The Tonight Show

Housing Minister James Browne has played down claims that it could take 15 years to end Ireland’s housing crisis — even though the estimate comes from the Department of Finance. A new mapping exercise suggests the shortage could persist into the 2040s, until building finally catches up with demand.

Joining Kieran Cuddihy to debate the government’s response and what it means for homebuyers:

-Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muirí

-Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney

-Executive Editor, Irish Independent Kevin Doyle

-Solicitor & Planning Law Expert Fred Logue

Later — Donald Trump’s “worst nightmare” Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest in a century. With Democrats celebrating big wins in Virginia and New Jersey, is this the first major test for the Republican Party and President Trump since his return to the White House?

Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute UCD, Scott Lucas for analysis.

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Seven children were among 52 people deported to Georgia last night on a chartered flight from Dublin Airport — the sixth deportation operation so far this year as the government tightens its stance on failed asylum applications.

With the Tánaiste saying migration numbers are now too high, is the coalition shifting to the right on immigration? And what does this signal about attitudes across Ireland?

Joining Kieran Cuddihy to debate this on The Tonight Show:

• Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley
• Sinn Féin TD & Spokesperson on Justice and Migration Matt Carthy
• Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, Irish Examiner

Later — the political fallout from Ivan Yates’s media training for Fianna Fáil sparks tensions within the coalition, and we’ll ask: is a left-wing outsider about to become mayor of America’s biggest city?

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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:

The collapse of Fastway Couriers delivers a “body blow” to an already struggling industry, with hundreds of jobs lost. Is the business a casualty of green taxes and government policy?

On the eve of COP30, are public attitudes toward climate change shifting as policies retreat? And in the wake of the presidential election, do the high numbers of spoilt ballots signal a growing anti-democratic force in Irish politics?

🏛️ John Clendennen TD, Fine Gael

👨‍🏫 Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin and Founder at Ireland Thinks

🏛️ Cllr Linda de Courcy, Independent Ireland

📰 John Gibbons, Journalist & Author

🚚 Ger Hyland, Irish Road Haulage Association President

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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:

With the presidential election over, the fallout has begun.

Government parties are counting the cost of defeat, with Fianna Fáil facing renewed internal unrest and whispers of a no-confidence motion against Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly has accused his party of “shafting” him, deepening the coalition’s woes.

Plus, Stripe co-founder John Collison says Ireland is “stuck” - caught in a web of agencies and red tape that’s stalling progress on housing and infrastructure.

The panel debates: is he right, and have our leaders lost sight of the basics of running a country?

🏛️ John Connolly TD, Fianna Fail

🏛️ Senator Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats

📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner 

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Tensions remain high in Citywest, where protests continue outside a centre for asylum seekers. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has promised a “robust response” to any violence as concerns grow over public safety and community division. Joining the discussion are Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Sinn Féin TD and Justice Spokesperson Matt Carthy, and Eimer McAuley, News Correspondent with The Journal.

Later, outrage after a deepfake video of presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, falsely claiming she had quit the race, spreads online. Could AI manipulation truly sway voters? Adrian Weckler, Irish Independent Technology Editor, and Dr. Susan Leavy, Assistant Professor at UCD’s School of Information and Communication Studies, explore how deepfakes threaten democracy.

Unrest on the ground, deception online — all on The Tonight Show.

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Violence has erupted outside a centre for asylum seekers in Citywest, Dublin, after an alleged sexual assault in the area. A Garda van has been set alight, and fireworks and bottles thrown at officers.

Journalist Ronan McGreevy reports live from the scene, as our panel — Fianna Fáil Senator Dee Ryan, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, entrepreneur Declan Ganley, and Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay — debate what’s driving the unrest.

Later, with just three days to go until the presidential election, nearly half the electorate say neither candidate represents them. Could a growing campaign to spoil votes send a message — or backfire?

Tensions on the streets, frustration at the polls — all on The Tonight Show.

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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:

With just days to go before voters head to the polls, our panel analyses The Big Interview with Colette Fitzpatrick, dissecting Heather Humphreys’ performance and presidential vision.

Plus, controversy over a Fine Gael attack ad targeting Catherine Connolly - a legitimate challenge or a sign of campaign panic?

🏛️ Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael

🏛️ Ciarán Ahern TD, Labour

📰 Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent

📰 Jenny Maguire, Activist and Columnist

📰 Sarah Carey, Columnist

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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:

From waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida services at CHI to renewed delays in completing the National Children’s Hospital, the government’s record on children’s health comes under the spotlight.

Plus, will the forcing through of the vote of confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris defuse the risk of a debate on disabilities during the final week of the presidential campaign? 

🏛️ Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Fine Gael

🏛️ David Cullinane, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson

📰 Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor, Medical Independent 

📰 Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, Irish Examiner 

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On The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:

Are Irish households being ripped off? With electricity bills three times higher than wholesale costs, we ask if price-gouging, over reliance on data centres, or a lack of regulation are to blame for Ireland’s energy crisis.

Plus, swimmer Shane Ryan explains why he’s joining the so-called “drug and steroid Olympics” - the controversial Enhanced Games.

🏛️ Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, Fianna Fáil 

🏛️ Conor Sheahan TD, Labour 

📰 Liz Carolan, Tech and Democracy Journalist

📰 Emmet Ryan, Journalist

📰 Darragh Cassidy, Bonkers.ie

🏊 Shane Ryan, Former Olympic Swimmer

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As all remaining Israeli hostages are freed and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released, the U.S. President hails a lasting peace in Gaza — but can it truly hold, and at what cost? Conflict mediator Oliver McTernan, former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews, and Irish Independent Executive Editor Kevin Doyle share their insights.

Earlier, The Tonight Show also examines Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly’s performance on The Big Interview with Colette Fitzpatrick, with analysis from Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU, and Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News, Irish Independent.

Global diplomacy, political ambition, and the fight for lasting peace — all on this episode of The Tonight Show.

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