The Claire Byrne Show
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 18, 2026 • 8min
Patent on weight loss drugs about to run out
The price of weight loss drugs in India is expected to plummet as the potent ingredient in medicine like Wegovy and Ozempic will lose it’s patent on Friday. This will allow domestic pharmaceutical companies to release cheaper versions of these brand name weight loss drugs. Which will eventually make their way into other countries. All to discuss with Professor Donal O’Shea is a specialist in obesity.
Mar 18, 2026 • 12min
Protest against planned apartments on the site of Bessborough’s Mother and Baby Home
The Labour Party is lodging an appeal this week to prevent the development of 140 apartments on the site of Bessborough’s Mother and Baby Home. A protest has also been planned for outside Leinster House this evening. Speaking to Claire ahead of the protest was Labour Senator Laura Harmon will be speaking at the protest later and Carmel Cantwell, whose mother gave birth to a son William, who is believe to be buried in Bessborough.
Mar 18, 2026 • 12min
Vapes implicated in bin lorry and sorting centre fires
Fires in bin lorries and waste sorting centres are costing at least €100 million in the last three years. The waste industry believes vapes are largely to blame. Speaking to Claire to discuss further was Conor Walsh, Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association.
Mar 18, 2026 • 10min
Should we be following suit with Dutch asylum models?
Asylum claims in Denmark have fallen to 40-year lows, with some pointing to the tough new asylum model deterring people from applying for protection there. The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is now looking to Copenhagen for inspiration as she plans major reforms. To understand how the system works Claire spoke to the London Times’ Home Affairs Editor Matt Dathan travelled to Denmark to visit the centers himself.
Mar 18, 2026 • 11min
The money you save from switching our mortgage provider!
We often hear about switching energy or broadband providers, which is easy enough to do. But we can save much more by switching our mortgage provider. It can be a big job though so where to start and is it worth it? We get advice from Managing Director DNG Financial Services Cian Carolan.
Mar 18, 2026 • 6min
Senegal has been stripped of the African Cup of Nations
Football fans around the world were stunned yesterday as the Confederation of African Football announced that Morocco are now the official Africa Cup of Nations champions, and not the winners, Senegal. Here to explain all is sports journalist Daniel Hussey.
Mar 18, 2026 • 20min
Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s four-day tour of the US
The handing over the bowl of shamrock marked the end of Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s four-day tour of the US after spending time in Philadelphia and Washington DC. Newstalk’s Jamie O Hara has been in the US since Friday and was at the White House for the meeting between the Taoiseach and President Trump. We also reflect on the visit with Timmy Dooley, Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare and also Sinead Gibney, Social Democrat TD for Dublin Rathdown.
Mar 16, 2026 • 8min
The Irish diaspora around the world are celebrating St Patrick's Day!
While many of us will celebrate St Patrick's Day tomorrow, the diaspora around the world have already started. Speaking to Johnathan this morning was Niamh Brien, Irish woman in Australia and also Alison Spittle, Irish comedian.
Mar 16, 2026 • 6min
Are you obsessed over your sleep score?
Twenty million people in Britain won’t go to bed without a wearable device that monitors rest. But some are developing anxiety about getting a good ‘score’. So, Is our obsession with sleep trackers cause for alarm? We discuss further with Daniella Marchetti, Clinical psychologist and board certified in behavioral sleep medicine.
Mar 16, 2026 • 16min
League of Ireland legend Colin Hawkins on the importance of Daffodil Day
Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears those three life-changing words, ‘you’ve got cancer’. It’s predicted that 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Joining Jonathan talk about the impact cancer has had on his life is League of Ireland legend Colin Hawkins.
