Irish Times Inside Politics

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: ·      Micheál Martin will likely have taken notes following the visits of Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer to the White House this week, each having enjoyed positive relations with US President Donald Trump. Trump congratulated the Taoiseach on his rec...

Hugh talks to Berlin correspondent Derek Scally to find out about the weekend's Bundestag elections, described as the most significant in decades. The centre-right CDU will lead a new coalition, with far-right AfD becoming the main opposition party. Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and incoming chancellor, faces huge challenges, not least addressing Germany's deepening economic and security concerns...

There’s been lots of noise, threats and bluster. But what has Donald Trump really achieved in his first five weeks in office? And could the non-stop drama of his leadership already be wearing thin among voters who welcomed his return?  Meanwhile, the pace and aggression of Trump’s leadership means his Democratic Party opponents have plenty of material to work with - but the party still lacks...

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: Sinn Féin announced it would not send representatives to Washington for St Patrick's Day, in protest over the proposed "mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and the permanent seizure of Palestinian lands". Should the Government provide tax breaks for developers to encourage homebuilding? Within...

The recent election and appointments to cabinet were a step backwards for gender representation in Irish politics. On today's podcast Hugh and Jennifer are joined by Aldagh McDonogh, chairperson of Women for Election, to talk about why Ireland has among the lowest proportion of female elected politicians in Europe. The conversation covers the history of female representation in Ireland, the impact...

Micheál Martin's recent signalling of a possible policy shift regarding Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) has put housing policy back in the spotlight. On today's podcast Hugh discusses the evolving housing policy landscape with Michael Byrne, a housing researcher at UCD. Michael explains the limitations and impacts of RPZs on affordability and supply, and alternative systems of rent control that might r...

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh for our weekly Irish politics wrap: Did Taoiseach Micheál Martin call Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald a liar, in breach of arcane Dáil rules? Our panel of lapsed Gaeilgeoirí struggle to analyse the linguistic nuances of what Martin said, but identify an underlying political attitude. Minister for the Arts Patrick O'Donovan this week kitchen-sinked the news...

Support for Irish unity has grown significantly in the past three years in  Northern Ireland , though a clear majority remains in favour of remaining part of the  United Kingdom , according to the latest opinion poll for The Irish Times and the ARINS Project. On today’s Inside Politics podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by political editor Pat Leahy and Brendan O’Leary from the University of...

It is just three weeks since Donald Trump was inaugurated but his impact has been huge. A flurry of executive orders and aggressive actions is already reshaping American life. On today's podcast Hugh discusses the Trump presidency with conservative commentator Michael Brendan Dougherty. The conversation covers Dougherty's evolving views on Trump, the impact of Trump's executive orders, and the ide...

Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: ·      Letters from Independent TDs to to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy stating they will support the Government on a “case-by-case” basis has brough the true size of the coalition’s majority into question. ·      T...

Hugh Linehan and guests discuss domestic political issues and European defence challenges. In part one, Pat Leahy talks about the resolution of the Dáil speaking rights row and the damage it has done to the Government. In part two, Jack Power joins from Brussels to discuss the EU's defence strategy in light of recent geopolitical shifts. They discuss Ireland's military neutrality, potential defenc...

Hugh speaks with Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about major political shifts happening in Germany ahead of the federal election later this month. Germany’s history has meant any cooperation between mainstream parties and the far-right has been an unbreakable taboo. Could that finally change? Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis St...

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: ·      As the count continues to fill seats in the Upper House, and high-profile candidates lose out, the panel looks at whether the Seanad is a ‘creche for future TDs and a retirement home for others’. ·      Ireland’s 23...

Are super-junior ministers allowed under the terms of the constitution? Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly this week launched a legal challenge against their use, just days after former taoiseach Leo Varadkar wrote a frank newspaper column about the necessity for these appointments. The panel also examines Sinn Féin's recent minor cabinet reshuffle and the party's strategic shift towards a more aggressive form...

China correspondent Denis Staunton sits down with Hugh Linehan to talk about the impact of Donald Trump's reelection on the geopolitical landscape. Then he gives an overview of China's internal dynamics and its role on the international stage, at a moment in time when both are in flux. Topics include the rise and influence of tech billionaires in Trump's administration, contrasts between his first...

Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:   It came a day later than expected, and along predictable lines, but we have a new Government. Only Fine Gael’s Peter Burke has retained his ministry, with Fianna Fáil’s James Browne taking on the seemingly impossible job of Minister for Housing. But will voters punish this G...

Instead of the expected election of a taoiseach and appointment of ministers, today Leinster House was the scene of chaos and an unprecedented disruption of Dáil tradition, with the Opposition saying it will not back down from its demands in a standoff over speaking time. Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy were there. They tell Hugh Linehan what happened and why. Would you like to receive daily insights...

Later today the Dáil will return to elect Michéal Martin as taoiseach, after which new government ministers will be appointed. But who are the TDs in the running for each ministerial post, and how will they day unfold? Pat and Hugh discuss what we know and what we think we know. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global...

On the day Donald Trump returns to office as president of the United States, Hugh and Pat are joined by journalists Paul Colgan and Liz Carolan and Pat Leahy to look at what his administration might mean for Ireland's politics and economy. How should the incoming government handle Trump 2.0? Paul Colgan is a journalist and broadcaster. Liz Carolan works on democracy and technology issues, and writ...

Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:   ·      As the process of ratifying the Programme for Government continues, will the wheels of power slow down or will much-needed infrastructure projects get going while climate targets remain a priority?   ·     &nbsp...

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about the composition of the new Government and what we now know about the policies that will form the Programme for Government. They also discuss the decision by the Healy-Raes to demand a junior ministry. Will it dilute the essence of what the dynasty offers to the people of Kerry? Would you like to receive daily insights into world events de...

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: ·      The panel started by teasing out the convoluted and somewhat undemocratic Seanad election process. Is it better to be on the inside or the outside panel? And how important is it for nominees to possess sufficient qualifications? ·   &nb...

Government formation talks have ramped up since Christmas. What are the key points being discussed between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail? And what demands are Independent TDs making for their cooperation? Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan on today's Inside Politics podcast to talk through everything that has happened so far in the process that will determine much of the politics of the...

In case you missed it: in 2023 Hugh spoke to American historian Gary Gerstle about his book The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order. 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...

In case you missed it: back in March 2021 Hugh talked to Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about his book The Best Catholics in the World. In the book Derek embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Catholic Church has had on Ireland. In this conversation, Hugh and Derek discussed the origins of the book, the intersection of church, state and people and the strands of religion s...