Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Seventeen years after banks stopped offering tracker mortgages here, a tracker-type mortgage is coming back to the Irish market courtesy of Avant Money.

As we know we are increasingly in a renewable revolution. with our energy being created by wind turbines and the cars we drive being powered by batteries Creating these products requires certain rare earth minerals, of which many are found deep on the ocean floor. But how do you extract these minerals from the sea and could it harm the environment in the process? Ivan discuss this and more with Andy Wheeler Professor of Geology at UCC.

More motorists are turning to public transport as people cut back on the amount of driving they do because of rising fuel prices. Personal Finance Editor of the Irish Independent has the story and chatted to Ivan this morning. 

Google has announced that it will start to phase out Assistant in exchange for Gemini. The announcement has resulted in my Google users opting for Apple. Irish Times Tech Correspondent Ciara O’Brien brings us the details.

Veterinary practices in rural Ireland are struggling to attract and retain young vets, largely because of the antisocial hours involved in farm work, but Archerfield clinic in Kilkenny city has come up with a solution.

The new season of Formula One kicked off down under in Melbourne. Mclaren driver Lando Norris took the first-place podium, while F1 legend Lewis Hamilton had a slow start in the Ferrari uniform. Newstalk’s Rory Galvin runs through the highs and lows of the first weekend in.

Wellness Coach John Belton joins us to discuss how to begin your strength training journey, and its many health benefits.

While there are 70 extra apprenticeships offered in Ireland there is still a gap in their uptake. Why is this? Ivan discussed this further with Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary of Connect Trade Union and also Guidance Counsellor Brian Mooney

For three years now we the birth information and tracing act has been law.  This bill gave adopted people access rights to key birth information. We hear about the workings of the adoption authority with Orlaith Traynor is the Chair of the Adoption Authority of Ireland

Amidst the Irish housing crisis, could there be an alternative solution, aside from the 40,000 promised annual new builds? The Hardware Association of Ireland believes there may be a solution, in vacant above the shop units. Ivan was joined on the show by Martin Markey Chief Executive of the Hardware Association Ireland. 

Conor McGregor visits the White House and claims to be speaking for the people of Ireland when it comes to immigration issues, the Government have distanced themselves from the comments. Ivan spoke to Fionnan Sheahan about the visit and reaction.

Time for our weekly news review with our Friday Forum panel. This morning joining Ivan in studio was Sarah McGuinness Politocal Correspondent Irish Daily Mail, Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Fingal West Ruth Coppinger, PBP Solidarity TD for Dublin West and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at NUIG.   

Today Gareth brings us a bank holiday recipe of beef and Guinness and stew as well as apple crumb. 

It's the final day of 2025 Cheltenham Festival as the race opens with the JCB Triumph Hurdle. John Duggan previews the day ahead of the highly anticipated Gold Cup. 

Man UTD and Tottenham kept their hopes of silverware alive last night with both teams winning comprehensively. We have a massive weekend of sport ahead as Ireland hope to win their third consecutive 6 nations title, GAA and formula one is back !

Residents in Finglas have concerns over plans to open a gaming arcade in the village. They say there are already enough gambling outlets in the area even though the number of bookmakers has declined by 47%. Newstalk Report Josh Crosbie has been talking to residents.

Scabies is on the rise in Ireland.  In 2024, there were 51 scabies outbreaks in Ireland, almost twice the number notified in 2023. Outbreaks in Ireland occurred across a variety of settings.

This year we will elect a new president of Ireland, with Higgins's stint coming to an end after serving the maximum two terms allowed under the condition. We ask is it time to extent the vote to Irish abroad ? Ivan discusses this with Emma de Souza, Spokesperson for VotingRights.ie,  

A Dublin judge has found that Tusla did not comply with court directions to return cases to court where a social worker was not allocated to a child in their care within four weeks. Judge Conor Fottrell conducted the inquiry. Ivan discuss this further with Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor, Irish Independent who had the story today.

From the Gouch, The Juice or even Briefcase, sports stars over the years have from rugby, GAA and even darts are known only by their nicknames. Off the Ball’s Phil Egan looks at some of weirdest sports nicknames throughout history.