Something Different with John and Sarah

www.johnandsarah.ie
This week: We talk about THAT ad, a story John broke on Wednesday. Also, the Tusla Scandal that should bring down the Government. The Triple Lock unlocked. Sinn Fein Charity woes. And Fine Gael at War.00:00 - Opening the week’s big stories and the “don’t hug your granny” backlash
02:49 - Why the consent ad used grandparents and why that annoyed so many people
04:54 - The “family A, family B” style of cultural signalling in the ad
07:58 - Why the campaign went viral and drew international disbelief
08:26 - Consent in family life versus state-funded messaging
09:52 - Why the hosts say the ad conflates hugging with sexual consent
11:09 - Sarah’s argument: the state should not dictate family conversations
13:18 - The Irishness, class tone, and age-based disrespect in the ad
14:27 - A separate taxpayer-funded trans video and the argument over mockery
16:45 - Why the hosts see the ad as part of a wider sneering attitude to older Irish men
21:09 - The Tusla case: a 14-year-old girl allegedly being sexually exploited
22:06 - Special care, staffing shortages, and why Tusla says it cannot place her
23:32 - The judge’s intervention and the failure of political urgency
25:41 - Why Sarah says priorities in the state have become badly distorted
28:22 - Why John says Tusla is not being overseen properly by the responsible minister
29:17 - The old expectation that ministers resign for major failures
30:59 - Why this case would once have been a national scandal
32:03 - The minimum standard the state should meet for children in care
35:37 - What the triple lock is and why the Dáil vote matters
36:42 - Sarah’s concerns about broken promises and government trust
38:04 - John’s case for letting elected governments make foreign policy decisions
41:32 - Neutrality, public sentiment, and why the issue is politically complicated
44:06 - Mission creep, referendum promises, and why voters distrust politicians
45:16 - Why John thinks the triple lock debate is partly theoretical for Ireland’s current military capacity

www.johnandsarah.ie
Strikes shut down the country; Drug gangs burn children alive; Ministers are hospitalised, and the Dáil debates.... Non Binary Rights? In this episode we ask a simple question: Has the state lost control?

00:00 - Opening thanks

02:15 - Strike disruption at home, school, and court

04:47 - Why the public sector strike feels bigger than a pay dispute

10:35 - Free school books, lunches, and the politics of “cupcake” spending

18:39 - Why universal state schemes can waste money

23:18 - Waterford murder case and the horror of drug debt intimidation

30:08 - What the state should do about drug gangs and extortion

36:44 - Tatiana Stachiv and welfare fraud across borders

45:00 - Ruth Coppinger’s non-binary and intersex recognition bill

48:28 - The distinction between non-binary, intersex, and transgender

54:02 - Why they see gender recognition law as coercive

58:24 - Patrick O’Donovan in intensive care and political fallout

61:07 - Closing remarks and best wishes to listeners

www.johnandsarah.ie
With John away following the death of his father, Sarah is joined by her husband Keith Redmond for a lively discussion of Ireland's miserable budget, the rising cost of employing people, the political capture of our institutions, and why The Guardian thinks exercise turns you right-wing.
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
00:42 Analysis of the Irish budget and its impact on cost of living
03:19 Discussion on minimum wage and its economic effects
09:00 The influence of government spending and taxes on inflation
17:13The political landscape and the march through institutions
29:56 The European Parliament's Trump statue controversy
50:00 Gender dysphoria treatments for minors and legal challenges
54:09 The Guardian article on exercise and political ideology
56:57 The anniversary of October 7th and its implications
01:00:12 Conclusion and final thoughts

www.johnandsarah.ie
This week: Spiders Terrorise Malahide Woman; Emergency booklets from Helen McEntee; Tusla disaster courtesy of Norma Foley; and Garvaghy Road madness courtesy of... Sinn Fein? The Sports Journos go Feral; and an American Woman is killed twice, but lives.....
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap
00.20 Spider Season
04:21 Discussion of the 'Be Emergency Ready' Book
08:12 Government Spending and Waste
12:12 Case Study: Child Abuse and Tusla Failures
14:12 Political Responsibility and Ministerial Accountability
19:51 Systemic Failures in Irish Health and Care Systems
21:53 Community and Parades Disputes in Northern Ireland
29:59 The Role of Media and Public Opinion in Politics
36:01 The Politics of Community Relations and Parades
42:48 Historical Context of Northern Ireland Parades
49:57 The US Justice System and Death Penalty Cases
56:55 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: Ireland's young people hate life in Ireland, objecting to housing shortages, joblessness, and lots more. We discuss in depth. Also: Ebun Joseph fixes your school; Nick Delehanty closes his business; Holly Cairns gets maternity leave for some reason, and have you heard about the Lesbians in America?00:00 - Episode intro and the week’s big topics02:07 - Why so many young people want to leave Ireland04:16 - Policy choices, housing, and the “liberal progressive society” argument07:47 - The emotional and social cost of young adults being stuck at home10:50 - Why the crisis is bigger than a mood and harder to fix politically14:33 - How collapsed nightlife feeds loneliness and weaker dating culture18:03 - The lockdown effect on teenage social development20:02 - What government could do now, from policing to city-centre culture22:23 - Why fewer risks and fewer nights out change how young people grow up24:51 - Why some people leave temporarily and still plan to come back26:55 - David Higgins and the “milestone recession”28:34 - Nick Delahanty’s business closure and the Irish Times reaction30:09 - The reality of starting and running a small business in Ireland36:02 - Labour’s miscarriage leave proposal and the cost to employers41:41 - Holly Cairns, maternity leave, and political virtue signalling45:32 - Exclusive: the Convention on Education agenda in Sligo47:35 - Who gets to define school culture54:32 - Sunny Hostin and the shocking murder trial anecdote59:03 - A wider point about imported culture-war insanity62:30 - Wrap-up and closing remarks