
Advertise on podcast: The Tonight Show
Rating
2from
This podcast has
779 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Virgin Media OriginalsExplicit
No
Date created
2020/09/15
Latest episode
2026/04/22
Average duration
47 min.
Release period
4 days
Description
A sharp look at the major stories shaping Ireland and the world. Expect thoughtful analysis and robust discussion on the country’s only independent TV current affairs programme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Unlock The Tonight Show podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details

Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details
Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from The Tonight Show podcast
Wednesday 22 April - Oil Prices Surge as Hormuz Tensions Rise | Varadkar Apologises After Rural Backlash
2026/04/22
Oil markets are on edge as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensify, raising fears of a further supply shock that could ripple through the global economy.
With a fragile ceasefire in place and Iran signalling its leverage over key shipping routes, how exposed are markets - and how might Washington respond?
At home, Leo Varadkar has apologised after remarks about rural Ireland triggered a political backlash.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Anthony Scaramucci, Financier and former White House Communications Director
Michael Murphy TD, Fine Gael
Michael Fitzmaurice TD, Independent Ireland
Daniel Murray, Policy Editor, Business Post
Sadhbh O'Neill, Climate Journalist
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 21 April - More Homes, Fewer Rules? ‘Shed-Sits’ Plan Revived - And Pressure Builds Over How To Use €9bn Surplus
2026/04/21
Government drops plans to cap rental income on backyard modular homes — solution or risk of costly, low-quality builds?
Plus: With a €9bn surplus and growth still forecast amid the “worst energy crisis in history”, should the State spend or hold firm?
Guest presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Seamus McGrath TD, Fianna Fáil
Ged Nash TD, Labour Party spokesperson on Finance, Public Expenditure & Reform.
Dr. Emma Howard, Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin.
Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News, Irish Independent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 15 April - Fuel Cuts, Rising Prices & Coalition Pressure Mounts
2026/04/15
Fuel excise cut by 10c a litre overnight — but with oil prices volatile and global tensions rising, are these short-term supports worth it?
Public anger grows over fuel protests. A resignation, backbench unrest and warnings the “social contract is strained to breaking point” — is pressure now mounting on the Government?
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by John Clendennen, Gary Gannon, Mary Regan and John Fitzgerald.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 14 April - Healy-Rae Resigns & Government Confidence Shaken
2026/04/14
A huge Dáil shock — Michael Healy-Rae resigns as Minister of State and votes no confidence in the Government following fuel protest chaos.
Heated clashes erupt as pressure mounts. Has the Government lost the dressing room — and what are the lasting consequences?
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by Timmy Dooley, Claire Kerrane, Claire Scott and Fionnán Sheahan, with reporting from Gavan Reilly.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 8 April - Fuel Standoff at Home, Ceasefire Strain Abroad
2026/04/08
Fuel protests are intensifying across Ireland, with blockades entering a second day and pressure mounting on Government to intervene.
Protesters insist they will not move without direct talks, as the Minister for Justice claimed that an “unelected group” is disrupting the country.
Meanwhile, tensions ease slightly in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump has pulled back, with Iran agreeing to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks as a ceasefire begins. But uncertainty remains, with Israel saying it has halted attacks on Iran while continuing strikes in Lebanon.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, Fianna Fáil
Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin
Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, Irish Examiner
James Geoghegan, Agricultural contractor
Kevin McPartlan, CEO, Fuels for Ireland
Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs Journalist
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 7 April - Convoys And Consequences: Fuel Protests Grip Ireland
2026/04/07
Fuel protests have caused disruption across Ireland, with convoys from multiple counties slowing key routes into Dublin amid growing anger over rising costs.
While major representative groups are not formally involved, the pressure from farmers, hauliers and contractors is clear - and questions are mounting over whether the government will be forced to act.
Could fuel rationing become a reality - and if so, who gets priority?
Meanwhile, attention shifts to the Middle East, where tensions are escalating.
Iran is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a US-backed ceasefire deal.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael
Peadar Toibín TD, Aontú
Ciara O'Loughlin, Political Correspondent, The Irish Mirror
John Dallon, Farmer and protestor
Anthony Zurcher, BBC’s North America correspondent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 1 April - NATO Questions, Fuel Disruptions and Lunar Lift Off
2026/04/02
Donald Trump warns the US can leave Iran “pretty quickly” and return if necessary ahead of his address tonight — but will he also withdraw from NATO?
Meanwhile, Europe faces aviation fuel disruptions from early May, with air fares expected to rise. The EU Commissioner for Energy urges remote working and reduced travel, and government guidance on conserving energy is expected in the coming weeks.
And in space news, Artemis II set for orbit, marking the first fully-crewed lunar mission since 1972.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Shane Moynihan TD, Fianna Fail
Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats
Daniel McConnell, Editor, Business Post
Leo Enright, Space Commentator & Broadcaster
Amy Tarkanian, Republican Strategist
Prof Lisa Ryan, UCD
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 31 March - Fuel Fears, US-Iran Fallout & Israel’s Military Measures
2026/04/01
Time to fill up?
With the EU warning of a prolonged disruption to energy markets due to the Iran conflict, questions mount over rationing and whether the government may soon ask the public to conserve energy.
Meanwhile, a frustrated Trump criticises Western allies’ reluctance to engage in the war, even as US-Iran talks are described as “productive”
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Joe Neville TD, Fine Gael spokesperson on Infrastructure and Delivery
Lynn Boylan MEP, Sinn Fein
Aisling Moloney, Political Reporter, Irish Independent
