This week, host Niall sits down with Senator Sharon Keoghan to unpack the controversy surrounding recent comments about diversity recruitment in the Irish Defence Forces.

After the Defence Minister spoke about making recruitment more diverse — including the possibility of international protection applicants joining — Senator Keoghan described the idea as “madness,” questioning loyalty, national security, and whether fast-tracking citizenship through military service could pose risks to Irish society.

But is it really such a radical idea? Or, as some commentators argue, could broadening recruitment be one of the few realistic ways to address falling enlistment numbers — especially when public debate continues about the purpose, cost, and role of Ireland’s Defence Forces?

Niall and Senator Keoghan explore:

• The reasoning behind her remarks

• The Defence Forces’ role in modern Ireland

• Whether diversity in recruitment strengthens or weakens national security

• And the bigger question: do we actually need a standing defence force at all?

A thoughtful, challenging conversation about defence, identity, and the future of Ireland’s military.

This week, Niall dives into an intriguing story involving former US president Barack Obama and the question that never seems to go away — aliens.

Speaking recently on a podcast with Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama said that while the universe is vast and statistically life could exist elsewhere, the chances Earth has actually been visited by extraterrestrials are “low.” He joked that aliens aren’t being hidden in Area 51 and said he saw no evidence of alien contact during his presidency.

He later clarified that his comments came during a quick-fire question round — but reiterated that although life elsewhere is possible, there’s no proof they’ve ever reached us. Obama has even joked before, including in an interview with James Corden, that he checked whether secret alien labs existed when he entered office — and was told they didn’t.

So tonight, Niall asks the big question for listeners:

Are we alone out there… or do you think aliens exist — and maybe have already visited Earth?

In this episode, Niall is joined by podcaster and social commentator Elaine Mullally for a lively and thought-provoking discussion on welfare, responsibility, and fairness in today’s society.

They unpack controversial comments from UK MP Rupert Lowe, who suggested that healthy people on benefits who refuse work should be required to clean streets and public spaces — or risk losing their payments. Is this a reasonable expectation tied to taxpayer support, or does it cross the line into forced labour?

Together, Niall and Elaine explore the wider questions:

Should long-term unemployed people be required to contribute community work to receive benefits?

Where is the balance between social support and personal responsibility?

And what impact could such policies have on dignity, opportunity, and society as a whole?

It’s a nuanced conversation with strong views on both sides — and, as always, listeners are invited to make up their own minds.