The Irish Question

“I don’t want to agree with you… but I’m finding myself agreeing with you more than I should.”Political scientist and author Eoin O’Malley joins Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty for a lively debate about Ireland’s media, political leadership and the issues dividing the country.The panel tackles the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy, the backlash against Robbie Keane, coverage of Dublin’s housing statistics, rising fuel prices and whether carbon taxes are achieving anything.Eoin also discusses Ireland’s leadership problem, the Garda whistleblower controversy involving Helen McEntee, and whether Aontú and Independent Ireland could offer a credible alternative. Plus, a discussion on detransition, political consensus and what young people really think.CHAPTERS00:00 “I don’t want to agree with you…”00:26 Welcome to The Irish Question01:22 Introducing Eoin O’Malley and Charlie versus Garret02:14 Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and the media backlash04:26 Robbie Keane and the politics of boycotts06:10 Free speech — but only for views we agree with?09:59 Is the celebrity controversy a distraction?12:27 Irish media bias and Dublin housing statistics15:30 Eoin pushes back: coordination or shared consensus?22:04 Media funding and the future of podcast regulation22:44 French fuel protests and the diesel crisis25:26 Do carbon taxes actually change behaviour?27:57 Should carbon taxes be scrapped?29:09 Green policies, fuel taxes and pressure on businesses33:37 More protests — and what should people do with their anger?35:33 Where have Ireland’s strong political leaders gone?37:04 Eoin on leadership, red tape and getting things done40:42 Why are politicians afraid to speak their minds?43:02 Garda whistleblowers and Helen McEntee48:34 Accountability and Ireland’s political talent pool50:38 Aontú, Independent Ireland and political alternatives53:24 Detransition: the Leinster House discussion56:09 Eoin on gender, consensus and political change1:02:46 What do young people really think?1:04:45 A hopeful finish: Ireland’s next generationSubscribe to The Irish Question, share the episode and tell us what you think in the comments.#TheIrishQuestion #EoinOMalley #IrishPolitics #EdSheeran #MediaBias

Who is getting Dublin’s social housing—and what can Ireland learn from Sweden’s election?

This week on The Irish Question, Nick Delehanty, Elaine Mullally and Paul Treyvaud welcome special guest Donal Byrne, entrepreneur, founder of The Big Red Barn, beef farmer and publican.

We examine the Dublin City Council housing figures released by Councillor Gavin Pepper, question the media response, and debate immigration, citizenship and voting patterns in Sweden.

Donal explains the pressures facing Irish businesses, his ideas for tackling the housing shortage, and why he believes Ireland faces a “cost of survival” crisis. He also shares his account of the fuel protests and his arrest after introducing antigen testing at his pub during COVID restrictions.

Plus: Donald Trump’s Irish visit, whiskey tariffs, tourism, a united Ireland—and the reaction from politicians and protesters.

Subscribe, share and tell us what you think in the comments.

00:00 Welcome to The Irish Question
00:45 Meet special guest Donal Byrne
02:33 Dublin’s social housing figures: who gets housed?
05:01 The panel questions the media response
08:24 Factory-built homes, planning and the housing shortage
10:46 Does the system punish people for working more?
14:58 Apprenticeships and bringing back trade schools
17:45 Sweden’s election: immigration and voting patterns
24:32 Ireland, Sweden and the citizenship debate
31:54 The “cost of survival” for Irish businesses
36:39 Minimum wage, employer PRSI and rising employment costs
39:46 Political change, multinationals and funding barriers
42:53 Inside the fuel protests: Donal’s account
47:00 Diesel prices, the Budget and carbon tax
50:52 Donal’s COVID pub arrest and court case
54:44 Trump in Ireland: whiskey, tourism and political reaction
1:02:15 The Ploughing Championships and a message to listeners

This week on The Irish Question, Nick Delehanty, Elaine Mullally and Paul Treyvaud are joined by special guest David Quinn—one of Ireland’s best-known commentators on politics, religion, family and cultural change.

The panel celebrates Katie Taylor’s remarkable Croke Park homecoming and discusses the importance of faith throughout her career. They also examine the rise of AfD in Germany, Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland, proposed changes to Irish citizenship, concerns surrounding the new Leaving Cert maths curriculum, child poverty and the real cost of carbon taxes.

