Advertise on podcast: The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

#895 Artificial Intelligence: Our Greatest Invention or Biggest Mistake? Niall talks to Podcaster Nick Delahanty about the growing debate surrounding artificial intelligence and whether the technology is advancing faster than society can safely handle. AI promises enormous benefits, from breakthroughs in medicine and education to major changes in business, productivity and everyday life. But with that progress come serious questions. Could artificial intelligence replace millions of jobs? Could it become powerful enough to shape the information people see, influence public opinion and decide which ideas or conversations are promoted or suppressed? There are also concerns about who ultimately controls the technology. If the most powerful AI systems are owned by a small number of governments and multinational companies, how much influence could they have over society, politics, the media and even our understanding of reality? Niall and Peter discuss the opportunities, the risks and whether regulation can realistically keep pace with a technology developing at extraordinary speed. Should we embrace artificial intelligence and everything it could offer, or should we be genuinely worried about where it is taking us?

Niall talks to housing campaigner Peter Dooley about a proposal from Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne to put a constitutional right to housing before the Irish people. Hearne is bringing forward a Bill using wording proposed by the Housing Commission, arguing that putting a right to housing into the Constitution would place a legal responsibility on the State to ensure people have access to adequate housing. He has said this could require stronger measures to prevent homelessness and evictions. Supporters believe a secure and affordable home should be recognised as a basic right and that constitutional protection would force successive governments to take the housing crisis more seriously. Critics question exactly what such a right would mean in practice, how far the State’s legal obligations could extend and whether the Constitution should guarantee housing rather than access to shelter and support. The Housing Commission itself did not reach unanimous agreement on the issue, with the Government previously describing it as complex. Niall and Peter debate what a constitutional right to housing could actually mean for homeowners, renters, landlords and taxpayers. Would you vote Yes to put a right to housing into the Constitution?

Just when you thought there was nothing left to tax, along comes another charge on your online shopping! Niall Boylan is joined by podcaster and restaurateur Paul Treyvaud to discuss new EU charges on goods ordered from outside the European Union, including popular websites such as Temu and Shein. With a new €2 handling fee being added to existing customs charges, could cheap online bargains soon become a thing of the past? Is this about protecting Irish and European businesses from unfair competition, or simply another way of squeezing more money out of hard-pressed consumers? Niall and Paul debate whether these charges will encourage people to shop locally or simply punish families trying to save a few quid.

The Government is delivering 2.2 million copies of its new “Be Emergency Ready” booklet to households across Ireland, but is it sensible preparation for an uncertain world, or is it unnecessarily frightening the public? Niall Boylan is joined by journalist John McGuirk to discuss the Government's so-called doomsday handbook, which advises households on how to prepare for emergencies, major disruptions and potential crises. With taxpayers footing the bill for millions of booklets, Niall questions whether this is money well spent and asks why the Government feels the need to issue such advice now. Some listeners have expressed genuine concern, wondering whether the Government knows something the rest of us don't. With ongoing international conflicts and growing tensions between world powers, is the threat of a wider war something we should seriously consider? Are we right to be concerned about the possibility of World War Three, or are we allowing ourselves to worry about disasters that may never happen? Niall and John discuss the booklet, the Government's intentions, public reaction and whether Ireland really needs to prepare for the worst.

Fuel prices are soaring again, with diesel reaching around €2.20 a litre in some areas and petrol close to €2, adding even more pressure to households, motorists, farmers and businesses already struggling with the cost of living. In this episode, Niall speaks to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín and John Dallon, one of the organisers and speakers behind the fuel price campaign, following a packed public meeting at The Well in Moate. More than 1,000 people reportedly attended, with organisers demanding that the Government scrap the carbon tax, reduce other taxes on fuel and take stronger action to bring prices down. Supporters of the campaign argue that Government taxation is making an already serious international fuel crisis considerably worse. The Government, meanwhile, has pointed to global supply problems and conflict in the Middle East as major factors driving prices upwards, while signalling that further measures may be considered in the upcoming Budget. Niall asks whether the Government should dramatically cut taxes on petrol and diesel, whether the carbon tax should be abolished completely, and what happens to the wider cost of living if fuel prices continue climbing. Are the fuel protesters making reasonable demands, or are they expecting the Government to protect motorists from price increases largely caused by events outside Ireland? Niall puts those questions to Peadar Tóibín and John Dallon and hears what they believe should happen next.

A listener has contacted the show with an admission most parents would probably be afraid to say out loud. She says she despises her own 14 year old daughter. She describes a home filled with constant rows, disrespect and resentment. She says she has tried grounding her daughter, taking away her phone and laying down rules, but every time she attempts to discipline her, her husband steps in. He believes the punishments are too harsh and accuses her of treating their daughter differently from their other two children. The listener says things have now reached breaking point. She admits she genuinely dislikes her daughter, feels miserable in her own home and believes the conflict is starting to destroy her marriage and affect the entire family. In this episode, Niall talks to callers about one of the most uncomfortable parenting questions imaginable. Can a parent simply reach the end of their tether with a difficult teenager, or is saying you despise your own child a sign that something has gone badly wrong in the relationship? Is the husband right to intervene, or is he undermining his wife and making the problem worse? And perhaps most importantly, what do you do when love, anger, resentment and guilt all become tangled together inside the same family? Niall hears from callers with their own experiences, opinions and advice for a mother who says she no longer knows how to live with her own daughter.

