Can Ireland Be Saved? with Peadar Tóibín

Would Aontú put Simon Harris or Micheál Martin back in government? Would it work with People Before Profit? And what would the party actually do about Ireland’s falling birth rate?

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín joins Paul Treyvaud, Elaine Mullally and Nick Delehanty on The Irish Question. Nick makes the case for tax cuts as the panel debates the public-sector pay offer, and Tóibín sets out where he wants performance-linked pay. The conversation turns to the cost of raising a family, with Nick putting a direct question to Tóibín on whether Aontú would reverse access to abortion.

Tóibín also takes aim at Simon Harris after the Fine Gael ard fheis, explains where Aontú sits on the left–right spectrum, and discusses cutting work permits, a possible pact with Independent Ireland and who he would rule out as a coalition partner.

00:00 Peadar Tóibín joins The Irish Question
01:11 Aontú’s polling and what it could mean for seats
04:08 Public-sector pay rises or tax cuts?
12:29 Should senior public servants and politicians have performance-linked pay?
19:18 Unions, the EU visit and government spending
23:24 Why is Ireland’s birth rate falling?
30:08 Would Aontú reverse access to abortion?
37:18 What would a pro-family policy look like?
41:21 Fine Gael’s ard fheis and the row over the dole
44:03 Tóibín takes aim at Simon Harris
52:26 Is Aontú left-wing or right-wing?
57:35 Immigration, asylum and work permits
1:03:09 Tóibín on his family and influences
1:09:01 Would Aontú do a deal with Independent Ireland?
1:12:46 Paul Murphy, Ruth Coppinger and People Before Profit
1:13:55 Who would Aontú go into government with?
1:16:19 Could there be an early general election?