The green shoots in Ireland's rural economy

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lost his US Ambassador Peter Mandelson this week over his links to the convicted child sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein, and his deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor resigned over a tax scandal. Can Kier Starmer himself survive? We posed this question to London Independent's Chief Political Commentator John Rentoul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has confirmed that the energy credits which were paid in the wake of last year's budget have come to an end and will not be included in next month's budget. We were joined by the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to talk through the government's plan in regards to social welfare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to find a confirmed presidential candidate, head to the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly. In attendance are the three confirmed candidates: Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, and Independent Catherine Connolly. RTÉ Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham joined us to examine the candidates' strategies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week Bord Gáis and Pinergy announced price increases for residential electricity customers. The Children's Rights Alliance says the cost of living crisis continues to rain down on poorer families. Justin went to Ballyfermot in Dublin to meet three mothers, who told him about the stresses and struggles of living on the breadline.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learner drivers who fail repeated driving tests will be required to take additional driving lessons in order to go back on the road under new proposals. Learner drivers will also be required to sit a driving test after their third learner permit. The Minister responsible for road safety, Seán Canney, joined the show to break down the proposals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the aftermath of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday, the US President and his advisors have escalated their attacks on left wing opponents, even before a suspect was identified. Doyle McManus, a contributing writer with the LA Times, reported on the assassination's aftershocks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you know if the water quality is good enough to swim in? Tomorrow the official bathing season, when the quality of Irish bathing waters must be tested by law, ends. It means swimmers won't be able to tell if the water is clean enough to swim in. RTÉ reporter Eithne Dodd has been asking if people will still be getting into the water.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TV show Traitors returns to RTÉ 1 television this evening. The show displays how difficult it can be to spot a liar, and how easy it can be to engage in deception. I spoke to Dr Gillian Murphy, senior lecturer in the School of Applied Psychology at UCC, about whether it's difficult to be a good liar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much pressure will Ireland come under to agree to the 49-billion euro Mercosur trade deal? It would see a 39% increase in EU exports to South American countries, but Ireland opposes it due to fears of South American beef flooding the European market. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon laid out the government's strategy in regards to the deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 2000 pubs closed across the country since 2005 with rural towns worst affected. But despite the headlines, there are signs of recovery in rural Ireland as previously closed premises are reopening to help provide important services in rural towns and villages. RTÉ reporter Sally-Ann Barrett went to County Tipperary to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.