Not Suitable For Broadcast. (Trump Takes the Hump) Ep 11

On this week’s Not Suitable for Broadcast, Niall is joined by his former producer AJ Walsh for a fast moving mix of politics, money, family life, housing and a remarkable story of determination.

They begin with Donald Trump’s expected visit to Ireland and the political backlash already surrounding it. With protests being planned and some politicians saying the US President is not welcome, Niall and AJ ask whether personal hostility towards Trump risks getting in the way of Ireland’s economic interests, particularly given the importance of American investment and jobs. They also debate whether Ireland should roll out the red carpet for an elected US President, regardless of what individual politicians think of him.

Then it is on to children, chores and pocket money. Should kids be paid for tidying bedrooms, washing dishes and taking out the bins, or should helping around the house simply be part of family life? Niall and AJ look at whether paying for chores teaches the value of work and money, or risks creating a generation that expects payment for every contribution.

Energy bills are also under the spotlight after ESB chief executive Paddy Hayes received a €92,000 pay increase, bringing his salary to €410,000, while hundreds of thousands of households are struggling with electricity arrears. Is such a pay rise justified, and should the Government be doing more to reduce energy costs for ordinary households?

The pair also tackle the idea of compulsory voting. Would forcing eligible citizens to take part in elections strengthen democracy and improve turnout, or should the right to vote always include the right to stay at home? They discuss the Australian model, spoiled ballots, fines and whether politicians should be earning people’s votes rather than compelling them to participate.

Housing comes next, with the controversial Dunsink development plan proposing 18,500 homes for more than 46,000 people. But with the wider project dependent on major water and sewage infrastructure costing a combined €7.3 billion, Niall and AJ ask whether the homes are realistically deliverable, whether local services could cope and whether residents are raising legitimate concerns or standing in the way of badly needed housing.

They also debate whether school uniforms should finally be abolished, as parents face growing back to school costs. Are uniforms an outdated and expensive restriction on individuality, or do they still help create equality between children from different financial backgrounds?

And finally, the show ends on an extraordinary story. At the age of 97, Betty Bromage has broken her own record as the world’s oldest female wing walker, completing another daring flight after suffering a stroke last year, all while raising money for the stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital.

Politics, arguments, laughs and absolutely no filter. This is Not Suitable for Broadcast with Niall Boylan and AJ Walsh.