The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

Niall talks to Cork Councillor Albert Deasy about Ireland’s new Health Referral Scheme, which came into effect on 1 September.
Under the new system, Gardaí can refer eligible adults caught for a first drug possession offence to the HSE instead of prosecuting them or issuing an adult caution. Supporters say it could prevent people from being dragged into the criminal justice system over personal drug use and instead direct them towards health services.
But the rollout has already raised serious questions. Some frontline Gardaí say they only learned about the scheme through media reports, with official guidelines arriving on the day it was introduced and little or no training provided beforehand.
Niall asks how such a significant change in drug policy could be introduced without properly preparing the Gardaí expected to implement it.
Possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offence, so technically this is not decriminalisation. But is Ireland now moving towards decriminalisation in practice?
Is treating personal drug possession primarily as a health issue a sensible and compassionate approach, or does avoiding prosecution remove an important deterrent and send the message that illegal drug use carries few consequences?
Niall discusses the controversy with Cork Councillor Albert Deasy and asks: should someone caught with illegal drugs for personal use still face prosecution?

Should Drivers Be Forced Off the Road at 80?
Niall talks to podcaster and restaurateur Paul Treyvaud about a listener’s difficult dilemma involving his 85 year old father, who still insists on driving despite growing concerns about whether he is mentally sharp enough to be safe behind the wheel.
The listener says he has repeatedly tried to persuade his father to give up driving, but he refuses to hand over the keys. He now believes there should be a firm legal cut off, once you turn 80, your driving days should be over.
But would that be fair?
For many older people, driving represents independence, freedom and the ability to live life on their own terms. Should someone lose that simply because they reach a particular birthday, even if they remain perfectly capable behind the wheel?
Or should older drivers face regular medical and practical assessments to prove they are still fit to drive?
Niall and Paul discuss where the balance should lie between personal freedom and public safety, and ask what families can realistically do when an elderly parent refuses to accept that it may be time to stop driving.
Have you ever had to persuade an elderly parent or relative to give up the car, and what happens when they simply refuse?

Should Overtime Be Tax Free?
Niall talks to Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins about whether workers should be allowed to keep more of the money they earn from putting in extra hours.
Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has proposed taxing qualifying overtime earnings at a flat rate of 20% as part of Budget 2027, arguing that people who work longer hours should not see so much of the additional income swallowed up by tax. Although INdependent ireland was the fist party to propose the idea
Niall asks whether the Government should go even further and abolish income tax altogether on overtime worked beyond 40 hours a week, as well as removing tax on tips.
Critics argue that such a move could reduce the money available to fund public services and create complications within the tax system. Supporters say it would reward hard work, encourage people to take on extra hours and put more disposable income into workers’ pockets, much of which would ultimately flow back into the economy through spending and VAT.
Would tax free overtime give working people a badly needed break, or is the idea simply too expensive and unrealistic?
Niall discusses the proposal with Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins.

Should Parents Feel Guilty About Going On Holiday Without The Kids?
Niall talks to journalist Laura Perrins about a listener’s holiday dilemma that has caused quite a row at home.
The listener says she was furious when her husband suggested they escape together on a surprise two week holiday to the Maldives, leaving their three young children at home. He thought he was planning the ultimate romantic getaway for just the two of them, but luckily he had not booked or paid for anything because his wife has flatly refused to go.
She says she could never relax on a beach thousands of miles away while her children were at home, but her husband believes couples need time together and that two weeks away without the kids would be good for their marriage.
So, is she being unreasonable? Should parents be able to enjoy a proper holiday without their children, or once you have young kids are two week romantic getaways simply off the table?
Niall discusses the dilemma with journalist Laura Perrins and asks whether parents should feel guilty about leaving the children behind.

Public sector workers are warning that patience is running out over pay, and the threat of industrial action is becoming increasingly serious.
Niall Boylan talks to callers about whether Ireland could be heading towards a major wave of strikes across essential public services, and whether workers in areas such as healthcare, education, public transport and social protection should have the same right to withdraw their labour as anyone else.
The previous public service pay agreement expired on 30 June 2026 after delivering increases of up to 10.25% over two and a half years. Unions argue that rising prices have continued to erode living standards and that any new agreement must properly reflect inflation. Fórsa has been balloting more than 90,000 public sector members on industrial action, while SIPTU, the INMO and other unions are also moving towards ballots. Prison officers have already backed industrial action, and Unite has warned that Ireland could face a “winter of strikes” unless the Government makes what it considers a meaningful pay offer.
Teachers are also becoming increasingly involved. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has announced a ballot for industrial action in a separate dispute over a 1% salary increase which it says has not been paid as agreed, potentially affecting cooperation with elements of Senior Cycle assessment reform.
But where should the line be drawn? If nurses, teachers, transport workers or other essential public servants strike, it is ordinary members of the public who can ultimately suffer. Gardaí are prohibited from striking because of the essential nature of their work, so should similar restrictions apply to other vital services?
And then there is the question of pay. Do public servants deserve another substantial increase because of the cost of living, or after receiving increases of up to 10.25% under the previous agreement, is it unreasonable to expect private sector taxpayers to fund another large rise?
Niall hears from callers on both sides of a debate that could become one of the biggest industrial relations battles facing the Government this winter.