Irish Times Inside Politics

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-catch

Hugh Linehan and guests discuss domestic political issues and European defence challenges. In part one, Pat Leahy talks about the resolution of the Dáil speaking rights row and the damage it has done to the Government.In part two, Jack Power joins from Brussels to discuss the EU's defence strategy in light of recent geopolitical shifts. They discuss Ireland's military neutrality, potential defence spending, and the EU's broader strategy against emerging threats. The conversation also touches on challenges facing the EU with the Trump administration's threat of tariffs and the upcoming German elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh speaks with Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about major political shifts happening in Germany ahead of the federal election later this month. Germany’s history has meant any cooperation between mainstream parties and the far-right has been an unbreakable taboo. Could that finally change? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:·      As the count continues to fill seats in the Upper House, and high-profile candidates lose out, the panel looks at whether the Seanad is a ‘creche for future TDs and a retirement home for others’.·      Ireland’s 23 new junior Ministers have been decided, but how many of them are real jobs, and who is likely to use their new position as a springboard to a senior ministry in the future?·      And the proposal to give the Regional Independent Group 10 minutes of speaking on Opposition time that caused uproar in the Dáil last week looks far from over with no resolution forthcoming.Plus, the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including Bertie for president? The place of small farms in modern Ireland, Latin America reacts to Trump’s aggression, and restriction on immigration in Ge

Are super-junior ministers allowed under the terms of the constitution? Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly this week launched a legal challenge against their use, just days after former taoiseach Leo Varadkar wrote a frank newspaper column about the necessity for these appointments. The panel also examines Sinn Féin's recent minor cabinet reshuffle and the party's strategic shift towards a more aggressive form of opposition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China correspondent Denis Staunton sits down with Hugh Linehan to talk about the impact of Donald Trump's reelection on the geopolitical landscape. Then he gives an overview of China's internal dynamics and its role on the international stage, at a moment in time when both are in flux.Topics include the rise and influence of tech billionaires in Trump's administration, contrasts between his first and second terms, and the preparedness of global powers for Trump's aggressive policies. Denis also talks about China’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting the country's economic challenges, the evolution of societal and familial norms due to the one-child policy, and the Chinese government's efforts to combat corruption. The discussion transitions to China's international strategy, particularly its investment in African relationships and its positioning in global diplomacy amidst changing Western attitudes. Finally, the potential for conflict over Taiwan is analysed, with Denis suggesting that despite tensions, C

Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: It came a day later than expected, and along predictable lines, but we have a new Government. Only Fine Gael’s Peter Burke has retained his ministry, with Fianna Fáil’s James Browne taking on the seemingly impossible job of Minister for Housing. But will voters punish this Government if it fails, like the last one, to adequately address the housing crisis?Cabinet appointments have been criticised with only three women becoming Ministers. Fianna Fáil’s decision to appoint one woman, Norma Foley taking over as Minister for Children and Disability, is particularly noticeable. Did Micheál Martin foresee the criticism and choose to ignore it? And the first two days of the 34th Dáil couldn’t have been more different. Thursday’s sedate and predictable sitting was preceded by chaos on Wednesday as the vote for a new taoiseach was suspended amid loud protests from Opposition parties over the

Instead of the expected election of a taoiseach and appointment of ministers, today Leinster House was the scene of chaos and an unprecedented disruption of Dáil tradition, with the Opposition saying it will not back down from its demands in a standoff over speaking time.Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy were there. They tell Hugh Linehan what happened and why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Later today the Dáil will return to elect Michéal Martin as taoiseach, after which new government ministers will be appointed. But who are the TDs in the running for each ministerial post, and how will they day unfold? Pat and Hugh discuss what we know and what we think we know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day Donald Trump returns to office as president of the United States, Hugh and Pat are joined by journalists Paul Colgan and Liz Carolan and Pat Leahy to look at what his administration might mean for Ireland's politics and economy. How should the incoming government handle Trump 2.0? Paul Colgan is a journalist and broadcaster. Liz Carolan works on democracy and technology issues, and writes at TheBriefing.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: ·      As the process of ratifying the Programme for Government continues, will the wheels of power slow down or will much-needed infrastructure projects get going while climate targets remain a priority?  ·      With Fianna Fáil set to have 8 Cabinet seats and 7 going to Fine Gael with Micheal Martin becoming next Taoiseach, which TDs are being tipped as the most likely for promotion and will outgoing senior ministers stay in Cabinet? ·      Cormac breaks down some minor controversy around the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann, involving Independent TD Michael Lowry and new Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. ·      And journalist Ken Foxe’s Freedom of Information request shows an email containing questions in advance of Taoiseach Simon Harris’s appearanc

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about the composition of the new Government and what we now know about the policies that will form the Programme for Government. They also discuss the decision by the Healy-Raes to demand a junior ministry. Will it dilute the essence of what the dynasty offers to the people of Kerry? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:·      The panel started by teasing out the convoluted and somewhat undemocratic Seanad election process. Is it better to be on the inside or the outside panel? And how important is it for nominees to possess sufficient qualifications?·      Does Sinn Féin need to change its message and personnel after so long in opposition? Could it be time for a reshuffle despite the party’s strength in areas like housing and finance?·      The decision on who will be the third leg of the next government edges ever closer, with Independent Ireland, the Regional Independent Group and the Healy-Rae brothers all still in contention. But what kind of ministries are in the offing?·      And speaking at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition, President Michael D Higgins described Nato’s call for increased mi

Government formation talks have ramped up since Christmas. What are the key points being discussed between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail? And what demands are Independent TDs making for their cooperation? Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan on today's Inside Politics podcast to talk through everything that has happened so far in the process that will determine much of the politics of the next five years. In part two the panellists forecast some of the issues that will impact politics in 2025, from law and order to the presidency of Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it: in 2023 Hugh spoke to American historian Gary Gerstle about his book The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order. Neoliberalism means different things to different people. As a set of economic policies it is mainly associated with reducing state intervention in commerce and society. In the course of its late 20th century heyday, neoliberalism transformed the world - for better or worse. But now its dominance is challenged by different models, such as the authoritarian capitalism of China. In his book Gary looks at how neoliberalism took hold, how it shaped society in the United States and beyond, and what its decline means. Gary Gerstle is Paul Mellon Professor of American History Emeritus and Paul Mellon Director of Research at the University of Cambridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it: back in March 2021 Hugh talked to Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about his book The Best Catholics in the World. In the book Derek embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Catholic Church has had on Ireland. In this conversation, Hugh and Derek discussed the origins of the book, the intersection of church, state and people and the strands of religion still intertwined in Irish society.This is the second of three back catalogue episodes this week. Inside Politics will return to its regular episodes from January 6th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In case you missed it: back in August 2023 Hugh talked to New Yorker magazine writer Clare Malone about the US presidential election, still then in its early stages. They also discussed the role of legacy media and new media in American politics.This is the first of three back catalogue episodes to come. Inside Politics will return to its regular episodes from January 6th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December the Inside Politics team discussed the year in politics and the aftermath of the general election in front of an audience at the Laughter Lounge in Dublin city centre. Joining Hugh, Pat, Jen and Harry for part of the show was Irish Times soccer columnist and Second Captains podcaster Ken Early, who gave his take on the election, what motivates people to vote the way they do, why Sinn Féin's support declined relative to 2020 and what he learned when a pollster called to his door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh for part two of our annual "ask me anything" to consider many excellent questions submitted by listeners. Thanks to everyone who sent in their questions. Thanks also to all who listened to the podcast this year. From everyone on the Inside Politics team, we wish you a happy 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.