Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics:

• How should the Government use this year's forecast €10 billion budget surplus?

• TDs are obsessed with what the new Electoral Commission will do to constituency boundaries. History shows they have good reason.

• Secretary general at the Department of Health Robert Watt's appearance at the Oireachtas finance committee did the opposite of putting the story about Dr Tony Holohan's botched appointment to bed.

Plus the panel pick their IT stories of the week:

• Ciara O'Brien on a big week in the world of Elon Musk

• Naomi O'Leary writing about free public transport in Luxembourg. It is popular but are people in their cars less? Find out here.

• Harry McGee on Eamon Ryan's strong opposition to Dublin Port's development plans.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Inside Politics podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones from our political team to discuss this week’s stories, including:

• Focus on Sinn Féin’s link to discredited witness Jonathan Dowdall since the conclusion of the Regency trial this week. Will the connection harm the party at election time?

• Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan’s intention to stand down at the next election is on the grounds of ill health. But there is also a broader trend of politicians leaving politics behind.

• A report into the botched appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to a state-funded position at Trinity College Dublin showed how surprisingly sloppy the process had been and revealed a major dispute among senior civil servants over who knew what, when.

• Will independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice really launch a new political party catering to farmers fed up with the Green agenda?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Times Washington Correspondents past and present, Simon Carswell and Martin Wall, have both been covering US president Joe Biden's visit to Ireland this week.

They join Pat Leahy to talk about what the visit has been like and how it has gone down at home in the US, here in Ireland and elsewhere.

They look at Mr Biden's comments here and ask how well he's balanced the various diplomatic, political and emotional aspects of his presence.

And they discuss some surprising comments Mr Biden made in Dáil Éireann that may give ammunition to those arguing the 81 year old is too old to run again in 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The whole world is a series of collective action problems, says Professor Ben Ansell. We want action taken to solve problems, but we want most of the benefits of those actions for ourselves while wanting others to bear the costs. These conflicts are at the heart of the failure of politics to solve many pressing problems, from housing to climate change.

In his new book Why Politics Fails: The Five Traps of the Modern World & How to Escape Them, he looks in detail at these conflicts and why modern politics leaves us so disappointed.

On today's podcast Ben talks to Hugh Linehan about how politics works on a human level, why trust in politics has declined, the importance of institutions, the evolution of political parties, and why housing is the defining issue of the age.

Ben Ansell is Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at Oxford University. Why Politics Fails is his fourth book.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back at the week in politics:

• Bad-tempered Dáil debates on confidence motions this week
• Defence Forces in crisis following the Women of Honour report
• US president Joe Biden's Ireland visit schedule confirmed

And the team talk about some of the best Irish Times content of the week, including:

• Mark Paul on the outcome of the SNP leadership race and the opportunity for the Labour Party in Scotland.
• Are private cars a bad thing or a good thing? Both views appeared in the opinion pages of The Irish Times this week.
• Forbes magazine's ongoing failure to make amends with Limerick city

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April marks 25 years since the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement was reached, ending the Troubles and establishing a new political arrangement on the island of Ireland.

But today the institutions that were set up back in 1998 are in crisis.

Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole talks to Hugh Linehan about the significance of the Agreement:

• The events that led up to the deal and the role of John Hume
• The impact of the Agreement on the evolution of Sinn Féin
• How Brexit trampled on the ideas underpinning the Agreement
• The future of the powersharing institutions and how Northern Ireland has moved on

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the government's comfortable defeat of a motion of no confidence this week, the fallout continues as it reacts to the forthcoming lifting of the eviction ban. "They've made a hames of it," according to Pat Leahy. Jack Horgan Jones analyses how Green support is slipping among young voters and the number of WhatsApp leaks is indicative of a very unhappy party. Plus, the attitude to the Windsor Framework in Brussels and is Leo Varadkar in the make-or-break phase of his political career?

Hugh's article of the week is Finn McRedmond's opinion piece on whether this generation is worse off than its parents.

