Thomas Byrne on the Presidential election and Budget 2026

With 1,800 teaching posts reported to be vacant this year, the shortage of teachers continues to make an impact throughout the county. The Department of Education is set to make it easier for teachers trained abroad to work here. Helen McEntee, Minister for Education speaks to This Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Rónán Collins, Consultant Geriatrician and Director of Stroke Services at Tallaght University Hospital, discusses the proposal to make vaccines for RSV and Shingles available to older people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With polling day approaching next Friday, Catherine Connolly has a sturdy lead over Heather Humphreys according to polls. We get analysis from Mary Regan, Political Editor of the Irish Independent, and Radio na Gaeltachta Political Correspondent Cuan O'Sioradain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged allies against appeasing Russia after his trip to the White House did not yield a new supply of Tomahawk missiles. Christopher Miller, Chief Ukraine Correspondent with the Financial Times, speaks to This Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just half of homes targeted to be built on Dublin City Council lands were constructed last year. DCC will now make land available for 25,000 homes. Mick Mulhearn, Assistance Chief Executive for Housing at DCC, explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paris-based journalist Sharon Gaffney reports on a robbery that took place at the Louvre Museum today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Israeli government spokesperson has said that the release of living hostages held in Gaza will begin on Monday. 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will also be handed over. Edmund Heaphy, Deputy Foreign Editor, reports from Jerusalem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With less than a fortnight to polling day, Presidential candidates Catherine Connolly (Independent) and Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) join presenter David McCullagh on This Week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political correspondent Paul Cunningham and Editor of the Business Post, Daniel McConnell, reflect on the This Week debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, speaks about the Presidential election and the upcoming budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.