Global warming is the single greatest security threat Ireland is ever likely to face. To discuss this complex issue, John Mooney is joined by Mark Mellet, the recently retired Defence Forces Chief of Staff.

The Irish government has just published its proposals to protect the integrity of the telecommunications sector. Dr Steven Conlon provides an analysis of the Electronic Communications Security Measures (ECSM).

Little Blue Heroes is a charity set up to support sick children and their families.

It’s a fantastic charity. The children are made honorary gardai and give little uniforms, miniature garda patrol cars and motorbikes. They are even given their own ID number.

The charity also organises for these youngsters to visit garda stations where they meet local officers who take them on patrol.

So this month we are raising funds to support this valuable work.

John Mooney is joined by Karl Heller, one of the charity’s founders to tell you about the wonderful children who become little blue heroes.

What is the future of the Irish Defence Forces? Years of neglect by successive Irish governments has undermined its ability to fulfil its mission. Today’s programme looks at the pending crisis facing the Irish military?

Will it be capable of protecting Ireland from external threats in the years and decades ahead?

Will a new government commission on the future of defence make any difference?

Or is it too late. Will the Irish public ultimately end up paying a heavy price for the state’s indifference to defence.

John Mooney talks to Dr Cathal Berry TD and Conor King of RACO, which represents commissioned officers.

The region is synonymous with paramilitaries, smuggling and money laundering.

John Mooney discusses the unique challenges that policing the border presents with Pat Marry and Ken Pennington, former police officers who have vast experiences of the region.

Afghanistan has been lost to the Taliban. Will it once again become a safe haven for Islamic terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Might the US withdrawal inspire a new generation of jihadists. If so, what are the consequences for the West?

John Mooney speaks to Bruce Hoffman, the acclaimed author, critical thinker and expert on terrorism and counter-terrorism. He is a Professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Should Ireland continue to send troops abroad to participate in peacekeeping missions? Ireland has been sending soldiers into conflict zones since 1958 but has the time come to rethink this policy?

Do Irish soldiers gain anything from the experience or are such missions just an additional drain on a depleted military’s resources? John Mooney discuss the issue with Prof Ray Murphy of NUI Galway and Declan Power, an independent defence expert.

The Omagh bombing of August 1998 was the largest single loss of life in the Troubles.

29 people and unborn twin girls lost their lives when a Real IRA car bomb exploded. Among those who died were young children, parents and grandparents.

Today we ask if the atrocity altered the course of violent dissident republicanism and heralded the end of car bomb attacks?

John Mooney speaks to Iain Turner of Balaclava Street, the acclaimed blog which provides a unique insight in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Turner provides an insight into the secret history of the loyalist paramilitary group and discusses its opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

They haven’t gone away you know. Loyalist paramilitaries are making their presence felt once again.

The Ulster Defence Association, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commando are all united in their opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

This week we return to the subject of loyalist terrorism. Are they still a threat? And could we see the emergence of a new dissident loyalist group in the coming months?

John Mooney discusses the issue with Dr Arron Edwards.