The Claire Byrne Show

The Claire Byrne Show Podcast on Newstalk

Claire Byrne explores the big stories through the lens of real life.

This podcast brings context, consequences and clarity to the issues shaping Ireland today.

Covering politics and current affairs alongside the human stories behind them, Claire asks the questions people are thinking, but don’t always hear answered.

From housing and health to work, family life, well-being and culture, you’ll hear smart, engaging discussion and moments of light relief - connecting the dots between what’s happening and what it means for you.

00:00
00:00

Episode's summary

The panel examines the economic and political implications of fuel excise duties, debating whether the state is profiteering from high global prices and discussing the inflationary risks of inefficient, universal supports. The episode also covers news regarding climate subsidies, Meta's settlement over social media's impact on youth, and the increasing burnout among school principals.

Chapters

Click on a chapter to go directly to that moment

Highlights

the single entity that makes the most money from rising fuel prices is the state.

00:00:52 · Conor Pope argues that the government benefits significantly from increased excise duty during periods of geopolitical unrest.

The current supports are costing about 120 million a month in supports. They are going to the richest households, to those people who can easily afford it, as well as those poorest households.

00:03:08 · Emma Howard critiques the lack of targeting in fuel tax cuts, noting they disproportionately benefit wealthy citizens.

it's actually a disgrace when you think about it because I was just looking at the net profits made by Meta in 2025 stood at 60 billion So basically it's less than a third of their annual profits that they've agreed to settle this particular case for.

00:12:06 · The speaker argues that the multi-billion dollar settlement is insignificant compared to Meta's massive annual profits.

in some respects, destroyed childhood for an awful lot of people.

00:13:15 · The speaker discusses the profound negative impact social media algorithms have had on the well-being of young people.

As well, you can smoke as many cigarettes as you can in two hours a day. It doesn't make the cigarettes any safer.

00:14:30 · A whistleblower quote is used to illustrate that limiting usage time does not mitigate the inherent harms of social media platforms.

Episodes

1703-

The Debrief

The panel examines the economic and political implications of fuel excise duties, debating whether the state is profiteering from high global prices and discussing the inflationary risks of inefficient, universal supports. The episode also covers news regarding climate subsidies, Meta's settlement over social media's impact on youth, and the increasing burnout among school principals.

28 Aug 2026
1702-

Will there come a time when the world is governed by machines?

In this episode of The Clare Byrne Show, historian and law professor Jill Lepore discusses her new book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State. Lepore explores the concept of an emerging artificial state where traditional democratic functions like representation, deliberation, and participation are being replaced by automated systems and private corporate-owned machines. She examines the shift from human-led governance to a system increasingly driven by bots and AI, noting how this transition impacts political discourse and social stability. The conversation delves into the ideological roots of modern tech moguls, drawing parallels between contemporary Silicon Valley manifestos and the 1930s Technocracy movement. Lepore also addresses the environmental and social anxieties surrounding the rapid expansion of data centers and the potential for a future where technological advancement fundamentally clashes with human sustainability and democratic agency.

28 Aug 2026
1701-

French flight attendant wins landmark breast cancer ruling

In this episode of The Claire Byrne Show, Professor John Crown, a consultant medical oncologist, discusses a landmark legal ruling in France where a former flight attendant successfully had breast cancer recognized as an occupational disease. The discussion explores the potential links between aviation work and cancer risks. The conversation delves into the scientific complexities of these risks, specifically focusing on increased exposure to cosmic radiation at high altitudes and the impact of disrupted sleep patterns due to shift work. Professor Crown also addresses the role of passive smoking and the necessity for flight crews to be fully informed of these occupational hazards when entering the profession.

28 Aug 2026
1700-

A look ahead to the weekend of sport

Colm O'Brien from Off the Balls joins Clare Byrne to review recent football results and discuss the chaotic state of the summer transfer window. The discussion covers Shamrock Rovers' exit from European competition, the potential for a Premier Division title race in Ireland, and significant player movements in the English Premier League involving Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. The conversation also shifts to tennis ahead of the US Open, touching on the injury status of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as well as reflections on the new Novak Djokovic documentary.

28 Aug 2026
1699-

The new Grand Theft Auto trailer crashes Netflix

Video game reviewer and editor-in-chief of TheEffect.net, John Reilly, joins the show to discuss the massive anticipation surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Following a recent trailer launch on Netflix that caused server issues due to high demand, Reilly explores the significance of Rockstar Games' upcoming title, which arrives 13 years after its predecessor. The discussion covers the immense profitability of the gaming industry, the technical advancements seen in the new Vice City setting, and the cultural impact of the franchise. The conversation also addresses the controversy surrounding adult themes in the game, the potential for social media trends to misuse the GTA hashtag, and the sheer scale of the game's economic influence. Reilly highlights how the release is poised to become one of the most profitable pieces of entertainment in history, even noting unusual marketing-related news involving US military re-enlistment incentives.

28 Aug 2026