Irish Times Inside Politics

47:25

Latest poll numbers show neither Government nor...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/25

Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:In the first Irish Times national poll since February, the lack of movement in party support points to an electorate not wholly enamoured by the incumbent Government but not exactly enthused about the alternatives either. One of the big contradictions arising from the poll is around the question of a united Ireland. A clear majority of 68 per cent feel the Government should begin preparations for possible Irish

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38:23

What to watch as Xi visits Washington

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/23

Chinese leader Xi Jinping lands in Washington later this evening for a three-day state visit, his first to Washington since 2015. The Trump White House is rolling out the red carpet and laying on the full ceremonial treatment for a leader who currently still faces American tariffs, sanctions and export controls. Irish Times China correspondent Dennis Staunton joins Hugh from Hong Kong to explain what both men want out of the meeting and what it will tell us about the balance of power between the

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49:46

What is driving the abuse and intimidation of...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/18

Ellen Coyne and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:The unprovoked attack on Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae this week highlighted how vulnerable public representatives can be. But when did criticism of Irish politicians turn into abuse and physical violence? Is it the long tail of the financial crash or simply a shift from online discourse to something far more sinister? Donald Trump’s thoughts on a united Ireland grabbed the headlines during his visit last week, but

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42:48

Sweden's political shift and Germany's electoral shock

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/16

Derek Scally talks to Hugh about the aftermath of two elections that have recently taken place: the Swedish general election and regional elections in the Gerrman region of Saxony-Anhalt. Each offers some fascinating insights into current trends and future directions in Germany and Scandinavia, and perhaps more broadly in Europe.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here:

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26:33

Trump's support for reunification grabs the headlines...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/12

President Trump and his vast, costly entourage have rolled through Dublin on the way to his golf course, meeting with the Taoiseach and President Connolly along the way. As with other recent encounters between representatives of the State and Trump, there were no major diplomatic incidents for Irish officials to worry about. But Trump did ruffle some feathers with his comments on Irish reunification. "The Weave", as Trump calls his signature style of oratory, was on full display, by turns baffling,

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45:57

P aul Mason on communism, China and the crisis of the...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/09/07

British journalist Paul Mason talks to Hugh about his new book Reds: A Global History of Communism.The book traces communism’s story from early human egalitarian impulses to modern China’s controlled capitalist system.Mason talks to Hugh about what drew him to Trotskyism as a young man, his current politics as a left-wing social democrat and his concerns about democracy under threat. He explains his own break with Corbynism.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your

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40:14

M9 crash aftermath: can the Government bring social...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/08/26

Inside Politics Live is coming to Cork on September 30th. Get your tickets here.Pat Leahy is joined by Ellen Coyne and Liz Carolan to talk about the response to the circumstances around the recent fatal M9 motorway crash. They examine Coimisiún na Meán’s response and the powers it has under the EU Digital Services Act, and the refusal of Tiktok to appear before a Dail committee. They consider proposals like making joyriding videos illegal and weigh up concerns about free speech and enforceability.In

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58:05

From boom to bust: how the PDs unravelled - Dessie...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/08/12

Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy close their series on the PDs. In 1997 the party runs a disastrous campaign, falling from 10 seats to four. But they still enter government with Fianna Fáil, with Mary Harney their sole cabinet minister.Their real influence comes through Charlie McCreevy, effectively a PD inside Fianna Fáil, whose close friendship with Harney drives a tax-cutting agenda during the boom years.Facing wipeout in 2002, Michael McDowell rescues them with a Ranelagh lamppost stunt and an

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27:52

Could India’s ‘Gen Z’ protests bring down Narendra Modi?

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/07/29

Narendra Modi’s 12 year rule of India has never looked so fragile.Weeks of protests have engulfed the country following the leak of a medical entrance exam paper, which forced nearly two million students to resit the test. Protestors hailed victory from the resignation of the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday.On today’s podcast, Hugh asks our contributor in New Delhi, Rahul Bedi, to explain the significance of the movement.What had fanned the flames, he said, was the description of

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37:43

Is meaningful climate action possible in a democracy?