If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, share and hit the Hype button to help us reach a wider audience.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and special guest David Quinn
00:39 Muhammad Ali’s historic visit to Croke Park
02:12 Katie Taylor’s remarkable homecoming
05:00 Katie Taylor, faith and Ireland’s sporting heroes
09:42 Why is AfD surging in Germany?
13:10 Immigration and the failure of establishment parties
17:06 David Quinn on Merkel’s legacy and the rise of AfD
22:36 What would AfD actually do in government?
26:50 Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland
29:35 Ireland’s economic relationship with America
32:19 How will President Catherine Connolly handle Trump?
34:37 Resignations over the new Leaving Cert maths curriculum
39:21 Meritocracy, education and falling standards
43:33 Is ideology reshaping the wider school curriculum?
46:08 Proposed changes to Irish citizenship rules
49:46 Should citizenship require eight or ten years?
51:09 Integration, language and the media’s blind spot
55:29 Two hundred thousand Irish children living in poverty
57:38 Rising living costs and carbon taxes
1:00:05 Where does Ireland’s carbon-tax revenue go?
1:02:39 Climate change, green policies and working families
1:04:01 Closing thoughts and film recommendations
1:05:32 Outro

#TheIrishQuestion #DavidQuinn #KatieTaylor #IrishPolitics #AfD #DonaldTrump

The Irish Question is back.

In our first episode after the summer break, Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty discuss the controversy surrounding Dr Ebun Joseph, critical race theory, migration across Europe, Ireland’s IPAS system and the influence of State-funded NGOs.

The conversation also covers the proposed male-lactation conference, climate policy, flooding and infrastructure, the debate over “tradwives” and the manosphere, tax individualisation, rising energy and fuel costs, and the latest movements in Irish politics.

Subscribe, share the episode and hit the Hype button if you want to help The Irish Question reach a wider audience.

CHAPTERS

0:00 – The Irish Question returns
1:17 – Dr Ebun Joseph controversy and the race debate
4:56 – Critical race theory and State-funded ideology
9:31 – UK migrant guidance and Channel crossings
12:51 – The growing scale of small-boat migration
14:28 – IPAS, crime and Ireland’s prison capacity
17:34 – Planning exemptions for IPAS centres
18:08 – Durrow residents secure a planning victory
20:50 – Ceuta, Spain and migration across Europe
26:10 – Controversy over the male-lactation conference
29:30 – Have Irish politicians challenged it?
30:27 – NGOs, universities and gender ideology
33:02 – Help support the podcast with YouTube Hype
34:33 – Climate change claims concerning children
37:58 – Killarney flooding, blocked drains and infrastructure
40:21 – Carbon taxes, retrofits and climate adaptation
42:56 – What is a “tradwife”?
45:23 – Elaine defends motherhood and traditional family life
48:36 – Tax individualisation and the growth of childcare
50:14 – The manosphere and “toxic masculinity” research
53:43 – The influence of Ireland’s NGO sector
55:03 – Fuel prices, carbon taxes and possible protests
58:49 – Business energy costs and conflicting government priorities
1:00:28 – Solar power, levies and electricity bills
1:01:53 – The hosts’ summer catch-up
1:03:55 – Political realignment and new alternatives
1:06:35 – Pressure building within Fianna Fáil
1:07:19 – Final thoughts and what’s coming next

