The Group Chat

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gavan and Zara speak with independent TD Michael Healy-Rae for how he plans to enter the next government and if a ministerial position is in the cards.What is going on with Eoin Hayes? Gavan explains the controversy surrounding the Social Democrats member and what his path to the Dáil looks like.And Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has fallen: Zara reflects on the reactions from Syrians living in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard, Gavan and Zara are back in studio to reflect on the 2024 General Election and look at how the next government will be formed.They also discuss the latest developments in the war in Syria and what it means on an international scale.And Spotify Wrapped 2024 is out; did Richard have a "brat summer"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an Election Day special as, for the first time, the Group Chat went live on Virgin Media One!Gavan's in studio, Richard's at the RDS and Zara's in Cork to discuss the media frenzy around Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch after his election defeat.Labour and Social Democrats have performed well, but how will this affect government formation?And what will the politicians of the future look like? Micheál Martin and Holly Cairns may have successors on the way... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a campaign that was slow to catch fire, and sudden lurches in the opinion polls, the big Leaders' Debate on RTÉ was the last chance for the three would-be Taoisigh to really pack a punch… so did they? Zara, Richard and Gav (live from the national broadcaster's car park) discuss, with gossip from behind the scenes in Montrose.Plus: for the first time ever, we're live on the telly this weekend! Join us on Virgin Media One at 7pm this Sunday as we rake over the coals of Election 24. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team sits down with Derval McDonald from Inclusion Ireland to unpack the controversy surrounding outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris’ dismissal of a disability care worker, Charlotte Fallon, during a campaign stop in Cork. With just five days until the general election, could this misstep become a turning point for Fine Gael’s campaign? The team also the outcome of the civil assault case against Conor McGregor.Don’t miss the analysis and debate on these crucial topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.