The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

Niall asks listeners for their views on one of the most divisive moral and social issues facing Ireland today, surrogacy.

The debate reignited last week after an American commercial surrogacy company planned to hold an event in a Dublin hotel called “Babies and Bites”. The event was later cancelled following public backlash and questions surrounding the legality of promoting commercial surrogacy in Ireland.

At present, altruistic surrogacy is legal in Ireland, meaning a woman can carry a child for somebody else without payment. However, commercial surrogacy, where women are paid to carry babies for couples or individuals, including same sex couples and those unable to conceive naturally, remains illegal.

Supporters argue surrogacy can be an extraordinary gift that allows people who may never otherwise experience parenthood to finally have a family of their own. They say modern families come in many forms and that banning surrogacy denies loving people the opportunity to become parents.

Critics however say the entire industry raises serious ethical concerns. Some believe commercial surrogacy turns babies into commodities and exploits vulnerable women, particularly those in poorer countries who may feel pressured into carrying children for money.

The issue has sparked fierce debate across Ireland, with strong opinions on both sides. Should surrogacy be fully legalised and regulated here, or should Ireland resist what some see as the commercialisation of childbirth and parenthood?

Niall hears passionate and emotional opinions from callers as they ask the question, where should Ireland draw the line on surrogacy?

Ireland decided last year to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s participation. RTÉ has also decided not to broadcast the hugely popular song contest.

A petition has now been set up by Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted, demanding that RTÉ apologise and that the Director General resign over the decision. Linehan claims this is antisemitism and says RTÉ should not be getting involved in politics. Is he right?

Others agree with RTÉ and say Ireland should stand up against what it believes is wrong.

Where do you stand on this decision?

Are RTÉ overstepping the mark, or are they right to take a stand?

Niall talks to Ciaran and Jessie Redmond about the heartbreaking situation their family now finds themselves in after their youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and requires round the clock care. The diagnosis turned their lives upside down overnight, forcing Ciaran to give up work to care for their child full time while Jessie continues working just to try and keep the family afloat.

But as they battle one unimaginable crisis, another has now emerged. Their landlord is selling the home they rent, leaving the family facing the terrifying possibility of homelessness at the worst possible time in their lives.

Despite their desperate circumstances, they have been told they do not qualify for social housing because Jessie is working. Yet with soaring rents, one income is nowhere near enough to secure another home in today’s market, and they cannot get approved for a mortgage either.

The family say they have fallen into a cruel gap in the system, where they are considered “too well off” for help on paper, but in reality are struggling to survive under impossible pressure. It raises serious questions about whether Ireland’s rigid means testing system is failing ordinary working families who suddenly find themselves in crisis through no fault of their own.

Should families dealing with serious illness be treated differently when it comes to housing support? Has the Government created a cold, black and white welfare system that ignores the human reality behind the numbers?

On this episode of the podcast, Niall is joined by media producer AJ Walsh to debate the tipping culture row that has exploded online after a restaurant sign went viral.

The sign on the restaurant door reads:

“DEAR GUESTS, YOUR SERVER IS NOT A VOLUNTEER. THEY DON’T WORK FOR FREE. WE DON’T SERVE FOR FREE. IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO TIP, YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO DINE OUT.”

The message has divided opinion, with some people applauding the restaurant for standing up for hospitality staff who often work long hours dealing with difficult customers for relatively modest pay. Others say the sign is arrogant, entitled and another example of American style tipping culture creeping into Ireland.

Niall and AJ discuss whether tipping should now be expected in Ireland the same way it is in the United States and other countries, where leaving 15% to 20% is often seen as mandatory rather than optional.

If somebody gives excellent service, should customers reward that with a tip, or is that simply the job they are already being paid to do? Has tipping become less about appreciation and more about guilt and social pressure?

The conversation also explores why people are now increasingly expected to tip not just waiters, but delivery drivers, baristas, taxi drivers, hairdressers and even self service kiosks asking for gratuities on card machines.

Critics argue that employers should simply pay staff properly instead of relying on customers to subsidise wages. Supporters say hospitality workers are often underpaid, overworked and rely heavily on tips to make ends meet, especially in expensive cities where the cost of living continues to soar.

Niall asks callers whether they regularly tip and if so, how much is fair. Is tipping a nice gesture for exceptional service, or has it become an expectation that people resent being pressured into?

Should a tip be earned, expected or abolished altogether?

On this episode of the podcast, Niall is joined by journalist Laura Perrins from Gript Media to discuss whether modern society has lost its moral compass by abandoning religion and traditional Christian values.

Laura argues that many countries where religion still plays a central role in public and private life tend to place greater importance on family, community, identity and shared moral values, rather than modern consumerism and technology. She says that for centuries Western civilisation drew its value system largely from Christianity, but as religion declines across Europe, many people are now searching for meaning elsewhere.

Niall and Laura debate whether our sense of right and wrong comes from religion, or whether morality can exist completely independent of faith. Can society maintain strong values without belief in God, or has secularism created a culture that is more individualistic, less connected and spiritually empty?

The conversation also explores whether children raised without religion are missing out on something important, including a sense of community, tradition, purpose and moral guidance. Others argue that kindness, compassion and ethics do not belong exclusively to religion and that many non religious people live deeply moral and fulfilling lives.

The discussion comes at a time when religious belief continues to decline across much of the Western world. According to recent global research by the Pew Research Center, Christianity remains the world’s largest religion at approximately 28.8% of the global population, followed by Islam at 25.6%, the religiously unaffiliated at 24.2%, Hinduism at 14.9% and Buddhism at just over 4%. ()

Globally, Christianity is estimated to have around 2.3 to 2.5 billion followers, Islam close to 2 billion, Hinduism around 1.1 to 1.2 billion and Buddhism over 500 million followers worldwide. ()

Niall also asks whether modern Western societies have become too uncomfortable discussing faith openly, and whether religion still plays an important role in shaping laws, culture and social behaviour even among people who no longer attend church.

