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Rating
2from
This podcast has
818 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Virgin Media OriginalsExplicit
No
Date created
2020/09/15
Latest episode
2026/10/07
Average duration
47 min.
Release period
6 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.
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Check latest episodes from The Tonight Show podcast
Budget Backlash, RTÉ Funding Clash & Public Pay Dispute
2026/10/07
A clash over RTÉ’s funding and reform plans, questions over the future of the TV licence, and the fallout from Budget 2027.
Shane Coleman was joined by:
Niall Collins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice
Cian O’Callaghan, Spokesperson for Finance, Social Democrats
John Lee, Executive Editor, Irish Daily Mail & Mail on Sunday
Dr. Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin
Owen Reidy, ICTU General Secretary
James Geoghegan, Agricultural Contractor
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tax Cuts, Childcare and Cost of Living: Budget 2027 Debate
2026/10/06
Budget 2027 promises more money in workers' pockets, limits on childcare costs and continued relief at the pumps. But will the measures make a meaningful difference to household finances, or leave families struggling with the cost of living?
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers and Sinn Féin's Mairéad Farrell debate the Government's priorities and who stands to gain on #TonightVMTV.
On the show with presenter Shane Coleman:
Jack Chambers TD , Minister for Public Expenditure
Mairead Farrell TD, Sinn Fein
Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent
Alison O'Connor, Journalist
Austin Hughes, Economist
John Dallon, Farmer and protestor
Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice and Policy, St. Vincent de Paul
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland-Israel Games: Did The FAI & Government Fail The Players?
2026/09/30
The FAI faces a grilling before an Oireachtas Committee over safeguarding and governance, against a backdrop of protests outside Leinster House and calls to abandon Sunday’s second game against Israel. Did the beleaguered association come away with a result?
Plus, with less than a week to Budget 2027, new research finds one in four adults aged 35–44 are receiving financial help from their parents, while more than 100,000 public sector workers begin industrial action over pay.
Our political panel examines the deepening cost-of-living pressures.
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State
Daniel Ennis TD, Social Democrats
Louise O'Reilly TD, Sinn Féin
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joyriders, Drumcree Deadlock & Manchester City’s Charges
2026/09/30
Following Joyriders, Ireland’s Lucky Dip Gang on Virgin Media One, our panel examines mobile gang terror, the fallout from the M9 crash and what can be done about joy-riding teenagers.
Plus, the Garvaghy Road standoff enters its third day as Nationalist residents and the Orange Order remain deadlocked in Drumcree. What will break the impasse?
And Manchester City fans get the Blues as the Premier League champions are found guilty of all charges relating to alleged financial rule breaches.
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael
Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Sinn Féin
Robert Cullen, Criminologist and Former Prisoner
John Joe O’Connell Vice President, GRA
Martina Devlin, Columnist and Novelist
Claudia Savage, Ireland reporter for PA based in Belfast
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer at The Independent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 23 September: Social Media in the Dock, AI Under Scrutiny & Micheál Meets Mamdani
2026/09/23
Social media firms face an Oireachtas grilling over dangerous driving videos being shared online. Will new laws help, or is the sharing of harmful material inherent the design of the platforms themselves?
Ireland's AI Minister refutes claims that the Irish presidency had a hand in drafting legislation that would scrap GDPR protections for AI products.
And Micheál Martin meets Mamdani and plays bingo as he ropes in New York's mayor to help strengthen Irish American ties.
The Panel:
Senator Garret Ahearn, Fine Gael
Sinéad Gibney TD, Social Democrats
Claire Scott, Political Correspondent, Sunday Times Ireland
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tue 22 September: Carbon Tax Clash, Global Conflict, Youth Exodus & the Israel Match
2026/09/22
With Budget 2027 just weeks away, we debate Sinn Féin’s renewed push to remove the carbon tax from home heating oil and the wider pressure on Government over the cost of living.
We also go live to New York as world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine and the energy crisis on the agenda.
Plus, why are so many young people considering leaving Ireland?
And as controversy grows over Ireland’s Nations League fixture against Israel, former international footballer Kevin Kilbane joined us to discuss the calls for a boycott and the FAI’s decision to play the game.
On the panel:
John Lahart TD, Fianna Fáil
Pearse Doherty TD, Spokesperson on Finance, Sinn Fein
Gráinne Ní Aodha, News reporter, Irish Examiner
Zara King, News Correspondent, Virgin Media News
Kevin Kilbane, former Irish International footballer
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 16 September: Metrolink Costs, Irish Unity & The Neutrality Debate
2026/09/16
Metrolink returns to the Dáil agenda as the project enters the tender phase, with concerns its price tag could rise beyond €17.5 billion.
