Mooney on Irish Politics

With the government planning abolition, Derek answers 7 critical questions: Why it's not sovereignty loss, Why reform, not abolition is sensible How the Fianna Fáil leader shifted from 2020's "fully maintain" pledge to backing abolition What public support means, Why defence mustn't be politicised Value of military neutrality, and Brutal reality that the Defence Forces is at...

In this episode I look at events and developments over the last few weeks, since the two bye-elections and consider the lesson for the leadership of Fianna Fáil... and remind TDs that several EU countries have changed prime minister during an EU presidency... and it didn't hurt anyone.

As Fianna Fáil marks its centenary, there are several lessons from the recent U.K. elections for the former big beast of Irish politics. UK Labour’s current attempt at renewal and the SNP’s successful reinvention contrasts with drift and lack of ambition under Micheál Martin's leadership. Fianna Fáil cannot wait much longer to change leader or to plan seriously for unity.

In this episode I use the famous Enoch Powell quote about political lives ending in failure "unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture" to ask if any of the three leaders will know when to go? I consider Ireland's three main party leaders through Powell's lens: is Mary Lou McDonald in trouble as leader, is Micheál Martin now delaying the inevitable; and is Simon Ha...

In this 6 minute long episode Derek sets out why the government response was wrong to focus primarily on a security solution to a political problem... a political problem which its own senior members had flagged weeks ahead.

I have revised the opening 5 minutes of this previously published podcast to include clips from that March 2017 interview - after some extra research I found an audio recording of the full interview. see link below. In this Mooney on Politics podcast episode I consider how Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s stance on Irish unity has shifted since 2017. From promising a detailed white paper and “blueprint”...

In this episode I look at Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s unsurprisingly solid Oval Office performance with Donald Trump. I express regret that opposition parties here took such a overwhelmingly negative stance on his performance. But... even more... I regret that Martin fails to communicate as well on domestic issues as he does when in the White House. I also ask why, with government satisfaction on t...

In this podcast episode I argue that Fianna Fáil TDs can’t afford to sleepwalk into 2027. Three Taoisigh in one year (2027) would make the party (and government) look ridiculous. There are several simple truths that must be faced: Micheál Martin’s time as leader is naturally running out 2026 is the year for renewal, not 2027 Fianna Fáil must decide what it stands for, and who best conveys that The...

In this episode I argues for reforming Ireland's Triple Lock military deployment system by updating... not scrapping... multilateral criteria to include UN General Assembly resolutions and regional organisations. Indeed the whole Triple Lock debate is meaningless without addressing recruitment crises and investment shortfalls of the past decade and a half. Ireland's defence capability cris...

In this final podcast of 2025 I look at a most consequential (but messy) year in Irish politics. I assess how the parties of government and opposition performed. I then conclude with a very personal league table of the newly elected TDs politicians who impressed most over the past 12 months.

In this penultimate podcast of 2025 I look at the fallout from Fianna Fáil's review into the disastrous Áras 2025 campaign and which of the several competing analyses of what happens next, I agree with. (Spoiler Alert... I take some elements from each). I also explain why I cannot see Martin making it through 2026... and why its in no one's interests that he does.

In this very short episode (based on a recent local radio interview) I wonder if Fianna Fáil is still a serious political party? The leadership's mishandling of the presidential campaign is now compounded by its mishandling of what should have been a simple report into that fiasco. Ironically... when I am asked which new TD has impressed me most... I reply that it is a Fianna Fáil one... Alber...

In this week's episode Derek throws an eye over the impact on government stability of the departure of Pascal Donohoe for the World bank... and wonders why Taoiseach Micheál Martin now questions the linear nature of time and why a delay is not actually a delay... or of any consequence

In this episode I do two things... First, I explain why the "unsure" camp in the currently divided Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is in single digits and the pro and anti Martin factions are almost evenly divided. Second, I explain why a departure timeline for Martin that stretches into 2027 or 2028 not only makes no sense, it is potentially damaging to its electoral prospects.

The damage being done to the Keep Martin campaign... by the Keep Martin campaign... makes the Gavin presidential bid look masterful. Their line that any move requires a challenger is contrary to the rules that Martin introduced... rules meant to ensure there could never be a spill (i.e. heave).

As we look back at the Haughey era... though Maire Geoghegan Quinn never actually used this phrase back in 1991 (one year before Haughey's actual departure) her reference to the haughey era was seen a signal to the great man that his time was up. Are we hearing some subtle hints of the "as we look back at the Martin era" today? I think we are. Link to that EVERHAZE event pn Tuesday....

After today's The Week in Politics debate and the Sunday Independent poll numbers, I take a very quick look at the evolving Irish presidential election and conclude (once again) that it will be hugely consequential for the leaderships of Fianna Fáil... and possibly Fine Gael. Two links: 1. To my Twitter thread 2. To Cathal Lee interview on Shannonside

With Fianna Fáil picking its Aras candidate in 2 days time, Derek looks at how the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party may be about to re-exert its authority by refusing to declare a winner before its votes in secret. The title for this episode from from an old Michael Heseltine anecdote.... it doesn't matter who you say you're voting for.... just so long as you vote for me.

In this episode I discuss the evolving political manoeuvres ahead of the 2025 presidential race. Internal Fine Gael turmoil after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness should be a boon for Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil, but their continuing silence limits competition. The field is unlikely to go beyond four contenders... five at most.

This is the podcast to go with my 9th annual political reading list ( See list online) As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection, be it Irish, European or global. This podcast differs slightly from the original online list as I omitted Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin's "Unfinished Empire" the story of how Putin clings to Russia’s imperial legacy, parti...

In this episode I look again at the prospects for the presidential election and conclude that both the contest poses equal problems for the two biggest parties: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil. I also dispel the notion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is considering a run... he means what he says when he says he does not want to run... as Sigmund Freud never said... sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!! I al...

In this episode I consider how Northern Ireland and the changes to the triple lock may become issues at the upcoming Irish presidential election. I examine the evolving shifts in Micheál Martin's thinking on Irish unity and his preference for engagement with lapsed nationalists, over unionists and northern nationalists. I set out my problems with the government's proposed reforms of the Tr...

In this short episode I use an excellent Twitter thread from U.S. Democrat Senator, Chris Murphy of Connecticut to thrash President Trump's tariff tactic. As Senator Murphy correctly highlights: They aren’t designed as economic policy. The tariffs are simply a new, super dangerous political tool. Once seen through this lense, the approach makes some sense... but remains every bit as dangerous...

In this episode I manage to link quotes from my late mentor Ben Briscoe and the great Lenny Bruce to lead me to a point where the Dáil speaking time and Garron Noone debacles meet... and leave me less than impressed.

In this podcast episode I discuss Taoiseach Micheál Martin's upcoming White House visit, addressing potential challenges such as US demands for Apple's tax money and pressure to buy American military equipment. I don't offer advice, as it is not needed. An Taoiseach, and his diplomatic team, know how to deploy diplomatic caution and avoid public confrontations with the Trump administra...