Podcast

In this episode of Niall Asks, Niall is joined by Jason Osburn of Gript Media to discuss and debate a recent Irish Times piece by former President Mary McAleese that challenges long-standing assumptions about religion, children’s rights, and Catholic education in Ireland.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.