Pat particularly enjoyed Fintan O'Toole' grudging admission that he's finally fallen in love with rugby.

Jack Horgan Jones recommends Mark Paul's London Letter, after attending the annual Press and Political Reception at the Irish embassy in Belgravia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon has been heating up over the last number of weeks, as the three candidates vying for the position, have clashed over policy issues and the future of the party. The first leadership contest in 20 years; it’s generally believed to be a two-horse race between current Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, with former Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan, trailing behind in popularity.  

So what can we expect from the final days of the contest, will the next leader unite or divide the SNP and how will the emerging cracks be covered over?

To discuss all this and more, Hugh is joined by Scotland Editor of The Spectator Alex Massie and London Correspondent Mark Paul who is following the contest from Edinburgh.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's St Patrick's Day week and ministers are flying off to press the flesh around the world. Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about everything that's going on back home in politics including:

• Joe Biden will visit Ireland next month. How will he be received North and South?
• Tanaiste Micheal Martin says Ireland has 'turned a corner' on housing. Is he right?
• An errant tweet has landed the Green Party's communications director in hot water and put the spotlight on divisions within the party.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One issue has dominated the agenda on what was an already busy week for politics. The decision to lift the eviction ban was a shock reversal of what was expected from Tuesday's cabinet meeting, according to Jack Horgan-Jones. The maelstrom of personal stories from worried renters gives the opposition an easily-understood attack line from now until the next election. Coalition tensions are also mounting over plans to reduce private car usage, with Green ambitions to introduce congestion charges. Cormac McQuinn also highlights the potential minefield for the government if it opts for holding three referendums relating to gender equality in November. Plus the panel choose their Irish Times article of the week:

Kitty Holland's explainer on referendums relating to the constitution's article on 'women in the home'

Fiona Reddan's deep dive into why Ireland has Europe's most expensive housing market

Conor Capplis' passionate article in favour of Paul Mescal taking the Oscar for Best Actor at this weekend's Academy Awards

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire Richard Boyd Barrett talks to Hugh and Jen about a pamphlet recently published by his party that set out its unashamedly radical politics and questioned how far the electorate could trust Sinn Fein to implement left-wing policies if in government.

They also discuss Richard's views on the need to nationalise industries, how to tackle the housing crisis and when it is appropriate to object to housing in a politician's constituency.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about the week in politics:

• Minister of state Niall Collins fails to put questions over a planning application to bed
• People Before Profit publish a remarkable document
• Where new Soc Dems leader Holly Cairns can find votes for her party

Plus the panel talk about their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:

• Matt Hancock's leaked Whatsapp messages
• Harry McGee talks to a Louth councillor who was targeted online for her stance on refugees
• Denis Staunton paints a picture of springtime in Beijing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government and the European Union expect British prime minister Rishi Sunak to proceed with the new deal on the Northern Ireland protocol even if the DUP ultimately rejects it, according to sources in Dublin and Brussels.

But where would that leave politics in Northern Ireland? 

To talk about the deal and how it is going down in Dublin, London and Belfast, Hugh talks to Pat Leahy, Mark Paul and Sarah Creighton. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the war in Ukraine is seen in Europe and around the world is complex and always changing, but there's no doubt that global perceptions. and motivations will play a role in how the conflict plays out and ultimately comes to an end.

To discuss the global aspect of the war, Hugh is joined by China correspondent Denis Staunton, Brussels correspondent Naomi O'Leary and Berlin correspondent Derek Scally.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The political debate around the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom and its future economic relationship with Europe is 'just on hold at the moment' according to one of the UK's leading political scientists, Professor David Runciman.

He talks to Hugh about UK politics today, including Keir Starmer's cautious leadership of the Labour Party, Rishi Sunak's unpopularity, and what he calls a 'phoney war' as populist and Brexit issues lie dormant - but haven't gone away.

