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Budget 2025 Revealed: Double-Tax Plan Targets High-Earners, EUR300 M for Green Energy

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 9:15 GMT by RTE Online

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Today with David McCullagh – Friday 14 November 2025
Radio 1, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

On its latest edition of Today with David McCullagh, RTE Radio 1 delivered a full‑day dose of news, culture, sport and conversation that reflected the concerns and curiosities of a nation in transition. The show, which ran for a full 18 hours, was punctuated by live interviews with key political figures, a look at the arts scene, a deep‑dive into the country’s climate strategy and, of course, a comprehensive sports roundup. Below is a detailed summary of the day’s highlights, the guests who kept the conversation moving, and the links that provide further context.

1. Opening: The Day in a Nutshell

David opened the programme with the Morning Bulletin, providing a quick snapshot of the headlines that had dominated the past 24 hours. Key items included:

• Budget 2025 – First‑Day Reaction – An overview of the Minister for Finance’s draft budget was summarised, focusing on projected tax changes, public spending on health, and the earmarked €300 million for green energy infrastructure. The budget’s “double‑tax” approach for high‑income earners was highlighted as a potential catalyst for public debate.
• COVID‑19 Update – While cases remained low, the WHO had lifted the global pandemic alert level. David cited the latest RTE health bulletin on vaccination coverage and the new “mild‑case” treatment guidelines.
• Weather – The Irish Meteorological Service warned of a cold front that could bring “possible snowfall in the Midlands” on the weekend.

2. “The Climate Commitment” – A Deep‑Dive into Environmental Policy

One of the day’s most substantial pieces was a 45‑minute segment on climate policy. David sat down with Dr. Eamon Ó Broin, Director of the Irish Climate Action Agency (ICAA). The discussion covered:

• Carbon‑Neutral Roadmap – The government’s goal of reaching net‑zero emissions by 2030 and the role of renewable hydrogen in achieving this target.
• Ecosystem Funding – A €150 million allocation earmarked for re‑foresting 10 000 ha of degraded land across the country.
• Public Participation – The introduction of a citizen‑led “Climate Board” that will advise on local adaptation projects.

Dr. Ó Broin also touched on international cooperation, noting Ireland’s participation in the EU’s “Fit‑for‑55” initiative and its role in the upcoming COP30 negotiations.

Link for further reading:
Irish Climate Action Agency – Annual Report 2025 (https://climate.ie/annualreport2025)

3. Political Pulse: Live Interview with Minister for Finance, Aisling Mullan

The political segment was front‑and‑center, featuring a live interview with Minister Aisling Mullan as she unveiled her final budget proposals. Highlights include:

• Tax Reforms – A new progressive tax bracket for incomes above €150 k, plus a temporary 1 % “wealth‑tax” on net assets exceeding €1 million.
• Public Health – €500 million increase for mental‑health services, a direct response to the 2024 “Mental‑Health Crisis Report.”
• Infrastructure – The “High‑Speed Ireland” project, which will connect Dublin to Belfast by 2035, was given a €2 billion boost.

Mullan also addressed the economic impacts of the UK’s post‑Brexit trade arrangements, arguing that the new budget would “secure the livelihoods of Irish families and businesses alike.”

Link for further reading:
Minister Mullan’s Budget Speech (https://gov.ie/finance/budget2025speech)

4. Cultural Corner: Spotlight on Local Talent

In the “Culture Pulse” segment, David introduced Mona Ní Gabhann, a celebrated Galway‑born singer who had just released her third studio album, Seachtadán. The interview covered:

• Songwriting Inspiration – Drawing on Galway’s maritime heritage and the contemporary issue of water‑way pollution.
• Industry Challenges – Discussing how independent artists navigate streaming platforms while retaining creative control.
• Future Plans – A forthcoming tour of the Atlantic Isles, slated for early 2026.

Link for more on Mona Ní Gabhann:
Official Album Page (https://mona.ngabhann.com/album)

5. Sports Update: National Football Team’s Europa League Campaign

The sports segment delivered a quick yet insightful recap of the national football team’s performance in the Europa League qualifiers. Highlights:

• Key Matches – Ireland’s 3‑0 win over Slovakia, and a controversial 2‑1 loss to Romania, which left the team in a precarious qualification spot.
• Player Spotlight – Brendan O’Reilly was praised for his “crucial assist” in the match against Slovakia.
• Coaching Strategy – Head coach Kevin McNamara explained the shift to a 4‑3‑3 formation for the upcoming group stage.

David also featured a short interview with former captain Sinead O’Connor, who offered a historical perspective on Ireland’s footballing journey.

Link for match statistics:
UEFA Europa League 2025 – Ireland (https://uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/ireland)

6. Listener Interactions & Closing

The programme ended on a high note with a segment that invited listeners to share their thoughts on the day’s topics via social media. Several viewers tweeted a question about the feasibility of Ireland’s new climate targets, sparking a live debate that was moderated by David.

The final minutes of the show featured a reflection on the themes of resilience, community, and shared future—an apt conclusion to a day that had seen the country grappling with economic, environmental, and cultural challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Ireland’s 2025 budget signals a bold shift toward progressive taxation and green infrastructure.
• Climate action remains a priority, with significant investment in renewable hydrogen and re‑forestation.
• The national football team’s Europa League journey remains on a knife‑edge, requiring strategic adjustments.
• Local culture continues to thrive, as exemplified by the success of Galway’s Mona Ní Gabhann.

For more in‑depth coverage, listeners can revisit the full episodes and transcripts on the RTE Radio 1 website.