This Saturday on the podcast, Niall will be joined by Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and one of the most vocal critics of recent policy decisions affecting motorists and rural Ireland.

First up, they’ll discuss the EU–MERCOSUR trade deal protest taking place in Athlone this Saturday — a demonstration gaining attention from farmers, rural groups and politicians alike. Supporters argue the deal threatens Irish agriculture by opening the market to cheaper imports produced under lower environmental and welfare standards, and they’re calling on communities across the country to make their voices heard this weekend.

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Then, Niall and Peadar will dive into the controversial toll charge increases that have come into effect in Ireland — including higher fees on the M50, the Dublin Port Tunnel at peak times, and several national motorway toll routes.

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These changes — approved by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and linked to inflation adjustments — have sparked protests, criticism from political parties and road users, and rallies such as the recent Aontú actions across Dublin’s motorway bridges.

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Critics say the toll hikes — coming on top of rising fuel costs, taxes and transport charges — are putting extra strain on commuters, rural businesses and families who rely on these routes daily. Government ministers, however, maintain the adjustments are necessary under existing frameworks and for maintaining key infrastructure.

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We’ll be asking you, the listeners:

Do you agree with the principle of paying to use a road that’s supposed to get you from A to B quicker?

Have the latest toll hikes affected your commute or cost of living?

And what do you think about the EU-MERCOSUR deal and its implications for Irish farmers and rural communities?

If you want to come on the show live and share your views, WhatsApp “LET ME ON” to 085 100 22 55 and join the conversation as it happens.

As we approach the end of the first week of the year, Niall will be joined by celebrity chef and restaurateur Paul “Pay” Treyvaud for a wide-ranging conversation on what 2026 may have in store.

From politics to the cost of living, Paul shares his predictions for the year ahead — and then we open the lines to you, the listeners, to have your say.

We want to hear from you:

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions — and will you stick to them?

Do you see a collapse of government and a general election looming?

Will hate speech laws be forced upon us and become a major issue once again?

Will the cost of living improve, or get even worse in 2026?

And will the government get any closer to fixing the ongoing chaos in health, housing, and immigration?

Niall opens the phone lines to hear mixed views on Ireland’s new birth registration law, which for the first time places a duty on unmarried parents to provide the father’s details when registering a child’s birth. The legislation, which came into effect in December 2025, is intended to give children greater access to information about their biological parents — but it has sparked strong and divided reactions.

Callers weigh in on whether the change is a positive step for children’s rights and identity, or an unnecessary intrusion into private family circumstances. Some welcome the move as long overdue, arguing that children have a right to know where they come from and that fathers should be encouraged to take responsibility. Others raise concerns about women’s safety, privacy, and the emotional impact in complex or difficult relationships, even with exemptions built into the law.

Niall explores what the legislation does — and doesn’t — do, including the fact that providing a father’s details does not automatically grant guardianship or legal rights. Is the balance right between children’s rights and mothers’ autonomy? Are the safeguards strong enough? And could there be unintended consequences?

A thoughtful, caller-led conversation on family, responsibility, and how the State should navigate sensitive personal realities.

Niall opens the phone lines for an in-depth discussion on the future of RTÉ, after Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan made it clear there will be no “second bailout” for the national broadcaster and no extension of its ring-fenced State funding beyond 2027. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the Fine Gael TD said that under “no circumstances” would he ask taxpayers to step in again, warning that State support “is not infinite” and that RTÉ must modernise and significantly grow its commercial revenues.

With more than €725 million in Government funding already committed over three years, and a previous €750 million rescue package still fresh in the public memory, is RTÉ now facing a stark sink-or-swim moment? Niall asks callers what reduced State support could realistically mean — job losses, fewer costly live sports and entertainment events, and a diminished public service role.

Listeners debate whether RTÉ still represents value for money. Is the €160 TV licence fee justified? Should the Government and the taxpayer continue to fund a national broadcaster in its current form? Or is it time for RTÉ to rely more heavily on advertising, increase the licence fee, introduce pay-per-view for major events, or rethink its entire model?

A wide-ranging, listener-led conversation on accountability, public trust, and the future of public service broadcasting in Ireland.

Niall opens the lines after receiving a powerful email from a listener facing an unexpected dilemma just months before her wedding.

She’s getting married in May — her second marriage — and believed she had finally found the love of her life. But recently, her fiancé dropped a bombshell. Not one of his own making, he says, but at the insistence of his family, who own a substantial business: they want her to sign a prenuptial agreement “just in case.”

The listener says she feels blindsided, hurt and deeply insulted. If this is about love and commitment, why does money suddenly come into it? And why now?

While prenuptial agreements aren’t fully legally binding in Ireland, judges can and do take them into account when disputes arise. That raises some uncomfortable but important questions.

Are prenups just sensible protection in an uncertain world — especially second marriages and family wealth?

Or are they a massive red flag that trust is already missing?

Would you sign one without hesitation… or would it make you rethink the entire relationship?

Niall wants to hear from you.

To come on the show live and have your say, WhatsApp “Let me on” to 085 100 22 55.

Love, money, trust and family pressure — today’s conversation has it all.