Do we get our values from religion, or can society thrive without faith? Are people without religion missing out on meaning and community, or is morality simply part of human nature?

Part two

Niall talks to Eric Nelligan about growing outrage after parents at a new secondary school were informed that students will be using mixed-sex toilets.

Some parents, particularly mothers of teenage girls, have described the decision as “disgraceful”, arguing that schools are ignoring privacy, dignity and safety concerns in the name of modern ideology. Critics say many parents are now afraid to speak up for fear of being labelled intolerant, while schools continue pushing policies that the vast majority of families are uncomfortable with.

Supporters however insist the backlash is overblown. They argue unisex toilets already exist in shopping centres, restaurants and other public spaces, and that schools should reflect a more inclusive society that accommodates everyone, including transgender students.

The debate has reignited wider questions around political correctness, gender ideology in schools and whether common sense is being sacrificed to avoid offending a small minority.

Should boys and girls be expected to share toilet facilities in school, or are parents right to say enough is enough?

Part one

Niall talks to Eric Nelligan about growing outrage after parents at a new secondary school were informed that students will be using mixed-sex toilets.

Some parents, particularly mothers of teenage girls, have described the decision as “disgraceful”, arguing that schools are ignoring privacy, dignity and safety concerns in the name of modern ideology. Critics say many parents are now afraid to speak up for fear of being labelled intolerant, while schools continue pushing policies that the vast majority of families are uncomfortable with.

Supporters however insist the backlash is overblown. They argue unisex toilets already exist in shopping centres, restaurants and other public spaces, and that schools should reflect a more inclusive society that accommodates everyone, including transgender students.

The debate has reignited wider questions around political correctness, gender ideology in schools and whether common sense is being sacrificed to avoid offending a small minority.

Should boys and girls be expected to share toilet facilities in school, or are parents right to say enough is enough?

Niall talks to John McGuirk about growing controversy over Government plans to potentially offer Ukrainian refugees a cash payment to voluntarily return home.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan says no final decision has been made yet, but confirmed the Government is considering “mechanisms” to encourage Ukrainians who wish to return home, possibly with financial assistance. He said Ukrainian officials are anxious for their citizens to return and help rebuild the country, while also acknowledging that some people may choose to remain in Ireland long term.

Supporters of the proposal say it’s a humane and practical solution that could reduce pressure on housing, hotels and public services, while helping families restart their lives in Ukraine. The Government has already confirmed it will phase out tourist accommodation currently housing up to 16,000 Ukrainians and wind down the €600 Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme over the coming months.

But critics say the idea is completely tone deaf at a time when Irish families are struggling with soaring rents, mortgages and the cost of living. Some argue that if people are willing to leave in exchange for a lump sum payment from taxpayers, then serious questions need to be asked about the entire system.

Should taxpayers fund voluntary return payments if it saves money in the long run, or is this another example of a Government completely disconnected from ordinary working people?

On this episode of the podcast, Niall is joined by economist and Sunday Times Ireland columnist Cormac Lucey to debate one of the most divisive housing proposals in years, a move by the Labour Party to ban “no fault” evictions for three years during the housing crisis.

Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan says evictions should no longer be “a routine feature of a broken housing system”, but critics argue the Government has already gone too far in stripping rights away from landlords.

The discussion comes as Ireland’s homelessness figures continue to hit shocking new records. Latest figures show more than 17,300 people are now living in emergency accommodation across the country, including over 5,500 children. ()

Niall and Cormac also examine the Government’s recently introduced six year tenancy legislation, which came into effect in March 2026. Under the new rules, many renters now receive minimum six year tenancy protections, while larger landlords face severe restrictions on ending tenancies without specific legal grounds. ()

Supporters say the changes are badly needed to give renters stability and stop families being thrown out of their homes through no fault of their own. Landlords, however, warn that tighter controls and growing restrictions are pushing more property owners out of the rental market entirely, reducing supply and driving rents even higher.

With eviction notices rising sharply and thousands of landlords reportedly leaving the market, the question becomes:

Are stronger tenant protections the answer to Ireland’s housing emergency, or are Government policies making the crisis even worse? ()

Niall and Cormac Lucey debate the economics, the politics and the human cost behind Ireland’s spiralling rental and homelessness crisis.

On this episode of the podcast, Niall talks to callers about growing calls to ban alcohol in airports and on planes after Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said drunken passengers are causing mayhem in the skies.

For years airlines have dealt with aggressive passengers, abuse directed at cabin crew, mid air fights, emergency landings and diverted flights, all linked to excessive drinking before boarding or during flights.

Michael O’Leary says the problem is getting worse and believes airports and airlines need to take stronger action against what many now call “pre flight binge drinking culture”.

But would banning alcohol in airports and on planes go too far?

Many callers argue that the vast majority of passengers enjoy a quiet pint or glass of wine responsibly before a holiday and should not be punished because of a minority who can’t handle their drink.

Others say flying has become unbearable, with loud drunken behaviour, arguments, intimidation and anti social behaviour becoming far too common on flights across Europe.

Some even compared it to smoking bans introduced years ago.

Smoking was once seen as part of the flying experience until it became clear it negatively affected other passengers.

So should alcohol now face similar restrictions?

Niall asks:

Is it finally time to ban alcohol in airports and on planes?

Or is this another example of punishing responsible people because of a badly behaved minority?

The callers strongly disagree.