This week on MOTH News Live, we examine a series of stories raising difficult questions about the future of Ireland—North and South.
Following the discovery of military-grade Semtex near the border, the arrest of a trainee solicitor, and the political row over a decision to grant bail, Johnny Vedmore asks whether these are isolated events—or signs of deeper tensions that deserve closer attention.
Keith Walsh then explores whether Ireland's political landscape is changing. Could recent events reshape relationships between the major parties? How are politics evolving on both sides of the border?
We'll also bring you the latest developments in the Dundrum House Hotel/IPAS controversy and discuss what a new planning decision could mean for government accountability and the rule of law.
Join Keith Walsh, Johnny Vedmore and Al as they look beyond the headlines and ask the questions others aren't asking.

This week on MOTH News Live, we ask whether Britain and Ireland are quietly accepting a new housing reality. A century ago, Dublin's infamous tenements became a symbol of poverty, overcrowding and social inequality.

Today, as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) continue to grow across Britain and shared accommodation becomes increasingly common in Ireland, are there uncomfortable parallels with the past?We'll explore what HMOs are, why they've become so popular with landlords and investors, and ask whether today's housing crisis is creating a generation of working people who can no longer afford a home of their own.Also on this week's programme:

💬 Cloudchatters & The Hidden Workforce Behind the Internet Millions of online conversations are happening every day,but who are people really talking to?

We investigate the rise of companies like Cloudchatters, the growth of digital labour, and what it means for consumers and workers in an increasingly online world.

💶 Google's €10 Billion Question

Google says it contributed €10 billion to the Irish economy last year. Johnny Vedmore examines where that figure comes from, what "economic contribution" actually means, and whether these headline numbers tell the full story.

💼 Does This Budget Really Deliver for Working People?

Simon Harris says this year's Budget must deliver for working people. We ask what that promise means in practice and whether government policy is making a meaningful difference to the lives of ordinary workers.Join Keith Walsh, Johnny Vedmore and Al as they look beyond the headlines and ask the questions others aren't asking.

10 Reasons Ireland Is Asking Questions📺 STOP PAYING YOUR TV LICENCE?10 Reasons Ireland Is Asking QuestionsThis week on MOTH News Live, we tackle one of the biggest questions facing Irish media.RTÉ says public service broadcasting needs sustainable funding—but after years of controversy, governance failures and declining licence fee income, has public confidence been lost?Keith Walsh presents 10 reasons why more people are questioning the future of the TV licence, while also asking the other side of the debate: if not the licence, how should Ireland fund public service broadcasting?Johnny Vedmore joins the discussion to compare Ireland's debate with the ongoing arguments surrounding the BBC licence fee in the UK.Also on this week's programme:🔎 Jeffrey Epstein's Forgotten Irish VisitJohnny Vedmore examines Epstein's little-known visit to Dublin and Waterford in 1996 with Johnson & Johnson heiress Elizabeth Johnson. What do we actually know about the trip, and why has it received so little attention compared with later visits to Ireland? We'll separate established facts from unanswered questions.🥊 Conor McGregor: One Last Fight?Following another injury and defeat inside the Octagon, Al asks whether Ireland's most famous MMA fighter should attempt one final comeback—or whether it's time to step away from the sport for good. We'll discuss McGregor's legacy, his recent controversies and whether fans still believe he can compete at the highest level.As always, we'll be looking beyond the headlines and asking the bigger questions.