No Passport? No Worries? Its Ireland And You’re Welcome. Episode 009

Not Suitable For Broadcast: Niall Boylan and Larissa Nolan Round Up the Week

Niall Boylan is joined by journalist Larissa Nolan for a lively, unfiltered look back at the biggest, most controversial and downright strange stories of the week.

They debate whether Gardaí need stronger legal protection when pursuing suspects on e scooters, scramblers and other vehicles, and ask whether criminals are exploiting officers’ fear of ending up before the courts.

They also examine new figures showing that more than 6,300 people have received Jobseeker’s Allowance for over a decade. Should welfare remain an unconditional safety net, or should payments be reduced when people repeatedly refuse suitable work, training or community placements?

The discussion turns to politics and identity following British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s claim that his country has taken several wrong turns since the 1980s. Has Ireland genuinely progressed through liberalisation, or has it discarded traditions, values and policies that once held society together?

Niall and Larissa also discuss the revelation that more than 16,000 people arrived at Dublin Airport without valid passports or travel documents between 2020 and 2025, while fewer than 1,000 of the thousands of deportation orders signed during that period were enforced. Has Ireland lost control of its immigration system?

Other major stories include doctors facing Medical Council proceedings over views expressed during the Covid pandemic, while politicians responsible for lockdowns, school closures and healthcare restrictions face no equivalent professional process. They also explore age discrimination against workers over 50 and proposals to replace highly paid private legal aid solicitors with salaried public defenders.

Then things get lighter, although possibly no less controversial. Should legendary singers such as Frankie Valli, Paul McCartney, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Cliff Richard and Barry Manilow know when it is time to leave the stage, or do performers have every right to continue as long as audiences keep buying tickets? Niall and Larissa also celebrate older artists such as Angus Young and Debbie Harry, who still appear capable of delivering the goods.

Finally, they look at a best man whose AI generated wedding speech accidentally exposed the fact that he had not read it, and a student who tattooed a supermarket loyalty card barcode on his arm for convenience.

Serious stories, strong opinions, plenty of laughs and absolutely no filter. This is Not Suitable For Broadcast.