Advertise on podcast: Counterpoint with Eddie Hobbs

Eddie Hobbs visits Citywest to speak with local community leaders about the impact of Ireland's asylum accommodation system on their village. Featuring interviews with Kiran Kassan and Anne Sullivan from Saggart, and studio guest Linda DeCoursey, an Independent Ireland councillor from Clondalkin. Expect to learn about the transformation of Saggart from a quiet village to an area housing over 2,400 asylum seekers, the community's concerns regarding safety and cultural integration, and the documented incidents within the International Protection Accommodation center. The discussion covers the government's limited engagement with local residents, the removal of security barriers before an EU Commissioner's visit, and the changing political narrative around immigration in Ireland. This conversation examines the broader European context of immigration policies, the recent shift in Irish government rhetoric following electoral pressure, and questions whether these changes represent genuine policy reform or merely political posturing. Linda DeCoursey also shares insights on her path to local politics and the challenges facing Irish communities dealing with rapid demographic changes. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Ken O'Flynn, TD for Cork North Central and Chairman of Independent Ireland, discusses the dramatic shift in UK migration policy and its potential impact on Ireland. Expect to learn about the Irish government's response to UK asylum law changes, how Denmark's migration model is being replicated across Europe, and why Ireland's infrastructure is struggling with population growth beyond 2035 projections. Ken examines the systemic issues in Ireland's asylum system, including concerns about lack of community consultation, strain on local services, and the financial implications of housing asylum seekers while Irish citizens face homelessness. The conversation explores broader themes of government accountability, whistleblower protection, and the challenges of establishing a new political party in Ireland. Ken provides insights into Independent Ireland's political strategy, their approach to opposition, and their ambitions for growth across all levels of government representation. This discussion offers a critical perspective on Ireland's migration policies and highlights the growing disconnect between government rhetoric and community concerns across the country. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

Chartered Engineer Ivor Cummins and car dealership owner Nadia Adan join Eddie Hobbs to examine the future of motoring against the backdrop of Ireland's Department of Finance plans to reduce miles traveled by 20% in five years and 50% over 25 years. Expect to learn about the declining global sales of pure electric vehicles, surprising data showing hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles outperforming both traditional combustion engines and EVs in total lifetime CO2 emissions, the significant weight difference between EVs and conventional cars, and the practical implications for tire wear and range. The discussion also covers the challenges facing the secondhand EV market, including battery replacement costs and residual values. Nadia Adan shares her journey from financial services to founding Ashford Motors, her experience as an independent dealer focusing on mid to high-end vehicles, and her decision to stop selling EVs based on secondhand market concerns. She offers insights into the car retail business model, financing structures, and the practical realities of Ireland's infrastructure limitations for electric vehicles. This comprehensive examination of current automotive trends reveals how political decisions are shaping consumer choices, while highlighting the potential of alternative technologies like synthetic fuels, biofuels and hydrogen. For more visit https://www.eddiehobbs.com © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Eddie Hobbs examines whether Ireland's 2022 whistleblower laws were deliberately designed to fail citizens in this revealing episode of Counterpoint. Featuring Senior Counsel Una McGurk, the discussion analyzes a protected disclosure made by a senior Irish pharmacist that has been systematically suppressed. Expect to learn about the serious allegations contained in the whistleblower's disclosure regarding COVID-19 management, including claims of fraudulent PCR testing protocols, concerning use of midazolam in nursing homes, and alleged misrepresentation by health officials. The conversation explores how regulatory bodies like the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and Department of Health responded to these allegations with what McGurk characterizes as "untruthful statements" to avoid addressing the substance of the disclosure. This episode provides a detailed examination of Ireland's whistleblower legislation, revealing how it protects whistleblowers themselves but contains no effective mechanisms to ensure their disclosures are properly investigated. McGurk argues the legislation was deliberately designed as a "filibuster" that creates process without accountability, particularly when allegations are directed at state agencies. The discussion highlights the broader implications for democratic accountability in Ireland when serious allegations can be effectively buried through procedural maneuvers and institutional silence. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

