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

Epizode

• Not Suitable for Broadcast, Episode 8: "The Hook Is Back" With Niall Boylan & George Hook 17.07.2026 47min

  This week, Niall is joined by legendary broadcaster George Hook for Episode 8 of Not Suitable for Broadcast, as the two radio veterans take an unapologetic look at some of the biggest, strangest and most controversial stories of the week.They begin with RTÉ’s continuing funding crisis and ask whether taxpayers are supporting essential public broadcasting or simply protecting an oversized and privileged organisation. With hundreds of millions of euro committed to RTÉ and television licence sales continuing to fall, has the broadcaster genuinely reformed, and should households that never watch or listen to RTÉ still be forced to fund it?Niall and George also discuss the growing push towards a cashless Ireland. Should shops, sporting venues and essential State services be allowed to refuse notes and coins? Is cashless payment genuinely more convenient, or does it leave older people, vulnerable customers and those without access to banking technology increasingly excluded?There is also the embarrassing moment Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan complained that she could not use the Irish language at an EU meeting, only to be told that she was perfectly entitled to speak Irish. Her response, that she had not prepared to speak it, raises questions about political point scoring and whether some politicians practise what they preach.The pair then turn their attention to claims that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are centre right parties. Niall and George ask whether either party can still genuinely be described as conservative, or whether Ireland’s political and media establishment has moved so far to the left that almost anyone outside it is now branded right wing.With a six week hosepipe ban introduced across Dublin and several other counties, they examine Ireland’s water infrastructure, years of mismanagement and the extraordinary salaries being paid within Uisce Éireann while the public is once again being ordered to conserve water.Irish citizenship is also under the spotlight following Niall’s interview with Ben Scallan. Should applicants be required to demonstrate a basic command of English or Irish, a clean criminal record and meaningful integration before being granted an Irish passport? Is citizenship treated as a cherished privilege, or is it being handed out with far too little scrutiny?Finally, Niall and George discuss the viral footage of a tourist being launched into the air by a bison in Yellowstone National Park and offer some very straightforward advice: do not attempt to punch a 2,000 pound wild animal in the nose.It is sharp, funny, opinionated and definitely not suitable for broadcast.
• #822 Should Ireland Close the Chequebook on Ukrainian Supports? 16.07.2026 38min

  Niall talks to callers about the growing controversy over Government plans to reduce payments to people providing accommodation to Ukrainians in Ireland.The Accommodation Recognition Payment currently gives hosts €600 per month for housing Ukrainian refugees. However, the Government plans to reduce that payment to €400 from September, before ending the scheme entirely in March 2027.The Dáil has heard warnings that reducing the payment could force tens of thousands of Ukrainians out of their current accommodation and potentially leave many facing homelessness. Supporters of the scheme argue that hosts have helped prevent an even greater accommodation crisis and that removing the payment while Ireland is already struggling with housing shortages could have serious consequences.Others believe the emergency arrangements have continued for too long. Ukrainians have now been living in Ireland for more than four years, and critics argue that taxpayers should not be expected to fund indefinite accommodation payments and additional supports that are not available to Irish citizens or other residents.Some callers believe the Government should go even further by ending automatic access to medical cards and removing other special supports, particularly for people who are working or who may now be able to safely return to parts of Ukraine away from the frontline.Niall asks whether reducing the payment is a reasonable first step towards ending emergency supports, or whether it risks creating a new homelessness crisis. Should Ireland continue providing additional assistance to Ukrainians, gradually reduce it, or bring the schemes to an end and require people to pay their own accommodation and living costs like everybody else?
• #821 Are We Giving Away Irish Citizenship Like Smarties? 16.07.2026 42min

