Drivetime
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Episodes
Public sector strikes: Government reaction
Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs, discusses the ongoing public sector pay dispute and recent strike action on Drive Time.
Public sector strikes: Should Taoiseach intervene?
This Drivetime episode examines the ongoing public sector pay dispute in Ireland, featuring Sinn Féin’s Mairead Farrell and Fianna Fáil’s Peter Chapcliffe.
Porridge pests cause Ready Brek recall
This Drivetime segment discusses the recall of Ready Break and Tesco porridge due to flower beetle contamination, featuring former FSAI CEO Alan Riley and home economist Agnes Boucher-Hayes.
Waterford vigil after fatal fire
This episode covers the tragic murder of the English family in Waterford, where Kim and Philip English and their two children were killed in a house fire linked to a drug debt.
Public sector strikes to go ahead on Wednesday
This episode previews a 24-hour strike by over 300,000 Irish public sector workers, detailing disruptions to healthcare, schools, and government services.
Local reaction in Waterford after fatal fire
This episode covers a deliberate arson attack in Waterford that killed Philip and Kim English and two of their children, while two others remain in critical condition.
Will you meet by the Dublin D?
The new "Dublin D" sculpture has been unveiled at the top of Grafton Street, featuring letters made of materials like oak and water to represent the city's identity.
International AI Summit in Dublin
An international AI summit in Dublin, part of Ireland’s EU presidency, brings together executives from OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google to discuss business opportunities.
The First Home Scheme
Michael Broderick, CEO of the First Home Scheme, explains how the program bridges funding gaps for first-time buyers by providing equity shares in exchange for additional capital.
Public sector strikes set for Wednesday
Public sector strikes in Ireland are set to proceed on Wednesday after unions rejected Minister Jack Chambers' last-minute appeal to postpone action for urgent talks.
Are you losing money due to social awkwardness?
Hosts Colm and Katie explore why Irish people hesitate to ask for small loans, citing a study that politeness costs the average adult €150 annually.
Residents lose bid to challenge Drumcree parade decision
Drivetime discusses the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of Garvahie Road residents’ bid to challenge the Parades Commission’s decision to allow the Drumcree Parade.
George Gibney sentenced to over 15 years
Former swimming coach George Gibney was sentenced to 15.
Should parents be responsible for crimes by children?
Minister of State Catherine Ardagh discusses proposals to modernize the 25-year-old Children’s Act, aiming to lower thresholds for parental…
Will Budget 27 help adult children with intellectual disabilities?
Enda O’Brien from the Kerry Before We Die group discusses the inadequacy of new disability residential funding, noting that only 100 of the announced 212 placements are for planned care.
Are rural pubs happy with their Budget 27 lot?
John Cook visits Broderick's Bar in Kilconnell, East Galway, to explore the vital role of rural pubs as community hubs amid over 2,000 closures in two decades.
Is it time to do away with homework?
Drive Time explores whether homework should be abolished, featuring teacher Conor Murphy, who has not assigned homework for 25 years to ensure equity for students with difficult home lives.
Public sector strikes loom over Government
Hosts Colm and guests Richard Boyd Barrett and Seamus McGrath debate the standoff over Irish public sector pay, with strikes looming for over 300,000 workers.
The Catch Up
Hosts Colm and Katie discuss the controversy surrounding homework in Irish primary schools, debating its role in reinforcing learning versus the stress it places on young children and parents.
Concerns over AI use for mental health support
This Drivetime segment features Emeritus Professor Alan Smeaton discussing the growing reliance on AI chatbots for mental health support, noting that…
RTE and Minister O'Donovan meet over funding
This episode covers the fallout from Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s decision to cut €20 million from RTE’s funding, citing dissatisfaction with the broadcaster’s reform progress.
Minister Foley on childcare cost cap
Minister Norma Foley joins Drivetime to discuss the new €550 monthly childcare cap, explaining that it will take effect in September to align with the academic year.
Is the investment scheme right for you?
This episode analyzes Ireland’s new state-backed investment account, which offers a €50,000 tax-free threshold and a €12,000 annual contribution limit.
Flu strains and vaccines
The HSE has launched its winter vaccination programme, urging those over 60 and individuals with underlying conditions to get flu and COVID-19 shots.