Patrick Bury, former British Army Captain and NATO analyst
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 25th March: Energy Pressures, Cost-of-Living Questions And A Huge Test In Prague
2026/03/25
Fuel prices are beginning to ease, but for how long?
As the government signals that “targeted and temporary” supports could be revisited, questions remain over whether households are truly out of the woods.
With war-driven energy costs still feeding into inflation, the ESRI warns more pressure is on the way.
Meanwhile, confusion surrounds Donald Trump’s claims of “very good” talks with Iran - raising fresh uncertainty about where the conflict is heading.
And in Prague, thousands of Irish fans gather ahead of a crucial World Cup playoff.
Can the Boys in Green take a major step towards ending a 24-year wait?
Shane Coleman was joined by:
John Connolly TD, Fianna Fail
Duncan Smith TD, Labour
Megan O’Brien, Political Reporter, Business Post
Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie
Elaine Burke, Technology Journalist
Ray Houghton, Former Ireland International
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 24th March - Economic Pressure, Political Tensions And Ireland’s Next Moves
2026/03/24
The pressure is building on the government as economic uncertainty and rising costs continue to dominate the agenda.
On the show, we asked what more can be done to support households and businesses.
Plus, the political stakes are rising, with key policy choices set to shape the direction of the economy and the government’s response.
Shane Coleman is joined by:
Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Rose Conway-Walsh TD, Sinn Fein
Martina Lawless, Director, ESRI
Lorcan Roche Kelly, Business Editor, Irish Farmers Journal
Ann-Marie Keegan, Virgin Media Sports Reporter
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 18 March - Rising Fuel Costs And Global Tensions: Ireland’s Energy Challenge
2026/03/18
Ireland faces a triple energy challenge — the Government plans an “appropriate intervention” to tackle rising fuel costs, oil prices spike after gas field attacks in Iran and Qatar, and debate grows over whether to buy US liquified natural gas to keep American tech firms satisfied.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Martin Daly TD, Fianna Fáil
Richard Boyd Barrett TD, People Before Profit-Solidarity
Dr. Emma Howard, Lecturer in Economics TU Dublin
Larry Donnelly, Lawyer and Political Columnist
Richard Chambers, News Correspondent, Virgin Media News
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday, 11th March - Oil Crisis And Oval Office Politics: How Exposed Is Ireland?
2026/03/11
The International Energy Agency has agreed the largest release of oil reserves in history, while the EU is considering measures to subsidise gas prices. Yet oil continues to climb as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and Tehran threatens prices of up to $200 a barrel while targeting tankers. So how bad could the economic fallout become - and should the government cut energy taxes and suspend the carbon tax to protect Irish consumers?
Plus, as the Taoiseach prepares to travel to Washington, reports suggest he is bringing a promise of $6.1 billion in investment to the Oval Office. But with tensions escalating globally, could Ireland’s foreign direct investment advantage face new risks?
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, Fianna Fail
Sorca Clarke TD, Sinn Féin
Aidan Regan, Professor of Political Economy, UCD
Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News, Irish Independent
Sean Bell, Military Analyst
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 10th March - Energy Costs, Iran War And Pressure Before The White House Trip
2026/03/10
The panel discussed rising energy costs and calls for government intervention as concerns grow over fuel affordability.
The panel also examined the escalating Iran war and the potential consequences for global oil supply and the wider economy.
We also looked at the political implications at home, including whether President Connolly’s criticism of the conflict could add pressure on the Taoiseach ahead of his upcoming visit to the White House.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Louise Burne - Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner
James Geoghegan - Fine Gael TD
Michael Fitzmaurice - Independent Ireland TD
Dr. Oliver Browne - Lecturer in Accounting, University College Cork
Ger Hyland - President, Irish Road Haulage Association
Katy Balls, Washington Editor, The Times
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 4 March - Stranded and Soaring Costs: Ireland, the Middle East and Rising Prices
2026/03/04
A first flight brings hope for Irish citizens stranded in the Middle East, but questions remain on how quickly everyone will return.
Plus, rising oil and fuel costs, cost-of-living pressures, and the potential impact on inflation and food prices.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Albert Dolan TD, Fianna Fáil
Matt Carthy TD, Sinn Féin
Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times Ireland
Hannah Murphy, Reporter Virgin Media News at Dublin Airport
Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin
Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs Journalist
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 3 March: Ireland and the Middle East Conflict: War, Diplomacy, and Global Markets
2026/03/03
The Middle East conflict is intensifying, with Iran targeting oil-producing neighbours and global markets rattled.
The #TonightVMTV panel discuss Trump’s five-week timeline, the EU’s stance, Ireland’s position ahead of Micheál Martin’s White House visit, and the impact of doubling gas prices on Irish consumers – including questions around potential price gouging and government intervention.
Guest presenter Shane Coleman is joined by:
Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State
Sinead Gibney TD, Social Democrats
Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, UCD
Secunder Kermani, Foreign Affairs Correspondent in Tel Aviv
Prof Aoife Foley, Chair of Net Zero Infrastructure, University of Manchester
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast sponsorship advertising
Start advertising on The Tonight Show relevant audience podcasts
You may also like to advertise on these Podcasts

4.8103501
Mercedes In The Morning
Audacy

4.8371546
Macro Musings with David Beckworth
Mercatus Center at George Mason University

4.7251215
Crimehub: A True Crime Podcast
Crimehub Studios

4.31211997
Money Life with Chuck Jaffe
Chuck Jaffe

4.8390156
The Winston Marshall Show
Winston Marshall

4.51871629
The Overwhelmed Brain
Paul Colaianni: Relationship and Emotional Abuse Expert

4.9173638
Queer Money®: How Gay People Do Money
Queer Money

4.8176343
Gallant Says
Paul Gallant

4.7541380
How to Get Over Your Ex
Breakup Coach Dorothy

4.51313275
The Mona Charen Show
The Bulwark