The Irish Question

The Irish Question
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We talk about the questions and topics that everyone is thinking about but most are afraid to say out loud. We don't hold back. We are not told what we can and can't say. You won't agree with everything we say, but we guarantee you the truth, honesty and a very unique podcast. SIgn up to all our social media platforms so we can build a group of like minded people

  1. 5d ago

    Who is getting Irish Passports??

    Are Ireland’s workers and small businesses paying more—and getting less? Eddie Punch returns to The Irish Question with Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty for a lively debate about citizenship, the cost of living and Ireland’s political direction. Recorded ahead of the Budget 2027 announcement, the panel discusses minimum wage increases, employer PRSI, rising business costs and whether government spending is delivering value. Eddie makes the case for lower taxes, a longer-term economic plan and stronger leadership on EU fuel taxes. Also up for discussion: multilingual housing and election guides, proposed citizenship changes, Garvaghy Road tensions, gender recognition proposals, developments in France and Spain, and Russian plague claims circulating online. Is Ireland rewarding hard work? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to The Irish Question, share the episode and join the debate. CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back, Eddie Punch01:02 Housing, welfare and multilingual election guides05:41 Citizenship: should the waiting period increase?13:32 Garvaghy Road and the United Ireland debate17:10 Budget 2027: will workers actually be better off?21:33 Minimum wage, employer PRSI and rising prices24:55 Eddie Punch: tax, spending and Ireland’s missing strategy34:26 Why do voters keep backing the same parties?37:30 Small businesses under pressure—and why Nick closed his39:17 Gender recognition and political priorities45:18 France, Spain and Europe’s political divisions51:55 EU rules, carbon taxes and the cost of energy58:28 Russian plague claims: concern or hype?1:01:26 Paul’s closing conspiracy theory and sign-off #TheIrishQuestion #EddiePunch #Budget2027 #IrishPolitics

  2. Oct 2

    Who's Getting our Social Housing

    The Irish Question Mini Podcast Series — No. 2Who is being allocated social and affordable housing in Louth?In this episode, Elaine is joined by Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane McGuinness to discuss his request for a breakdown, by nationality, of people allocated social and affordable housing by Louth County Council.We discuss why this information matters, the need for transparency, and how elected councillors can hold the council accountable on behalf of the communities they represent.We also examine the powers of local councillors. Have they lost influence over the decisions affecting their constituents? Where does decision making power now sit and can councillors get the information they need to do their jobs?Shane outlines his efforts to get answers for the people he represents. Whatever our political differences, asking questions and seeking clear, reliable figures is an essential part of public accountability.Watch the conversation and share your thoughts below. Should every council publish a breakdown of housing allocations based on nationality ?Subscribe to The Irish Question for more conversations about the issues affecting Ireland and our communities.#TheIrishQuestion #ElaineMullally #ShaneMcGuinness #SocialHousing #AffordableHousing #Louth #Transparency #LocalGovernment 00:00 Meet Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane03:38 Who Really Controls Planning and Housing?09:45 Who’s Getting Social Housing? The Data Debate14:58 Immigration, Citizenship and Housing Priority20:53 Speaking Out: Would Shane Leave Fianna Fáil?25:38 The Presidential Election and Maria Steen

  3. Sep 29

    Mind Your OWN Business. Guest Host Declan Ganley

    Is Ireland making it impossible to run a small business—and giving its young people every reason to leave? Declan Ganley joins Nick Delehanty, Paul Treyvaud and Elaine Mullally for a fiery discussion about the pressure on Irish businesses, the cost of living and the future facing the next generation. Nick speaks candidly about closing his dog daycare business and responds to The Irish Times’ coverage. The panel debates minimum wage increases, VAT, employer costs and Ireland’s dependence on multinational tax revenues. Declan makes the case for rewarding hard work, entrepreneurship and risk-taking. Also on the agenda: the Ireland–Israel football controversy, pressure on players, the Garvaghy Road dispute and prospects for a united Ireland. The episode closes with a discussion of the developing RAF Fairford story and the questions surrounding it. CHAPTERS 00:00 Opening highlights00:22 Welcome back, Declan Ganley00:53 Ireland v Israel: should politics dictate sport?04:02 Declan on political pressure and virtue signalling10:21 Netanyahu, the UN and separating sport from government12:58 Garvaghy Road: tensions and a united Ireland19:45 Declan on reconciliation and common ground25:50 Viewer support and the cost-of-living debate27:13 Heating bills, budget promises and rising business costs31:47 Why small businesses are running out of room33:40 Nick on closing his business and The Irish Times’ coverage38:34 Declan: “We need heroic risk taking”43:27 Media coverage, housing statistics and business pressures47:00 A message to business owners who are struggling47:39 Young people, housing and emigration53:40 Nick: where is Ireland’s vision for the future?56:42 Rewarding work and giving young people reasons to stay58:33 Home ownership and the broken social contract59:22 Final topic: introducing the RAF Fairford story1:00:05 RAF Fairford: reports, unanswered questions and speculation1:01:52 Final thoughts and goodbye What would you change first to make Ireland a better place to build a business, own a home and raise a family? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to The Irish Question, share the episode and hit Hype on YouTube to help more people find the conversation. #TheIrishQuestion #DeclanGanley #IrishPolitics #SmallBusiness #CostOfLiving

