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

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...

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 divid...

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 t...

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 wa...

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. The proposal is bei...

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 whe...

In this festive episode, Niall opens the phone lines and invites listeners to share the moments that truly signal Christmas in Ireland. We’re asking you to finish the sentence: 🎄 “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…” Is it when your mother definitely overcooks the turkey, but no one dares say a word? When you’re bundled into the car to visit relations you haven’t seen since last Christmas —...

In this episode, Niall is joined by Ciarán Mullooly MEP and Jackie Flannery from the Irish Rural Association to discuss one of the most controversial trade proposals facing Ireland today: the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Ciarán explains why he believes Ireland should reject the deal, which supporters say will boost free trade and lead to cheaper imports, including beef. But critics warn the agreem...

  In this festive special, Niall sits down with renowned restaurateur and social commentator Paul Treyvaud for a no-nonsense, start-to-finish guide to cooking the ultimate Christmas dinner. From planning and prep to perfect timing, Paul shares his hard-won expertise on how to get the turkey just right — juicy, flavoursome, and stress-free — along with all the trimmings that actually matter. H...

Today on the show, Niall opens the phone lines to debate a question that always sparks strong opinions at this time of year: Should Christmas Eve be a public holiday in Ireland? The discussion follows news from the US, where President Trump has signed an executive order declaring Christmas Eve and December 26th as federal holidays. While federal holidays aren’t the same as bank holidays, it raises...

This week, Niall is joined by property expert Karl Deeter to unpack a family dilemma that’s struck a nerve with listeners. We received an email from a furious listener whose parents have decided to sell their €500,000 family home and downsize to a rental apartment, saying they want to enjoy the money during their retirement. The problem? The listener is still living with them along with her young...

In today’s episode, Niall kicks off by talking about a tweet he recently put out stirring up debate on public-sector work and accountability: “Reform UK say they want to encourage public-sector workers to report colleagues who aren’t ‘doing useful work’ or who aren’t productive. Many people believe civil servants and public-sector workers have it easier and with strong job security and little risk...

In this episode, host Niall speaks with TD Paul Lawless about the rejection of the abortion bill and the key arguments that led to its defeat in the Dáil. Paul shares his perspective on the vote, the concerns raised by TDs, and what the outcome means for future legislation. The conversation then turns to the controversial fox hunting bill, which would prevent farmers from shooting foxes on their o...

In this episode, Niall is joined by journalist Larissa Nolan to tackle a question that’s sparking heated debate around the world: Is college becoming pointless in the age of AI? The conversation is fuelled by controversial comments from Elon Musk, who claims universities are “for fun and proving you can do your chores — not for learning.” Musk argues that with a smartphone, internet access and AI,...

This episode kicks off with an email that struck a nerve — and judging by the phones, a lot of listeners had opinions. Niall reads out a message from a wife who’s furious after her husband only mentioned his work Christmas party days before it happens — no partners invited, free bar involved, and all the usual “sure nothing ever happens” reassurances that nobody fully believes. Is she being contro...

In this episode, host Niall is joined by Laoise Da Brun, Barrister-at-Law, and Karl Deeter, political commentator, to tackle a contentious legal and moral question: Should criminal convictions committed as a minor be wiped clean once a person reaches adulthood? The UK is now considering following Ireland’s approach, where most criminal offences committed under the age of 18 become spent after thre...

In this episode, Niall is joined by David Quinn, journalist and columnist with the Sunday Independent, for a challenging and wide-ranging conversation on Islamic extremism, public debate, and the growing confusion around what is — and is not — anti-Semitism. David argues that Islamic extremism remains one of the most difficult topics to discuss openly in Western societies. He suggests that fear of...

In this episode, Niall opens the phone lines after receiving an email that’s struck a nerve with pet lovers and budget-watchers alike. A listener says he’s literally in the doghouse after a blazing row with his wife — not over the kids or the mortgage, but over the dog. The dog in question is a 10-year-old Bichon Frise, and the wife has spent close to €200 on toys, clothes and even a Christmas sto...

Niall is joined by Ben Scallan from Gript Media for a wide-ranging conversation about the quiet but noticeable rise in Christianity among young people across the world — and how changing attitudes to faith are colliding with modern ideas about sex, identity, and self-worth. The discussion was sparked by comments made on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where American right-wing political commentator Nicho...

Niall opens the phone lines to callers today after an email from a frustrated father of two who says a recent change in management at his workplace has led to the scrapping of the annual Christmas bonus. For him, it’s more than just money — it’s about recognition. “It’s stingy and shows a lack of respect for staff not to give at least a week’s extra wages at Christmas,” he writes. So is he right?...

In this episode, host Niall dives into the government’s newly announced Digital Wallet and Age Verification Pilot, a scheme framed as a major step in protecting children online. But Niall isn’t buying the whole narrative. While he agrees that under-18s need better safeguards, he questions whether this “robust age-verification tool” is really just a backdoor for an EU-style digital ID. Joining him...

Is screening tourists’ social media legitimate security — or blatant authoritarianism? In this timely episode, host Niall sits down with American-born social commentator Karl Deeter to unpack the Trump administration’s controversial new proposal to make foreign tourists hand over up to five years of social media history before they can enter the United States. The idea, part of expanded immigratio...

On this episode Niall talks about : The British government is preparing to introduce next-generation surveillance cameras—systems engineered not only to capture images but to analyse movements, behaviour, and even emotional states in public spaces. Supporters say this leap in technology could revolutionise public safety: detecting suspicious activity before it escalates, identifying individuals wh...

On today’s episode host Niall opens the lines to listeners for a lively and thought-provoking discussion on a headline story that’s dividing opinion across Europe. Portugal has just joined Switzerland and eight other European nations in banning the burqa, niqab, and other cultural or religious face coverings in public spaces. The move has sparked intense debate: is it a necessary step toward socia...

On today’s show, Niall dives into one of the most talked-about government ads in years — a new TV campaign encouraging adult children to move back in with their parents. Is this a compassionate message about family support, or a not-so-subtle admission that housing has become completely unaffordable? This episode takes on the debate from both angles: Housing Crisis Reality: Is the government using...