This Week

The pay row between the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and solicitors working in the District Courts on criminal cases is expected to intensify next week. Paul was joined by Gary Mulchrone, a solicitor in criminal law at Thomas J Walsh Solicitors in Castlebar, and President of the Mayo Solicitors Bar Association.

A diplomatic battle has been underway in recent months between the EU and the United States over the future of the former war-torn Balkan nation of Bosnia Herzegovina. Paul was joined in studio by Kurt Bassuener, co-founder of advocacy group The Democratization Policy Council, for a discussion about what's at stake for all parties.

In just over a week's time, the Government is due to publish its investigation into the Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick amid claims that the plant's exports to Russia are ending up assisting President Putin's war on Ukraine. The directly-elected Mayor of Limerick John Moran joined Paul in studio for a discussion.

Finally to France, where the far right leader Marine Le Pen announced this week that she will run for the presidency in April. She made the announcement after an appeals court ruling opened the way for her fourth tilt at the top job. To find out more, Paul was joined from Paris by The Irish Times Correspondent Naomi O'Leary.

The drone delivery operator Manna announced last month that it was ceasing delivery operations in Ireland, in what was termed a 'strategic pause' due to an absence of a clear national planning framework here. This week Manna announced it would employ about 1,000 people over the next 3 years in the US. Paul spoke to Manna's co-founder Bobby Healy.

Firefighters in southern Spain said today that a wildfire, which has killed at least 12 people, is close to being brought under control. The development has allowed hundreds of evacuated residents to return home. RTÉ Correspondent Dimitri O'Donnell reported from the region.

A VAT cut for restaurants came into effect at the start of July, but that doesn't mean the cost of your takeaway being delivered will go down. The workers in the takeaway meal economy were typically classed as self-employed, but new legislation will require them to be classified as employees. RTÉ reporter Eithne Dodd has been finding out more.

A row between Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and solicitors over pay in the District Courts is threatening to cause further legal disruption this week. To discuss the impasse, Paul was joined by Michael O'Higgins, Senior Counsel, who practices in the criminal courts.

The Ukrainian armed forces have continued persistent drone strikes on oil refineries inside Russia, leading to fuel shortages and queues at forecourts across the country. Russia has been forced to import fuel to try and counter the problem and ease mounting public anger. Paul spoke about the situation with Moscow-based Correspondent Fred Weir.

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said the Commission was maintaining close contact with the Irish government in advance of the completion of its report into Aughinish Alumina, the Co Limerick refinery which has been sending alumina to Russia. Irish Times correspondent Conor Gallagher joined Paul for a thorough discussion.