about giving up our neutrality policy, we might be left with no choice but to join and pay the €20 billion annual membership fee. For context, this could pay to build a new Metrolink in 2026 and every year thereafter. All to discuss with Economist, Colm McCarthy. 

Egg freezing is a booming business with a 400 percent increase since 2012. But should men consider freezing their sperm? A study found men’s fertility drastically decline for those over the age of 50. Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin Professor Luke O’Neill discusses men’s fertility and their options, including freezing their sperm.

This year’s League of Ireland has already produced a slew of crazy stories and tasty rumours as it heads towards the business end of the season. Whether fact or fiction, fans of the domestic game have always been kept in good supply of drama and debacle-and even a little bit of glamour. The story of the first Brazilian to play in the League of Ireland is a perfect example of this, as Cameron Hill from Off The Ball explains.

Allergic diseases are on the rise here in Ireland for more reason than one. Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden has been investigating the upward trend

In the 1960s, three babies were left at differing locations around the country shortly after their birth. David McBride was found in a Belfast driveway, John Dowling was found in a Drogheda phone box and Helen Ward at a Dundalk phone box. All are siblings. Their story was told in a documentary which aired last night and Helen and David joined Ivan to tell their story.

One of the biggest stories for the past almost two years has been the horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza which seems to get worse on a daily basis The death toll has now passed 57,000 according to health authorities in the Enclave.  Speaking to Ivan is the global spokesperson for UNICEF, James's elder, who only two weeks ago was in Gaza and he outlined what he saw on his recent visit. 

This weekend will see the all-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-finals take place. With Saturday's fixture of Cork and Dublin selling out, in a little over two hours. Stand tickets were priced at €60, which is €5 more than last year.  This begs the question, are we getting our money's worth from these rising prices? All to discuss with Diarmuid Lyng, Former Wexford Hurling Captain and Maurice Brosnan, Senior Sportswriter for The Irish Examiner.

Joining Ivan on the show this morning was Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology, to answer your dermatology questions and to give expert advice on skincare treatments and more. 

Less than one week out to a deadline for a deal on tariffs between the European Union and the United States, where do negotiations stand? And is it likely that a base rate of 10% tariffs will remain? Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe is in studio to discuss this and the latest around coalition disagreement on college fees.