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Budget 2025 Boosts Health Service by 5% and Proposes 55% Top Tax Rate

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 8:22 GMT by RTE Online

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A Day in the Life of Irish Radio: “Today with David McCullagh” – Thursday, 13 November 2025

On Thursday 13 November 2025, Radio 1’s flagship breakfast programme, Today with David McCullagh, delivered a crisp, 90‑minute blend of hard news, sport, culture and a touch of light‑hearted banter that kept listeners glued to their desks, cars and cafés. The show – always known for its mix of factual reporting and witty commentary – opened with a live read from the Irish government’s latest budget announcement, then moved through a round of football and hurling updates, a cultural deep‑cut on a rising indie band, and a heart‑warming interview with a community nurse who’s been on the front line for a decade. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode’s content, including the major stories covered, guests, and links to follow‑up information that were referenced during the broadcast.

1. Opening – The Budget 2025

David opened the show with the headline story: the Department of Finance’s new budget plan, which included a 5 % increase in the Irish Health Service’s annual spending, a pledge to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions by 30 % by 2030, and a controversial proposal to raise the top marginal tax rate from 53 % to 55 %. A short clip from the Finance Minister, Annalise McMahon, was played, during which she explained that the additional revenue would help fund rural broadband and “expand the digital health platform across the country.” The segment was punctuated with David’s dry humor about the minister’s new “digital health” term, which sparked a lively call‑in segment from listeners debating whether the tax hike was “too much” or “just enough.”

Link to the full budget brief (PDF) – http://www.gov.ie/budget2025

2. Sport – “The GAA’s Game‑Changer” and The “Fitzgerald Effect”

The next segment was devoted to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) with a focus on the men’s and women’s football teams. David highlighted the national team’s upcoming qualifiers against Italy and Sweden. He also reported on the “Fitzgerald Effect” – a new coaching initiative launched by the GAA’s Development Office, aimed at boosting youth participation in rural counties. A local reporter from County Kildare, Tommy O’Connor, was on‑air to describe how the program has already seen a 20 % rise in under‑18 registrations.

Link to the GAA’s development programme – http://www.gaa.ie/development/fitzgerald

In the hurling corner, David and sports analyst Maeve O’Sullivan discussed the All‑Ireland final between Tipperary and Galway. They dissected the tactical shift by Galway’s manager, Niall Daly, who had introduced a “hybrid 3‑2‑1 formation” that had previously been deemed risky. The segment ended with a live snippet of the match’s opening goal, courtesy of the match’s live commentary feed.

3. Culture – The Indie Band That’s Turning Heads

Switching from the sports field to the music stage, the show turned to the rising indie band The Banjos, who had just released their debut EP “Fireside Chats” that made it onto the Irish charts. David was joined by the band’s frontwoman, Eileen “Eve” Gallagher, for an interview. They talked about the inspirations behind their music, the decision to stay independent, and how their debut single, “Morning Haze,” had been played on a number of national radio stations. David quipped, “I always knew the future of Irish music was going to be in a little town called Kilfenora, and I wasn’t wrong.”

Link to the EP on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/thebanjoesp2025

A short clip of the band’s single was played, which prompted a flurry of listener requests for more songs from the EP.

4. Health & Community – Nurse Maggie’s Story

One of the show’s highlights was a moving interview with Nurse Maggie O’Connor, a senior community nurse in County Cork who has served the local rural population for twenty‑five years. She spoke about her experience caring for patients during the COVID‑19 pandemic, her day‑to‑day challenges, and her hopes for the future of community health services. David noted her story as an example of why the government’s proposed health budget increases are critical.

Link to the Irish Health Service policy review – https://www.dhsc.ie/policy/health-services

Listeners called in to thank Maggie for her dedication, and several left emotional messages.

5. The “Morning Quiz” – A Quick‑Fire Trivia Segment

David kept the momentum going with the Morning Quiz, a short trivia segment that asked listeners questions about recent news. The winner of the quiz, a young mother from Galway, won a set of the Today show’s branded tote bag and a voucher for a local café.

6. Weather & Traffic – A “Road to Dublin”

The show wrapped up with a concise weather report and traffic update. David highlighted expected heavy rain across the midlands, potentially impacting the “M1” motorway. He reminded listeners to keep their windows rolled up and to drive safely if they were planning to head to Dublin.

Link to live traffic updates – https://www.rte.ie/traffic

Overall Themes and Take‑aways

1. Economic and Environmental Policy: The budget announcement was the anchor of the episode, with listeners dissecting the implications for taxes, healthcare and green initiatives.

2. Sport as a Cultural Touchstone: The GAA segments highlighted the importance of football and hurling in Irish identity, while the inclusion of youth development programs signaled a long‑term focus on nurturing talent.

3. The Rising Indie Music Scene: The feature on The Banjos served to showcase the creative energy of emerging Irish artists and the importance of supporting independent music.

4. Community Health and Care: The interview with Nurse Maggie emphasized the personal stories behind public health policy, bringing the abstract budget figures into a human context.

5. Listener Engagement: The call‑in and quiz segments ensured the audience felt part of the conversation, maintaining the show’s reputation for being interactive.

6. Practical Daily Information: The weather, traffic, and practical tips provided listeners with the tools they need to navigate their day safely and informed.

Final Thoughts

Today with David McCullagh demonstrated why it remains a staple of Irish breakfast radio: a balanced mix of hard news, culture, sport, and heartfelt human interest stories—all delivered with wit, immediacy, and genuine care for its listeners. Whether you were a commuter, a student, or a stay‑at‑home parent, the show offered something meaningful for every segment of the Irish public. For anyone interested in the broader context behind the stories mentioned, the links provided during the show are invaluable resources for further reading and engagement.