  4. Sep 24

    Is Irish Media Biased? Guest Host: Eoin O'Malley

    Political scientist and author Eoin O’Malley joins Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty for a lively debate about Ireland’s media, political leadership and the issues dividing the country.The panel tackles the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy, the backlash against Robbie Keane, coverage of Dublin’s housing statistics, rising fuel prices and whether carbon taxes are achieving anything.Eoin also discusses Ireland’s leadership problem, the Garda whistleblower controversy involving Helen McEntee, and whether Aontú and Independent Ireland could offer a credible alternative. Plus, a discussion on detransition, political consensus and what young people really think.

  5. Sep 22

    Is Irish Media Biased - with Eoin O'Malley

    “I don’t want to agree with you… but I’m finding myself agreeing with you more than I should.”Political scientist and author Eoin O’Malley joins Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty for a lively debate about Ireland’s media, political leadership and the issues dividing the country.The panel tackles the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy, the backlash against Robbie Keane, coverage of Dublin’s housing statistics, rising fuel prices and whether carbon taxes are achieving anything.Eoin also discusses Ireland’s leadership problem, the Garda whistleblower controversy involving Helen McEntee, and whether Aontú and Independent Ireland could offer a credible alternative. Plus, a discussion on detransition, political consensus and what young people really think.CHAPTERS00:00 “I don’t want to agree with you…”00:26 Welcome to The Irish Question01:22 Introducing Eoin O’Malley and Charlie versus Garret02:14 Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and the media backlash04:26 Robbie Keane and the politics of boycotts06:10 Free speech — but only for views we agree with?09:59 Is the celebrity controversy a distraction?12:27 Irish media bias and Dublin housing statistics15:30 Eoin pushes back: coordination or shared consensus?22:04 Media funding and the future of podcast regulation22:44 French fuel protests and the diesel crisis25:26 Do carbon taxes actually change behaviour?27:57 Should carbon taxes be scrapped?29:09 Green policies, fuel taxes and pressure on businesses33:37 More protests — and what should people do with their anger?35:33 Where have Ireland’s strong political leaders gone?37:04 Eoin on leadership, red tape and getting things done40:42 Why are politicians afraid to speak their minds?43:02 Garda whistleblowers and Helen McEntee48:34 Accountability and Ireland’s political talent pool50:38 Aontú, Independent Ireland and political alternatives53:24 Detransition: the Leinster House discussion56:09 Eoin on gender, consensus and political change1:02:46 What do young people really think?1:04:45 A hopeful finish: Ireland’s next generationSubscribe to The Irish Question, share the episode and tell us what you think in the comments.#TheIrishQuestion #EoinOMalley #IrishPolitics #EdSheeran #MediaBias

  6. Sep 15

    Sweden or Somalia? Social Housing & Trump.

    Who is getting Dublin’s social housing—and what can Ireland learn from Sweden’s election? This week on The Irish Question, Nick Delehanty, Elaine Mullally and Paul Treyvaud welcome special guest Donal Byrne, entrepreneur, founder of The Big Red Barn, beef farmer and publican. We examine the Dublin City Council housing figures released by Councillor Gavin Pepper, question the media response, and debate immigration, citizenship and voting patterns in Sweden. Donal explains the pressures facing Irish businesses, his ideas for tackling the housing shortage, and why he believes Ireland faces a “cost of survival” crisis. He also shares his account of the fuel protests and his arrest after introducing antigen testing at his pub during COVID restrictions. Plus: Donald Trump’s Irish visit, whiskey tariffs, tourism, a united Ireland—and the reaction from politicians and protesters. Subscribe, share and tell us what you think in the comments. 00:00 Welcome to The Irish Question00:45 Meet special guest Donal Byrne02:33 Dublin’s social housing figures: who gets housed?05:01 The panel questions the media response08:24 Factory-built homes, planning and the housing shortage10:46 Does the system punish people for working more?14:58 Apprenticeships and bringing back trade schools17:45 Sweden’s election: immigration and voting patterns24:32 Ireland, Sweden and the citizenship debate31:54 The “cost of survival” for Irish businesses36:39 Minimum wage, employer PRSI and rising employment costs39:46 Political change, multinationals and funding barriers42:53 Inside the fuel protests: Donal’s account47:00 Diesel prices, the Budget and carbon tax50:52 Donal’s COVID pub arrest and court case54:44 Trump in Ireland: whiskey, tourism and political reaction1:02:15 The Ploughing Championships and a message to listeners