Eddie Hobbs examines controversial political statements and government planning with data scientist Ivor Cummins and legal expert Nick Delehanty in this revealing discussion about Ireland's future trajectory. Expect to learn about Social Democrats leader Holly Carnes' claim that "there's no link between crime and immigration" and how this contradicts available Irish Prison Service data, Denmark's comprehensive immigration statistics and policies that show clear demographic patterns in crime rates, and Micheál Martin's climate commitments at COP30 despite major nations withdrawing from these agreements. The conversation provides an in-depth analysis of the Department of Finance's "Future 40" report, which outlines Ireland's path to 2065 including dramatic carbon reduction targets, projected national debt increases to over 140% of gross national income, and a strategy relying on mass immigration to offset declining birth rates while potentially exporting educated Irish youth. This discussion highlights how the 215-page government document appears to prioritize international climate commitments over addressing Ireland's housing crisis, with projections suggesting housing will remain unaffordable until 2040 despite the current deficit of approximately 250,000 homes. The speakers note the absence of cultural preservation, security considerations, and defense spending in this long-term national planning document. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Professor Judith Curry is a climatologist, author of "Climate Uncertainty and Risk," and a leading voice challenging mainstream climate change narratives. With decades of experience in climate science, she brings a measured perspective to the complex debate around climate policy. Expect to learn about the fundamental flaws in current climate change approaches, why net-zero carbon policies are creating energy poverty rather than solving climate issues, and how the rush toward renewable energy without adequate infrastructure is leading to grid instability and blackouts. Professor Curry explains why climate models have consistently overestimated warming, the significant impact of natural climate variability including volcanic eruptions and solar cycles, and why a multidisciplinary approach focusing on energy abundance, food security, and water management offers a more practical path forward. This discussion examines the shifting political landscape around climate policy following Trump's UN speech and Bill Gates' recent position change, suggesting a potential pivot away from carbon-centric solutions toward addressing immediate human needs and building resilience against extreme weather events regardless of their cause. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Dougie Beattie, Irish correspondent for GB News, shares his eyewitness account of the protests at City West following an alleged assault on a child at the asylum accommodation center. Expect to learn about the shifting composition of Irish protests with middle and upper-class citizens joining traditional working-class demonstrators, the confrontational approach taken by Gardaí including pepper-spraying identified press members and local residents, and the notable absence of mainstream Irish media outlets at a significant public event. Beattie details how journalists were physically targeted despite clear press identification, raising questions about press freedom and transparency. The conversation explores the recent "spoil the vote" phenomenon that sent a powerful message to the Irish government, declining public trust in state-funded media organizations, and the interconnections between immigration policies in Ireland and Britain. Beattie provides context on Ireland's diminishing influence on the global stage, particularly regarding its stance on international conflicts and relations with Washington. This discussion offers rare firsthand insights into events largely unreported by traditional Irish media channels and examines broader questions about media accountability, immigration policy, and political shifts occurring across Ireland. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack   Michael Yon is a former Green Beret and independent military journalist who has reported from conflict zones across the globe, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His work has been referenced in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian.   In this interview, viewers will gain insight into what Yon describes as the global migration industrial complex, exploring how large-scale population movements can be used as strategic tools by powerful political and economic forces.   He explains how migration has historically been weaponized as a form of population engineering, drawing parallels between contemporary migration patterns and ancient practices dating back to the Roman Empire.   The discussion delves into the organizations that shape global migration flows—such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM)—and examines how they may serve broader geopolitical objectives. It also considers how migration policies are influencing the transformation of Western societies, the security implications of open borders, and the intersection between migration and global power structures, offering a perspective that challenges mainstream narratives.   Get in touch:   X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x   Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack   To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/   Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved. How this was made

