

The Group Chat
Virgin Media News
A weekly news podcast from Virgin Media Television featuring correspondents Gavan Reilly, Zara King and Richard Chambers. Join the gang every Thursday as they discuss the latest and breaking news from Ireland and around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2025 • 43min
Ireland's growing problem with violence against women
Gavan and Zara discuss the rise in violence against women in Ireland and speak with Women's Aid CEO Sarah Benson on what can be done to solve it.US President Donald Trump has secured a minerals deal with Ukraine as efforts continue to end the war. What precedent does this set for other world leaders?And would you pass the driving test? A call has been made for drivers to resit the theory test every 10 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 2025 • 46min
“We're Fed Up” – Dublin Crime in Focus
This week on The Group Chat, Richard Chambers, Gavan Reilly, and Zara King discuss: Safety in Dublin as a restaurant owner shares his crime ordeal. "Shed-sits" are suggested as an option to aid Ireland's ever-worsening housing crisis. Has America just thrown Europe under the bus on defence? Plus, after 11 gloomy days, the sun finally makes an appearance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 2025 • 46min
The boom is back! Micheál Martin's gaffe on gaffs
Richard, Gavan and Zara analyse Fianna Fail's previous promises on housing projections and discuss new proposals to remove rent caps.Are all parties being held to the same account? Senator Martin Conway has resigned from Fine Gael after faling to disclose being arrested for public intoxication last month.And the League of Ireland will now be fully televised, but will this drive up engagement amongst Irish football fans? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 2025 • 45min
"You will never be able to uproot us from our homeland" – Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland
In this episode of The Group Chat, we speak to the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland about Donald Trump's controversial plan to take over the Gaza Strip and displace its population. Plus, the Government backs down on Dáil speaking time row—but for how long? And we break down all the biggest moments from the Grammys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 30, 2025 • 46min
Storm Éowyn: Ireland's Humanitarian Crisis
Richard, Gavan and Zara reflect on the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and discuss the consequences it may have for the newly-formed government.Only 3 of the 15 ministers in the new cabinet are women; the group looks at what this means for future female representation in politics. And DeepSeek has dominated the AI market; will this hurt Trump's plan for America to rule the AI industry? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 2025 • 50min
🚨 Emergency re-record! New governments meet chaos, at home and away
This week on The Group Chat, Richard Chambers, Gavan Reilly, and Zara King examine the turbulent starts for new governments in Ireland and the U.S.In Dublin, the Dáil adjourned without even hearing nominations for a new Taoiseach, leaving Ireland in political limbo. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump’s America First 2.0 agenda has already ignited major controversy.What’s next for these administrations? Get the full breakdown now on Spotify and Virgin Media Play! 🎙️#TheGroupChatPodcast #IrishPolitics #USPolitics #GovernmentFormation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 16, 2025 • 46min
What the next government means for you
Richard, Gavan and Zara are back in studio to discuss the next government and what its make-up means for Independents and you.Unprecedented fires have ravaged parts of the city of L.A., but will it recover before the 2028 Olympics?And tech billionaires will be taking centre-stage at Donald Trump's inauguration; what does it mean for the future of social media? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 9, 2025 • 46min
Getting to grips with cold snap chaos
Richard, Gavan and Zara are beginning the New Year with a cold snap that has gripped the nation and discuss if the Met Éireann weather warning system needs an update.Government formation talks are back in action but will a deal be made soon and what role will the Healy-Rae brothers have?And are billionaires bending to Donald Trump? Elon Musk has been starting rows with Keir Starmer while Mark Zuckerberg removes fact-checking from Meta products. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 29, 2024 • 45min
'Don't call it a year in review'
It's the end of year special and that means 2024 is almost over! Richard, Gavan and Zara reflect back on the year's events and try to predict what the biggest stories of 2025 will be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2024 • 46min
Ireland and Israel's War of Words
Richard, Gavan and Zara are back to chat about Israel's decision to close its embassy in Ireland, and what it means for future government policy.The next Dáil has met for the first time and elected Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle - the group analyses her track record, Seán Ó Fearghaíl’s re-election attempt, and whether you should care about who chairs Dáil proceedings.And Storm Darragh has caused significant damage to Holyhead Port. How will this affect your shopping - and the hundreds of thousands trying to get home for Christmas? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.