Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:·      Micheál Martin will likely have taken notes following the visits of Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer to the White House this week, each having enjoyed positive relations with US President Donald Trump. Trump congratulated the Taoiseach on his recent appointment as he issued an invitation for March 12th to mark St Patrick’s Day.·      The row over additional speaking rights for Independent TDs who back the Government rumbled on this week with Opposition unhappy with the decision by Government to use its majority on the Dáil Reform Committee to push through proposals to change Dáil rules.·      An X-ray scanning machine purchased by the National Gallery of Ireland eight years ago, and valued at €124,805, was never actually used. Instead it laid idle because no suitable room to house it has been found. Arts minister Patrick O’Donovan questioned the rationale behind the National Gallery’s decision to buy the scanner if they had nowhere to put it.·      And will Irish neutrality become an issue in Brussels after suggestions from the Trump administration that it will no longer honour European security commitments? Is Irish military spending about to soar? Plus, the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including the secret behind far-right AfD’s growth in Germany, the funeral of former senior IRA member Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, and Donald Trump revives Canada’s Liberals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh talks to Berlin correspondent Derek Scally to find out about the weekend's Bundestag elections, described as the most significant in decades. The centre-right CDU will lead a new coalition, with far-right AfD becoming the main opposition party. Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and incoming chancellor, faces huge challenges, not least addressing Germany's deepening economic and security concerns. AfD leader Alice Weidel insists the new coalition that is likely to emerge will not last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s been lots of noise, threats and bluster. But what has Donald Trump really achieved in his first five weeks in office? And could the non-stop drama of his leadership already be wearing thin among voters who welcomed his return? Meanwhile, the pace and aggression of Trump’s leadership means his Democratic Party opponents have plenty of material to work with - but the party still lacks coherent leadership to deliver its message. Washington correspondent Keith Duggan joins Hugh to discuss the impact of Trump’s executive orders, atmospheric shifts in Washington and the faltering response of the Democrats.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: Sinn Féin announced it would not send representatives to Washington for St Patrick's Day, in protest over the proposed "mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and the permanent seizure of Palestinian lands". Should the Government provide tax breaks for developers to encourage homebuilding? Within Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, there are opposing views. The speaking rights row is not over. Is there a solution? Plus the panel pick their favourite Irish Times stories of the week. And finally, an announcement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent election and appointments to cabinet were a step backwards for gender representation in Irish politics. On today's podcast Hugh and Jennifer are joined by Aldagh McDonogh, chairperson of Women for Election, to talk about why Ireland has among the lowest proportion of female elected politicians in Europe. The conversation covers the history of female representation in Ireland, the impact of gender quotas, and the systemic and cultural barriers preventing more women from entering politics. They also look at the significance of incumbency, the need for support at local levels, and the potential future landscape of Irish politics with more balanced gender representation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Micheál Martin's recent signalling of a possible policy shift regarding Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) has put housing policy back in the spotlight. On today's podcast Hugh discusses the evolving housing policy landscape with Michael Byrne, a housing researcher at UCD.Michael explains the limitations and impacts of RPZs on affordability and supply, and alternative systems of rent control that might replace it.They also discuss the growing role of institutional landlords and the complex tradeoffs involved in addressing supply, affordability, and rates of homeownership.Michael Byrne is a lecturer in political economy at UCD's School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and the author of The Week in Housing blog on Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh for our weekly Irish politics wrap:Did Taoiseach Micheál Martin call Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald a liar, in breach of arcane Dáil rules? Our panel of lapsed Gaeilgeoirí struggle to analyse the linguistic nuances of what Martin said, but identify an underlying political attitude. Minister for the Arts Patrick O'Donovan this week kitchen-sinked the news that the Arts Council wasted millions on an IT system that didn't work. The story adds to a perception of wastefulness in public spending, but could be an opportunity for the new Minister to prove himself. Housing became the other big issue of the week when the Taoiseach hinted at changes to the system of rent pressure zones. The pressure is on Martin to deliver on housing before he hands back over to Simon Harris - can he make a dent? Plus the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, on P.G. Wodehouse, the art of mingling and what happens when power goes to a leader's head. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support for Irish unity has grown significantly in the past three years in Northern Ireland, though a clear majority remains in favour of remaining part of the United Kingdom, according to the latest opinion poll for The Irish Times and the ARINS Project.On today’s Inside Politics podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by political editor Pat Leahy and Brendan O’Leary from the University of Pennsylvania to discuss the latest findings from the project, a study that explores attitudes to a possible future united Ireland.They discuss recent trends in public opinion regarding Irish reunification, the demographic shifts influencing the movement, and the prospects for planning and compromise in the face of potential unity.The conversation also covers the varying attitudes between the North and the Republic on issues like preparedness for a future United Ireland and whether NATO and Commonwealth membership should be adopted in the event of reunification. The North and South series is a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South), a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is just three weeks since Donald Trump was inaugurated but his impact has been huge. A flurry of executive orders and aggressive actions is already reshaping American life. On today's podcast Hugh discusses the Trump presidency with conservative commentator Michael Brendan Dougherty. The conversation covers Dougherty's evolving views on Trump, the impact of Trump's executive orders, and the ideological shifts within American conservatism.They explore Trump's unpredictable political strategies, the tension within the Republican Party and the challenges facing the Democratic Party in regaining lost constituencies.Michael Brendan Dougherty is a writer for National Review and the author of My Father Left Me Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:·      Letters from Independent TDs to to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy stating they will support the Government on a “case-by-case” basis has brough the true size of the coalition’s majority into question.·      The speculation around picks for the last 11 Seanad seats suggests Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will opt for greater gender balance.·      Incoming Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, like the raft of other new senior ministers, will look to hit the ground running in his new role. Addressing dwindling Garda numbers and restoring a sense of safety to Dublin’s city streets will be high on his priority list.·      Although the contest to succeed President Michael D Higgins is not happening until late autumn, there are already some eye-catching, if unlikely, potential candidates, not least the Irish Times’ own Fintan O’Toole.  Plus, the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including the defunding of USAID and peace process absurdities, radical right momentum in Europe, and a Chitty-averse arts minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.