The Tonight Show

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 

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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.

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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.

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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