  Niall speaks to Ben Scallan from Gript Media about the serious questions surrounding Ireland’s citizenship and naturalisation process following the conviction of Riad Bouchaker for the attempted murder of three young children during the horrific knife attack at Parnell Square in Dublin in November 2023.Bouchaker, who was born in Algeria, had reportedly lived in Ireland for approximately 20 years and had become an Irish citizen. However, despite spending two decades in the country, he required an Arabic interpreter throughout his trial because of his limited command of English.Niall and Ben ask how someone can live in Ireland for so long, obtain Irish citizenship and still be unable to communicate effectively in English. Should applicants be required to demonstrate a reasonable proficiency in English or Irish before receiving an Irish passport? Should greater emphasis be placed on integration, respect for the country and an understanding of Irish society, laws and values?They also discuss whether the Government should explain how Bouchaker’s citizenship application was assessed, whether the current system is rigorous enough and why requests for greater transparency have been resisted.This is not simply a discussion about one convicted criminal. It raises a much broader question about what Irish citizenship should represent. Is citizenship merely an administrative process awarded after a certain number of years, or should it require a meaningful commitment to Ireland, its people and its way of life?
• #823 Did the Media Help Create This Climate of Political Hatred? 16.07.2026 51min

  Niall speaks to Independent Senator Rónán Mullen about the increasingly hostile and dangerous nature of modern politics following the killing of former British government minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe.The 78-year-old former MP was found dead at her home in Devon following what counterterrorism police have described as a targeted attack. Although investigators are still working to establish the precise motive, her killing has renewed concerns about the safety of politicians and other public figures.Speaking at a Mass for Ann Widdecombe in Dublin, Senator Mullen warned that Ireland is “not immune” to political violence. He said everyone involved in public debate must be careful about their language, because an unstable or radicalised person may interpret hateful comments as permission or encouragement to act violently.Niall and Senator Mullen examine why politics has become so bitter, personal and divided. When Niall began working in radio, relatively few people constantly defined every issue in terms of “the left” and “the right”. Today, those labels dominate political discussion, with people frequently treating anyone who disagrees with them not simply as wrong, but as dangerous, hateful or morally corrupt.Has social media created ideological echo chambers where anger, threats and personal abuse are rewarded with attention? Have politicians themselves contributed to the problem by portraying their opponents as extremists and enemies? Does the mainstream media deepen divisions by reducing complex issues to conflict between two opposing camps?They also ask whether accusations such as “far right”, “far left”, “fascist”, “traitor” and “threat to democracy” have become so casually used that they are stripping political opponents of their humanity.Robust political debate is essential in a democracy, and politicians must remain open to criticism. However, where is the line between legitimate criticism, inflammatory rhetoric and language that could encourage someone to take the law into their own hands?Who created today’s political division: politicians, the public, social media or the mainstream media? And can the temperature be lowered without silencing passionate debate and legitimate political disagreement?
• #820 Sangria With the Boys, Silent Treatment With the Wife 15.07.2026 1h

  In this episode, Niall speaks to callers about an email from a furious female listener whose husband wants to go on a week long lads’ holiday to Spain without her or their children.The husband plans to travel with a group of men from his local pub, many of whom are younger, single and unmarried. His wife insists that she trusts him, but says she does not trust the situation after days of drinking, pressure from single friends and attention from other women.What has angered her most is that the couple have not taken their two children on a family holiday this year, yet her husband suddenly appears able to find both the money and the time for a week away with the lads. After she told him he should not go, the couple stopped speaking.Is she being controlling and treating her husband like a child, or does a married man with children have responsibilities that should come before a drinking holiday with single friends?Can you genuinely trust your partner while still believing the circumstances are inappropriate? Should married couples be allowed to take separate holidays, or does marriage mean accepting that some parts of single life must be left behind?Niall hears strong opinions from callers as they debate trust, temptation, double standards, family priorities and what really happens on lads’ holidays.
• #819 Anne Widdecombe and England vs Argentina: Has Irish Resentment Gone Too Far? 15.07.2026 1h 22min

  In this episode, Niall is joined by barrister and political commentator Laura Perrins to discuss two stories dominating conversation in Britain and Ireland.First, they examine the shocking murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe and the serious questions surrounding the investigation. After an initial arrest reportedly resulted in a man being released without charge, counterterrorism police later took control of the case when new evidence emerged. Niall and Laura discuss whether crucial opportunities were missed, why the investigation appeared to change direction so dramatically, and whether the authorities were too slow to recognise that this may have been a targeted political attack.Then attention turns to tonight’s huge World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina.While English supporters dream of repeating the glory of 1966, many Irish pubs will be filled with newly recruited Argentina fans whose main qualification is a determination to support anybody but England.Irish people often insist that the bitterness of the past has been left behind, yet whenever England reach the latter stages of a major tournament, the old hostility quickly returns. Is it simply harmless sporting rivalry and good natured banter, or does it expose a deeper resentment that still exists beneath the surface?Should Irish football supporters put history aside and support their closest neighbours, or has cheering against England become an accepted part of Irish identity?Will you be waving the Union Jack and cheering on Harry Kane and the boys, or desperately hoping Lionel Messi and Argentina send England home?
• #818 Should Men Accused of Rape Be Named Before They Are Convicted? 14.07.2026 1h 20min

