Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Patients may not be moved into the new children’s hospital until 2026 as moving is delayed over the winter period. It comes as there are reports that costs for the hospital are increasing once more. We get reaction from David Cullinane from Sinn Féin and Columnist, Host of The Irish Medical Lives Podcast and Retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr Chris Luke.

Arthur Cummings, Consultant Eye Surgeon at the Wellington Clinic and Consultant Ophthalmologist at the beacon hospital is our expert today. As well as answering listeners' questions, Arthur speaks about the success of Ocumetra, an Irish data analytics company that helps to manage the symptoms of myopia, or short-sightedness.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

Henry Mc Kean was at the Royal Festival Hal in London for BAFTAs last night where there were a few surprises on the red carpet and in the winner's room. Henry joined Pat live from London.

European leaders gather in Paris for emergency summit on Ukraine. We discuss what this meeting will bring with John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor Of European Integration at Maynooth University.

London is the city with most air access out of Ireland, full of iconic sights, starry shows and offbeat attractions. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with the Irish Independent, is just back. Travel is with thanks to Ryanair.

Paul O’Callaghan, Water Scientist, Filmmaker and Founder of Bluetech research joined Pat on the show today to chat about his new documentary which is showing at the forthcoming Dublin Film Festival.'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey' explores the urgent global water crisis while showcasing solutions that bring hope, from sponge cities to drinkable rivers.

Fear among shop owners in Dublin city centre grow following the fatal stabbing of a man over the weekend. Pat discusses this concern with Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town and also Catherine Ardagh TD, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central.

Google Ireland will be removing reviews of schools online to combat the abuse teachers and schools face online. Pat takes a look at this move by Google with Rachel O’Connor Deputy Director of National Association Principals and Deputy Principals and also Nicola Byrne CEO Riskeye.

Testimonies continue in the trial of the man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on a West New York stage on 12 August 2022. Also six top prosecutors have resigned from the US Justice Department over the controversial order to drop the bribery case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.We get the latest on all this with Harriet Alexander, US Senior Features for The Times and The Sunday Times.

We look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat in studio this morning was James Geoghan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Roderic O’Gorman TD, Leader, Green Party, Dublin West and also Alice Leahy, Director of Alice Leahy Trust.

Chef Gareth Mullins brings us a perfect dish for Valentines weekend.

The prevalence of clothes banks is under the spotlight as local authories are been urged to clean up how they are operated. It comes as there are growing reports of people stealing from the donation bins. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been looking into this, and Josh joined Pat in studio.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will today meet with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference where a potential peace deal with Russia is expected to dominate. Donncha Ó Beacháin from DCU joins us.

Ireland has the lowest spend on defence as a proportion of its economic wealth out of 38 European states, according to a new study. Why does Ireland spends least on defence among 38 European nations? To discuss with Pat was Security and Defence Writer Declan Power.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe discusses the threats a Trump administration to the Irish economy and how the government will manage the instability to the Irish job market. 

Padraig Ó Tuama’s new anthology takes us through 44 poems on human connection. From the highs to the lows this collection covers all aspects of human connection. Padraig read a selection of poems this morning with Pat.

The 1983 Davis Cup tie between Ireland and the US John McEnroe played on the American team. Matt Doyle, who was the star of the Ireland team, passed away last week. Cameron Hill from Off The Ball tells us more.

Cabinet Ministers were left furious after the scrapped Arts Council IT project breached public spending and governance regulation. The issue comes just as Patrick O’Donovan heads up the office with one minister citing it as a “a massive waste of money”. Political Correspondent with the Irish Times Jack Horgan-Jones has more on the story.

This week David discusses a BBC investigation finds that AI's fabricate detail of current events, and are unreliable for reporting. And yet, they're being used everywhere. Also Apple Cider Vinegar and the Belle Gibson story: The Netflix docu-drama tells the story of Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer who faked cancer and was lauded by Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Apple before being exposed.

A group of workers from Pennys won €250,000 in a syndicate lotto group. This was their first major victory after 10 years. Pat spoke to one of the winners Meghan Hynes.