The Group Chat

This week on The Group Chat, the tensions flare in the Dáil over the debate around asylum seekers and immigration. And, new battle lines are drawn as New York elects a socialist mayor. Plus, the race for the Áras and the fallout over media training. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we unpack the fallout from Ireland’s presidential election. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as our tenth Head of State next month after a resounding victory, but what does her win mean for Fianna Fáil and Michael Martin? We also explore whether the left’s newfound unity behind Connolly can last until the next general election. Tune in for insight, analysis, and debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On The Group Chat, we unpack two nights of unrest in Citywest, a day of high emotion as five members of Josef Puska’s family are jailed, and the story of 14 families from the same estate all facing eviction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we cover a massive breakthrough in Gaza, with the world looking on as a landmark, Donald Trump-brokered peace deal was signed. Among those affected are people who fled here to escape the war. A fragile ceasefire is holding in Gaza, but with many potential pitfalls ahead, we explore the feelings of those who fled here and still have loved ones back home. Polling day moves closer in the Presidential Election, with Catherine Connolly the clear frontrunner. What does Heather Humphreys need to do to close the big gap in the final week of campaigning? And we’ll also be reflecting on MTV, which provided the pictures and the sounds for our youth, as we mourn the planned closure of a number of its channels at the end of the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world watches closely after a major breakthrough in Gaza — but will it hold? Back home, Micheál Martin faces unrest within Fianna Fáil over the Jim Gavin controversy, while government TDs return to their constituencies to sell Budget 2026. Plus, Rolling Stone releases its list of the 250 best songs of the last 25 years - do you agree with their picks? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ireland has been gripped by outrage following the interception of an international aid flotilla by Israeli forces, with at least fifteen Irish citizens detained as the boats approached Gaza. We hear directly from the daughter of one of those on board, as the Taoiseach warns the operation could breach international law. We also look at the presidential election, which has drawn huge public interest after the first TV debate of the campaign, and ask if the upcoming budget risks being overlooked as the election dominates the agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat: Donald Trump once again dominated global headlines with a fiery address to the UN General Assembly in New York, taking aim at climate change, immigration, and even the UN itself – before sparking a medical storm by pushing an unproven link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism. Back home, Ireland’s presidential election campaign is officially underway. With Maria Steen falling just short in her bid for a place on the ballot, and only three candidates confirmed, the smallest field in decades, can the race ignite or is it already fizzling out? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin is about to make a “gamechanger” move on the presidential election this weekend, keeping the race for the Áras buzzing. Will Gareth Sheridan make it onto the ballot through the council route? Could other independents join him? Conor McGregor has already pulled out, and Simon Harris says good riddance. In Donabate, a four-year search has ended in heartbreak, with gardai believing they’ve found the remains of Daniel Aruebose. On the international stage, a damning UN report, mounting EU pressure, and cultural and sporting isolation put Israel’s actions in Gaza under a microscope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we look at the rise of political violence at home and abroad. In the US, the shooting dead of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through politics, while here, the Tánaiste has revealed threats made against him. We ask what this climate means for democracy and public life. Plus, with Ireland’s World Cup dreams in tatters once again, are fans destined to watch from the sidelines rather than the stands? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Group Chat is back with a brand-new season! Zara King, Richard Chambers and Gavan Reilly cut through the noise of the week’s headlines — from the crawling Race for the Áras, to the tough road ahead for new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, and the squeeze of rising grocery prices on households across Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎪 The Group Chat live at Electric Picnic! Taken from a segment of The Group Chat's live podcast at EP, the team discuss Fontaines D.C, Kneecap, CMAT and Sally Rooney using their platform to speak on Gaza and why Ireland’s biggest cultural voices aren’t just shaping art - they’re shaping politics too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Donald Trump now the Daddy of NATO? And have New York Democrats found the formula to beat a candidate picked by a Trump administration? Plus, we share some surprising and memorable moments with retiring RTÉ legend Joe Duffy as he signs off from Liveline. All that and more in the final episode of season 7 of The Group Chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Group Chat, Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics joins us to explain how the Iran-Israel conflict escalated so fast — and what could happen next. We also explore what government insiders are really saying about the housing crisis, and ask if €250 million is just too much for one Euromillions winner in Cork.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Group Chat, the government faces growing scrutiny over its plans to expand Rent Pressure Zones nationwide ahead of the Dáil's summer break. We also discuss mounting questions for An Garda Síochána following their handling of several high-profile cases—from the shooting in Carlow to developments in the Tina Satchwell and Michael Gaine investigations. Plus, what’s next for Gaza after the interception of the Madleen aid flotilla? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we are joined in studio by actor Liam Cunningham to discuss the Gaza flotilla. We take an in-depth look back at the trial of Richard Satchwell with Virgin Media News courts correspondent Deborah Nayor. Plus, we examine the online fallout from the shooting incident in Carlow last weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Group Chat, Stephen Breen from The Irish Sun joins the panel to discuss the first extradition of a member of the Kinahan crime gang. We examine what exactly is Ireland’s role in fundraising for Israel’s war campaign in Gaza, and whether RTÉ should be spending money on outside agencies for its own internal ads. All that and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we discuss whether we are now at a tipping point in Gaza? Also on the show, we look at the latest developments in the Michael Gaine investigation. Plus, we go behind the gates in the Secret Life of Leinster House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vladimir Putin skips peace talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy — we hear from Ukrainians in Ireland who fear a sustained peace may never come. One year into the job, is Simon Harris facing internal pressure in Fine Gael? And a new report on the €336,000 Leinster House bike shed scandal reveals no value-for-money checks and no accountability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, Richard is reporting live from Vatican City, where all eyes are fixed on the iconic chimney above the Sistine Chapel as the world awaits the white smoke. Zara checks in from Sweden, where 'flat-pack homes' are transforming housing – though Gavan remains unconvinced the model could take root in Ireland. Also on the show, Killian Woods from the Sunday Business Post joins to unpack Ireland’s staggering $967 billion ‘tax mirage’ – what it means and why has it increased so quickly. Plus, a broadcasting era ends as Joe Duffy hangs up the mic at Liveline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belfast rap trio KNEECAP are being investigated by UK counter-terror police over comments made during past performances. But is the media missing the mark? The panel unpacks whether the controversy is a backlash against protest music, a distraction from the deepening crisis in Gaza, or both. The discussion focuses on public reaction, political response, and how music has long sparked uncomfortable conversations. Also in this episode: - The Government faces backlash over the so-called “Housing Czar” salary plan - 39 people, including children, are deported to Georgia from Dublin - A public appeal from the family of Michael Gaine, as Gardaí upgrade the investigation to homicide Subscribe now for the latest political analysis, cultural commentary and what’s making headlines across Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.