Today guest presenter Donna-Marie Doherty steps into the chair for The Review of the Week, taking a deep dive into national political boundary-setting, public sector industrial unrest, vape regulation, regional economic growth, and cross-border developments.
Inside Today’s Episode:
🗞️ The Morning Press: We open the programme with our daily scan of the regional and national headlines breaking across the newspapers today.
💬 The Friday Panel: Majella McFadden, Manager, Creeslough Community Association Links Hub, Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, Fine Gael, Letterkenny-Milford MD, and Eimear McGuinness, Manager, Donegal Mart join Donna-Marie to debate the week’s biggest talking points:
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Converting Digital Reach into Local Tourism & Trade: With #LoveDonegal Day 2026 breaking records by reaching over 109 million people worldwide and generating 1.2 million online interactions, the panel explores how local businesses, hospitality providers, and tourism bodies can translate massive viral engagement into real-world visitors, footfall, and sustained economic growth on the ground.
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Political Boundaries & Personal Leave in High Office: Following Tánaiste Simon Harris’s firm refusal to conduct press briefings while taking statutory parental leave—even amidst a cabinet colleague’s acute illness and ICU care—the panel debates the ethics of work-life boundaries in government. Does high public office require round-the-clock availability, or was he right to establish clear limits for family life?
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Sweet-Flavoured Vape Ban Signed Into Law: President Catherine Connolly has officially signed the ban on fruity and sweet-flavoured vapes into law. The panel discusses whether restricting flavours and packaging will effectively deter youth vaping, or if the measure unfairly limits adult personal autonomy and consumer choice.
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Public Sector Industrial Action & Government Strain: With the Garda Representative Association (GRA) directing a work-to-rule policy during major events of Ireland’s EU Presidency, the panel assesses the wider wave of public sector union action hitting the country this month. What does this mounting unrest mean for government stability, and is there any realistic roadmap to meet competing union demands?
🎵 Phil Coulter – 84 Years & Still Touring: Legend of Irish music Phil Coulter joins the Greg Hughes Podcast ahead of his upcoming national tour. Celebrating his 84th birthday and decades in show business, Phil reflects on his enduring passion for live performance, storytelling, and his lifelong connection to North-West audiences.
🧱 Defective Concrete Block Register for Derry & Border Homeowners: Danny Rafferty from Northern Ireland Defective Concrete Homeowners issues an urgent call for affected homeowners across Derry and Strabane to join the council’s official register. Danny details why cross-border advocacy and unified data gathering are vital as families fight for inclusion and redress regarding defective blocks originating from Donegal quarries.
🏛️ Stormont Political Developments: DUP MP Gregory Campbell joins the show to provide an update on current proceedings at Stormont, political stability within the Northern Ireland Executive, and key cross-border issues impacting the North West.
🎧 Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:
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