Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

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.

As the Irish political system awaits tariff news from Washington, political editor Pat Leahy joins Hugh to look at how the day might unfold. But first they assess the outcome of yesterday’s Dáil vote on the future of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle. Murphy survived the vote - but there will be longer-term consequences from the controversy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wednesday April 2nd is when US president Donald Trump is expected to announce tariffs on a wide range of imports from several countries, probably including the European Union. But what can the EU do in response? Cliff Taylor and Jack Power join Hugh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy and Sarah Burns join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:·       The Dáil will enter uncharted territory next Tuesday as a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy will be debated in the Dáil. Mary Lou McDonald and Labour leader Ivan Bacik are united in their insistence that Murphy’s position is no longer tenable with new speaking time slots for coalition-supporting Independents and Government backbenchers on Dáil schedule.·       Donald Trump has pledged to unveil his new tariffs on April 2nd, dubbing the event “liberation day”, but how will they impact new investment here and the spectacular corporate tax receipts that have been rolling in for the last few years?·       And the ‘desperate state’ of the State’s water system was highlighted by Uisce Éireann this week with “extraordinary complacency” and “passive indifference” around investment to blame. They also explained the clear link between future housing growth and good water services. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:·       Top US officials sharing military strike details in group chat with a journalist, the Web Summit case and the friendships ruined, and five years on – where did the Covid virus originate? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.