The pandemic is not over but the emergency phase of the State's response to it is. So, how did we do? What lessons can be learned from the state's response and what's the best way to find out what those lessons are?

To discuss Hugh is joined by Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole and by political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones, who is the co-author with Hugh O'Connell of a new book, Pandemonium, about the pandemic in Ireland and the State's response.

Pandemonium will be available in April and you can preorder it now at the link below.

https://www.bookstation.ie/product/pandemonium/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Hill is a former White House official who advised presidents Bush, Obama and Trump on European and Russian affairs, and who is perhaps best known for her testimony in President Trump's impeachment hearings.

Now she has written a book, There Is Nothing For You Here, about her life, her path to the White House and the declining politics of the US, Britain and Russia.

She talks to Hugh Linehan about the book and the current tensions in Eastern Europe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To understand the strategy and politics behind Russian president Vladimir Putin's buildup of military might on Ukraine's border and how Ukraine, the United States, Europe and Nato are responding, Hugh talks to foreign policy expert Tom Wright.

Tom Wright is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, a Washington-based foreign policy think tank, and the director of its Centre on the United States and Europe. 

He’s the author of two books: Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order (with co-author Colin Kahl) and All Measures Short of War: The Contest For the 21st Century and the Future of American Power.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pressure continues to build on UK prime minister Boris Johnson. Denis Staunton has the latest from London.

But first Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray talk about Minister for Justice Helen McEntee's plan to tackle gender-based violence and the growing optimism that Covid-19 rules can be relaxed and ultimately dismantled.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat is joined by Kevin Cunnimgham and Ed Brophy to talk about the major trends that could shape politics in 2022. Will the pandemic continue to dominate everything? How will the return of Leo Varadkar to the office of Taoiseach work in practice? If the cost of living continues its rise as a major issue of concern for voters, who will benefit politically?

Dr Kevin Cunningham is a lecturer in Politics and Chair of the MA in Journalism course at TU Dublin.

Ed Brophy is former chief advisor to Fine Gael minister for finance Paschal Donohoe and former chief of staff to Labour tánaiste Joan Burton. He is also senior associate with climate change think tank E3G.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again you asked and once again we will answer. Jen, Pat and Jack join Hugh to respond to listener queries on everything from the possibility of a far-right swing in one major political party's future to the role of expert advisors in the age of Covid-19 and the festive magic of Seanad reform.

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions and apologies to those whose question we didn't get to this time.

From everyone on the Inside Politics team, thanks for listening in 2021. We wish you a happy and safe 2022.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The resignation of Lord David Frost has introduced a new uncertainty to slowly-progressing talks on the Northern Ireland protocol. EU negotiators would be foolish to think Frost's departure is necessarily a good thing, says London editor Denis Staunton.

But first, public affairs editor Simon Carswell on the uncertain situation faced by the country as we head into Christmas with the Omicron variant spreading.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rebellion by Tory MPs against Boris Johnson's "Plan B" to suppress the Omicron variant left the PM in the embarrassing position of needing Labour support. Is Johnson on borrowed time?

On the Brexit front, the UK government rowed back on its demand for European court supremacy over the Northern Ireland protocol, the Brexit agreement covering trade in Northern Ireland. Is the way now paved for a deal in the new year?

In Northern Ireland, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is "a mouse dodging under the feet of two elephants" when it comes to the protocol negotiations. Where will a deal leave the DUP with some of its more anti-protocol supporters?

Plus: recent polls have added some interesting data points to the ongoing debate about the Irish reunification. The fiery politics of recent years may have hardened positions on all three - yes, three - sides.

Today's guests are Denis Staunton and Newton Emerson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.