Plus, Micheál Martin accuses Sinn Féin of a “strategic error” over Irish unity, while Ursula von der Leyen proposes a stronger EU security response to threats including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incursions. Could Ireland’s military non-alignment pose a challenge?
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Edward Timmins TD, Fine Gael
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Spokesperson
Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent, Euronews
Cónal Thomas, Political Correspondent, Irish independent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 15 September: Fuel Prices: Can Budget Measures Prevent A Repeat Of The Protests?
2026/09/16
The Ploughing Championships get underway as soaring fuel and energy prices put pressure on farmers. With diesel now above €2 a litre, will proposed tax cuts and subsidies in the Budget prevent a repeat of this spring’s fuel protests?
Plus, despite a series of wrong-way driving incidents on Irish motorways, just six Gardaí are expected to have received pursuit training by the end of the year due to a shortage of trained instructors.
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Peter "Chap" Cleere TD, Fianna Fáil
Michael Fitzmaurice TD, Independent Ireland
Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist and Senior Research Officer, ESRI
Trina O'Connor, Criminologist
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wednesday 9 September: GAA Turmoil, Tougher Citizenship Rules and Trump in Doonbeg
2026/09/09
The fallout from the GAA integration row, tougher proposed citizenship rules and the political debate around Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland are among the issues discussed.
Shane Coleman was joined by:
Aisling Maher, Co-Chair of the National Executive Committee for the Gaelic Players Association
Cora Staunton, former Mayo Footballer and Broadcaster
Shane Moynihan TD, Fianna Fail
Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats
Peadar Toibín TD, Aontú
Ciara O'Loughlin, Political Correspondent, The Irish Mirror
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 8 September: Budget help or budget hype?”
2026/09/08
Coalition divisions over a potential stamp duty cut for first-time buyers, tax reform and whether a second tier of Child Benefit could help tackle child poverty are among the issues discussed.
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
John Clendennen TD, Fine Gael
Rose Conway Walsh TD, Sinn Fein
Mary Regan, Political Editor, The Irish Independent
Dr. Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 1 September: Defence & Neutrality: Is Ireland “Freeloading” On Its Neighbours?
2026/09/01
European Defence Ministers meet in Ireland as questions grow over the country’s limited defence capabilities and reliance on its nearest neighbour for security. With closer NATO ties also under discussion, how much pressure is Irish neutrality under?
Plus, as cost-of-living pressures mount, how long can Government continue deferring carbon taxes and reversing excise cuts to shield households from rising prices?
Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:
Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State
Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Sinn Fein
Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg
Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Remembering Glen Hansard
2026/07/30
Tributes continue following the death of Glen Hansard. Friends and colleagues reflect on the life and legacy of the Oscar-winning musician and frontman of The Frames, described by Bono as the "Voice of the streets".
Plus, our final political panel of the season debates the deepening legal aid dispute, an under-subscribed fuel support scheme despite months of protests, and looks back on a turbulent 18 months of Donald Trump's second term ahead of the US midterms.
Shane Coleman is joined by Victoria Mary Clarke, Niall Stanage, Paula Butterly, Michael Fitzmaurice and Kevin Doyle.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump, Zelenskyy and a Shifting Global Order
2026/07/28
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet again at the White House — has their turbulent relationship finally thawed?
As wildfires rage across France and Spain, and firefighters battle blazes in Munster, is Ireland prepared for more extreme fire seasons?
Plus, the All-Ireland celebrations continue in Ballyhaunis.
Shane Coleman is joined by Robert Troy, Patricia Stephenson, Larry Donnelly, Naomi O’Leary and John Gibbons.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can €8.5 Billion Deliver Budget 2027?
2026/07/23
The Government has set aside €8.5 billion for tax measures and higher spending ahead of Budget 2027. But how far will that money go — and does the Government have the fiscal discipline to deliver?
Plus, RTÉ's latest pay figures spark fresh debate, with executives making up nine of the broadcaster's top 10 earners.
Shane Coleman is joined by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, James Geoghegan, Pearse Doherty and Dr Emma Howard.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday 21 July: Income Tax Cuts: Relief For Workers Or Risk To Public Finances?
2026/07/21
Finance Minister Simon Harris says income tax cuts will be a priority for Budget 2027, but questions remain over whether narrowing the tax base is economically sustainable and who will benefit from a proposed savings scheme.
Meanwhile, with energy prices facing renewed pressure from tensions in the Persian Gulf, we ask whether the Government is doing enough to protect households from potential winter cost shocks.
Guest Presenter Fionnan Sheahan was joined by:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs
Michael Taft, Researcher, SIPTU
Megan O’Brien, Political Reporter, Business Post
Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor, Financial Times
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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