Ellen Coyne and Naomi O’Leary join Pat Leahy to look back on the week in politics:

· In the wake of Catherine Connolly’s emphatic presidential election win, could there now be a legitimate prospect of a left-wing government arising from the next general election?

· With anger still simmering in Fianna Fáil’s ranks after a disastrous presidential campaign, is party leader Micheál Martin looking at a leadership challenge down the line? Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 this week, the Taoiseach criticised “unacceptable” and “hurtful” comments about him from Fianna Fáil rebels like fellow Cork TD James O’Connor.

· The coalition partners are becoming more openly critical of immigration. Perhaps they are now following the example of other European countries?

· And Naomi O’Leary discusses the Dutch political scene with reports suggesting the centrist D66 party caused a big upset in Dutch elections this week.

Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:

· Mary ‘Mae’ McGee who successfully fought the ban on contraception in Ireland, and Newton Emerson on how Fine Gael’s anti-British rhetoric came back to bite Heather Humphreys.

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.

12/29/25: Saagar Reviews REEFER MADNESS 'Most Important Film of the Century"

Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

Policy Solutions and Regulation Proposals

The AI-powered Podcast Player