Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

This episode was first published in October 2023. Naomi Klein shot to fame with her first book, No Logo, which offered an acute critique of how powerful corporations in the 1990s had profited off exploitation in a globalising world. Her later books have examined a range of subjects including crisis capitalism, militarism, and climate change. Klein is also commonly confused online for a very different writer, Naomi Wolf, who has called Covid-19 vaccine programmes ‘mass murder’. In Klein's latest book Doppelganger she draws on this unwanted comparison to explore themes like online identity, conspiracy theories and the 21st Century supremacy of the ‘personal brand’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee analyse the latest Irish Times / Ipsos B&A poll results, which show that Sinn Féin has regained its position as the most popular party in the Republic while Fine Gael has slumped to a record low in the series. The new data also show voters have little enthusiasm for the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Independent Coalition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cliff Taylor joins Pat Leahy to assess the latest developments in the trade war initiated by US president Donald Trump that threatens to upend the global economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the head of an organisation called Labour Together, which despite its name '"was all about dividing the Labour party and defeating the left", Irishman Morgan McSweeney handpicked Keir Starmer as the leadership candidate to take on Jeremy Corbyn and the party's left wing in 2020. That is according to Patrick Maguire, co-author of Get In, an entertaining book about Starmer's road to Number 10 and McSweeney's accumulation of power behind the scenes. He talks to Hugh about McSweeney's talent, Starmer's leadership and why the Labour government is struggling to get its message across.Get In by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund is available now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ireland's leader since 2020, shares insights on navigating current economic challenges. He discusses the potential impact of U.S. pharmaceutical decisions on trade negotiations and firmly stands against new EU taxes on U.S. tech firms. Addressing the housing crisis, Martin emphasizes the need for a more aggressive social housing strategy, holding Dublin City Council accountable. He also clarifies his collaboration with independent TDs to ensure government stability, amidst a backdrop of political maneuvering.

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:·       The ‘Golden Age of America’ came and went over the course of a week as US President Donald Trump decided on Wednesday to pause his reciprocal tariffs for most countries for the next 90 days. ·       The status of suspended Social Democrat TD Eoin Hayes was up for debate this week with the party successfully pushing for representation based on election result rather than current Dáil numbers in order to secure two Oireachtas committee chairperson roles. So, is Hayes a Soc Dem TD or not? Some are making understandable comparisons with the recent speaking rights row.·       And Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has signalled a new Bill to overhaul the asylum system here with the latest data showing a surge in deportation orders and a substantial fall in applications in early 2025, both attributable to O’Callaghan’s predecessor Helen McEntee. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:·       The best way to resurrect a graveyard, humanitarian efforts in Chad, and Richard Boyd Barrett’s cancer diagnosis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcasters turn away from the heavy news agenda of tariffs and economic upheaval to examine a lighter, more enjoyable but still important topic: the 2025 Irish presidential election. What makes a good president? What makes a good presidential candidate? And who are the candidates in the running at this late stage? From big party nominees like Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness to left unity candidates like Senator Frances Black and celebrity candidates like Conor McGregor, the list is long. Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh for the first of many episodes dedicated to the presidency this year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a compelling discussion, Barra Roantree, an Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, dissects the extensive delays in Ireland's infrastructure development. He highlights how bureaucratic red tape creates costly bottlenecks for essential projects like housing and transport. Roantree compares Ireland's struggles with other countries, emphasizing the detrimental effects of a shrinking tax base and the erosion of public trust in government. His insights spotlight the urgent need for reform in planning practices to revitalize Ireland's infrastructure.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: It may have been one of the most consequential weeks for Irish politics in years, if US president Donald Trump’s tariffs have the expected impact on the Irish and global economy.The speaking rights row came to an end, at least for now this week following votes on the future of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and the emergence of tariffs as a far more significant issue. Plus the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including pieces on the conviction of Marine Le Pen, the disillusionment of tech workers and the colourful history of Dáil insults. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cliff Taylor and Pat Leahy are with Hugh to discuss the tariffs announced yesterday by US president Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.