In this episode, Niall talks to Senator Gerard Craughwell to discuss the upcoming presidential election, his views on the race, and what’s at stake for Ireland. Later, Niall is joined by Jason Osbourne from Gript Media for a deep dive into one of today’s most pressing cultural questions: Has the divide between left and right grown wider, and has the internet and social media fueled that divide?Listeners are invited to call in and share their thoughts on the bigger question: Do the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to the internet and social media? From free expression to online echo chambers, the conversation asks whether these tools are connecting us or pulling us further apart.Pros callers might raise:Connectivity & access to information – Social media allows people to connect across borders instantly and gives a voice to those who might otherwise be unheard.Accountability & transparency – It has exposed corruption, amplified grassroots movements, and held powerful people and institutions to account.Cons callers might raise:Polarisation & misinformation – Algorithms often reward outrage, leading to echo chambers, disinformation, and deeper political divides.Mental health & social pressure – Constant comparison, cyberbullying, and the addictive nature of platforms can damage mental wellbeing and social cohesion.
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54:06
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54:06
#516 Budget 2026: Caution or Complacency?
In this episode, Niall is joined by Peadar Tóibín from Aontú to discuss predictions for Budget 2026. With a total package of €9.4 billion on the table — including €7.9 billion in extra public spending and €1.5 billion in tax cuts — the Government says it’s shifting away from once-off cost-of-living supports and moving towards more permanent measures. But where should that money really go?Niall asks listeners to call in and share their views: What would you like to see the extra spending directed towards? Or are we already spending too much and ignoring the risk of future downturns?Examples of what callers might say:“Healthcare has to be the priority — waiting lists are far too long, and we need more hospital staff and capacity.”“Housing, housing, housing. Young people can’t afford to rent or buy — put the extra billions into building affordable homes.”“Increase the tax cuts instead. People are struggling, and putting more money back into workers’ pockets would help families directly.”“Public transport and infrastructure should get the focus. If we don’t invest now, we’ll fall behind in the next decade.”“I’d like to see more support for families — boosting child benefit or childcare funding would make a real difference.”“Stop spending so much. We’re heading into uncertain times with tariffs and global instability — we should be saving, not spending.”“Hospitality needs the VAT cut back. Small businesses are struggling, and this sector supports thousands of jobs.”“Raise the inheritance tax threshold. Families shouldn’t be penalised for passing on homes and savings.”
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1:21:16
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1:21:16
#513 Death Penalty: Justice or Revenge?
In this episode, host Niall sits down with Laura Perrins from Gript Media to discuss a high-profile case currently unfolding in Utah — the suspected murderer, Tyler Robinson, is increasingly likely to face the death penalty. Together, Niall and Laura explore the moral, legal, and practical dimensions of capital punishment.Is it justice, deterrent, or an inhumane relic? What are the arguments for and against? And how do public opinion, cost, racial and racial bias, mistakes of justice, and international norms come into play? Niall also invites callers to share their own views and personal stories on whether the death penalty has a place in modern society.Example Talking Points:Pros could include:Deterrence: The idea that the death penalty may discourage others from committing serious crimes.Retribution / justice for victims: Some people feel that the most violent crimes deserve the severest punishment.Closure: For some families, knowing that the perpetrator cannot possibly harm again brings a sense of finality.Cost savings (argued by some): Supporters sometimes say that executing someone will, over time, cost less than keeping them in prison for life (though this is highly disputed).Cons might include:Risk of wrongful convictions: Innocent people have been sentenced to death and then exonerated.Moral / ethical objections: Some believe state-sanctioned killing is inherently wrong.Unequal application: Evidence that race, socio-economic status, quality of legal representation, or geography have strong impacts on who is sentenced to death.High cost and complexity: Death penalty trials are typically longer, more expensive, with multiple appeals; sometimes cost more than life imprisonment without parole.
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54:36
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54:36
#514 Right to Remote Work: A Step Too Far?
Host Niall talks with former election candidate Elaine Mullay about a developing trend overseas — in the Netherlands there's a push to introduce laws that would give people a legal right to work remotely (or at least from home), under certain conditions. They’ll explore whether Ireland should follow suit. What are the benefits? What are the pitfalls? What does Ireland currently allow, and what might new laws look like? Niall and Elaine also invite listeners to call in with their own opinions and experiences: do you favour a legal requirement, or should remote work remain at employer discretion?What’s Happening: Netherlands vs IrelandNetherlands:The Netherlands has been considering amendments to its Flexible Working Act (“Wet flexibel werken”) to strengthen employees’ rights to request working from home / remote work. Under current law, employees who have worked for an employer for a certain period (≈ 26 weeks) may make requests to adjust working location/hours etc., and employers must consider these requests. But the law does not yet give an automatic, unconditional right. IamExpat in the NetherlandsThere was a proposed bill sometimes called “Work Where You Want Act”. It would have made employers more strictly obliged to allow working from home when feasible or else justify denying requests. But that Senate rejected this Act in 2023.
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1:09:18
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1:09:18
#512 Is the Power Of The Irish Presidency Too Limited?
Host Niall is joined by restaurateur and social commentator Paul Trayvaud as the presidential race begins to take shape. With three candidates already declared and two more hopefuls scrambling for nominations from TDs, Senators, or local councils, the conversation turns to a bigger constitutional question:Should the Irish president remain a largely ceremonial figure—or should the office hold real executive power?At present, the Irish president has very limited authority: signing bills into law, representing the nation abroad, and acting as a moral and cultural figurehead. Unlike presidents in countries such as the United States or France, the Irish head of state does not set policy or wield executive decision-making power.Niall and Paul weigh up the arguments:Pros of Expanding Power:A president directly elected by the people could provide stronger democratic legitimacy.Greater executive authority could allow the president to act as a counterbalance to government and political parties.In times of crisis, a powerful president could respond quickly without being tied to parliamentary gridlock.Cons of Expanding Power:Ireland’s parliamentary system could be destabilised by a strong presidential office.Concentrating executive power in a single individual risks authoritarianism.The current ceremonial model avoids political partisanship and preserves the role as a unifying national figure.Should Ireland rethink the role of the presidency—or does its symbolic and ceremonial function make it stronger in its own right?
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