He also talks about his lecture at UCC last week, where he argued that it is states and corporations, not individuals, that must adapt to avert the existential crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

David Runciman is Professor of Politics at Cambridge University. He delivered the annual Philip Monahan lecture at University College Cork. Thanks to UCC for helping to facilitate this episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to talk about the readmission to Fianna Fáil of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who led the party for 13 years before leaving under a shadow.

How is Ahern's return being received within the party, and what are his ambitions?

Then they discuss the imminent lapsing of various cost-of-living measures introduced by Government last year to help hard-hit citizens. But living in Ireland remains too expensive for many. Could payments like the energy credit be repeated? Could mortgage interest relief make a comeback?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we answer listener questions about the North and South project, with help from Professor Brendan O’Leary of the University of Pennsylvania and Professor John Garry of Queen’s University Belfast.

The North and South research project – a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS [Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South], which is a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame - sought to examine attitudes about the future of the island, and the likely outcomes of any Border polls.

Listeners submitted questions about the nature of a border poll, reform of institutions in different jurisdictions and how much the Republic should be willing to change to make a United Ireland a reality.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to talk about the week in politics:

• A letter from Minister Roderic O'Gorman to cabinet colleagues asking for help in securing “sports centres… conference facilities, arts centres, student leisure centres [and] any other large buildings that are deemed safe” in order to house refugees shows just how bad this crisis has become.

• The Government is increasingly worried about the protests against the housing of refugees and asylum seekers around the country.

• A report this week that a deal between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol was done turned out to be premature - but a deal may be imminent.

• The story about a legal strategy to discourage claims against the state by citizens overcharged for nursing home care shows again how the system favours the well-resourced when disputes arise

With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik talks to Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy about her efforts to revive the party's fortunes since taking over early last year.

In a political landscape where most parties are promising similar things, how can Labour cut through?

And how much of Sinn Féin's agenda would Labour be willing to support if a coalition agreement were on the cards after the next election?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to look back on the week in politics.

• Claims of electoral expense irregularities expand to ensnare Sinn Fein

• Female politicians speak out about threats and aggression

• Home building figures are not transformative enough to solve housing crisis

With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No elections take place this year. But 2024 could see local, European and general elections all taking place in Ireland. And these looming political battles will shape what political parties do this year

UCC's Theresa Reidy joins Hugh, Pat and Jack to get ahead of the curve and discuss next year's elections.

How important are next year's local elections in setting the scene for what's to come after?

Will the "vote left transfer left" pact be repeated?

How do the government parties compete with one another while fighting a surging Sinn Fein?

Will the general election be called early? And will Micheal Martin still be Fianna Fail party leader heading into it?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has cultivated a reputation for being a safe pair of political hands, so it has been surprising to watch him fumble his response to revelations over donations-in-kind made to his reelection efforts in 2016 by businessman Michael Stone.

You can read about the details of what has been alleged and how Mr Donohoe has responded here.

On the podcast Harry McGee and Pat Leahy look at just how bad this is for Mr Donohoe.

Plus: The asylum seeker accommodation crisis is now verging on catastrophe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If we push honest views below ground, we simply push those views into the hands of real racists".

That statement, referring to the hot-button issue of migration, is typical of Meath West TD and Aontú party leader Peadar Tóibín, who likes to portray Aontú as neither left nor right but a party of "common sense".

Will that approach win Aontú many votes?

It's now exactly four years since the party's foundation and, while it has had few electoral successes so far, polling suggests it enjoys similar support to some of the longer-established small parties.

Peadar Tóibín talks to Hugh Linehan and Jack Horgan-Jones about what electoral success looks like for his party, the importance of "culture war" versus "bread-and-butter" issues and some reflections on his former party Sinn Fein.

This episode is the first in a series looking at small parties. We'll be back on Friday with a round-up of the week's political news.

With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling in your job, your attitude, your relationships? There are a growing number of self-declared online experts who have all the answers.

Author and journalist Helen Lewis returns to the podcast to talk about her new podcast series The New Gurus, which takes a close look at the phenomenon of these online sages who have a major impact on the outlook and often the political views of millions of people worldwide.

