The Tonight Show

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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 

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