A View from the Ditch

James and William discuss the recent by-election for the Seanad Éireann Dublin University constituency; some of the candidates who contested it and the issues raised during the campaign; the elitism of the Seanad in general and the university panels in particular, and the lack of interest in reform; and Tom Clonan’s victory and what it might mean.

James and William discuss Ivana Bacik's uncontested election as leader of the Labour party, the reasons for her predecessor's ousting, and the challenges the party faces.

Dr Conor McCabe joined us to discuss the Government's 'Housing for All' plan.

Dr McCabe is the author of Sins of the Father: Tracing the Decisions That Shaped the Irish Economy (2011) and Money (2018), and is a co-host of The Week at Work podcast.

Stiofán Ó Nualláin of Trademark Belfast speaks to us about the causes of the riots in Northern Ireland in April; the resignation of First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster; the existential crisis, as he sees it, of political unionism; and the ongoing debates, north and south, about the prospect of a border poll.

We discuss the results of the momentous Seanad by-elections; the split in the Workers’ Party; Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond’s modest proposal for a united Ireland; and the forcible removal by Gardaí of striking Debenham’s workers from the former Henry Street shop; and then we’re joined by Michelle Byrne to discuss her campaign for greater transparency in local government - specifically public access to meetings of Waterford City and County Council - as well as her involvement with the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU).

We discuss the upcoming Seanad bye-elections and the controversy they have caused within the Green Party; Paschal Donohue and the touchy subject, for Fine Gael, of children's shoes; a recent escalation in the Debenham's dispute; and we're joined by John McElligott of Safety Before LNG to discuss the long-running local campaign against the proposed Shannon LNG terminal, the government's promise to withdraw support for the project, and the call for a ban on the importation of fracked gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals (the interview begins around 27:50).

First broadcast Saturday 20 March 2021 on Quarantine FM

First broadcast Saturday 13 March 2021 on Quarantine FM