  The number of sexual offence cases entering Ireland’s courts has risen significantly over the past two years, reigniting the debate about whether people accused of these crimes should remain anonymous until they are convicted.In this episode, Niall speaks to Laise De Brun BL. and Dublin City Councillor Gavin Pepper about the difficult balance between protecting complainants, encouraging other potential victims to come forward and preserving the presumption of innocence for defendants who have not been found guilty.The Courts Service’s newly published annual report shows that the District Court received 3,648 new sexual offence cases during 2025. That was almost unchanged from 3,650 in 2024, but represented an increase of 13.6 per cent from the 3,211 cases recorded in 2023.The figures come as Tánaiste Simon Harris described domestic, sexual and gender based violence as an “epidemic” in Ireland and a “pandemic” globally. His comments were made during a wider discussion about violence against women, in which he argued that focusing solely on the race, nationality or ethnicity of an alleged offender risks missing the broader scale of the problem.However, recorded crime figures do not tell one simple story. CSO data for the year to the first quarter of 2026 showed a 15 per cent fall in recorded sexual crime incidents, from 3,888 to 3,315. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre warned that this may not indicate a genuine reduction in sexual violence, but could instead suggest that some victims are becoming more reluctant to report their experiences.Under legislation commenced in 2024, a person accused of a sexual offence is generally protected from being publicly identified unless and until they are convicted. Complainants are also entitled to anonymity. The law is intended to protect the alleged victim, preserve the fairness of proceedings and prevent an unconvicted defendant from suffering irreversible reputational damage.But should that protection always apply?Supporters of naming defendants argue that publicity can encourage other alleged victims to contact Gardaí, potentially revealing a pattern of behaviour or providing evidence that investigators would otherwise never discover. In some high profile cases, additional complainants have only come forward after an accused person’s identity became publicly known.Opponents argue that an accusation is not a conviction. They warn that naming an innocent person can destroy their career, relationships and reputation, even where the case is later withdrawn or ends in an acquittal. There is also a danger that identifying the accused could indirectly reveal the identity of the complainant, particularly where the parties are related or closely connected.Niall and Councillor Gavin Pepper ask whether the current law strikes the correct balance.Should a person accused of rape or sexual assault remain anonymous until conviction? Should judges have discretion to permit identification where Gardaí believe other victims may exist? Could naming an accused person assist an investigation, or would it undermine the presumption of innocence and expose unconvicted people to trial by social media?As sexual offence cases increase before the courts, is it time to reconsider the law, or is anonymity an essential protection in one of the most serious and damaging categories of criminal allegation?
• #817 Everyone Wants Housing, Until It Is Built Beside Them 14.07.2026 1h 6min

  Ireland is officially in the middle of a housing emergency, with thousands of people struggling to buy or rent a home. Yet another proposed apartment development has been stopped over concerns about its impact on people already living nearby.In this episode, Niall speaks to property expert Karl Deeter about plans by Ires Reit to build a six storey block containing 38 apartments on the former Bruce House site on Main Road in Tallaght.South Dublin County Council initially granted permission, but required the developer to include more three bedroom apartments, reducing the overall development from 38 homes to 33. Ires Reit appealed that condition, arguing that reducing the number of apartments would threaten the financial viability of the project.Following an appeal from the local community, An Coimisiún Pleanála refused permission, citing the proposed building’s proximity to the existing Priorsgate apartments and concerns about overlooking and the loss of daylight to neighbouring homes.Niall and Karl debate the difficult conflict at the centre of Ireland’s housing crisis. Existing residents have every right to protect their privacy, access to daylight, property values and quality of life. However, when almost every substantial housing development faces objections, reductions, appeals or legal challenges, where exactly are the homes Ireland desperately needs supposed to be built?Is Ireland’s planning system protecting communities from unsuitable development, or is it making the housing crisis impossible to solve?Should homeowners have the power to block badly needed apartments beside their properties? Are developers attempting to squeeze too many homes onto unsuitable sites, or must established communities accept greater density as Ireland’s population grows?Niall asks whether people effectively believe they should have a veto over who lives in their area, how many people can live there and what type of homes can be constructed on their doorstep.
• #815 The Great Beer Garden Parenting Disaster 13.07.2026 46min