They talk about magnetic online personalities, from Russel Brand to Jordan Peterson. How much of it is a grift? And how much influence do the new gurus really have?

You can listen to The New Gurus on BBC Sounds.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the fallout from a report on The Ditch news website that Meath West Fine Gael TD Damien English made a false claim on a planning application which allowed him to build a second house.

The news forced Deputy English to resign his post as a junior minister.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's podcast:

• The crisis in Emergency Departments this winter reveals a lack of accountability in the upper echelons of the system, among other issues.

• Was an attack on TDs with bags of excrement at a public meeting indicative of “a creeping sinister aggression” against politicians, as Ciaran Cannon claimed?

• Pat explains what is going on behind the scenes in the negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol. How would the DUP react to a deal that left even a much-changed Protocol in place?

With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year, new Taoiseach, but the same headwinds facing the Government in areas like housing, refugee accommodation and a struggling healthcare system.

Jack Horgan-Jones and columnist Gerard Howlin join Pat to talk about political goings-on in the first week of 2023 and whether Leo Varadkar's second stint as Taoiseach will be any different than his first.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's part two of our annual Ask Us Anything, featuring questions on journalism, politics and a podcasting rivalry.

Taking your questions in studio are Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones, with a cameo from Cormac McQuinn.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our listeners.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You asked, we answered. It's part one of our annual Ask Us Anything, featuring questions on journalism, politics and a podcasting rivalry.

Taking your questions in studio are Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones, with additional help from Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happened in the Cabinet reshuffle? Not a lot, is one reasonable answer - there were no surprises, most ministers stayed where there were and any moves had been well flagged in advance.

But the day’s events still raised interesting questions for our politics team Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones to answer on this episode of the Inside Politics podcast.

Is the unchanged Cabinet a sign of stability - or a sign of stagnation and a death of new talent?

How did Stephen Donnelly win the right to retain his position in Health?

Why was Fianna Fáil’s Jack Chambers, moved sideways from chief whip to super junior in the Department of Transport, denied a bigger promotion?

How can Micheál Martin lead his party while travelling the world as Minister for Foreign Affairs?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naomi O'Leary is on the line from Brussels where a money-for-influence corruption scandal has rocked the European Parliament.

But first, Jack Horgan-Jones and Cliff Taylor on the significance a proposal to overhaul planning laws and potential opposition to the bill from within government.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Current affairs editor Arthur Beesley joins Hugh and Pat to talk about his report on what happened inside the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) when its members considered whether to proceed with an investigation into the leaking of a document to a friend by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.

The five Sipo commissioners were split 3:2 in favour of not investigating, the first time in the commission's history a decision was not unanimous.

The documents reveal the dissenting views of the two members, who voted to proceed with a preliminary investigation of Varadkar's behaviour in the matter and who expressed dissatisfaction with his rationalisation of events.

That the two votes were those of Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) Seamus McCarthy and Ombudsman Ger Deering, two of the most senior independent watchdogs in the State, is an uncomfortable fact for soon-to-be Taoiseach Varadkar and Fine Gael.

Plus: Pat talks about today's instalment in the North and South series on attitudes to Irish reunification.

The latest poll shows that voters in both Northern Ireland and the Republic would want the model of a future united Ireland to be clear before they voted on the issue in any referendum - but the two jurisdictions differ in which model they prefer.

North and South is a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS, which is a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Loser's consent" could be a critical concept in the event of a referendum on Irish reunification. Will the losing side accept the results? We got some idea of attitudes from new poll results published by The Irish Times this week as a part of our North and South series.

Professor John Garry of Queens University Belfast and Northern Editor Freya McClements join Hugh and Pat to discuss the levels of willingness that exist on the island to compromise and accommodate the other side in the event of a united Ireland.

Plus: How should we read the large number of "don't knows" in the poll on support for reunification? Could enough undecideds swing towards unity within the ten-year timeframe talked about by Sinn Féın?

