Today on the Show: “Cash Is King? Gavin Pepper on Blackouts, Cyber Threats & the Cashless Future”

On today’s episode, Niall sits down with Dublin City Councillor Gavin Pepper to unpack a surprising new recommendation from the Government: keep some cash at home in case of future blackouts or cyberattacks.

The suggestion has sparked debate across the country — and Gavin isn’t mincing his words. For him, “Cash Is King,” and the idea of relying entirely on digital payments leaves Ireland dangerously exposed.

Niall and Gavin dive into the bigger question: Can we really trust a cashless society?

They explore the competing arguments shaping the national conversation:

💶 The Case FOR Cash:

Cash works when the power doesn’t.

It protects privacy and personal autonomy.

It prevents vulnerable groups from being excluded.

It limits dependence on tech companies, banks and infrastructure.

💳 The Case FOR Going Cashless:

Digital payments are faster and more convenient.

They reduce crime related to physical cash.

They improve financial tracking and tax compliance.

They streamline business operations and public services.

But what happens when the systems go down — or are taken down? And does the government’s own warning undermine confidence in the push for a fully digital payment model?

Niall challenges Gavin on whether fears around a cashless society are justified or exaggerated, while Gavin explains why he believes Ireland should be protecting access to cash, not phasing it out.

A lively, timely conversation about resilience, risk, and who really controls your money.

Tune in — and maybe keep a tenner in your pocket.

On today’s episode, Niall sits down with Laura Perrins of Gript Media to unpack her recent commentary on Ireland’s rapidly intensifying immigration debate. With Simon Harris and Jim O’Callaghan now talking tough on migration policy in the wake of the UK Home Secretary’s latest proposals, Niall asks the big question: is this genuine political will or just reactive posturing?

Laura walks listeners through the core points of her piece — including why Irish politicians seem to wait for a signal from Westminster before announcing their own crackdowns, despite Ireland not being part of the UK or its legal framework. She highlights the stark contrast between asylum numbers in Denmark (the model the UK claims to be following) and the surging international protection claims in Ireland.

Niall presses Laura on two key issues:

Does clamping down on asylum applications and lengthening the path to citizenship reflect a lack of compassion, or is it a necessary correction to a system under pressure?

Do Irish politicians sincerely intend to control illegal entry — and if so, by what practical means, given the open border through Northern Ireland?

The discussion features differing viewpoints:

Some argue that Ireland must tighten procedures to preserve system integrity and avoid becoming an outlier in Europe. Others fear the rhetoric masks a political attempt to appease public frustration without offering workable solutions — especially while the Common Travel Area and EU migration pact remain in place.

From constitutional constraints to EU obligations to border realities, Niall and Laura explore what fixing the “immigration chaos” would actually require — and whether any government has the courage (or consensus) to do it.

Tune in for a sharp, informed, and provocative conversation.

This week on the show, Niall opens the lines for what quickly becomes one of the most heated conversations of the year: Is RTÉ biased—and should Ireland scrap the TV licence fee altogether?

The debate kicks off after a major international media storm. The BBC has been thrust into the spotlight following accusations that it edited a video of Donald Trump in a misleading way—an allegation so serious that Trump is now suing the broadcaster for manipulating the news. The fallout has reignited global conversations about trust in public broadcasters. And here at home, many callers say the controversy mirrors long-standing complaints about RTÉ’s perceived left-leaning bias and a failure to represent the full spectrum of Irish public opinion.

Some argue that, just like the BBC, RTÉ is protected by guaranteed funding and faces little accountability. Callers across the country tell Niall that the compulsory licence fee is outdated, unfair, and out of touch with a modern media landscape where almost everything—from newspapers to Netflix—is paid for by choice. Their solution? Scrap the licence fee entirely and move RTÉ to a pay-per-view or subscription model so that only those who want it, pay for it.

But is that really the fix?

Niall digs deeper with listeners into the pros and cons:

Pros callers highlight:

Freedom of choice: no one forced to pay for content they don’t watch.

Market pressure could push RTÉ to improve quality, impartiality, and trust.

A system closer to how people actually consume media in 2025.

And the potential downsides:

Without licence-fee funding, RTÉ would struggle to provide the live broadcasting it currently delivers—news, sport, cultural events, emergencies, and national moments.

Rural, minority, and niche programming could disappear entirely under a commercial-only model.

Public-service journalism—already fragile—could shrink or be replaced by whatever content is most profitable.

A subscription RTÉ might become just another streaming service, losing its national role.

Throughout the episode, callers passionately debate what a public broadcaster should be in a modern democracy. Is RTÉ biased—or just unpopular with whichever side disagrees with its coverage on a given day? Is guaranteed funding essential for independent journalism, or does it shield the organisation from accountability?

Niall lets the country speak, challenge, argue, and question:

Should we scrap the licence fee? And what would Ireland look like without a publicly funded RTÉ?