  Should Children Be Banned from Pubs and Beer Gardens?**Niall speaks to callers after a listener contacted the show to say he and his wife were disgusted by what they witnessed during a visit to a large local bar.The couple had gone out for dinner, but the beer garden was packed with families and young children. According to the listener, many of the children appeared bored, were running around unsupervised and were completely out of control, while heavily intoxicated adults shouted, swore and held conversations that were clearly unsuitable for children.He claimed that many of the adults were not even eating and appeared to have been sitting in the beer garden drinking for hours, while their children were left to entertain themselves in what was effectively an outdoor drinking area.The listener says he would never have brought his own children into that environment and believes children should be banned from licensed premises altogether. His view is simple: bring children to the park, the beach, a playground or a family restaurant, but not somewhere primarily designed for adults to consume alcohol.But is that fair?Many parents argue that pubs and beer gardens can be perfectly suitable for families, particularly during the day, provided children are supervised and adults behave responsibly. They say families should be able to enjoy a meal and a drink without being judged because of the behaviour of a minority.Others believe the culture has gone too far and that some beer gardens have effectively become unofficial playgrounds while parents drink for hours and expect staff and other customers to tolerate badly behaved children.Should children be banned from pubs after a certain time? Should licensed premises be allowed to introduce adult only areas? Or have some parents simply lost sight of where it is appropriate to bring young children?Niall hears from callers on whether children belong in pubs and beer gardens, and whether responsible families are now being unfairly blamed for the behaviour of parents who have completely lost the run of themselves.
• #816 Cashless Ireland, Convenient or Controlling? (With Senator Sarah O’Reilly) 13.07.2026 9min

  Should Every Government Service Be Forced to Accept Cash?Niall speaks to Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly about her campaign against businesses, sporting venues and State services refusing to accept cash.Senator O’Reilly has strongly criticised the National Driver Licence Service, which does not accept cash, cheques or postal orders at its centres. Customers must instead pay using a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a Payzone voucher. She argues that it is astonishing for an essential public service operating on behalf of the State to continue refusing direct cash payments.The Government’s National Payments Strategy, launched in October 2024, states that Government departments and bodies operating under their authority should accept both electronic and cash payments, or provide a way for people to facilitate a cash payment, when charging for public services, goods, fines or fees. Senator O’Reilly argues that the NDLS policy makes a mockery of that commitment.Niall asks whether requiring someone to purchase a Payzone voucher really amounts to accepting cash, or whether State agencies should be required to take notes and coins directly at the counter.Senator O’Reilly says the move towards a cashless society is discriminatory against older people, those without smartphones or reliable internet access, people who struggle with technology and citizens who do not have bank accounts. She argues that cash allows people to budget, protects privacy and gives everyone the ability to participate in society without relying on a bank or technology company.She also raises serious concerns about victims of domestic abuse. Financial control is commonly used by abusers, including taking possession of a victim’s bank card, monitoring transactions or restricting access to an account. Cash can provide a degree of privacy and independence to someone attempting to escape a controlling relationship.Ireland’s Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025 came into operation on 30 June 2025. It is intended to protect reasonable access to ATMs and cash services and to preserve the resilience of the country’s cash infrastructure. However, it does not create a general legal requirement for every shop, business or service provider to accept cash.Although cash is legal tender, that does not automatically mean every business must accept it in every transaction. A business can generally refuse cash when it clearly tells customers in advance that another form of payment is required. The Central Bank says that where no restriction has been agreed or displayed, legal tender must normally be accepted to settle an existing debt.But should different rules apply to essential public services funded or authorised by the State?Niall asks Senator Sarah O’Reilly whether cash acceptance should now be placed on a statutory footing, whether the Government’s policy is being ignored and whether refusing cash is excluding some of the most vulnerable people in society.Should customers always have the right to choose between cash and card? Is refusing cash genuinely more efficient, or is it forcing people into a financial system that can monitor every purchase they make? And when the next major power cut, banking outage or worldwide technology failure occurs, will Ireland regret allowing cash to disappear?
• #814 RTE: Are We Funding Public Broadcasting or Protecting a Privileged Club? 13.07.2026 1h 3min

