The Pat Kenny Show

We take a look back on the news stories of the week with our Friday Forum. Joining Pat in the studio today was Peadar Tobin Leader of Aontu, SF Louise O’ Reilly Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal, and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance. Fine Gael TD Dún Laoghaire. Spokesperson on Equality.

We discuss a week of tumult in France, from de Gaulle's grandson being pro-Russian to ongoing protests on pension reform with Lara Marlowe France Correspondent for the Irish Times.

Gareth Mullins brings us a delicious brunch dish for the bank holiday weekend. Turkish eggs with sourdough toast!!

Exciting tech including robots delivering supplies Jess Kelly brings us a report on the new Children’s Hospital and just some of the technology that will be used.

A welcome return of the 6 nations with Ireland facing Wales in the opening fixture on Saturday. All this and more with Kathleen McNamee from Off The Ball.

A government minister has publicly pledged his support for coursing as the Irish Council Against Blood Sports ratchets up a campaign to outlaw the sport.

We ask should hare coursing be outlawed or if is it far safer than its detractors say. To debate Pat spoke to Niall Collins, Minister of State for Further and Higher Education and also Aideen Yourell, spokesperson with the Irish Council Against Blood.

Owner of Supermacs Pat McDonagh joined Pat on the show this morning to discuss what he calls the culture of settling injury claims outside court.

Could young people on the live register fill gaps as the labour shortage bites? To discuss Pat spoke to Michael O’Loughlin, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Youth Work Ireland and also John Barry, managing director of management support services and a member of ISME.

Around 300 people turned out for an anti-immigration protest in Co-Westmeath last night. The Department of Integration is currently working in co-operation with the Defence Forces on a plan to use Columb Barracks in Mullingar as temporary refugee accommodation.

120 male asylum seekers will be living in five tents and are expected to move in at the end of the month. Locals say there has been no consultation

Some politicians have called for an end to these protests, but should people have the right to? And how intimidating are these protests for asylum seekers? Our reporter Barry Whyte reports for us.

La Feile Bride, daoibh! Yes, next Monday, February 6th will mark the inaugural Brigid's day public holiday in Ireland. Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden explore the twisting tales of our Matron Saint, her pagan past and her increasing relevance in the Modern World.