North and South is a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS, which is a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

John Garry is professor of political behaviour, and director of the Democracy Unit, at Queen’s University Belfast. He has published widely on public opinion, voting behaviour, and deliberation in Ireland, North and South. He wrote Consociation and Voting in Northern Ireland: Party Competition and Electoral Behaviour (University of Pennsylvania Press) and co-authored The Irish Voter (Manchester University Press). He is currently leading the Northern Ireland Assembly Election Study, 2022, funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When should a referendum on Irish unity be held, and how would citizens north and south vote? The answer to those questions are the subject of the first instalment of a series on Irish reunification, North and South, published today in The Irish Times.

Professor Brendan O'Leary and Irish Times features editor Mary Minihan join Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy to discuss the findings of the poll.

They also discuss what was learned from focus groups held north and south on the same issues, with factors including security, the economy and identity playing major roles in shaping attitudes.

North and South is a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS, which is a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Brendan O’Leary is Lauder professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and honorary professor of political science at Queen’s University Belfast – and a member of its Democracy Unit. An honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy, his recent books include A Treatise on Northern Ireland (Oxford University Press) and Making Sense of a United Ireland (Penguin Ireland). He chairs the public opinion committee of ARINS, a joint initiative of the Royal Irish Academy and the University of Notre Dame.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next month Fianna Fáil's Micheal Martin will hand over the office of Taoiseach to Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar.

The switch will necessitate a big reshuffle of cabinet positions. Or will it? Our political team has the latest Leinster House chat about how extensive the December reshuffle will be and which positions might be in the mix.

Plus: Roderick O'Gorman struggles with migration challenges, a report from the Green Party convention and a decisive victory for Fine Gael in the battle to save Christmas.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the podcast today:

• How much of the East Wall refugee protest story is really an outworking of the housing shortage? With Russia's targeting of energy infrastructure in Ukraine likely to accelerate the flow of migrants, the shortage of space for refugees this winter looks increasingly like a major crisis.

• Evidence heard at the trial of Gerard Hutch for the murder of David Byrne has been embarrassing for Sinn Féin and party leader Mary Lou McDonald.

• As the Green Party hold their conference this week Harry assesses their place and performance in the government coalition so far.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political correspondents Harry McGee and Jennifer Bray join Pat Leahy to discuss how the Government is grappling with some disquiet over immigration, as evidenced by protests against the arrival of refugees in the East Wall area of Dublin this week.

Plus: Housing is never far from the agenda and this week a Private Members bill was introduced calling for the housing situation to be declared an emergency.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"After months of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing amid talk of economic decoupling and a new cold war, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping sought in Bali to turn down the heat" wrote Irish Times China Correspondent Denis Staunton about this week's G20 summit. Denis joins Hugh to talk about how the relationship between China and the West is evolving.

But first Denis gives his early impressions of life in China, having taken up the role of China Correspondent this autumn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world’s most powerful media and technology companies use their market power to lock their customers into a relationship they can’t escape, while immiserating the creative people whose work the customers are paying for.

Companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Spotify, Clear Channel, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have generated enormous revenues for their shareholders while slashing the incomes of writers, journalists and musicians.

But it doesn’t have to be this way, say Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin, who argue, as they explain in their new book, Chokepoint Capitalism, that it’s time to fight back against the power of big tech and big media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look at the week's politics:

• A Supreme Court ruling creates a headache for Government
• How a stricken tech sector could change the political landscape
• Still searching for that Brexit / Protocol "landing spot"
• Do US midterm results spell the end for Trumpism?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New legislation will give extra protection to members of groups affected by crimes motivated by hatred.

But critics say the law will be an unacceptable infringement on freedom of speech.