  Niall speaks to callers and former RTÉ correspondent, now Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly, about the national broadcaster’s demand for another guaranteed, multi annual Government funding package when its current arrangement ends in 2027.The Government has already committed €725 million in public funding to RTÉ for the three years from 2025 to 2027. This combines television licence income with increasingly large taxpayer funded top ups intended to guarantee the broadcaster an agreed level of funding. RTÉ received approximately €183 million from licence fees last year, along with a €41 million Exchequer top up. For 2026, it expects roughly €185 million from licence sales and a further €54 million from the Government. Reports suggest that, once the present agreement expires, RTÉ could require an additional €60 million to €65 million from taxpayers in 2028 if licence revenue continues to fall. RTÉ says it is not requesting money beyond the existing agreement at present, but it has strongly appealed for another guaranteed multi annual deal to be negotiated in 2027.The collapse in television licence payments remains at the centre of the crisis. Licence sales are now reported to be 19 per cent lower than they were in 2022. Only 299,373 licences were sold during the first five months of 2026, generating just under €48 million and representing a further year on year fall of approximately 4.5 per cent. Separate Department figures indicate that television licence revenue fell by €58.4 million in the two years following the RTÉ payments scandal, with 365,000 fewer licence transactions recorded compared with the previous two year period.With fewer households paying the €160 licence, renewed suggestions have emerged that it could eventually be replaced by a compulsory household broadcasting charge covering televisions, phones, laptops and other connected devices. That could mean households being required to fund public service broadcasting whether they watch RTÉ or not.Supporters argue that RTÉ provides essential news, current affairs, Irish language, cultural and sporting coverage that commercial broadcasters could never fully replace. Critics say it remains an outdated, oversized organisation that has failed to regain public trust following the secret payments controversy, governance failures and years of financial mismanagement.Has RTÉ genuinely reformed enough to deserve another taxpayer guarantee? Should people who never watch or listen to RTÉ be forced to fund it through a new household charge? Is the broadcaster an essential national institution, or is the Government simply pouring more public money into an organisation that has become financially unsustainable?Niall asks Ciarán Mullooly whether his former employer has earned another rescue package and whether Ireland would truly miss RTÉ if taxpayers finally refused to keep writing the cheques.
• #809 Tax Them, Insure Them, Licence Them: Has the E-Scooter Free-for-All Gone Too Far? 13.07.2026 1h 6min

  Niall Boylan is joined by Laura Perrins, journalist with Gript Media, to discuss the growing controversy around e-scooters and calls for tougher regulation.Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has called for the law to clamp down on retailers selling e-scooters, following reports that six children were admitted to Temple Street Hospital ICU in recent days after e-scooter related accidents. Minister of State for Road Safety Sean Canney is also reported to be considering stricter rules, including mandatory registration, tax and insurance obligations similar to those placed on cars.But is this common sense regulation, or another example of politicians encouraging a trend and then punishing the public when things go wrong?There is an obvious irony in the Green Party, long associated with promoting electric transport and alternatives to cars, now calling for tougher restrictions on e-scooters. Supporters of regulation say these machines are not toys and that children are being seriously injured, with pedestrians and road users also put at risk. They argue that if e-scooters are being used on public roads, riders should face proper rules, enforcement and accountability.Others say making e-scooters subject to tax, insurance and registration could destroy the very purpose of them: affordable, convenient and environmentally friendly transport. Would tougher laws protect children and pedestrians, or would they simply punish responsible users?Should e-scooters and certain e-bikes be over-18s only? Should riders be licensed, taxed and insured like drivers? Or is this a heavy-handed response that will make cheap electric transport impossible for ordinary people?Niall and Laura discuss safety, personal responsibility, political hypocrisy and whether Ireland needs tougher laws before more children are seriously injured.
• #813 Dont Call me Darling! 12.07.2026 40min

