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

In this episode, Niall speaks with journalist Laura Perrins from Gript Media about a controversial new policy introduced by Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, in October 2025.
The law removes personal income tax for parents raising at least two children earning up to 140,000 zloty (around €33,000), a move designed to boost birth rates, increase household income, and stimulate economic growth. On average, families could be better off by about €235 a month, although experts say the biggest gains may go to higher earners, while lower-income families see little benefit.
But the bigger question is this… should Ireland even consider something similar?
Supporters argue it’s a bold, pro-family policy that rewards people for raising the next generation, strengthens society long term, and puts real money back into struggling households.
Critics, however, see it very differently. If some people pay less tax, others inevitably pick up the slack. So is it fair that those without children, or with smaller families, end up subsidising larger ones?
Niall and Laura dig into the economics, the politics, and the deeper social questions behind the policy.
Is this smart thinking to address falling birth rates… or is it social engineering dressed up as economic reform?
And ultimately, where should the line be drawn between supporting families and fairness for everyone else?

In this episode, Niall opens the lines to callers on a story that’s raising serious questions about law, fairness, and public safety.
A specialist firearms Garda attached to the Armed Support Unit has been hit with 17 separate speeding notices while responding to emergency call-outs. Covering a wide منطقه from Waterford to Kilkenny, the unit regularly deals with high-risk incidents including hostage situations and armed threats.
Despite using blue lights and sirens, automatic speed cameras on routes like the N25 have still issued fines, forcing the officer to formally justify every single incident just to avoid penalty points on his personal licence.
Garda representatives say this is creating a culture of fear, where officers worry that simply doing their job could cost them their licence, their livelihood, and impact their family life. There are also concerns about limited pursuit training and a lack of clear legal protections for Garda drivers.
Now, calls are growing for a new system, similar to the Defence Forces, where Gardaí would have a separate driving certification when operating patrol vehicles.
But not everyone agrees.
Many will argue the law is the law. If an ordinary driver is caught speeding, there are consequences. So why should anyone, even emergency services, be treated differently?
Niall puts the question directly to you:
Should Gardaí be given exemptions when responding to emergencies… or should the same rules apply to everyone, no matter the circumstances?
Is this about protecting those who protect us… or creating a dangerous double standard?
Have your say as callers join the debate.

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by Cork City South-West councillor Albert Deasy to discuss the growing debate around energy credits and whether the Government is getting it right… or completely missing the mark.
With energy bills having doubled or even tripled in recent years, pressure is no longer limited to those on the lowest incomes. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, around 30% of households in Ireland are now struggling with energy costs, raising serious questions about how support should be distributed.
The Government hasn’t ruled out bringing back electricity credits, with Simon Harris saying it would be “foolish and arrogant” to take any options off the table, particularly as many households just above the threshold for supports are still feeling the squeeze.
But new ESRI research suggests the previous universal approach may have been costly and inefficient. Electricity credits of €125 were paid to all 2.3 million households, costing up to €575 million, yet many vulnerable households were still left short. The ESRI argues that a more targeted payment of around €480 to those most in need could have lifted people out of energy poverty, at a significantly lower overall cost.
So what’s the right approach?
Should supports be universal, helping everyone in a time of crisis?
Or should they be targeted, focusing resources on those who need it most?
Niall and Albert Deasy also ask the bigger question:
👉 Has the Government lost touch with the reality facing ordinary people?
👉 What more can be done to help households struggling to keep the lights on?
👉 And are current policies addressing the problem… or just papering over the cracks?
📞 Niall opens the phone lines:
Do you think energy credits should come back for everyone?
Or should they only go to those most in need?
And are you personally feeling the pressure when the bill comes in?
A timely and hard-hitting discussion about fairness, cost of living, and whether the Government is truly listening to the people it serves.

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by restaurateur and commentator Paul Treyvaud to discuss a major ruling that could have huge implications for social media and parental responsibility.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been found in breach of EU digital rules for failing to properly prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing its platforms. Under the regulations, companies are required to take stronger steps to protect minors online, and Meta could now face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover, potentially running into billions.
The case centres on whether Meta has done enough to enforce age restrictions, or whether, as the company argues, it is simply impossible to stop children using false details to get online.
So where does the responsibility lie?
Should tech giants be expected to police the internet and verify every user’s age, or is that asking the impossible?
Or should the focus be on parents taking responsibility for what their children are doing online?
Niall and Paul Treyvaud explore whether this is a failure of big tech… or a reflection of how difficult it is to control access in a digital world where children are often more tech-savvy than adults.
📞 Niall opens the phone lines:
If a child sneaks into an over-18s film, who’s to blame, the filmmaker, the cinema, or the parents?
Is it fair to hit companies with massive fines for something they can’t fully control?
Or should they be doing far more to protect children online?
A lively and thought-provoking debate about accountability, technology, and whether we’re expecting too much from companies… or too little from ourselves.

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by Aontú TD Paul Lawless to discuss the growing political storm over the Government’s decision to begin withdrawing accommodation supports for Ukrainian refugees.
The move has sparked a strong backlash across the political spectrum.
The Irish Refugee Council has warned that winding down State accommodation will be “really, really problematic”, raising concerns about where vulnerable people will go next.
Labour TDs Ged Nash and Ciarán Ahern have also criticised the plans, with Nash describing the decision as “immoral” and “unethical”.
But not everyone agrees.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has taken a very different stance, saying:
“Nobody from outside this country should be getting support that isn’t available to Irish citizens.”
Niall and Paul Lawless debate whether the Government is making a necessary correction as pressure on housing and public services continues to grow, or whether this decision risks abandoning people who came to Ireland in good faith during a time of crisis.
📞 Niall opens the phone lines:
Is removing supports for Ukrainian refugees immoral?
Or is it simply bringing things back to reality as the country struggles to cope?
And should Irish citizens always come first when it comes to housing and supports?
A heated and emotional discussion on fairness, compassion, and the limits of what the State can provide.