The Week In News

Tipperary and Cavan deliver GAA earthquake; Who'll get the Covid vaccine first?; Controversy over RTÉ gathering; Thanksgiving in Covid-hit New York; Drop in antibiotic use; Row over five Irish words on headstone; Carlow uniform controversy; Refugees flee to Canaries; Trump berates journalists; Late Late Toy Show

A rap with a message

Rapper Ste Brown on his collaboration with a Dún Laoghaire Community Garda on his new track that encourages teenagers to wear masks and keep socially distanced.

A Late Late Toy Show like no other

Éilís Sheehy reports on this year's Late Late Toy Show, which takes place at the end of an extraordinary year.

Donald Trump under pressure to concede power

Daniel Lippman, reporter with Politico in Washington, on an extraordinary press conference given by President of the United States Donald Trump.

Opposition's stance on reopening plans

David Cullinane, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, says whatever form the re-opening takes it must be part of a strategy to break out of the cycle of repeated lockdowns.

Is it safe to start re-opening the country?

Prof. Mary Horgan, Infectious Disease Consultant at CUH and President of the RCPI, discusses the opening-up of the country.

Hospitality sector expected to reopen in December

Sally-Ann Clarke, owner of L'Ecrivain restaurant in Dublin, and Damien Allen, one of the owners of The Orange Goat cafés, on the prospect of re-opening the hospitality sector and the issues involved in getting out of Level 5.

Further restrictions introduced north of the border

Allison Morris, Security Correspondent and Columnist with The Irish News, on new tougher lockdown measures in Northern Ireland.

Government to go against NPHET advice

George Lee, Science Correspondent, reports that restrictions are to be eased despite the hoped-for reduction in Covid-19 cases not being reached.

Government set to ease Covid-19 restrictions for Christmas

Mícheál Lehane, Political Correspondent, previews the Government's Level-5 exit plan.

Weather Forecast

Presented by Joanna Donnelly of Met Éireann.

Business News

Petula Martyn has the day's business news and speaks to Giles O'Neill, Enterprise Ireland Brexit Manager.

8.35am Sport

Presented by Des Cahill.

7.35am Sport

Presented by Des Cahill.

8.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

7.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

DIY Christmas Shows

Sinéad Crowley, Arts and Media Correspondent, reports on how schools and families can design their own Christmas plays, with help from The Ark and RTE's Afterschool Hub.

Family's wish for an Irish inscription on mother's headstone

Conor McGinn, Labour MP for St Helen's North, who is bringing a question to the House of Commons today in relation to a family's wish to include an Irish inscription on their mother's headstone in England.

Ombudsman for Children criticises Tusla and HSE

Ailbhe Conneely, Social Affairs and Religion Correspondent, on a report by the Ombudsman for Children which is critical of TUSLA and the HSE for their handling of a case involving a child who had a serious accident abroad.

Opposition to seek answers over Seamus Woulfe appointment

Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin's Justice Spokesperson, says Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has a number of questions to answer when she addresses the Dáil about the appointment of Seamus Woulfe to the Supreme Court.

Covid-19 and travelling across the border

Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, on comments made by the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar on cross-border travel with Covid-19 cases still stubbornly high north of the border.

Caring for the elderly this Christmas

Dr Maureen Gaffney, Psychologist, and Celine Clark, Age Action Ireland, discuss what older people need to know to stay safe this Christmas.

Celebrating Thanksgiving during a pandemic

John Fitzpatrick, Hotelier, discusses how New York City is very different this Thanksgiving due to Covid-19.

Government's plans to ease Covid-19 restrictions

Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent, on the recommendations due to be made by NPHET to the government on restrictions around Christmas.

Weather Forecast

Presented by Matthew Martin of Met Éireann.

Business News

Petula Martyn has the day's business news and speaks to Mark Redmond, Chief Executive at American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

8.35am Sport

Presented by Des Cahill who speaks to journalist Daniel Edwards in Buenos Aires as Argentina tries to come to terms with the death of Diego Maradona.

7.35am Sport

Presented by Des Cahill who speaks to football writer Jonathan Wilson following the passing of Diego Maradona yesterday.

8.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

7.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

Investigation into convicted scammer Patrick Russell

Paul Murphy, RTÉ Investigates reporter, discusses the case of former barrister Patrick Russell, who was jailed earlier this month for stealing €215,000 from a Kildare businessman.

Warning that the country's environment is under threat

Laura Burke, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, says the 2020s needs to be a decade of action if environmental targets are to be met.

Migrant crisis in Spain further complicated by Covid-19

Cliodna O'Flynn, Tenerife-based journalist, reports on how Spain is struggling to manage a migrant crisis on the Canary Islands.

Questions from Opposition regarding Seamus Woulfe appointment

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin Chief Whip and member of the Dáil Business Committee, and Brendan Griffin, Deputy Whip of Fine Gael, discuss the withdrawal of Opposition parties and Independent groups of TDs from the Committee.

Re-opening the country: the views of businesses

Anita O'Donnell, Marbles Salon Manager Limerick, Mark Anderson, Director of Omniplex Cinemas Group, and Mary Meehan, owner of three clothing shops in Donegal, discuss their plans for possibly re-opening next week and their hopes in relation to how easing of restrictions will work.

Who will get the Covid-19 vaccine first?

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith reports on who could get priority for the Covid-19 vaccines when they are available in different countries.

Are people shopping locally this Christmas?

Éilís Sheehy has been gauging people's views when it comes to shopping local and getting the economy back on its feet.

Government plans to loosen Covid-19 restrictions for Christmas

Mícheál Lehane, Political Correspondent, reports on the likely plans for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas.

'We have got to keep the Irish border open' - Joe Biden

Brian O'Donovan, Washington Correspondent, on comments from the President-elect of the United States Joe Biden that he wants to see an open border on the island of Ireland, post-Brexit.

Principal responds to row over school uniforms

Ray Murray, Principal of Presentation College Carlow, insists nothing 'inappropriate, wrong, or uncomfortable' was said to girls on the issue of their uniforms

Weather Forecast

Presented by Paul Downes of Met Éireann.

Business News

Presented by Adam Maguire who speaks to Niall Bodkin, Managing Director of the eCommerce Association of Ireland.

8.35am Sport

Presented by Darren Frehill.

7.35am Sport

Presented by Darren Frehill.

8.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

7.10am It Says In The Papers

Presented by Fiona Kelly.

Reaction to Donald Trump's latest move

Larry Donnelly, Political Commentator and NUIG Law Lecturer, examines the signal from US President Donald Trump that he may concede power.

US President shows first sign of conceding power

Brian O'Donovan, Washington Correspondent, on Donald Trump directing his team to cooperate with Joe Biden in relation to transition of power, three weeks on from the US Election.

Government reaction to possible UK-Ireland food ban

Charlie McConalogue - Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine - discusses a potential ban on a wide range of meat products moving between Great Britain and the island of Ireland next year.

Investigations continue into RTÉ gathering

Sinéad Crowley, Arts and Media Correspondent, on the continuing fallout from a recent gathering in RTÉ where social distancing guidelines were not observed.

Fall in use of antibiotic medicine

Dr Nuala O Connor, Covid lead for the Irish College of General Practitioners, discusses the sharp fall in antibiotic use this year and potential plans to ease Covid-19 restrictions next week.

Decline of young people involved in the arts

Seona Ní Bhriain, Head of Young People, Children and Education at the Arts Council, on a new report which shows that young people become less involved in cultural activities as they prepare for the Leaving Certificate.

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