Today, Niall opens the lines to callers to debate the future of remote work following Nigel Farage’s claim that working from home hurts productivity and is “a load of nonsense.” Is he right — or has remote work improved both business performance and quality of life?

Listeners share their experiences, from the benefits of flexible schedules, no commuting, and better work-life balance, to concerns about isolation, blurred work boundaries, teamwork challenges, and whether productivity really suffers outside the office.

Should employers be required to allow remote working where possible, or is the return to the office better for businesses and employees alike? Join the conversation.

Podcast Description – Today’s Episode

Today, Niall speaks with Gript Media journalist Niamh Uí Bhriain about her recent piece examining Ireland’s healthcare staffing crisis and the wider debate around immigration policy.

They discuss claims that Ireland’s health service depends on continued immigration, while thousands of Irish healthcare professionals — nearly 7,000 now registered in Australia — continue to emigrate in search of better pay, working conditions, housing affordability, and quality of life. The conversation explores whether government policies, recruitment freezes for Irish staff, and the cost-of-living crisis are contributing to this “brain drain,” and what it could mean for the future of Ireland’s healthcare system.

Today, Niall opens the phones to discuss a debate sparked by a recent discrimination case involving a firefighter fitness test and the wider question of gender equality in demanding jobs. After an email from a listener raised concerns that telling girls they can do anything men can do might sometimes set unrealistic expectations, the conversation turns to whether standards should always be identical — or whether some roles naturally favour physical differences.

Listeners share their views on equality, fairness, workplace standards, and whether adjusting entry requirements helps opportunity or risks lowering expectations. Are we encouraging ambition, or creating pressures that don’t reflect real-world demands?

Niall asks: are we empowering women — or are we setting some up to struggle by insisting there are no meaningful differences? Join the conversation.