  Not Suitable For Broadcast – "Dont Call me Darling!"This week's episode of Not Suitable For Broadcast didn't quite go to plan… and it may just have turned out even better because of it!With AJ Walsh away, Niall was faced with a dilemma. Cancel the show, or find someone brave enough to step into the hot seat. Enter his wife, Karen Boylan, who had never appeared on a radio show or podcast before. Thrown in at the deep, Karen proved to be a natural, bringing honesty, humour and plenty of opinions to the conversation. Could this be the beginning of a brand new husband and wife podcast? Together, Niall and Karen tackle another packed week of headlines, asking whether Donald Trump should be welcomed to Ireland or protested against, whether the soaring cost of living is forcing people to leave the country, and if politicians have become too sensitive to criticism. They also debate the controversial proposal to classify miscarriage and abortion under the same term of "pregnancy loss", the growing calls for stricter regulation of e-scooters, and RTÉ's latest request for even more taxpayers' money.The conversation also turns to Ireland's EU Presidency and Ursula von der Leyen's visit, the shocking murder investigation into Jamey Carney in Kerry, and they wrap things up with a lighter discussion about Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's awkward podcast confession involving Kylie Minogue.It's an episode full of laughs, lively debate, unexpected chemistry and the kind of honest conversation that Not Suitable For Broadcast is becoming known for.Was Karen a one-off stand in, or have Niall and Karen just stumbled upon the next podcast you didn't know you needed? Listen now and let us know what you think.
• #811 If Anyone Can Become Irish, What Does Irish Mean Anymore? 09.07.2026 1h 53min

  In this episode, Niall talks to journalist John McGuirk about a question that goes right to the heart of Irish identity: does becoming an Irish citizen automatically make someone Irish?The debate follows a wider conversation about citizenship, nationality, belonging and what it really means to be part of a country. According to official Dáil figures, 100,471 certificates of naturalisation were issued in Ireland between 2021 and 2025. That included 10,490 in 2021, 14,249 in 2022, 19,464 in 2023, 29,868 in 2024 and 26,400 in 2025. The latest citizenship ceremonies took place in Killarney on 22 and 23 June 2026, where around 4,600 people from more than 139 countries were due to become Irish citizens.For many people, those ceremonies are a powerful and emotional moment. They represent years of living in Ireland, working here, raising families here, contributing to communities and making a formal declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State.But does that legal act answer the deeper cultural question?Niall asks John whether Irishness is simply a matter of a passport, or whether it is also tied to ancestry, culture, history, loyalty, language, shared values and a genuine sense of belonging. If someone moves to Ireland, lives here long enough, receives citizenship and contributes to society, are they Irish in exactly the same way as someone whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents were born and raised here?Or is there a difference between being an Irish citizen and being culturally, historically or ancestrally Irish?Niall also raises the comparison many people instinctively understand: if an Irish person moved to India, lived there for years and eventually became an Indian citizen, would that make them Indian, or simply an Irish person with Indian citizenship?This is not just a legal debate. It is an emotional one. It touches on immigration, integration, national identity, culture, respect for the host country and the future of what Ireland means. Some will argue that citizenship is enough and that anyone who commits to Ireland should be accepted fully as Irish. Others will say Irishness is something deeper than paperwork and cannot be granted by the State alone.So where do we draw the line? What makes someone Irish? A passport, ancestry, culture, loyalty, community, or something more difficult to define?Niall and John McGuirk discuss the issue, and we want to hear from you.
• #812 Vaping Ban: Is The Government Treating Adults Like Children Again? 09.07.2026 54min