To dig into a thorny subject Hugh talks to speech rights expert Eoin O'Dell, a Fellow and Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin's School of Law.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Irish Times/Ipsos opinion poll shows that despite a strong desire to support Ukraine, 61 per cent of voters are concerned that “too many refugees” are coming here. And more than half of voters also disagree that Ireland should continue to accept refugees from Ukraine “no matter how many arrive”. To discuss this and more of the findings from the poll, including an unexpected rebound in support for the government and a slightly more optimistic outlook for the country in terms of the cost of living crisis, Hugh is joined by Political Editor Pat Leahy. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Time to look at the big picture; what does it mean for me?”

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan on this week’s Inside Politics to discuss Rishi Sunak’s elevation to PM, his appointments to cabinet and what the changes might mean for relations with Ireland.

This week saw another heated row between Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald and the Taoiseach in the Dáil; this time over the Ukrainian accommodation crisis.

Plus, after McDonald’s husband, Martin Lanigan, threatened legal proceedings against Shane Ross over his new book, we ask how far should the scrutiny of politicians’ assets extend?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many Irish Times readers were talking this week about Fintan O'Toole's column on the subject of the IRA and the appropriateness of chanting "Up the 'Ra'.

Hugh talks to Fintan about his column, the debate around the chant and how the history of the Troubles is understood today.

Plus, a look at what's happening in Westminster following an extremely turbulent week for prime minister Liz Truss.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"A grim agenda" of recession, UK bond crisis and global energy crisis awaits later in today's podcast, so first the team enjoy a relatively light topic: The mini-controversy over Shane Ross's axing from RTÉ radio. The former minister had been due on air to discuss his new biography of Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Censorship, or run-of-the-mill editorial decision?

Plus: Is a u-turn on the controversial concrete block levy imminent?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Political Community, a new forum for European leaders including wannabe EU members and Brexit Britain, met for the first time yesterday at a summit in Prague.

The brainchild of French president Emmanuel Macron, the EPC seems to be going well so far, says political editor Pat Leahy - but what is it actually doing?

Plus, how far is the UK really willing to go to secure agreement with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerard Howlin, Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about this week's politics:

• Who is satisfied or dissatisfied with last week's budget
• Irish politics and the generational divide
• The complications that will come with the imminent swapping of jobs between coalition partners
• Steve Baker's unexpected apology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a quick catchup on the political news of the week, Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan. Topics include:

• Sinn Féin holds a pre-budget press conference
• Census in Northern Ireland shows Catholics outnumber Protestants for the first time
• Government announced its plan for pensions
• Our panel's favourite reads from the week

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary talks to Hugh about forthcoming elections in Italy that look likely to return a government led by the far-right. What will that mean for the rest of Europe?

They also discuss the recent victory of the far-right Sweden Democrats and the EU's ongoing dispute with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a new book Kevin Rafter explores how art and artists have been treated by our taoisigh, from W.T. Cosgrave to Micheál Martin, and how those men have been portrayed by artists in turn.

The book is a history of the relationships between well-known artists and the taoisigh of their day, such as that between Brendan Behan and Sean Lemass.

Kevin Rafter is a professor of political communications at DCU and currently serves as chair of the Arts Council.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This winter, thousands of Irish households will be pushed into energy poverty, as the price of oil and gas continues to skyrocket. So, what options do politicians have to protect consumers and what trade-offs will have to be made along the way?

On today’s Inside Politics Podcast, Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to discuss how the government will mitigate the energy crisis over the coming months. They also tackle the other political stories making waves this week including the public sector pay talks, a new report by the State’s commission on tax and welfare which recommends an increase on wealth, property and inheritance taxes, plus Dara Calleary’s new gig.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy stepped down from his role as Minister of State after weeks of controversy over his failure to properly declare business interests, including rental properties and company directorships. 

To discuss the affair and what's been learned from it, Hugh is joined by Fintan O'Toole, Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Religious belief has declined in Europe, but the strength of people's political views is stronger than ever - or at least, it often seems so online.

Has political identity replaced religion in people's lives?

British journalist and Atlantic magazine staff writer Helen Lewis explores this question in The Church of Social Justice, a new radio documentary for the BBC.

She talks to Hugh about where political identity and religion overlap, the value and limitations of each, and the influence of American culture wars on discourse this side of the Atlantic.

