In this episode, Niall is joined by financial commentator and media regular Karl Deeter to unpack a controversial new move by the Police Service of Northern Ireland: the routine release of mugshots of people convicted of crimes and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.

Supporters of the policy, including Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long, argue that it’s about transparency, justice being seen to be done, and reassuring victims and the wider public that serious offenders are being held to account. But where does the line get drawn?

Niall and Karl dig into the ethical and social implications of “naming and shaming”. If someone has already been convicted and punished by the courts, is it right to then splash their face across newspapers and social media? Does public exposure serve a genuine policing purpose, or does it risk permanently damaging someone’s chance of rehabilitation — especially in cases involving reasonably minor crimes?

They also compare the approach in Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, where Gardaí do not have the legal authority to publish mugshots, despite releasing images through programmes like Crimecall.

The big question for listeners: Is naming and shaming a necessary part of justice — or does it undermine the very idea of a second chance in society once a sentence has been served?

Let us know what you think.

In this episode, Niall is joined by John Carmody, animal welfare activist and committed vegan, to tackle one of the most emotionally charged parenting debates there is: should a child be raised vegan from birth?

The conversation is sparked by a deeply personal email Niall received from a listener — a man married just three years, who has just welcomed his first baby with his wife. Six months ago, his wife became vegan, driven by strong views on animal cruelty. While he found the change awkward at times, especially around cooking and eating out, he accepted it as her personal choice and assumed it might be a phase.

But just two days after their baby was born, everything changed.

His wife told him she intends to raise their child as vegan from birth. What followed was a huge row — and now, near silence. He says he cannot agree to what he sees as forcing an ideology onto a newborn. He fears for the baby’s health, pointing to cases of infant malnutrition linked to poorly managed vegan diets, and says even hospital doctors advised against it. Despite this, his wife refuses to change her mind.

Heartbroken and at a loss, he describes the issue as a potential deal-breaker.

Niall and John explore the ethical, nutritional, emotional, and relational dimensions of the issue. Is it possible to raise a child vegan safely? Where does parental choice end and risk begin? And how should couples navigate deeply opposing values when a child is involved?

A powerful, honest discussion — and a question for listeners: Is raising a baby vegan a responsible choice, or an unfair imposition on a child who has no say?

In this episode of Niall Asks, Niall is joined by Jason Osburn of Gript Media to discuss and debate a recent Irish Times piece by former President Mary McAleese that challenges long-standing assumptions about religion, children’s rights, and Catholic education in Ireland.

Using baptism as her starting point, McAleese argues that Catholic Church canon law enrols children into lifelong religious membership before they are capable of consent, raising serious questions about compatibility with international human rights standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She contends that concepts like “renewing baptismal promises” are legally and morally incoherent, and that canon law offers no meaningful right to exit the Church — even in adulthood.

Niall puts the central question to Jason: Is indoctrination into Catholicism really such a bad thing?

Or is it a mischaracterisation of tradition, culture, and parental rights in a country with deep religious roots?

The conversation ranges across faith, law, consent, education, and identity, probing whether Ireland has fully reckoned with the tension between religious institutions and modern understandings of individual rights — especially those of children.

A challenging, thoughtful discussion at the intersection of belief, power, and freedom.

In this episode of Niall Asks, Niall is joined by journalist Ian O’Doherty to unpack the growing international row over Elon Musk’s social media platform, X — and the far bigger question it raises for modern society.

Following reports that Downing Street has held talks with Canada and Australia about a potential ban on X, the discussion centres on concerns over AI-generated “deepfake” images, including explicit content involving women and children, created using Musk’s AI tool, Grok. UK ministers have warned they could go as far as banning the platform entirely under online safety legislation if certain features are not removed.

But critics argue this is less about protecting users and more about state overreach and censorship. Musk has accused the UK government of authoritarianism, while figures aligned with Donald Trump have warned of diplomatic fallout if X is blocked — a move that would place Britain alongside regimes such as China, Iran and Russia in restricting the platform.

Niall puts the key question to Ian: Is social media — and X in particular — ultimately doing more good than harm to society?

Or has the combination of AI, weak regulation, and ideological policing pushed us towards a tipping point?

A robust discussion on free speech, responsibility, technology, and whether governments can be trusted to decide what the public is allowed to see and say.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 to hear mixed views on Ireland’s new birth registration law, which for the first time places a duty on unmarried parents to provide the father’s details when registering a child’s birth. The legislation, which came into effect in December 2025, is intended to give children greater access to information about their biological parents — but it has sparked strong and divided reactions.

Callers weigh in on whether the change is a positive step for children’s rights and identity, or an unnecessary intrusion into private family circumstances. Some welcome the move as long overdue, arguing that children have a right to know where they come from and that fathers should be encouraged to take responsibility. Others raise concerns about women’s safety, privacy, and the emotional impact in complex or difficult relationships, even with exemptions built into the law.

Niall explores what the legislation does — and doesn’t — do, including the fact that providing a father’s details does not automatically grant guardianship or legal rights. Is the balance right between children’s rights and mothers’ autonomy? Are the safeguards strong enough? And could there be unintended consequences?

A thoughtful, caller-led conversation on family, responsibility, and how the State should navigate sensitive personal realities.

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.