A playground in Darndale Park in north Dublin has been destroyed by fire, sparking anger over yet another attack on a community facility. Local TD Barry Heneghan described it as more than an attack on a playground, saying it was an attack on the entire community. And this is far from an isolated incident. Crumlin GAA grounds were targeted twice in two days in July. A children’s park in Artane was set on fire in May. Oscar Traynor Park in Coolock was badly damaged by arson last November, while repairs following a fire at Diamond Park were estimated at around €300,000. In this episode, Niall speaks to callers about the growing problem of vandalism and anti social behaviour in communities around Dublin. We are constantly told that young people get into trouble because there is “nothing for them to do.” But councils spend millions providing playgrounds, sports facilities and public spaces, only for some of them to be vandalised, wrecked or burned down. And why does this appear to happen more often in some areas than others? There are playgrounds and community facilities in places like Malahide and Dalkey too, but we rarely hear about them being destroyed in the same way. So where does responsibility lie? Should councils be doing more to protect these facilities? Are Gardaí failing to monitor problem areas? Or does the responsibility ultimately come back to parents who should know where their children are and what they are doing? Niall hears from callers with very different views on who should take responsibility when the very facilities provided for a community are destroyed by people living within it.

Ireland defeated Israel 3–0 at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, but the result on the pitch has done little to end the controversy surrounding the fixture. In this episode, Niall is joined by journalist Brenda Power, social commentator Karl Deeter and callers from across the country to debate whether Ireland should play Israel in the return game next Sunday, October 4th, at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Protesters are continuing to demand an Irish boycott, arguing that taking part in the fixture helps normalise Israel at a time when innocent Palestinians are being killed in Gaza. The Social Democrats have called for the FAI Board and senior management to resign, while Sinn Féin has said the FAI leadership should seriously reflect on whether they should remain in their positions. Others argue that the players should never have been placed in the middle of an international political dispute, that football is football, and that sport should not become another battleground for political pressure. Niall, Brenda and Karl examine where the line should be drawn, whether sporting boycotts actually achieve anything, and whether Ireland should refuse to play Israel next Sunday. Should Ireland boycott the game, or should politics be kept out of football? Hear the arguments, the disagreements and the views of callers on both sides of one of the most controversial sporting debates in Ireland right now.

Would A United Ireland Referendum Create More Problems Than It Solves? Niall talks to election candidate Eddie Punch about the growing debate over whether the time has come for a referendum on a united Ireland. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted he is “very aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement” and says he will abide by it “100%”. His comments follow criticism over remarks made during a visit to Belfast, when he suggested that a referendum on Irish unity was currently “off the table”. But is he right to believe that now is simply not the time? Niall and Eddie examine the enormous political, economic and practical questions that would come with reunification. Who would fund Northern Ireland’s public services and healthcare system? What happens to the financial support currently provided by Westminster? What would become of thousands of people employed directly or indirectly by the British state? Would Ireland adopt one currency across the island immediately, and what happens to politically sensitive issues such as the national flag and anthem? There is also the question of consent. Whatever the result of a referendum, a significant section of the population could feel alienated or betrayed, with concerns that an increasingly heated constitutional debate could inflame community tensions. So, should the people of Northern Ireland be given the opportunity to vote on their constitutional future, or could holding a border poll now create far more problems than it solves? Niall discusses it with election candidate Eddie Punch.

Would You Let Your Seven Year Old Daughter Take Up Boxing? Niall talks to Karl Deeter about a family disagreement sparked by the influence of Katie Taylor. Around 80,000 fans are expected at Croke Park this Saturday night to watch Taylor take on undefeated French fighter Flora Pili, but one listener says Katie’s success has caused a row at home. His seven year old daughter is a huge Katie Taylor fan and now wants to join her local boxing club. Her dad thinks it would be fantastic for her confidence, discipline, fitness and ability to defend herself. His wife completely disagrees. She worries that what starts as a childhood hobby could turn into a serious passion, with their daughter continuing to box into her teenage years and potentially exposing herself to serious injury. In her view, boxing is simply too dangerous and “barbaric” to encourage in a young child. So is she right to put her foot down, or is she preventing her daughter from discovering a sport she might genuinely love? We celebrate Katie Taylor as one of Ireland’s greatest sporting heroes, but would you actually be comfortable watching your own son or daughter step into a boxing ring? Niall discusses the dilemma with Karl Deeter.