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/06/10

In a new book coauthored with fellow political scientists, UCD’s Aidan Regan argues that the three goals of democracy, economic growth and effective climate action are at odds with one another, and that the resulting “trilemma” requires novel political solutions to solve.On today's podcast Aidan talks to Hugh about why it is so difficult to balance these goals and potential solutions. They also discuss why effective climate action should be linked to improved standards of living, not increased

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1:09:56

Inside Politics Meets GD Politics: A crossover...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/06/08

For a special crossover episode of Inside Politics Hugh Linehan welcomes US podcaster Galen Druke, the host of GD Politics and formerly of the FiveThirtyEight politics podcast, for a discussion of the Irish and US political scenes. They cover topics including:Why there is no strong populist right party in IrelandIreland’s economic success, dependence on US multinationals and military neutralityGerrymandering in AmericaRace, the Voting Rights Act and representationThe two-party systemThey also talk

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32:07

The rise of anti-feminism with Helen Lewis

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/05/25

Journalist and author Helen Lewis has built a reputation for sharp analysis of politics, culture and the forces reshaping public life.In one piece for The Atlantic she unpicks policies, and the figures promoting them, arguing against some rights for women.On today’s podcast Helen tells Hugh about influential figures who would once have been considered “fringe” coming to the fore.She explains why questions around women’s rights and gender identity have become so politically explosive, and how media

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41:18

Byelections: campaign trail stories and final...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/05/20

Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee join Hugh for a final look at the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections before voting takes place on Friday. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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54:06

What's wrong with Ireland? Sinead O'Sullivan has an...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/05/18

Economist and author Sinead O'Sullivan ruffled some feathers recently with her analysis of Ireland’s deficits in infrastructure and services. Her critiques of the State’s failure to deliver things that are taken for granted in other similarly wealthy countries sparked debate and drew pushback from figures including former taoiseach Leo Varadkar.On today’s Inside Politics podcast she talks to Hugh about how her professional background in designing complex systems made it “ impossible for me not to

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38:18

Who will win Dublin Central?

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/05/13

With just over a week until two by elections, host Hugh Linehan unpicks the race for Dublin Central in today’s Inside Politics.Political Correspondents Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn reflect on then race so far, and which candidates will benefit most from those critical transfers.Ahead of Irish Times polling for the consistence to be published on Thursday, where are the battlegrounds? And what are the issues on which they will be won and lost?Produced by Andrew McNair and Declan Conlon.Would

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49:59

Byelection candidates are confirmed as campaigns ramp up

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/05/01

Ellen Coyne and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:·There are now 14 candidates confirmed as running in Dublin Central and 17 candidates in Galway West in the upcoming byelections on May 22nd. And while it looks like a tussle between those representing centre-left parties in the capital, Independent Ireland councillor Noel Thomas already looks to be the frontrunner in Galway West.·Sinn Féin are hopeful of a byelection win in leader Mary Lou McDonald’s own constituency

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58:15

Fintan O'Toole: 100 years on, Fianna Fáil is flailing

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/04/29

Fintan O’Toole talks to Hugh Linehan about Fianna Fáil as the party’s 100th birthday draws near. Fintan credits the party with helping create a vibrant Irish middle class - if only by accident. But in recent decades the party has undermined that legacy, he says, through short-sighted, reactionary politics and especially through its approach to home ownership.They also discuss the recent fuel protests.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for

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45:55

Another Fianna Fáil heave that wasn’t

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/04/17

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:·There were renewed questions about the future of Micheál Martin’s leadership in the aftermath of the fuel protests and the resignation of former Independent minister Michael Healy-Rae from Government. Fianna Fáil TDs James O'Connor, Ryan O’Meara and Albert Dolan outlined their “real and deep concern” with the Government’s response to the protests in a statement on Wednesday. However, any momentum behind a challenge

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39:36

The end of the Orbán model

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/04/13

All agree that the scale of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s defeat in yesterday’s general election is hugely significant, for Hungary, Europe and beyond. But what exactly does the result mean? To find out Hugh talks to two journalists covering Hungarian affairs, Daniel Nolan and Ivan Nagy. They discuss how Orbán's populist playbook ran out of steam, why JD Vance's recent visit backfired and why Hungary now faces a painful economic reckoning.Would you like to receive daily insights into world

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46:46

Government can't help helping as fuel costs soar; and...

Irish Times Inside Politics ·

2026/03/27

This week the Government decided to unveil a €250 million package to help citizens meet the elevated cost of fuel. And this could be just the start of a series of new efforts to keep down the cost of living. After ending such supports in the last Budget, it seems there is a limit to the Government’s ability to resist helping when times get tough and the money is there. But what will happen when a crisis coincides with tougher fiscal times?The renewed threat of inflation is having an impact across

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