Nearly 14% of children are exempt from Irish and now schools have been told that they cannot award exemptions for the study of Irish on the basis of psychologists’. So what has lead to the increase in secondary school students opting out of Irish?

Pat discusses this with Carl O’Brien, Education Editor with The Irish Times and Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir, Former Deputy Dean at the Institute of Education at DCU. 

We are in for a real treat this week. Gareth Mullins takes us through a delicious profiteroles recipe.

David Robert Grimes brings us through some of the myths being peddled surrounding the LA Wildfires, including by some prominent public figures. 

Aldi Ireland is calling on aspiring Irish entrepreneurs to apply to the ‘Grow with Aldi’ programme. Successful applicants will see their products stocked in 162 stores nationwide.  Cassie Stokes, Foodie Content Creator and ALDI brand ambassador told Pat all about this year's programme.

As Trump's inauguration is on Monday Newstalk's own Simon Tierney brings us this report on moments from the history of American inaugurations. From JFK's famous inauguration speech in 1961, Obama messing up his oath in 2009 and having to redo it later in the day, to Trump's infamous 'America First' speech in 2017. 

266 motorists were caught using their mobile phones when driving during a Garda national day of action to detect the offences. Gardaí used their lorry cab in helping to catch those using the mobile phones.

Cork native and stand-up comedian Chris Kent is performing the biggest gig of his career ‘offline’ at the marquee in cork this July. The show follows the funny stories of how Chris gave up the internet entirely last year.    

Additionally, Chris has joined the cohort of Ireland's biggest comedians at cherry comedy’s stand-up for Gaza gig at Dublin's iconic vicar street to kick off 2025. Chris joined Pat on the show today.

The science of sleep and the hidden dangers of sleeping tablets. All up for discussion with Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College  Luke O'Neill.

This weekend, the highlight of the Irish basketball season takes place at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght with the National Cup finals down for decision. This year, the finals weekend coincides with the anniversary of the first publication of the rules of the sport back in 1891. Here to tell us more is Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill.

More than 4,400 fines were issued to motorists by gardaí for parking on footpaths last year. The Dublin Metropolitan Region North had the highest number, with over 1,170 fixed penalty notices issued. 

 The figures have been obtained from the Minister for Justice through a Sinn Fein Parliamentary question.  Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been speaking to those who want greater enforcement, and those who are calling for a more localised approach.