  In this episode, Niall looks at the Government’s latest crackdown on vaping, and asks whether this is a sensible public health measure or another example of the nanny state treating adults like children.The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 has now passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas, paving the way for a ban on the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland. Once the law is commenced, retailers are expected to be given six months to sell off existing stock before enforcement begins. After that, health enforcement officers will be able to carry out inspections to make sure single-use vapes are no longer being sold.Supporters say the ban is long overdue. They argue that disposable vapes are cheap, colourful, easy to hide and clearly attractive to children and teenagers. They also point to the environmental damage caused by millions of plastic, battery-operated devices being thrown away.But this is only one part of the Government’s wider plan.A separate piece of legislation, the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026, is also moving through the Oireachtas. That Bill would bring in much stricter rules on how vapes are sold and presented. It would ban retail advertising, restrict point-of-sale displays in mixed retail outlets such as supermarkets, garages and newsagents, and place new controls on the colours, images and packaging used on vaping products.Most controversially, it would limit vape flavour names to tobacco and unflavoured. That means popular flavours such as fruit, menthol, sweets, desserts and drinks could effectively disappear from ordinary legal sale.The Government says this is about protecting children from nicotine addiction and stopping companies from using bright colours, sweet flavours and cartoon-style packaging to lure young people into vaping. The Oireachtas research digest notes that around 7% of adults vape daily, while youth vaping rates are higher, with one study showing 13% of 12 to 17-year-olds had vaped in the previous 30 days, and another showing 16% of 15 to 16-year-olds vaping.But many adult vapers are furious. They say vaping helped them get off cigarettes, and that flavours were a major part of that. They argue that banning flavours will not stop teenagers getting products, but it may push adults back towards smoking, or push both adults and young people into the black market.So is the Government right to act strongly to protect children from nicotine addiction, or is it punishing adults who used vaping as a way to stop smoking?Should disposable vapes and flavoured liquids be banned, or should adults be free to make their own choices?Niall discusses the issue and asks whether Ireland is protecting public health, or simply banning anything the State does not like.
• #810 Ireland Then vs Ireland Now: Progress or Collapse? 08.07.2026 57min

  Niall Boylan is joined by former journalist Larissa Nolan to ask a question that always sparks strong memories and strong opinions: what was the best time in Ireland to grow up?Was it the Ireland of the 60s, 70s or 80s, where children played on the streets, neighbours looked out for each other and family and community seemed stronger? Or was that Ireland far tougher than we sometimes remember, with less money, fewer opportunities, harsher schools and a society where many people had little freedom or choice?Niall and Larissa look back at the Ireland of the past and compare it with the Ireland of today. We may now have more wealth, better education, more technology and greater opportunity, but have we lost something important along the way? Has modern Ireland become more disconnected, more anxious, less safe and less rooted in family and community?They also discuss politics then and now. Ireland’s politicians of the past were far from perfect. Figures like Charlie Haughey became associated with corruption, while Bertie Ahern faced questions over truth and trust. But many people still feel that, flawed as they were, politicians of that era had a stronger sense of national identity and a greater connection to ordinary people. Is that fair, or is it just nostalgia?Was Ireland better when we had less but expected less? Were people happier when life was simpler? Or do we look back through rose-tinted glasses and forget the poverty, silence, emigration and lack of opportunity?Niall and Larissa invite listeners to share their own memories of growing up in Ireland. What era would you choose, taking into account lifestyle, happiness, family, community, crime, safety, education and life in general?Was Ireland better when you were young, or is the best time to grow up actually now?And if you have never been on air before but would like to join the conversation, send a WhatsApp saying, “Let me on.”
• #808 Is “Pregnancy Loss” the New Sanitised Word for Abortion? 07.07.2026 57min

  In this episode, Niall talks to Sandra Adams, advocate for women’s sex-based rights, child safeguarding and fact-based education, about the reported plan to classify both miscarriage and abortion under the same heading of “pregnancy loss” for the purposes of paid leave.The proposal has opened up a difficult and deeply sensitive debate. Supporters say this is about compassion, privacy and dignity in the workplace. They argue that women should not be forced to explain to an employer whether a pregnancy ended through miscarriage or abortion in order to access time off. Both can involve physical recovery, emotional distress and a need for privacy.But Sandra Adams strongly objects to the classification. She argues that miscarriage and abortion are not the same thing and should not be treated as though they are. A miscarriage is the involuntary loss of a pregnancy, while abortion, in elective cases, is the intentional ending of one. Sandra believes placing both under the same neutral administrative term blurs an important moral, emotional and factual distinction.Niall asks whether this is a compassionate workplace policy or whether language is being used to deliberately soften and sanitise abortion. Should paid leave be available in both cases without asking women to disclose deeply private medical details? Or does calling both miscarriage and abortion “pregnancy loss” ignore the very real difference between losing a baby and choosing to end a pregnancy?This is a conversation about language, truth, women’s rights, workplace compassion, abortion, miscarriage and whether the State should treat both situations the same when it comes to paid leave.
• #807 Is the Cost of Living Pushing Irish People Out of Ireland? 07.07.2026 1h 7min