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Declan Ganley, entrepreneur and activist for the "Spoil the Vote" campaign, discusses the recent Irish presidential election that revealed a significant disconnect between the Irish government and its people. Expect to learn about the unprecedented level of spoiled votes and non-voters in the election, how three-quarters of the Irish electorate remains politically unrepresented, and why Ganley believes this presents an opportunity for a new center-right political movement. The conversation explores how Ireland's political establishment has shifted leftward while abandoning traditional center-right positions, the influence of NGOs on Irish politics, and the systemic challenges facing those who wish to reoccupy the abandoned political space. Ganley also discusses his role as CEO of Rivada Networks, which is developing a revolutionary satellite communications system called the "Outernet" - designed to maintain critical global communications even if traditional internet infrastructure fails. The discussion provides insight into Ireland's political transformation and the potential for significant change in its political landscape following what Ganley describes as "the bonfire of the old rules." Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Ezra Levant and Senator Sharon Keogan join Eddie Hobbs on Counterpoint to discuss the aftermath of an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old child at Citywest, Ireland's largest asylum accommodation center. Expect to learn about the security concerns surrounding Ireland's immigration policies, how the alleged perpetrator had been ordered deported but remained in the country, the lack of transparency in crime statistics related to asylum seekers, and Senator Keogan's critique of the government's response to the incident. The discussion examines the disconnect between Irish citizens and government officials on immigration policy, the economic implications of Ireland's approach to asylum seekers, and concerns about proper integration of migrants from certain regions. This conversation provides insight into the growing tensions in Ireland regarding immigration policy and highlights Senator Keogan's work in the Senate addressing these issues, including her calls for a Danish-style approach to immigration and her concerns about potential security threats. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Declan Ganley and Malachi Steen join Eddie Hobbs to examine the interconnection between Ireland's presidential election, recent events at Citywest involving a 10-year-old girl, and media coverage of these issues. Expect to learn about a UCD report titled "Protecting Against Predators" that warned of child exploitation risks in Ireland, the government's response to immigration-related crime concerns, and how media outlets are reporting on the Citywest incident. The discussion covers the role of Tusla in child protection failures, public demonstrations at Citywest, and claims of data manipulation regarding immigration statistics. The conversation also explores the "Spoil Your Vote" campaign for Ireland's presidential election, with Ganley and Steen arguing that voters should reject what they describe as establishment candidates who support similar policies on immigration and social issues. They outline specific methods for spoiling ballots as a form of democratic protest against current governance. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Alex Sheridan is the creator and host of "Ireland Reports," a new long-form interview series focused on Irish politics and current affairs. With a background in risk management within the banking sector, he also brings experience as an activist with Free Speech Ireland. Expect to learn about the evolution of media consumption from traditional television to digital platforms, how long-form content provides a more revealing and personable environment for political discourse, and why there's a significant gap in Irish media that "Ireland Reports" aims to fill. Alex discusses his show's focus on featuring political voices often neglected by mainstream media, including Senator Sharon Keogan, Councillor Malachy Steenson, and former Ambassador Ray Bassett. The conversation explores Ireland's controversial hate speech legislation, the presidential nomination process, and the growing disconnect between the political establishment and ordinary citizens. Alex offers insights into how digital media is reshaping political communication while traditional formats experience declining viewership across age demographics. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack   Gareth Sheridan, a 36-year-old entrepreneur and former presidential hopeful, discusses his experience attempting to secure a nomination for Ireland's presidency and shares insights on the country's political landscape.   Expect to learn about the challenges Sheridan faced during his presidential nomination campaign, including what he describes as a coordinated "block" by major political parties that prevented independent candidates from securing council nominations.   The conversation explores Ireland's housing crisis and its far-reaching impacts on healthcare, education, and community life, with Sheridan arguing that successive governments have failed in their constitutional obligation to address this fundamental issue.   This discussion covers the democratic deficit in Ireland's presidential nomination process, the concerning trend of young Irish talent emigrating due to housing unaffordability, and Sheridan's perspective on how Ireland needs forward-thinking leadership that includes younger voices in decision-making. Sheridan also shares insights from his business experience developing pharmaceutical technology in Florida and his motivations for returning to Ireland despite the challenges.   The conversation provides a candid look at Irish politics from the perspective of a young entrepreneur who attempted to challenge the established system, offering fresh perspectives on how Ireland might address its most pressing national issues.   Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x   Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack   To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/   Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Dr. Eoin Lenihan discusses his new book "Vandalizing Ireland," which examines how Ireland has transformed over the past 25 years through mass immigration, foreign direct investment, and what he describes as eroded democracy. Expect to learn about Ireland's changing national identity, the decline of the Catholic Church and its replacement with social justice ideology, how government and media coordinate messaging around immigration issues, and the introduction of critical race theory into Irish academia and politics. The conversation covers controversial topics including the handling of the Ashling Murphy murder case, how media narratives shifted blame from immigration policy to "misogyny," the dramatic increase in asylum applications following ministerial statements, and the influence of American academic theories on Irish social discourse. Dr. Linehan provides detailed analysis of what he terms the "NGO Industrial Complex" and explains how he believes traditional Irish identity is being systematically dismantled through coordinated efforts between government, media, and academia. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.

📌 Join 7,000+ others on Substack for exclusive access to deep dive articles, upcoming talks, and more: https://dub.sh/1215substack Ben Habib is a former MEP and Leader of Advanced UK who brings his perspective on the erosion of civil liberties in the United Kingdom under the current Labour government. Expect to learn about Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial mandatory digital ID proposal, the concerning rise in arrests for free speech violations in Britain, and how these developments represent what Habib describes as a systematic dismantling of civil liberties. The discussion examines how digital ID systems primarily impact law-abiding citizens rather than addressing illegal migration, the relationship between diminishing democratic accountability and increasing government control, and Advanced UK's vision for constitutional reform. This conversation explores the parallels between global governance trends and national sovereignty, the economic impacts of current UK policies, and Habib's assessment that Britain is approaching a critical juncture that will determine whether traditional British liberties can be preserved. Habib outlines his party's strategy for contesting all constituencies in the 2029 general election with a platform focused on reversing what he views as decades of constitutional damage. Get in touch: X (Twitter): https://dub.sh/eddiehobbs-x Newsletter: https://dub.sh/1215substack To engage with Eddie on personal or corporate financial matters, go to his website: https://eddiehobbs.com/ Eddie Hobbs heads up Hobbs Financial Practice Ltd, a private client advisory firm that specialises in strategic positioning of personal wealth. Hobbs Financial Practice Limited is Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. © 2025 1215 Counterpoint Productions Limited. All rights reserved.