This Week

This Week

A look at events making the news in Ireland over the last week, presented by Justin McCarthy. Listen live every Sunday at 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

Episodes

August 3, 2025 5 mins
New rules came into force requiring makers of artificial intelligence models to ensure their systems are safe and transparent. While EU's AI Act means the Government must police the companies providing AI tools, the US vows to cut red tape for the sector. RTÉ Work and Technology Correspondent Brian O'Donovan reported on the latest in tech.
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Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told the PCSA this week that extreme online pornography is radicalising some men into normalising violence against women. We were joined by Gemma Kelly, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the UK-based Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation, who are campaigning for age checks on pornography sites.
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Four years ago the government promised to introduce a new monthly payment for children living in Direct Provision, which would be in line with Child Benefit. That was never implemented. Justin went to Limerick to meet with three young mothers living in Direct Provision who are rearing children on a tight budget.
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The University of Galway has sent out 40,000 fliers asking people in the city to make accommodation available for students ahead of the new semester. Student unions say this year the accommodation crisis is worse than ever. RTÉ reporter Charlie McGinley has been meeting students in Galway, and he shared what he has learned with us on the show.
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Earlier this week the UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced that his government would recognise the state of Palestine by September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. As of today three G7 countries are putting pressure on Israel. Gideon Levy, an Israeli journalist and writer, told us whether the coalition is likely to impact Israel.
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August 3, 2025 2 mins
Storm Floris is on its way to Ireland bringing wet and windy weather for the end of the Bank Holiday Weekend. Gerry Murphy, Senior Forecaster with Met Eireann, joined us in studio to tell us everything about the coming weather.
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It remains unclear whether pharmaceuticals in Ireland will be tariffed under the new Tariff deal between the EU and the US. Brad Setser, former economist with the US treasury and senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank, told us what impact the tariffs could have on the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland.
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The Indian embassy issued a warning about an increase of physical attacks on Indian people in Ireland. We were joined on the show by Dr Santosh Yadav, a data scientist from India who has been in Ireland for the past four years, and who was attacked by a group of teenagers on an evening walk last Sunday.
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Today at Croke Park, Kerry and Donegal will play in the All Ireland football final. It's the first to be played under the new gaelic football rules. With more shots and more scores this year compared to previous years, have they been a success? Our reporter Charlie McGinley has more.
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Greece is battling several major wildfires across the country, with officials evacuating the homes of some residents in a town north of the capital Athens. We can speak now to Helena Smith,The Guardian Corresspondent in Greece
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With talk of a 15% tariff across EU goods heading to the United States, what impact could that have on the Irish economy? We first hear from Sinn Féin's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire before analysis from Dr. Emma Howard, economist at TU Dublin.
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The Israeli army has annnounced a pause in military activity in three designated areas of Gaza and will allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes into Gaza. Secunder Kermani, Channel 4's Foreign Correspondent, gives us an update before we speak to Salim Oweis, UNICEF spokesperson for Middle East and North Africa.
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Where else would one of the most important trade deals on the globe be conducted but on a golf course? Later today in Turnberry, Scotland, Donald Trump will meet with Ursula von der Leyen to sign off on an EU-US trade agreement. We hear from Michael McGrath, European Commissioner, shortly but first a report from London Correspondent Tommy Meskill.
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As Cork take on Tipperary in today's All Ireland senior hurling final, we ask what makes a perfect hurley? Charlie McGinley reports.
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Donald Trump is seeking damages from the Wall Street Journal's parent company after the newspaper ran a story claiming he wrote a "bawdy" birthday greeting to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Niall Stanage, White House Columnist with the Hill, tells us more.
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The CEO of Astronomer, whose embrace with a co-worker during a Coldplay concert kiss cam went viral, has tendered his resignation. Ciara O'Brien, Business and Technology Journalist with the Irish Times, talks about the viral moment.
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The Irish Times reports that senior management in RTÉ may use the departure of Joe Duffy to reimagine the Liveline brand. The article's author, Conor Pope, speaks to This Week along with Eileen Culloty, Assistant Professor in the School of Communications at DCU.
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From tomorrow, video sharing platforms which are based in Ireland must ensure that they verify the age of their users. Philip Arneill, Head of Education and Innovation with CyberSafe Kids, explains the changes.
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With a chronic shortage of housing, a water supply which cannot meet demand, and an electricity grid creaking at the seams, there's plenty to talk about with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers.
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Stormclouds are gathering for the economy after Donald Trump's threat of 30% tariffs while the Presidential election kicks into gear. Sandra Hurley from our political staff gives us an update.
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