  In this episode, Niall talks to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín about Aontú’s Private Members’ Bill aimed at stopping planned fuel tax increases due on August 1st.Aontú says the bill is designed to block Government plans that could see petrol rise by 27 cent per litre and diesel by 32 cent per litre when temporary excise cuts expire. The party is also calling for a halt to further carbon tax increases, arguing that ordinary families, workers, farmers, hauliers and small businesses are already being crushed by the cost of living.Peadar Tóibín says Ireland has become one of the most expensive countries in the EU for essentials such as housing, health, alcohol and electricity, and argues that Government policy is making daily life even harder for people who need their cars for work, school, shopping and family life. Aontú’s “Reduce the Cost of Living” motion also takes aim at rising prices across fuel, electricity, groceries and public charging points, warning that families cannot keep absorbing extra costs while wages fail to keep pace.Niall asks the bigger question. What is the real solution to Ireland’s cost of living crisis? Retailers, restaurants, hotels, fuel suppliers and service providers are charging prices many people simply cannot afford, but they are unlikely to cut those prices voluntarily. Should Government intervene more directly? Should taxes be cut? Should wages rise, or would that simply push prices even higher again?As more people ask whether Ireland is becoming unaffordable for ordinary workers and families, Niall and Peadar discuss fuel taxes, carbon taxes, wages, business costs, Government policy and whether Ireland is reaching a point where people simply cannot afford to live here anymore.
• #806 Are Politicians Too Soft, Or Has Public Debate Turned Toxic? 06.07.2026 1h 18min

  In this episode, Niall is joined by Senator Sharon Keogan to discuss a new Women for Election report which claims women in Irish politics are facing widespread online abuse, sexualised harassment and threats of violence.The report, titled Recognize, Resist, Rise Up, was part of a five country European study on gender based violence against women in politics. It found that 96% of female TDs and Senators surveyed said they had experienced online violence, 88% reported psychological violence, 71% said they had received threats targeting themselves or people close to them, 63% reported sexualised violence and 42% reported physical violence or threats involving specific weapons. The research also found that many women had changed how they use social media, with some avoiding comment sections, delegating accounts to staff or reducing their online presence altogether.Niall asks whether these figures reflect a serious and growing threat to democracy, or whether the definition of online violence has become too broad. All threats of violence should be condemned without hesitation, but do people believe that 96% of women in politics have genuinely been threatened, or is there a difference between abuse, insults, harassment and credible threats?Some will argue that online abuse has become an ugly part of modern politics, and that anyone who enters public life needs to develop a thick skin. Others will say that threats, sexualised abuse and intimidation are not part of the job, and that no politician, male or female, should be expected to tolerate it.Niall and Senator Keogan discuss whether public representatives are now expected to absorb abuse as the price of speaking out, whether social media has made politics more hostile, and whether the problem is especially severe for women in public life.If you were a politician, would you accept verbal abuse as part of the job, or has public debate crossed a dangerous line?
• #805 Should Trump Be Welcomed, Or Are We Too Afraid Of The Mob? 06.07.2026 1h

  In this episode, Niall is joined by election candidate and podcaster Nick Delehanty to discuss Donald Trump’s proposed visit to Ireland for the Irish Open at Doonbeg this September.Trump’s possible arrival has already divided opinion. Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has said she is more likely to be with the protesters than welcoming him, pointing to objections over his relationship with Israel. Cian O’Callaghan TD, from the Social Democrats, has described Trump as “the worst possible representation of the States” and predicted large protests if he comes.But is this really about principle, or political theatre? Niall and Nick ask whether Ireland should protest the visit of a sitting US President, or whether the country should recognise the importance of the Irish American relationship, tourism, diplomacy, and American investment in Ireland. With US companies employing hundreds of thousands of people here, should Ireland be careful about how it treats one of its most powerful international partners?Should Trump’s visit be opposed because of his politics, foreign policy and polarising public image? Or should Ireland welcome him respectfully, even if many strongly disagree with him?Will the streets be filled with protesters, or will it be a handful of activists with angry placards? And should this be treated as an official state visit, or simply a private visit to a golf tournament?