RTE struggle to understand firearms; a new poll says Independents and Others are more popular than any party, at least in the European elections; and the Garda release new figures on hate crime, but it may shock you to hear that they don't really stand up.

John and Sarah discuss whether there's merit in chemical castration for paedophiles; What to make of Bambie Thug and Eurovision; Javier Millei's astonishing success in Argentina; and general European and Local election chat.

It's been an abysmal week for the Government as polls show massive levels of discontent with immigration policies, and that hasn't been helped by Minister Helen McEntee's seemingly endless public ineptitude.

John and Sarah review the week, including Ireland's renewed - if conveniently timed - war with Britain on immigration; reflections on the battle of Newtownmountkennedy; whether the polls are to be believed; and is the cost of living being ignored?

We're told that 80% of asylum seekers are coming through Northern Ireland, but actual evidence for that is unclear; and a new poll indicates people are poorer, less interested in the enviroment, and just generally not having a good time.

https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?id=2024-04-23a.884

Sarah Ryan explains to John McGuirk why she has decided to manage Niall Boylan's EU election campaign. Also, they talk about events at the Oireachtas committee on immigration, Helen McEntee's bad week, and are smartphones the new "microchipping"?

Claims that boys are having anti-women content thrown at them by algorithms aren't all that solid; and what do the FOI documents released by the Department of Justice tell us about the recent referendums?

Harris manages to appear weak less than a week into the job; SF's internal issues; and Ireland tries its hand at some serious geopolitics.

https://twitter.com/johnkvallis/status/1779303075364442585

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/how-frances-fitzgerald-and-a-fear-of-the-civil-service-saved-helen-mcentees-job/a2056415841.html