INMO hold lunchtime protests
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation members held lunchtime protests across hospitals to highlight delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal.
Who is the new investment scheme for?
This episode analyzes Ireland’s new personal investment accounts, allowing €12,000 annual tax-free contributions with a 1% levy on balances over €50,000.
Minister cuts RTÉ funding over pace of reforms
RTE faces a €20m funding cut for 2027 after the Minister for Culture cited dissatisfaction with reform progress, prompting a strong rebuttal from the broadcaster’s leadership.
Are there mixed messages over screens for kids?
This episode explores the conflicting messages parents face when schools mandate screen-based homework while simultaneously warning against excessive device use.
Eczema - your questions answered
This Drivetime episode, featuring consultant dermatologist Katrina Ryan, addresses Eczema Awareness Month by answering listener questions about managing flare-ups during the cold season.
Minister O'Brien on carbon tax, retrofit, Budget
Minister Dara O’Brien discusses the recent budget’s carbon tax cuts on home heating oil and petrol, defending them as targeted cost-of-living measures that do not reduce the €3.
Budget 2027: Opposition reaction
Sinn Féin’s Piers Doherty argues the budget’s tax cuts are “gone before you get it” due to rising energy and grocery costs, criticizing the partial carbon tax reduction and fuel allowance changes.
Budget 2027: Reaction in Limerick and Dublin
This episode of Drivetime covers the reaction to Ireland's 2027 budget, focusing on the extension of fuel excise cuts and reduced carbon tax on home heating oil.
Budget 2027: Further reaction
John Dallon, a fuel protest organizer, criticizes the Irish budget for offering only a minor kerosene tax cut and failing to address the cost-of-living crisis for pensioners and workers.
Budget 2027: Analysis
Ireland’s Budget 2027 delivers an €8.
Budget 2027: Minister Jack Chambers
Minister Jack Chambers defends Budget 2027 on Drivetime, countering opposition claims that the measures are insufficient for average workers.
Road safety and drink driving
Laura Connolly shares her personal story of surviving a fatal drunk-driving crash in 2009 that killed her partner and friend.
Schools on strike
Teachers and special needs assistants in Ireland have begun work-to-rule action, causing minor disruptions to school drop-off times.
Getting your bed winter ready
Home decor expert Frances Brennan joins the show to share essential tips for preparing your bed for winter.
Pre-budget - what do people want?
John Cook reports from Kilkenny on how families are coping with rising costs ahead of Budget 2027.
Should you pay a fare for your pet on public transport?
Rail Users Ireland proposes charging pet owners up to half an adult fare for large animals on public transport to reflect the space they occupy, a practice common in Europe.
Budget update and culture card
Political correspondent Barry Lenahan reports on final budget negotiations, highlighting the inclusion of a culture card for 16-year-olds, potential…
The Catch Up
Christina Finn and Alan Barrett discuss the stress of commuting, arguing that public transport fares and traffic congestion require better infrastructure rather than more roads.
Europe scrambles after Trump's diesel threat
This episode covers the G7 agreement to release 100 million barrels of oil reserves, a move driven by President Trump’s threat to ban US diesel exports unless France and Germany released their stocks.
Commuter Crunch - Day 5
This episode of Drivetime examines Dublin’s severe traffic congestion, debating whether a congestion charge is the right solution.
Chambers warns departments over overspending
Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy discusses the tense final days of the 2027 budget negotiations, noting that Minister Jack Chambers is strictly…
Commuter Crunch - Day 4
This episode examines commuter challenges in Limerick and on Ireland’s rail network.
Bathroom setback at new Children's Hospital
The National Children’s Hospital faces further delays with 240 bathrooms requiring corrective works and unresolved fire safety issues.
Comptroller and Auditor General report
This Drive Time episode examines the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on Irish public spending, featuring Fianna Fáil TD Albert Dolan and Fine Gael TD Paul Lawless.
Your questions on customs charges answered
Revenue’s Ray Ryan explains the new €2 union handling fee on non-EU imports, effective November 2026, which supplements existing customs duties.
Commuter Crunch - Day 3
This Drivetime episode explores the "commuter crunch" through listener stories about frustrating bus routes and long commutes in Dublin and Galway.