Why are Irish presidential elections such bruising contests?

After President Trump's announcement of fresh tariffs on the EU, there is significant concern about the potential impact on the Irish economy and workers. We hear from Danny McCoy, Chief Executive of the business representative group IBEC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hot sunny weather we've been experiencing over the last few days comes to an end this evening with cooler temperatures and showers forecast. Our reporter Peter O'Connell took a stroll through Galway city to find out how people have been enjoying the sunshine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presidential elections are notoriously bruising affairs, with all aspects of a candidate’s past coming under the spotlight. Gavin Duffy, a business advisor who contested the presidential election in 2018, recalls his experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legislation to abolish juries in defamation trials will be back before the Oireachtas next week. The Dail has already voted in favour of the bill, but it is before the Seanad next week. Retired High Court Judge Bernard Barton and media lawyer Michael Kealy debate the proposed change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport, speaks to This Week about plans for the Dublin Airport Cap, energy prices and the recent announcement of fresh tariffs on the EU by President Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"We took our eye off the ball." Those were the words of HSE CEO Bernard Gloster to the Oireachtas Health Committee this week. A review of third party care delivery companies discovered that over half of directors in those companies are current or former HSE staff. HSE Chief Executive Bernard Gloster joined us to unpack the review's findings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar today for talks on a possible Gaza ceasefire deal. Meanwhile Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is to meet US President Donald Trump tomorrow - described the concessions demanded by Hamas as unacceptable. Bel Trew, International correspondent with the Independent, joined us from Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for people swept away by devastating floods in Central Texas -- including two dozen girls from a riverside summer camp -- continued this morning as the death toll climbed to at least 51 people. Terry Sheridan, news director of WSHU public radio, had been monitoring the story, and he joined us today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More potential candidates for the presidency are emerging, among them Independent TD Catherine Connolly, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, and UNICEF's Peter Power. To make sense of it all, political analyst Gerard Howlin joined Carole in studio today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.