With energy bills on the rise again and households feeling the squeeze, Niall opens the phone lines to hear from listeners on a burning issue: who should get help? Recent statistics show energy costs continue to climb — thousands of households are now in arrears on electricity and gas bills, with people struggling to keep up as prices stay high after years of global volatility in oil and gas markets. Almost 320,000 people in Ireland were behind on energy bills last winter, and calls are growing for stronger action from Government.

Join Niall as he delves into a thought-provoking conversation with social commentator Karl Deeter in this week’s episode of “The Open Mic.” They tackle a pressing issue: the recent research revealing that it would cost approximately €60,112 annually to hire someone to perform the myriad tasks of a stay-at-home parent.

In this explosive episode, Niall speaks with UK security expert Will Geddes about the dramatic escalation in the Middle East. Following direct US action targeting military installations linked to Iran — and reports that tensions now involve threats around Ali Khamenei — the region stands on a knife edge. Retaliatory strikes have reportedly hit civilian areas, and fears are growing of a much wider conflict drawing in global powers, including the United States and Iran.

A candidate for the Green Party in Dublin Central, Janet Horner, recently suggested that the Dáil Éireann needs fewer “confrontational hard men” and more women “working collaboratively.”

In this episode, Niall speaks to education commentator Jana Lundan about the upcoming Convention on Education and the National Conversation on Education, a major initiative that will help shape the future of Ireland’s school system.

In this episode, Niall sits down with social commentator Karl Deeter to examine the Government’s latest commitment to issue a State apology to Ireland’s thalidomide survivors.

In this emotionally charged episode, Niall opens the lines after receiving a heartfelt email from a mother facing an incredibly difficult family decision. Her mother-in-law, who had been living with the family, passed away just two days ago following a long illness in hospital. Now, her husband wants to bring his mother home and hold a traditional open-coffin wake in the house, allowing neighbours and friends to call and pay their respects.

In this episode, Niall sits down with Irish women’s rights activist, Catherine Monaghan a founding member of Wicklow Women 4 Women, for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation on some of the most debated issues in Ireland today.

On this week’s episode, Niall is joined by social commentator Karl Deeter for a provocative discussion about free speech, censorship, and who really gets to decide the limits of public debate.