The Group Chat

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 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.