Episodes

  • ENSURING THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: Niall Muldoon

    ENSURING THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: Niall Muldoon
    Feb 6 2025
    Niall Muldoon is the ombudsman for children. His role gives him a perfect view into the problems that afflict the lives of children, right across society, down along the socio economic ladder, but particularly for those who are most vulnerable. He shared some very interesting insights into child poverty, issues around education and whether his office has enough powers to effect change.

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    40 mins
  • ELECTRIFY NOW: Hannah Daly

    ELECTRIFY NOW: Hannah Daly
    Jan 31 2025

    Electrify now: Hannah Daly

    The loss of electric power in some parts of the country following last week’s storm has brought into focus the whole way in which we source our electricity and particularly whether it is sustainable. Hannah Daly, professor of sustainable energy in UCC talks about how there is a more sustainable route to getting our electricity and ensuring that the scenes we witnessed this week would not be repeated.


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    37 mins
  • MARTIN BACK ON TOP: Elaine Loughlin.

    MARTIN BACK ON TOP: Elaine Loughlin.
    Jan 23 2025

    Micheal Martin was elected Taoiseach this week at the second time of asking. First he, the Dail and the wider public had to endure the spectacle of attempts to elect a Taoiseach ending in chaos. But was it self-inflicted or if not whose fault was it and does it auger for a new type of politics in the coming years. Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin joins this week’s podcast.


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    38 mins
  • FOUR MORE YEARS: Scott Lucas.

    FOUR MORE YEARS: Scott Lucas.
    Jan 16 2025
    As Donald Trump is inaugurated as the next president of the United States, we look at what the world can expect. Will Trump 2.0 differ greatly from first time around and if so will it be more dangerous? Will this country get caught in the spokes of his apparently free wheeling plans? Joining the podcast to map out the road ahead is Scott Lucas, Professor of US politics at UCD.

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    46 mins
  • ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER: Alan O’Reilly

    ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER: Alan O’Reilly
    Jan 10 2025
    Carlow Weather is a twitter handle that many might be aware of as a place to go for a usually on-the-ball weather forecast. Its operator Alan O’Reilly is now probably one of the best forecasters in the country albeit one who is not a meteorologist. So how does he do it? When did he start? And what kind of a Summer can we expect before rooting around in the attic for the oul buckets and spades. Alan O’Reilly is this week’s guest on the podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins
  • FOR WHOM DOES PRISON WORK? Ann Murphy

    FOR WHOM DOES PRISON WORK? Ann Murphy
    Jan 2 2025
    The issue of whether prison does what it was designed to do has been popping up regularly in recent years. Does it work? Does it provide rehabilitation? Are we imprisoning too many or for crimes that don’t merit such a penalty. Irish Examiner investigative reporter Ann Murphy has looked at one case of a man who has over 500 convictions and who has been in and out of the system for decades. She also examines the bigger questions in relation to penal policy in this country. Ann Murphy is this week’s guest on the podcast.

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    34 mins
  • THE YEAR THAT WAS: Sean Murray.

    THE YEAR THAT WAS: Sean Murray.
    Dec 26 2024
    Irish Examiner reporter Sean Murray joins Mick to chew over some of the big stories from 2024, from failed referendums to shock resignations, from foregone conclusions to an earthquake election. And then there was the story that showed our capacity in this country to act the ejit and never know when to stop.

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    39 mins
  • HOME THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD: Colin Sheridan.

    HOME THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD: Colin Sheridan.
    Dec 19 2024

    Tis the season to huddle around family, friends and community, but what of those who are exiled far from home? Many Irish people spend Christmas overseas, some by choice, others through necessity, but one group do so in the interests of keeping peace. Ireland’s defence forces personnel are based in various hotspots, but particularly the Middle East. So what is Christmas like for them, and their families at home? Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan has extensive experience serving overseas and he tells us what it’s like at this time of year.




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    35 mins