Niall is joined by social commentator Karl Deeter to unpack one of the most controversial media and public health debates right now.

Following a major move in the UK, advertising for junk food and products high in fat, salt and sugar has now been banned on daytime TV and across online platforms. The aim? To tackle rising obesity rates, especially among children. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. UK policymakers are now openly discussing whether gambling ads – and even alcohol advertising – should face similar restrictions across TV, radio and digital media.

Media organisations warn that these bans could wipe out millions, possibly billions, in advertising revenue, threatening jobs and the future of commercial broadcasting. Critics, however, argue that relentless advertising normalises addiction, fuels problem gambling, contributes to poor diets, and places profits ahead of public health.

So where do we draw the line?

Is this about protecting vulnerable people and improving public health — or are we drifting towards censorship and a nanny state, where personal responsibility takes a back seat?

And crucially, should Ireland follow the UK’s lead?

Should we ban advertising for:

Junk food and high-fat, salt and sugar products?

Gambling?

Alcohol?

Or should adults be trusted to make their own informed choices without government interference?

We want to hear your view.

If you’d like to come on air live and have your say, WhatsApp “Let me on” to 085 100 22 55.

This is a conversation that affects public health, personal freedom, media, and business — and your voice matters.

On today’s show, Niall is joined by John McGurk of Gript Media for a wide-ranging conversation on what lies ahead politically and culturally in Ireland. John shares his predictions for the months to come, before turning to a major and controversial announcement from Tánaiste Simon Harris: plans to require users to verify their identities before accessing social media platforms.

The proposal is being framed as a way to combat bots, disinformation, and to better protect children online. While those aims may sound reasonable on the surface, Niall and John examine why the reality could be far more troubling. From data breaches and state overreach to the creation of massive identity databases, they explore why the cybersecurity and civil liberties implications could be nothing short of catastrophic—and why the end of online anonymity may create far more problems than it solves.

A must-listen discussion on power, privacy, and the unintended consequences of “safety” legislation in the digital age.

Today on the show, Niall opens the phones on the new auto-enrolment pension scheme — or as many listeners are already calling it, “paying for your own pension.”

From 1 January 2026, a new scheme called MyFutureFund will automatically enrol workers who don’t already have a payroll pension. If you’re aged 23 to 60, earn €20,000 or more a year, and aren’t paying into a pension, you’ll be enrolled whether you like it or not. You, your employer, and the Government will all contribute — and you won’t be able to opt out for at least six months.

Employers will be legally required to take part, with fines and penalties for non-compliance. Even workers who don’t meet the criteria can opt in voluntarily, as long as they’re over 18 and under pension age.

But critics say this isn’t generosity — it’s spin.

They argue the real reason for auto-enrolment is simple:

Ireland’s population is ageing, birth rates are falling, and the Government knows it won’t be able to afford the State pension in 20 years’ time. So instead of fixing the problem, they’re shifting the burden onto workers and small businesses — while the State puts in a relatively modest contribution of its own.

Sceptics also question how small employers are supposed to afford mandatory matching contributions, why opting out isn’t immediate, and whether this is the first step toward quietly replacing the State pension altogether.

Is this a sensible long-term solution — or just another tax dressed up as a benefit?

Are you happy to be auto-enrolled, or do you feel you’re being forced to pay for government mismanagement?

Niall wants to hear from workers, employers, and anyone concerned about what this really means for your pay packet and your future.

In this festive episode, Niall opens the phone lines and invites listeners to share the moments that truly signal Christmas in Ireland.

We’re asking you to finish the sentence:

🎄 “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…”

Is it when your mother definitely overcooks the turkey, but no one dares say a word? When you’re bundled into the car to visit relations you haven’t seen since last Christmas — and won’t see again until next year? Or the familiar chaos of ten people squeezed into a small house, steam on the windows, arguments over seats, and someone inevitably washing dishes all day?

Maybe it’s buying the perfect present for a small child, only for them to spend Christmas Day happily playing with the box. Or settling down to watch Willy Wonka (or The Sound of Music, Home Alone, or The Snowman) for the hundredth time. Midnight Mass in the cold. Selection boxes hidden — and found — too early. The smell of turf or coal, a big fry on Stephen’s Day, leftover ham in everything, and the annual debate over whether the Christmas decorations should come down on the 6th or be “left for another while”.

From childhood memories to adult traditions, funny moments to emotional ones, this episode is a celebration of the small, shared experiences that make Christmas in Ireland feel like Christmas.

🎄 Finish the sentence: “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…”

In this episode, Niall is joined by Ciarán Mullooly MEP and Jackie Flannery from the Irish Rural Association to discuss one of the most controversial trade proposals facing Ireland today: the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

Ciarán explains why he believes Ireland should reject the deal, which supporters say will boost free trade and lead to cheaper imports, including beef. But critics warn the agreement could seriously undercut Irish farmers, weaken food and animal welfare standards, increase environmental damage, and put rural jobs at risk.

What would the EU-Mercosur deal really mean for your household? Are cheaper imports worth the potential cost to Irish farming, food safety, and rural communities — or is this another EU deal that benefits big corporations while ordinary people pay the price?

💬 Have your say. Text or WhatsApp your views to 085 100 22 55.