In a recent discussion, with Elaine Mullally, Dr. Marcus De Brun and Dr. Billy Ralph shared their experiences with the Irish Medical Council hearings that have garnered significant attention. Their stories reveal not just the personal toll of these hearings but also the broader implications for medical professionals and public health policies.The Context of the HearingsDr. Marcus De Brun began by detailing the background of his case. He faced complaints after publicly protesting against mask mandates and voicing concerns over COVID-19 policies in nursing homes. He humorously remarked on the frivolous nature of the complaints against him, which included allegations about not using hand sanitizer while shaking hands with protestors. "The purpose of it really was to send a message to the rest of the doctors... that any sort of complaining about vaccines, particularly COVID vaccines, wasn't going to be tolerated," he explained.Finding and RepercussionsThe hearings were lengthy and intense, lasting several days. Dr. De Brun was ultimately found guilty of undermining public health guidelines, a verdict he anticipated and even accepted. "I was entirely guilty of undermining public health guidelines and would do so again," he stated, reflecting on the gravity of the situation. Elaine Mullally, the host, pointed out a disturbing reality: the focus of the hearings was less about the correctness of the guidelines and more about the messaging surrounding them. Dr. De Brun concurred, emphasizing how the medical council was unwilling to question the validity of the guidelines themselves, regardless of their impact on public health.Right to Question GuidelinesBoth doctors lamented the apparent loss of the medical profession's ability to question guidelines. Dr. De Brun stated, "Doctors should be able to criticize guidelines and not administer drugs if they believe they are dangerous." This sentiment resonated with Dr. Ralph, who added that the current system often discourages doctors from stepping outside established guidelines, creating a culture of compliance over critical thinking.Role of Government in Health DecisionsThe conversation also touched on the concerning interference of government in doctor-patient relationships. Mullally expressed her fear at witnessing this shift, describing it as a terrifying breach of the sacred trust between doctor and patient. Dr. Ralph echoed this concern, stating that modern medical guidelines often come with vested interests, which can compromise patient care. "The question we should always ask is, 'Who benefits?" he urged. Call for Critical ThinkingThe dialogue concluded with a call for continued vigilance and critical thinking within the medical community. Both doctors underscored the importance of questioning established norms and remaining advocates for patient welfare, regardless of external pressures. Their experiences serve as a crucial reminder of the need for open discourse and the protection of medical professionals' rights to speak out against potentially harmful policies. As we reflect on these insights, it's vital to consider the implications of such hearings not just for individual doctors, but for the healthcare system as a whole.

Senator Sharon Keogan joins Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty for the final episode of The Irish Question before the summer break.The panel discusses Mayo’s historic All-Ireland victory, the renewed controversy surrounding former RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes, Elon Musk’s clash with The Economist, Ireland’s attitude towards wealth and success, and the Government’s Summer Economic Statement.They also examine Ireland’s dependence on multinational tax revenue, the risks posed by Big Tech’s enormous AI gamble, government waste, universal basic income and the decline of small businesses.Finally, Senator Keogan explains why she still has hope for Ireland—and calls on ordinary people, councillors and aspiring politicians to step forward, abandon failing party structures and build a genuine independent alternative.Like, subscribe and share if you want to help grow The Irish Question.CHAPTERS00:00 – Senator Sharon Keogan joins the show01:04 – Mayo finally wins the All-Ireland06:41 – Dee Forbes, RTÉ and the accountability crisis11:48 – Can RTÉ be saved—or should it be privatised?17:59 – Elon Musk’s explosive Economist interview25:27 – Why Ireland resents wealth and success29:32 – The Summer Economic Statement explained35:48 – Tax cuts, investing and government waste42:36 – Can Ireland’s political system ever change?43:57 – Ireland’s tax base is leveraged on Big Tech’s AI gamble48:16 – Universal basic income and the destruction of small business

Is Ireland becoming less safe—and has the political system lost control of crime, borders and public trust?

This week on The Irish Question, Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty are joined by Councillor Linda de Courcy for a blunt discussion about public safety, policing shortages, bail, crime statistics and Ireland’s approach to citizenship.

The panel examines the violence witnessed in Skerries, asks whether crime data should include nationality, and debates whether Ireland’s combination of loose border controls and a weak criminal-justice system is creating a dangerous situation.

They also ask why so many young Irish people are leaving, why returning home is so difficult, and whether Simon Harris’s promised tax-cutting budgets will make ordinary people any better off. The proposed introduction of digital ID—and what it could mean for personal freedom—is also put under the microscope.

Linda explains how she went from deciding to run for office to being elected in just six weeks, her ambitions for Dáil Éireann, and a recent local incident that prompted her to issue an important child-safety warning to parents.

Do you believe Ireland has become less safe? Is Irish citizenship granted too easily? What would persuade our young emigrants to come home?

