The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by TD Richard O'Donoghue to discuss the escalating farmers’ fuel protest, now entering its third day and threatening to intensify if the government refuses to come to the table.Farmers across the country say they are being pushed to the brink, with soaring diesel and energy costs making it increasingly impossible to stay in business. While many acknowledge that global price increases are outside the government’s control, they argue that Ireland’s fuel taxes, among the highest in the EU, are not. According to protest organisers, the government has the power to ease the pressure immediately by cutting those taxes, but has chosen not to act.As blockades continue at ports and along major roads, the disruption is being felt nationwide. Commuters, businesses, and even emergency services are being impacted, raising serious questions about how long public support for the protests will last.Niall puts it directly to Richard O’Donoghue: are these demonstrations justified, or are they risking alienating the very public the farmers need on their side? And should the government step in now to negotiate, or stand firm against what some are calling economic sabotage?With strong opinions on all sides, this is a conversation that goes to the heart of livelihoods, leadership, and how far people should go to be heard.Have your say. Are the farmers right to take this action, or have they gone too far?

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by Senator Sharon Keogan to discuss the rollout of the EU Digital ID, now being trialled in Ireland and expected by many to be introduced more widely during Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency.The idea is simple on the surface, one secure digital wallet holding everything from your birth certificate and passport to banking details and healthcare records, all accessible from your phone. Supporters say it’s the future, a convenient, streamlined way to manage your identity in an increasingly digital world.But not everyone is convinced.Critics warn that what starts as voluntary could quickly become essential, raising serious concerns about privacy, surveillance, and control. Some fear it could eventually be used to monitor spending or behaviour, drawing comparisons to social credit systems seen elsewhere.So where do you stand?Niall and Senator Keogan break down the pros and cons, asking whether this is a step forward in convenience or a step too far in control.Would you trust a Digital ID with your most personal information? And even if it starts as voluntary, do you believe it will stay that way?Have your say. Will you be using the EU Digital ID?

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by restaurateur and podcaster Paul Treyvaud to break down a new Irish Independent poll that claims to reveal what’s really on people’s minds.According to the poll, the cost of living, housing, and immigration top the list of concerns for people in Ireland today, followed by a long list of issues including healthcare, crime, government spending, climate change, and global conflicts such as Israel/Gaza and Russia/Ukraine.But how much faith should we put in these so called “independent polls”?Niall and Paul dig into whether these surveys actually reflect public opinion, or whether the way questions are asked and framed can influence the outcome. Are these polls a genuine snapshot of what people care about, or are they shaping the narrative rather than simply reporting it?The conversation also looks at the gap between headlines and reality. While issues like international conflicts and climate change dominate media coverage, many people say their day to day concerns are far more immediate, like paying bills, finding housing, and feeling safe in their communities.📞 Niall opens the phone lines to hear from listeners:Do you trust these polls?If you had to pick just two issues, what actually affects you most right now?Are the media focusing on the right priorities, or missing what matters to ordinary people?Join the debate and have your say.

On today’s episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by social commentator Karl Deeter to tackle a topic that most people think… but very few will ever admit out loud.New research is challenging one of life’s biggest assumptions, that having children makes you happier. In fact, a growing body of studies suggests the opposite. While children can bring love and meaning, they also bring stress, financial pressure, lack of sleep, and strain on relationships. Some research even shows that parents report lower day to day happiness and reduced relationship satisfaction compared to those without children.There’s even what experts call the “parenting paradox”, where parents may feel their lives are more meaningful, but at the same time experience more stress and lower mood in everyday life.So why do so many people still say it’s “the best thing ever”?Niall and Karl dig into the reality behind the research, the emotional truth versus the social expectation, and whether people are being honest with themselves or simply saying what they feel they’re supposed to say.Because let’s be honest…Very few parents would ever openly say they regret having children, even if part of them feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or stretched to breaking point.📞 Niall opens the phone lines and asks listeners:If you could go back and talk to your younger self, would you still choose to have children?Did having kids actually make you happier, or just busier and more stressed?Are children worth the sacrifice, or are we all just afraid to admit the truth?A brutally honest conversation about love, sacrifice, and whether parenthood really delivers the happiness people expect.