You can listen to The Church of Social Justice by Helen Lewis here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Radden Keefe is an American writer and investigative journalist. His book Empire of Pain is a detailed history of the Sackler dynasty and their role in the American opioid epidemic. Known for their dedication to cultural philanthropy, the family built their wealth on pharmaceuticals, starting with tranquillisers like Librium and Valium, before eventually moving on to the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. In this episode, the award-winning author talks to Hugh about the origins of the addiction crisis, the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy trial and the mark the family left on the world.

First published in August 2021. Inside Politics will return with a new episode next week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"It is not a question of whether, but when and how Ireland will be united", is the provocative opening argument made by author and journalist Frank Connolly in his recent book United Nation: The Case for Integrating Ireland. But he concedes it won't be easy.

The book explores the steps that would be necessary in advance of a border poll and the changes that unity would bring, North and South. He talked to Hugh Linehan about his book recently.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government this week moved swiftly to tighten Ireland's immigration and asylum regime, when it revoked automatic permission to enter Ireland for people granted asylum in other European countries. 

It comes as the system struggles to deal with the number of refugees arriving each week from Ukraine.

Will it make a difference to a system that is in danger of toppling over? And, is it a sign of a greater shake up of Ireland’s immigration policy to come?

Also in this episode of The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast, Pat Leahy is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to discuss the political challenges facing the coalition as the Greens seek to secure the agreement of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy talks to guest host Mary Minihan about the results of this week's series of Ipsos opinion poll results.

Read about the poll here: https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/poll/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Pat Leahy to discuss the confidence debate and vote that the Government handily won yesterday.

Plus, a look ahead to the autumn and beyond when Leo Vaaradkar's return to the Taoiseach's office will coincide with a winter of discontent over the cost of living.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Boris Johnson on his way, however slowly, out the door, the Conservatives face a challenge to find a leader who can unite the party and retain its electoral support. Who will it be? And how will that person handle the issue of most importance to Ireland: The Northern Ireland Protocol?

Host Pat Leahy and London editor Denis Staunton are joined today by Patrick Maguire, a political journalist with The Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It seems to be a question of when, not if, for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against an MP has turned his party against him. But how can the party get rid of the stubborn PM? Denis Staunton reports.

But first: To talk about this week's summer economic statement and the choices that Ministers Donohoe and McGrath must make to alleviate the pain of the cost of living crisis, Pat Leahy is joined by Labour Senator Marie Sherlock and political correspondent Cormac McQuinn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rising cost of living is the most immediate issue facing governments all over the world. The Central Statistics Office reports Inflation at a 40-year high, but is the worst yet to come? UCC Economist Seamus Coffey and Irish Times Political Correspondent Jennifer Bray join Pat Leahy to discuss what to expect economically and politically over the coming months. 

But first, Pat is joined by London Editor Denis Staunton and David O’Sullivan, Director General of the International Institute of International and European affairs to talk about the Northern Ireland Protocol bill which was introduced by the UK government earlier this week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones is one of many parents paying through the nose for childcare. The Government wants to take some of the financial pain out of early years education and care - will its plan work?

Harry McGee plugs his new podcast GUBU, a seven-part thriller about a series of grisly murders in the 1980s and how they impacted the government of Charles Haughey.

And Denis Staunton has the latest from London where PM Boris Johnson lives to fight another day after winning a confidence vote.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrated author and podcaster Jon Ronson talks to Hugh about his recent BBC podcast series Things Fell Apart which explores the origins of the culture wars through several unique stories.

Jon Ronson will be bringing his live show about Things Fell Apart to Liberty Hall Theatre, on 10th June. You can buy tickets here.

Jon will also be appearing at the Festival of Writing & Ideas, Borris House on the 11th & 12th of June.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Sinn Féin fulfils its ambition to be the first party other than Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil to form a government in the Republic, what challenges will it face to implement its ambitious agenda?

That question is the subject of this week’s opinion piece by former political advisor Gerard Howlin.