Should Drivers Be Forced Off the Road at 80? Niall talks to podcaster and restaurateur Paul Treyvaud about a listener’s difficult dilemma involving his 85 year old father, who still insists on driving despite growing concerns about whether he is mentally sharp enough to be safe behind the wheel. The listener says he has repeatedly tried to persuade his father to give up driving, but he refuses to hand over the keys. He now believes there should be a firm legal cut off, once you turn 80, your driving days should be over. But would that be fair? For many older people, driving represents independence, freedom and the ability to live life on their own terms. Should someone lose that simply because they reach a particular birthday, even if they remain perfectly capable behind the wheel? Or should older drivers face regular medical and practical assessments to prove they are still fit to drive? Niall and Paul discuss where the balance should lie between personal freedom and public safety, and ask what families can realistically do when an elderly parent refuses to accept that it may be time to stop driving. Have you ever had to persuade an elderly parent or relative to give up the car, and what happens when they simply refuse?

Niall talks to Cork Councillor Albert Deasy about Ireland’s new Health Referral Scheme, which came into effect on 1 September. Under the new system, Gardaí can refer eligible adults caught for a first drug possession offence to the HSE instead of prosecuting them or issuing an adult caution. Supporters say it could prevent people from being dragged into the criminal justice system over personal drug use and instead direct them towards health services. But the rollout has already raised serious questions. Some frontline Gardaí say they only learned about the scheme through media reports, with official guidelines arriving on the day it was introduced and little or no training provided beforehand. Niall asks how such a significant change in drug policy could be introduced without properly preparing the Gardaí expected to implement it. Possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offence, so technically this is not decriminalisation. But is Ireland now moving towards decriminalisation in practice? Is treating personal drug possession primarily as a health issue a sensible and compassionate approach, or does avoiding prosecution remove an important deterrent and send the message that illegal drug use carries few consequences? Niall discusses the controversy with Cork Councillor Albert Deasy and asks: should someone caught with illegal drugs for personal use still face prosecution?

Should Parents Feel Guilty About Going On Holiday Without The Kids? Niall talks to journalist Laura Perrins about a listener’s holiday dilemma that has caused quite a row at home. The listener says she was furious when her husband suggested they escape together on a surprise two week holiday to the Maldives, leaving their three young children at home. He thought he was planning the ultimate romantic getaway for just the two of them, but luckily he had not booked or paid for anything because his wife has flatly refused to go. She says she could never relax on a beach thousands of miles away while her children were at home, but her husband believes couples need time together and that two weeks away without the kids would be good for their marriage. So, is she being unreasonable? Should parents be able to enjoy a proper holiday without their children, or once you have young kids are two week romantic getaways simply off the table? Niall discusses the dilemma with journalist Laura Perrins and asks whether parents should feel guilty about leaving the children behind.

Should Overtime Be Tax Free? Niall talks to Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins about whether workers should be allowed to keep more of the money they earn from putting in extra hours. Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has proposed taxing qualifying overtime earnings at a flat rate of 20% as part of Budget 2027, arguing that people who work longer hours should not see so much of the additional income swallowed up by tax. Although INdependent ireland was the fist party to propose the idea Niall asks whether the Government should go even further and abolish income tax altogether on overtime worked beyond 40 hours a week, as well as removing tax on tips. Critics argue that such a move could reduce the money available to fund public services and create complications within the tax system. Supporters say it would reward hard work, encourage people to take on extra hours and put more disposable income into workers’ pockets, much of which would ultimately flow back into the economy through spending and VAT. Would tax free overtime give working people a badly needed break, or is the idea simply too expensive and unrealistic? Niall discusses the proposal with Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins.

The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has gripped millions around the world, and the case is now in the hands of a Massachusetts jury. Niall Boylan is joined by journalist and commentator Laura Perrins to discuss the latest developments in the extraordinary case involving Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother who killed her three young children, Cora, Dawson and Callan, at their family home in January 2023. Clancy has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first degree murder on the basis that she was not criminally responsible. Her defence argues that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, was severely mentally unwell and had been prescribed numerous psychiatric medications before the killings. Prosecutors accept that she had significant mental health problems, but argue that she still understood what she was doing and deliberately planned the deaths. After 22 days of testimony and closing arguments, jurors are now deciding whether she should be convicted of murder, found guilty of a lesser offence, or found not criminally responsible because of her mental state. At the heart of the case is an extraordinarily difficult question. There is no dispute that Lindsay Clancy killed her children, but if she was experiencing severe psychosis at the time, should she be held fully criminally responsible? Should a mother who kills her children while suffering from a profound psychiatric illness spend the rest of her life in prison without parole, or should the emphasis instead be on psychiatric treatment and compassion? And how much responsibility, if any, should be placed on a medical system that was treating a woman whose mental health had been deteriorating before the tragedy? Niall talks to Laura Perrins about the evidence heard during the trial, the prosecution and defence arguments, the debate surrounding postpartum psychosis and the verdict that could determine whether Lindsay Clancy spends her life in prison or in psychiatric care.