The Tonight Show

The Government has set aside €8.5 billion for tax measures and higher spending ahead of Budget 2027. But how far will that money go — and does the Government have the fiscal discipline to deliver?
Plus, RTÉ's latest pay figures spark fresh debate, with executives making up nine of the broadcaster's top 10 earners.
Shane Coleman is joined by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, James Geoghegan, Pearse Doherty and Dr Emma Howard.
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Finance Minister Simon Harris says income tax cuts will be a priority for Budget 2027, but questions remain over whether narrowing the tax base is economically sustainable and who will benefit from a proposed savings scheme.

Meanwhile, with energy prices facing renewed pressure from tensions in the Persian Gulf, we ask whether the Government is doing enough to protect households from potential winter cost shocks.

Guest Presenter Fionnan Sheahan was joined by:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs
Michael Taft, Researcher, SIPTU
Megan O’Brien, Political Reporter, Business Post
Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor, Financial Times
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Ireland’s extended heatwave has raised questions about how prepared the country is for extreme weather, as a hosepipe ban was announced, crèches closed early, roads melted and fires raged in Kerry.

The panel also examined the angry exchanges in the Dáil over plans for apartments on part of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site, where the remains of 859 children are still unaccounted for.

Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:

John ConnollyTD, Fianna Fáil
Senator Laura Harmon, Labour
Elaine Dunne, Chairperson, Federation of Early Childhood Providers
Prof. John Sweeney, Maynooth University
Patricia Carey, Special Advocate for Survivors
Cllr Terry Shannon (FF), Cork City Council
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Are scramblers and e-scooters becoming an epidemic of reckless behaviour? Can Ireland protect artists from industrial-scale AI copyright theft? And as the World Cup reaches the semi-finals… is it ever acceptable to support England?

Shane Coleman was joined by:

Michael Murphy TD, Fine Gael
Daniel Ennis TD, Social Democrats
Orla Ryan, News Reporter, The Irish Times
Sarah Glennane, CEO, Screen Composers Guild of Ireland
David Keenan, Singer-songwriter
Simon Tierney, Journalist
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Metrolink moves a step closer after Transport Infrastructure Ireland acquires a major section of O’Connell Street, but questions remain over rising costs and whether Ireland’s biggest infrastructure project could become a financial burden.

Meanwhile, concerns grow over e-scooter safety after almost half of Temple Street’s ICU beds are occupied by children with head injuries linked to accidents, prompting calls for tighter regulation.

And the FAI votes on whether to proceed with the controversial Ireland vs Israel fixtures — but will the decision settle the debate?

Shane Coleman was joined by:
Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, Fianna Fáil
Aidan O’Farrelly TD, Soc Dems
Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor, Irish Examiner
Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor, Irish Independent
John Joe O'Connell, Vice President, GRA
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