He joins Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn on today’s Inside Politics podcast.

Plus: a new study shows trust in politics here is at an all-time low.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part one: Following two weeks of intense debate and discussion on the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital, the plan has finally been approved by Cabinet. But at what political cost? Pat and Jen join Hugh to discuss.

In part two, London Editor Denis Staunton and Northern Editor Freya McClements assess the Stormont stalemate and the latest on the Protocol.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freya McClements, Mary Minihan and Pat Leahy join Hugh to analyse the results of last week's Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

The major talking point is Sinn Féin taking the largest number of seats for the first time, while the Alliance Party's unprecedented success signals the importance of the middle ground in Northern Ireland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow Northern Ireland goes to the polls, in what’s been dubbed the most important vote in a generation. For the first time in more than a century, there is the prospect of a nationalist being elected to the top job in government. What could that mean for power sharing?

In the rest of the United Kingdom, local elections are taking place. Will disgruntled Tory backbenchers use the results as an excuse to get rid of Boris Johnson?

Hugh talks to our London Editor Denis Staunton and Mick Fealty, editor of the Slugger O’Toole political news and opinion website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next weekend, French voters decide whether Emmanuel Macron should remain president or Marine Le Pen should replace him. The latter result would transform France and Europe.

Next month, Northern Irish voters elect their MLAs in a vote that could see a Sinn Féin First Minister appointed for the first time.

Freya McClements and Lara Marlowe report on these two consequential campaigns.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is overwhelming support for a retention of Ireland’s current model of military neutrality, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos poll. 

Two- thirds of voters do not want to see any change in neutrality, with less than a quarter (24 per cent) saying they wanted to see a change. 

Pat Leahy explains the poll results in detail.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part one: The political controversy over the appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to a position in Trinity College has raised some awkward questions for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and his departmental Secretary General extraordinaire Robert Watt.

Part two: The Dáil is in recess this week - time to run the rule over the performance of the various political parties and the challenges that lie before them in the rest of 2022.

Guests: Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neoliberalism means different things to different people. As a set of economic policies it is mainly associated with reducing state intervention in commerce and society. In the course of its late 20th century heyday, neoliberalism transformed the world - for better or worse. But now its dominance is challenged by different models, such as the authoritarian capitalism of China. 

In his new book The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order, Gary Gerstle looks at how neoliberalism took hold, how it shaped society in the United States and beyond, and what its decline means. 

Gary Gerstle is Paul Mellon Professor of American History Emeritus and Paul Mellon Director of Research at the University of Cambridge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine enters its fourth week, with little sign of an outcome, the question of what an endgame of this war might look like is increasingly the subject of international debate. Former editor of the Financial Times, Lionel Barber, is one of the few Western journalists to have conducted an in-depth interview with Vladimir Putin. He talks to Hugh about Putin’s motivations, how this war could end and what the geopolitical consequences of it may be. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Businessman-turned-campaigner Bill Browder returns to the podcast to talk to Hugh about Russian president Vladimir Putin's actions and motivations, the impact of sanctions and other measures on him and his inner circle as well as the outlook for Ukraine as it fights back against invasion.

Browder has spearheaded a campaign against Putin and other Russian officials whom he blames for the death in 2009 of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow prison.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Jane Suiter and political correspondent Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the week's political stories.

• The National Women's Council of Ireland annoyed some government politicians by failing to invite them to an International Women's Day event. The row raised interesting questions about the role of civic bodies like the NCWI and their relationship with politics.
• Citizens' Assemblies were designed to help the political system digest divisive societal issues. But are they working as well as they could?
• Sinn Féin's opposition to carbon taxes sets it apart among the big parties. What's their alternative?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Academic and author Lea Ypi talks to Hugh about her unique and insightful memoir Free, in which she recalls her youth in Albania under communism, the regime's economic and political downfall and the disappointment of what came after.

Lea Ypi is professor of political theory at the London School of Economics. Free is published by Penguin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.