Wednesday 16 September: Metrolink Costs, Irish Unity & The Neutrality Debate

The FAI faces a grilling before an Oireachtas Committee over safeguarding and governance, against a backdrop of protests outside Leinster House and calls to abandon Sunday’s second game against Israel. Did the beleaguered association come away with a result?Plus, with less than a week to Budget 2027, new research finds one in four adults aged 35–44 are receiving financial help from their parents, while more than 100,000 public sector workers begin industrial action over pay.Our political panel examines the deepening cost-of-living pressures.Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State Daniel Ennis TD, Social Democrats Louise O'Reilly TD, Sinn Féin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Joyriders, Ireland’s Lucky Dip Gang on Virgin Media One, our panel examines mobile gang terror, the fallout from the M9 crash and what can be done about joy-riding teenagers.Plus, the Garvaghy Road standoff enters its third day as Nationalist residents and the Orange Order remain deadlocked in Drumcree. What will break the impasse?And Manchester City fans get the Blues as the Premier League champions are found guilty of all charges relating to alleged financial rule breaches.Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:Barry Ward TD, Fine Gael Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Sinn Féin Robert Cullen, Criminologist and Former Prisoner John Joe O’Connell Vice President, GRA Martina Devlin, Columnist and Novelist Claudia Savage, Ireland reporter for PA based in BelfastMiguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer at The Independent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social media firms face an Oireachtas grilling over dangerous driving videos being shared online. Will new laws help, or is the sharing of harmful material inherent the design of the platforms themselves?Ireland's AI Minister refutes claims that the Irish presidency had a hand in drafting legislation that would scrap GDPR protections for AI products. And Micheál Martin meets Mamdani and plays bingo as he ropes in New York's mayor to help strengthen Irish American ties. The Panel:Senator Garret Ahearn, Fine GaelSinéad Gibney TD, Social DemocratsClaire Scott, Political Correspondent, Sunday Times Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Budget 2027 just weeks away, we debate Sinn Féin’s renewed push to remove the carbon tax from home heating oil and the wider pressure on Government over the cost of living.We also go live to New York as world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine and the energy crisis on the agenda.Plus, why are so many young people considering leaving Ireland? And as controversy grows over Ireland’s Nations League fixture against Israel, former international footballer Kevin Kilbane joined us to discuss the calls for a boycott and the FAI’s decision to play the game.On the panel:John Lahart TD, Fianna Fáil Pearse Doherty TD, Spokesperson on Finance, Sinn Fein Gráinne Ní Aodha, News reporter, Irish Examiner Zara King, News Correspondent, Virgin Media News Kevin Kilbane, former Irish International footballer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metrolink returns to the Dáil agenda as the project enters the tender phase, with concerns its price tag could rise beyond €17.5 billion.Plus, Micheál Martin accuses Sinn Féin of a “strategic error” over Irish unity, while Ursula von der Leyen proposes a stronger EU security response to threats including cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incursions. Could Ireland’s military non-alignment pose a challenge?Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by:Edward Timmins TD, Fine GaelDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Spokesperson Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent, Euronews  Cónal Thomas, Political Correspondent, Irish independent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ploughing Championships get underway as soaring fuel and energy prices put pressure on farmers. With diesel now above €2 a litre, will proposed tax cuts and subsidies in the Budget prevent a repeat of this spring’s fuel protests?Plus, despite a series of wrong-way driving incidents on Irish motorways, just six Gardaí are expected to have received pursuit training by the end of the year due to a shortage of trained instructors.Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by: Peter "Chap" Cleere TD, Fianna FáilMichael Fitzmaurice TD, Independent IrelandMuireann Lynch, Energy Economist and Senior Research Officer, ESRITrina O'Connor, Criminologist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fallout from the GAA integration row, tougher proposed citizenship rules and the political debate around Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland are among the issues discussed.Shane Coleman was joined by: Aisling Maher, Co-Chair of the National Executive Committee for the Gaelic Players Association Cora Staunton, former Mayo Footballer and Broadcaster Shane Moynihan TD, Fianna Fail Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats Peadar Toibín TD, Aontú  Ciara O'Loughlin, Political Correspondent, The Irish Mirror  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coalition divisions over a potential stamp duty cut for first-time buyers, tax reform and whether a second tier of Child Benefit could help tackle child poverty are among the issues discussed.Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by: John Clendennen TD, Fine Gael Rose Conway Walsh TD, Sinn Fein Mary Regan, Political Editor, The Irish Independent   Dr. Emma Howard, Senior Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European Defence Ministers meet in Ireland as questions grow over the country’s limited defence capabilities and reliance on its nearest neighbour for security. With closer NATO ties also under discussion, how much pressure is Irish neutrality under?Plus, as cost-of-living pressures mount, how long can Government continue deferring carbon taxes and reversing excise cuts to shield households from rising prices?Presenter Shane Coleman was joined by: Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State  Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Sinn Fein  Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tributes continue following the death of Glen Hansard. Friends and colleagues reflect on the life and legacy of the Oscar-winning musician and frontman of The Frames, described by Bono as the "Voice of the streets".Plus, our final political panel of the season debates the deepening legal aid dispute, an under-subscribed fuel support scheme despite months of protests, and looks back on a turbulent 18 months of Donald Trump's second term ahead of the US midterms.Shane Coleman is joined by Victoria Mary Clarke, Niall Stanage, Paula Butterly, Michael Fitzmaurice and Kevin Doyle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.