Former Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly sat down with Brendan following the loss of his seat in the recent election, he talks about how his family home was targeted during COVID, creating a culture of productivity in the Department of Health and why you need a healthy ego to go into politics.

Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

Brendan O'Connor

“My time in politics changed me, unquestionably” - Stephen Donnelly

Actor Jason O’Mara has just moved home to Dublin after over 20 years in L.A. He’s acted in DC’s Batman, Band of Brothers, Life on Mars, The Good Wife, The Lincoln Lawyer and will be in RTE’s These Sacred Vows next month. He chose five songs to represent his life ranging from Simon & Garfunkel to The Jesus and Mary Chain to Max Richter.

“I was a rugby player, an actor and a goth” - Jason O’Mara

Joining Brendan this week are: Eamon Ryan, former government Minister and Chair of the European Housing Advisory Board,Prof Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute, Mary Regan, Political editor of the Irish and Sunday Independent and Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs.

The Newspaper Panel

Writer, Henrietta McKervey and TV and Radio Producer Eoin Sweeney talked Brendan through the hits and misses from the big and small screen this week.

“My time in politics changed me, unquestionably” - Stephen Donnelly

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