Let us know below—and please like, subscribe and share to help more people discover The Irish Question.

This week’s episode focuses on RTÉ, examining the broadcaster’s financial difficulties, leadership, editorial direction, and declining quality of programming. The hosts question RTÉ’s independence and impartiality, raising concerns about perceived political favouritism, censorship, and bias in its coverage of immigration, crime, and other contentious issues.The discussion also explores the decline of Irish-produced entertainment, the loss of cultural identity in public broadcasting, and whether RTÉ still reflects the views and experiences of its audience. Alongside this, the hosts consider Ireland’s political landscape, asylum policy, EU influence, big tech, free speech, and the challenges facing local businesses.

Ireland is asking hard questions.In this episode, Paul Treyvaud, Nick Delehanty, Declan Ganley, and Elaine Mullally discuss the alleged dog cruelty controversy, immigration and welfare concerns, political transparency, rising crime, pressure on small businesses, and the growing debate around Irish identity, culture, and national values.We also cover the Irish-filmed Hollywood project Young Washington and end with a lighter look at George Lee, vampires, and the heatwave.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:00 - Alleged dog cruelty controversy in Ireland03:20 - Cultural differences around animal consumption04:45 - Trump, cats and dogs: misunderstanding or reality?06:00 - Public reaction to animal cruelty allegations07:00 - Is this an isolated incident or a sign of decline?08:00 - Helen Ogbu candidacy and transparency issues09:30 - Media bias and suppressed stories11:00 - Political accountability12:00 - Immigration fraud, welfare and policy loopholes14:00 - Rise in anti-immigration sentiment15:00 - Crime, violence and public safety concerns17:00 - Loss of respect, dignity and social cohesion19:00 - Irish film success: Young Washington20:30 - Small business struggles and rising costs23:00 - VAT cuts and government intervention25:00 - Employment taxes and pressure on entrepreneurs27:00 - Civic courage and standing up to systemic issues30:00 - Ireland’s monopsony-style government problem33:00 - Data transparency on crime and immigration36:00 - Immigration fraud and tougher regulations40:00 - Border controls and systemic reform45:00 - Urban crime, violence and gang activity52:00 - Irish identity, cultural values and spiritual crisis54:00 - Young Washington and future film opportunities55:00 - Ireland’s murder rates and public safety58:00 - George Lee, vampires and the heatwaveFeaturing Paul Treyvaud, Nick Delehanty, Declan Ganley, and Elaine Mullally

In this episode, Irish MEP Michael McNamara shares candid views on Europe’s migration policies, Ireland’s political system, and the economic pressures facing the continent. He discusses the EU returns directive, return hubs, immigration challenges, energy policy, industrial competitiveness, and Ireland’s role within the EU.KEY TOPICS

• The EU returns directive and Ireland’s opt-in/opt-out position
• Return hubs, deportation policy, and safeguards for minors
• Ireland’s immigration system, accommodation pressures, and population growth
• The role of migrant labour in Ireland’s economy
• Europe’s demographic decline and labour shortages
• Energy costs, regulation, and Europe’s industrial competitiveness
• Criticism of Ireland’s political structures, civil service influence, and local governance
• Ireland’s EU membership, sovereignty, neutrality, and the triple lock
• Reflections on Irish political leadership and the future of Fianna Fáil

01:15 – EU returns directive and Ireland’s position03:14 – Return hubs and deportation policy06:56 – Children, minors, and moral concerns13:21 – Ireland’s immigration and accommodation crisis15:08 – Migrant labour, housing, and workforce pressures20:00 – India trade deal and migration implications22:22 – Healthcare, emigration, and border control25:25 – Europe’s demographic decline27:21 – Energy policy and industrial competitiveness36:15 – Automotive industry challenges38:01 – Independent voices in Irish politics40:02 – Civil service influence and governance issues44:05 – Electoral reform and accountability48:39 – Political recruitment and public disengagement51:02 – Ireland’s role in EU lawmaking54:17 – European army debate, neutrality, and the triple lock58:39 – Media, political infighting, and EU presidency61:36 – Irish leadership and Fianna Fáil’s future