This Saturday on the podcast, Niall will be joined by Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and one of the most vocal critics of recent policy decisions affecting motorists and rural Ireland.

First up, they’ll discuss the EU–MERCOSUR trade deal protest taking place in Athlone this Saturday — a demonstration gaining attention from farmers, rural groups and politicians alike. Supporters argue the deal threatens Irish agriculture by opening the market to cheaper imports produced under lower environmental and welfare standards, and they’re calling on communities across the country to make their voices heard this weekend.

Farmers Journal

Then, Niall and Peadar will dive into the controversial toll charge increases that have come into effect in Ireland — including higher fees on the M50, the Dublin Port Tunnel at peak times, and several national motorway toll routes.

roscommonherald.ie

These changes — approved by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and linked to inflation adjustments — have sparked protests, criticism from political parties and road users, and rallies such as the recent Aontú actions across Dublin’s motorway bridges.

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Critics say the toll hikes — coming on top of rising fuel costs, taxes and transport charges — are putting extra strain on commuters, rural businesses and families who rely on these routes daily. Government ministers, however, maintain the adjustments are necessary under existing frameworks and for maintaining key infrastructure.

TheJournal.ie

We’ll be asking you, the listeners:

Do you agree with the principle of paying to use a road that’s supposed to get you from A to B quicker?

Have the latest toll hikes affected your commute or cost of living?

And what do you think about the EU-MERCOSUR deal and its implications for Irish farmers and rural communities?

If you want to come on the show live and share your views, WhatsApp “LET ME ON” to 085 100 22 55 and join the conversation as it happens.

As we approach the end of the first week of the year, Niall will be joined by celebrity chef and restaurateur Paul “Pay” Treyvaud for a wide-ranging conversation on what 2026 may have in store.

From politics to the cost of living, Paul shares his predictions for the year ahead — and then we open the lines to you, the listeners, to have your say.

We want to hear from you:

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions — and will you stick to them?

Do you see a collapse of government and a general election looming?

Will hate speech laws be forced upon us and become a major issue once again?

Will the cost of living improve, or get even worse in 2026?

And will the government get any closer to fixing the ongoing chaos in health, housing, and immigration?

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 support “is not infinite” and that RTÉ must modernise and significantly grow its commercial revenues.

With more than €725 million in Government funding already committed over three years, and a previous €750 million rescue package still fresh in the public memory, is RTÉ now facing a stark sink-or-swim moment? Niall asks callers what reduced State support could realistically mean — job losses, fewer costly live sports and entertainment events, and a diminished public service role.

Listeners debate whether RTÉ still represents value for money. Is the €160 TV licence fee justified? Should the Government and the taxpayer continue to fund a national broadcaster in its current form? Or is it time for RTÉ to rely more heavily on advertising, increase the licence fee, introduce pay-per-view for major events, or rethink its entire model?

A wide-ranging, listener-led conversation on accountability, public trust, and the future of public service broadcasting in Ireland.