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

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Ireland lower the age of consent to 16? There have already been suggestions about reducing the voting age, with arguments that young people today are mature enough to decide at 16. On the same basis, some believe the age of consent should match the EU average and be lowered from 17 to 16. Would this protect teenagers better or put them at greater risk? Some call...

In this episode, Niall asks: Does Ireland really need a president? With new presidential hopefuls putting their names forward, some are questioning whether the office still serves any real purpose. Is the president an important neutral figure for the country, or just an expensive tradition Ireland can no longer justify? Some callers said the role is a waste of taxpayer money. They argued the Taois...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Irish citizens living abroad or in Northern Ireland have the right to vote in Irish elections? Sinn Féin has put forward a motion to extend voting rights in presidential elections to Irish citizens overseas and in the North. Supporters say it would honour the global Irish community and reflect modern realities. Opponents argue that voting should be reserved for...

In this episode, Niall asks: If your landlord gave you 30 days to get rid of your dog or face eviction, what would you do? We received an emotional email from a woman whose landlord found out she had a dog in breach of her lease. Now she’s been given a choice — rehome the dog or lose her home. Her husband says the dog has to go, but she refuses. The story has sparked debate about responsibility, r...

In this episode, Niall asks: Do you oppose all immigration, or just illegal entry? The media often labels protestors as anti-immigrant, but many say they are only against illegal immigration. So where do you draw the line? Is it fair to oppose immigration entirely, or is the real issue how it is managed? Some callers said they have no problem with legal immigration. They support people who come to...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Ireland bring in welfare payment cards? We received an email from a listener who suggested that welfare payments should be issued on a card that can only be used for essentials like food and clothing. The card would block spending on alcohol, cigarettes, or gambling. Supporters say it ensures taxpayer money is spent responsibly. Critics say it is insulting and s...

In this hard-hitting episode, Niall sits down with Dr. Gerry Quinn and Dr. Ronan Connolly to unpack one of the most controversial scientific papers published since the pandemic began. Titled What Lessons Can Be Learned from the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic, their work challenges the mainstream response to Covid-19 from multiple angles—lockdowns, vaccines, data manipulation, and the silencin...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Gardaí be allowed to tell potential partners if someone has a history of domestic violence? There have been calls for a new law that would let Gardaí share information about individuals who’ve been accused — or convicted — of domestic abuse. Supporters say it could save lives. Critics argue it’s an invasion of privacy and undermines the principle of “innocent un...

In this episode, Niall asks a provocative question: Is shouting at your children a form of child abuse? The debate was sparked by a top psychologist who claimed that shouting at children — or even arguing loudly in front of them — can be just as damaging as physically slapping them. The expert warned that such behaviour can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects, and even suggested...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should children repay their parents for college fees? A mother wrote to the show after a heated disagreement with her husband. Their 26-year-old daughter, now working in a well-paid legal job, had her college fees fully covered by her parents. The mother believes it’s only fair that she repays them now, but the father insists that supporting your child through educatio...

In this episode, Niall asks: Are Portugal’s new dress rules for tourists over the top? As Portugal and other tourist hotspots crack down on visitors walking around in bikinis or bare-chested away from the beach, hefty fines are being introduced to curb what locals see as disrespectful behaviour. Some callers argued the rules are too strict, saying tourists just want to relax and enjoy their holida...

In this episode, Niall asks: Deporting Children — Do You Feel Sorry for Them? Last week, 35 people were deported from Ireland, including five children. The opposition is now calling for an amnesty on child deportations, urging the government to show empathy. But does sympathy for children override the rules of immigration? Some callers argued that children should never be punished for the decision...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should doctors have the right to conscientiously object to any procedure approved by the medical council — including abortion, assisted dying, or vaccines? The question raises serious debate about the balance between medical ethics, personal morality, and patient rights. Some callers argued in favour of conscientious objection. They said doctors are not machines, and i...

In this episode, Niall asks: Has Ireland just made you state property after death? From June 17th, all Irish citizens will automatically be considered organ donors unless they formally opt out. The move is being hailed by some as a lifesaving, compassionate reform that will help those in desperate need of transplants. But others say it crosses a line — claiming it turns the human body into governm...

In this episode, Niall asks: Is gender still a barrier for women entering male-dominated trades? The discussion follows the story of Katelyn Cummins, an apprentice electrician and the current Laois Rose, who hopes to inspire more young women to consider careers in trades. Despite being the only woman in her class, she says she’s been treated fairly and sees no reason why more women shouldn’t pursu...

In this episode, Niall asks: What does it mean to be Irish today — and are we losing that identity? The conversation was sparked by a controversial Irish Times article that described the Irish as “mongrels,” challenging long-held ideas about Irish heritage and belonging. The article, inspired by a new RTÉ TV series, argues that Ireland has always been a place of diversity and contradictions — a me...

In this episode, Niall takes on a deeply personal and divisive question: Should families lose their homes if they can’t keep up with payments? Dolores, a listener, wrote in with a story that resonates with many. She and her husband bought their house twelve years ago, determined to give their children a secure place to grow up. But after the pandemic cost her husband his job, they fell behind. Des...

In this episode, Niall asks: Are men equally the victims of domestic violence? The conversation challenges the long-held belief that domestic abuse is solely a women’s issue and looks at the stigma that stops men from speaking out. Some callers said men absolutely can be victims — and too often their pain is laughed off or ignored. They argued that if a man hits a woman, it’s instantly condemned,...

In this episode, Niall asks: What should you do if a co-worker you caught stealing promises to stop — but then you catch them again? The topic comes from an email by a man who saw a colleague slipping store clothes into her bag. She told him she was struggling to pay bills and needed to make ends meet. Out of compassion, he agreed not to tell management if she promised to stop. But now, he’s caugh...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Ireland place a total pause on immigration until we fix the issues at home? While many agree that illegal immigration needs stronger enforcement, a growing number of voices are now calling for a complete halt to all immigration — legal or not — until the country gets its housing, healthcare, and infrastructure crises under control. Some callers supported a full...

In this episode, Niall asks: If you found out your father was cheating on your mother, would you tell her? The question comes from a young woman who emailed the show after catching her dad having an affair — and now she’s torn between protecting her mother and protecting her relationship with her father. Some callers said she absolutely needs to tell her mother. They argued that staying silent mak...

In this episode, Niall asks whether 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote. The Social Democrats are set to table a bill to lower Ireland’s voting age from 18 to 16 — but is that too young to make informed political decisions? Are today’s teenagers engaged enough to help shape the future of the country, or are they being used as political pawns? Some callers argue that if 16-year-olds can work, pa...

In this episode, Niall asks a hard question that many are afraid to voice: Are men and women truly treated equally in modern society? The discussion is sparked by an email from a male listener who says he was passed over for a management promotion in favour of a woman, despite having more experience and being told he was next in line. According to a friend in HR, the decision came down to gender —...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should learner drivers be allowed to drive unaccompanied? The debate heats up after Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe suggested that current rules — which require learners to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver — are too restrictive, especially for students and young people living in rural areas. Supporters of relaxing the law say it’s a practical move. In rural Irelan...

In this episode, Niall explores a deeply taboo question: Do people ever regret having children? It's a topic most parents are too ashamed or afraid to speak about publicly—but for some, the feeling is real. The conversation begins with an email from a listener who admits they love their children but quietly wonder what life might’ve looked like without them. The exhaustion, financial strain, loss...