  7. Sep 8

    The Right is Rising

    This week on The Irish Question, Nick Delehanty, Elaine Mullally and Paul Treyvaud are joined by special guest David Quinn—one of Ireland’s best-known commentators on politics, religion, family and cultural change. The panel celebrates Katie Taylor’s remarkable Croke Park homecoming and discusses the importance of faith throughout her career. They also examine the rise of AfD in Germany, Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland, proposed changes to Irish citizenship, concerns surrounding the new Leaving Cert maths curriculum, child poverty and the real cost of carbon taxes. If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, share and hit the Hype button to help us reach a wider audience. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and special guest David Quinn00:39 Muhammad Ali’s historic visit to Croke Park02:12 Katie Taylor’s remarkable homecoming05:00 Katie Taylor, faith and Ireland’s sporting heroes09:42 Why is AfD surging in Germany?13:10 Immigration and the failure of establishment parties17:06 David Quinn on Merkel’s legacy and the rise of AfD22:36 What would AfD actually do in government?26:50 Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland29:35 Ireland’s economic relationship with America32:19 How will President Catherine Connolly handle Trump?34:37 Resignations over the new Leaving Cert maths curriculum39:21 Meritocracy, education and falling standards43:33 Is ideology reshaping the wider school curriculum?46:08 Proposed changes to Irish citizenship rules49:46 Should citizenship require eight or ten years?51:09 Integration, language and the media’s blind spot55:29 Two hundred thousand Irish children living in poverty57:38 Rising living costs and carbon taxes1:00:05 Where does Ireland’s carbon-tax revenue go?1:02:39 Climate change, green policies and working families1:04:01 Closing thoughts and film recommendations1:05:32 Outro #TheIrishQuestion #DavidQuinn #KatieTaylor #IrishPolitics #AfD #DonaldTrump

  8. Sep 1

    Republic of Woke

    The Irish Question is back. In our first episode after the summer break, Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty discuss the controversy surrounding Dr Ebun Joseph, critical race theory, migration across Europe, Ireland’s IPAS system and the influence of State-funded NGOs. The conversation also covers the proposed male-lactation conference, climate policy, flooding and infrastructure, the debate over “tradwives” and the manosphere, tax individualisation, rising energy and fuel costs, and the latest movements in Irish politics. Subscribe, share the episode and hit the Hype button if you want to help The Irish Question reach a wider audience. CHAPTERS 0:00 – The Irish Question returns1:17 – Dr Ebun Joseph controversy and the race debate4:56 – Critical race theory and State-funded ideology9:31 – UK migrant guidance and Channel crossings12:51 – The growing scale of small-boat migration14:28 – IPAS, crime and Ireland’s prison capacity17:34 – Planning exemptions for IPAS centres18:08 – Durrow residents secure a planning victory20:50 – Ceuta, Spain and migration across Europe26:10 – Controversy over the male-lactation conference29:30 – Have Irish politicians challenged it?30:27 – NGOs, universities and gender ideology33:02 – Help support the podcast with YouTube Hype34:33 – Climate change claims concerning children37:58 – Killarney flooding, blocked drains and infrastructure40:21 – Carbon taxes, retrofits and climate adaptation42:56 – What is a “tradwife”?45:23 – Elaine defends motherhood and traditional family life48:36 – Tax individualisation and the growth of childcare50:14 – The manosphere and “toxic masculinity” research53:43 – The influence of Ireland’s NGO sector55:03 – Fuel prices, carbon taxes and possible protests58:49 – Business energy costs and conflicting government priorities1:00:28 – Solar power, levies and electricity bills1:01:53 – The hosts’ summer catch-up1:03:55 – Political realignment and new alternatives1:06:35 – Pressure building within Fianna Fáil1:07:19 – Final thoughts and what’s coming next

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Ratings & Reviews

5
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About

We talk about the questions and topics that everyone is thinking about but most are afraid to say out loud. We don't hold back. We are not told what we can and can't say. You won't agree with everything we say, but we guarantee you the truth, honesty and a very unique podcast. SIgn up to all our social media platforms so we can build a group of like minded people

Information

  • Creator
    The Irish Question
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Irish Question
  • Show Website
    The Irish Question

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