Host Niall Boylan sits down with John McGuirk (Gript) to untangle Ireland’s chaotic bottle return scheme. They dig into why the rollout has been such a mess, who’s actually making money, and what it means for ordinary people — from full recycling machines to piles of unclaimed deposits. Expect sharp takes, hard questions, and plenty of pushback.In this episode Niall and John cover:A quick explainer of how the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is supposed to work and why it hit trouble on launch day.The numbers: how many containers have been returned so far, the system’s capture and overall recycling rates, and milestones reached since launch. The money question: what happened to unredeemed deposits (tens of millions left unclaimed), what Re-turn reported in its 2024 accounts, and how those sums were handled. Who’s benefitting — and who isn’t: clarifying the difference between the scheme operator (Deposit Return Scheme Ireland / Re-turn, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee) and allegations that a private firm “made over €60m.” We unpack the facts and the accounting. What needs to change: fixes for logistics, better public communication, and the political fallout.Short teaser line to use on socials: “The bottle scheme is working — but who’s getting the cash? Niall Boylan asks John McGuirk to follow the money.”Quick facts for the episodeOver 1.6 billion containers have been returned since the scheme launched. The DRS directly captures about 76% of containers with an overall recycling rate around 91%. Reports show €66.7m in deposits went unclaimed in the first year; Re-turn’s accounts note related VAT and financial flows linked to unredeemed deposits and operating costs. Re-turn (Deposit Return Scheme Ireland) is incorporated as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and published a detailed 2024 annual report.
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56:45
#558 Councils vs. Kids: The Bonfire Bust-Up
On today’s show, Niall Boylan talks Halloween — and asks the big question: should bonfires be allowed, just for one night of the year?We read an email from a mother furious that her 12-year-old son and his friends had their Halloween bonfire wood confiscated by the council after a neighbour complained. She says the Gardaí and local authorities are ruining Halloween for kids — but are they just keeping people safe?Niall throws it open to listeners:🔥 The pros: It’s tradition, community fun, and harmless once a year.🚒 The cons: Fire hazards, pollution, injuries,
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1:03:24
#554 Covid: The Regrets That Still Haunt Us
Niall sits down with social commentator Karl Deeter to unpack one of the most striking moments from the recent presidential debate — when both candidates revealed their biggest regret was how Covid restrictions were handled.Catherine Connolly admitted she lost trust in the government’s approach and regretted not challenging the extension of restrictions, while Heather Humphreys reflected on the tragedy of allowing the elderly to die alone due to hospital and nursing home rules.Together, Niall and Karl explore what lessons Ireland has — or hasn’t — learned from that time. They also open the phone lines to listeners sharing their own stories and regrets, from missed final goodbyes to small businesses that never reopened.👉 What do you think were the biggest mistakes made during Covid
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58:27
#556 Vandalising Ireland, Dr. Eoin Lenihan,
Niall is joined by journalist and author Dr. Eoin Lenihan to discuss his provocative new book, Vandalising Ireland, which explores how Ireland has changed dramatically over the past 25 years — from the Celtic Tiger years to the political landscape of today.In the book, Lenihan argues that a mix of mass immigration, foreign dependence, and weakened democracy has reshaped the country in ways few could have imagined. He claims that government-funded NGOs, academics, and media institutions have played a major role in driving this transformation, often against the wishes of local communities.Niall and Eoin unpack these controversial ideas, the evidence behind them, and what Lenihan believes is Ireland’s “make-or-break” moment — as well as his vision for reconnecting Irish people with their cultural and economic roots.📚 Vandalising Ireland is out now.
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Would You Lose Your Job for What You Believe?
There’s been plenty of talk about Catherine Connolly representing financial institutions in eviction cases — with some saying she was just doing her job, and others calling it a betrayal of principle. But where’s the line between professional duty and personal conscience?Niall opens the phone lines to ask: Would you do something at work that goes against your moral beliefs — or would you risk your job instead?From radio presenters forced to argue a side they don’t believe in, to Gardaí ordered to stand against residents they quietly support, or doctors treating patients whose actions led to their illness — today’s conversation digs into the grey areas of ethics, loyalty, and responsibility.Callers share the real-life dilemmas they’ve faced — moments when saying “no” came with a cost.
About The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)
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Ireland