Jason and Ben react with disbelief to Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty's proclamation that you can say whatever you want on RTÉ, before turning their disbelief to both Sinn Féin's "game-changing" presidential announcement and the way people talk about Christians.

In an action-packed episode, John and Sarah recap the case of Daniel Aruebose, discuss John and Eoin Hayes' blackface scandals, analyse the Joe Brolly wars and attempts to murder David Quinn, and dissect the Maria Steen nomination fight.

Ben and Jason share their reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk, as well as what they thought of the many reactions celebrating and justifying his death. Left-wing violence on Irish streets and the Taoiseach's view that saying 'Ireland for the Irish' is tantamount to inciting violence were also on the agenda this week.

John and Sarah spend most of this week's episode talking about the murder of Charlie Kirk, the pathology of those cheering it, and where we go from here.

The road to the Áras is getting busier as independents vie to earn the backing of the local authorities, prompting Jason and Ben to chat about what will separate the serious contenders from the rest. The ongoing threats faced by Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family, and Gavin Pepper's failure to live up to the leftist's imagining of him, make up the rest of the discussion this week.

Sarah returns to her chair this week, and shares her tale of accident and emergency horror. Also: Why she's not high on Jim Gavin's chances, the media's double standard on Graham Linehan, and reflections on the great flag wars.

On The Long Game this week, Ben and Maria talk about Dublin City Council's attempt to remove Irish flags around the city; the media grilling of Presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly; and Fianna Fáil's apparent lack of faith in any candidate from inside their own ranks.

On this week's episode of The Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the state of the Presidential race, the possibility of "President Bertie Ahern", the cult of Michael D. Higgins, and delve further into the state funding of media.

With Sarah still sadly indisposed, John and Laura discuss the stories of the week: The big engagement in America, the controversy around Dr. Umar Al Qadri, the CSO migration numbers.. and that Sunday Indo article about how the nation loves Michael D.

With Sarah away, Laura Perrins joins John and gives him a thorough education in why his support for delivery drones is wrong. They also discuss crime in Dublin, Maria Steen's Presidential prospects, and Laura goes off on Kneecap and Sally Rooney.