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

Niall talks to Stephen Delaney and Cormac Lucey about one of the biggest political and economic questions facing the island of Ireland, should there finally be a border poll on a United Ireland?
It has now been 28 years since the Good Friday Agreement, yet there has still been no referendum on Irish unity and no clear roadmap towards a 32 county republic. While support for reunification continues to grow in some quarters, others warn that the emotional argument for unity is very different from the economic reality.
The North of Ireland has been financially supported by the UK Treasury for decades, with billions spent every year to sustain public services and infrastructure. So if a United Ireland became reality tomorrow, could the Republic actually afford it? Would Irish taxpayers accept higher taxes, cuts to services or major economic adjustments in order to reunify the country?
Cormac Lucey examines the hard economic questions surrounding Irish unity, from public spending and healthcare to pensions, welfare and taxation. Meanwhile Stephen Delaney discusses the political and cultural arguments, and whether the dream of a United Ireland should outweigh the potential financial cost.
Would you vote yes or no in a border poll?
Should Ireland be united no matter the price, or is the economic risk simply too great?

Niall discusses the growing controversy surrounding character references in criminal cases following reports that former TD Jim Glennon provided a character reference for convicted sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy.
The case has sparked outrage online and reignited a heated debate about whether judges should continue to consider personal references when sentencing serious offenders. Critics argue that character references create a two tier justice system where people with influence, powerful friends, political connections or professional status are treated differently to ordinary members of the public.
Many are asking how somebody convicted of a serious sexual offence can still benefit from glowing testimonials about their “good character”, particularly when victims are left to deal with the lifelong consequences of the crime. Some believe once a person is convicted of a serious offence, previous reputation should become irrelevant in the eyes of the court.
Others, however, argue that character references are an important part of the justice system. They say judges should hear the full picture about a person’s life, background and previous conduct before deciding on sentencing. Supporters also argue that everyone deserves fair representation in court, regardless of the crime they committed.
So should character references in criminal cases be abolished altogether?
Or should judges continue to consider whether a crime was out of character before deciding punishment?

Ireland decided last year to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s participation. RTÉ has also decided not to broadcast the hugely popular song contest.
A petition has now been set up by Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted, demanding that RTÉ apologise and that the Director General resign over the decision. Linehan claims this is antisemitism and says RTÉ should not be getting involved in politics. Is he right?
Others agree with RTÉ and say Ireland should stand up against what it believes is wrong.
Where do you stand on this decision?
Are RTÉ overstepping the mark, or are they right to take a stand?

Niall talks to Ciaran and Jessie Redmond about the heartbreaking situation their family now finds themselves in after their youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and requires round the clock care. The diagnosis turned their lives upside down overnight, forcing Ciaran to give up work to care for their child full time while Jessie continues working just to try and keep the family afloat.
But as they battle one unimaginable crisis, another has now emerged. Their landlord is selling the home they rent, leaving the family facing the terrifying possibility of homelessness at the worst possible time in their lives.
Despite their desperate circumstances, they have been told they do not qualify for social housing because Jessie is working. Yet with soaring rents, one income is nowhere near enough to secure another home in today’s market, and they cannot get approved for a mortgage either.
The family say they have fallen into a cruel gap in the system, where they are considered “too well off” for help on paper, but in reality are struggling to survive under impossible pressure. It raises serious questions about whether Ireland’s rigid means testing system is failing ordinary working families who suddenly find themselves in crisis through no fault of their own.
Should families dealing with serious illness be treated differently when it comes to housing support? Has the Government created a cold, black and white welfare system that ignores the human reality behind the numbers?

Niall asks listeners for their views on one of the most divisive moral and social issues facing Ireland today, surrogacy.
The debate reignited last week after an American commercial surrogacy company planned to hold an event in a Dublin hotel called “Babies and Bites”. The event was later cancelled following public backlash and questions surrounding the legality of promoting commercial surrogacy in Ireland.
At present, altruistic surrogacy is legal in Ireland, meaning a woman can carry a child for somebody else without payment. However, commercial surrogacy, where women are paid to carry babies for couples or individuals, including same sex couples and those unable to conceive naturally, remains illegal.
Supporters argue surrogacy can be an extraordinary gift that allows people who may never otherwise experience parenthood to finally have a family of their own. They say modern families come in many forms and that banning surrogacy denies loving people the opportunity to become parents.
Critics however say the entire industry raises serious ethical concerns. Some believe commercial surrogacy turns babies into commodities and exploits vulnerable women, particularly those in poorer countries who may feel pressured into carrying children for money.
The issue has sparked fierce debate across Ireland, with strong opinions on both sides. Should surrogacy be fully legalised and regulated here, or should Ireland resist what some see as the commercialisation of childbirth and parenthood?
Niall hears passionate and emotional opinions from callers as they ask the question, where should Ireland draw the line on surrogacy?