Inside Politics

By The Irish Times

What's Inside Politics about?

The best analysis of the Irish political scene featuring Irish Times journalists, political thinkers and the occasional politician. Hosted by Hugh Linehan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Inside Politics episodes:

04.19.2024
Grading Harris, migration pact flashpoint, the lure of Taylor Swift
On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Hugh Linehan, Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray look back on the week in politics: Two weeks in, Simon Harris has already experienced some minor controversies as Taoiseach. But how is he doing overall? As the Greens head...
04.17.2024
The uncertain futures of Poland and Germany - with Derek Scally
With its fast-growing economy and increasing significance as a player in European security, Poland’s political direction will have a major bearing on the future of Europe. But the centrist coalition led by Donald Tusk is grappling with how to unwind...
04.12.2024
Northern Ireland has weathered Jeffery Donaldson's shock departure - for now
Alex Kane, Lisa Whitten, Freya McClements and Pat Leahy joined Hugh Linehan in Northern Ireland for a live show at the MAC in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The panel discussed the shocking departure of Jeffrey Donaldson from the pinnacle of NI politics, how...
04.09.2024
McDonald hits a nerve as Harris takes the reins
Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his minimal Cabinet reshuffle. Did he go far enough to satisfy Fine Gaelers, or voters looking for change? They also talk...
04.05.2024
Can Simon Harris build any kind of policy departure before this government ends?
Ahead of Simon Harris’s first Fine Gael Ard Fheis as party leader, Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to discuss the potential quick wins and policy departures Harris can look to implement when his expected tenure as taoiseach...
04.03.2024
David Rieff on Ukraine, Gaza, populism and the death of art
On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Hugh is joined by David Rieff. David is the author of many books, including In Praise of Forgetting. He reported on war in Bosnia in the 1990s, and has written on everything from the political and ethical...
03.27.2024
Fintan O'Toole: What does Simon Harris stand for?
What sort of a politician is Simon Harris? What can we learn from his record? And what sort of a Taoiseach is he going to be? Columnist Fintan O'Toole joins Hugh Linehan and Jennifer Bray to dig into the presumptive...
03.22.2024
Simon Harris takes the reins of a party in trouble
Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy and Harry McGee to talk about the swift emergence of Simon Harris as Fine Gael leader and taoiseach-in-waiting. They look back at his career to date and identify a potential strategy to lead Fine...
03.20.2024
Why did Leo Varadkar choose this moment to go?
Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to discuss today's unexpected announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that he is stepping down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.20.2024
'Rishi Sunak can't do politics' - British broadcaster Iain Dale on why he may not vote Tory for the first time ever
British political pundit, broadcaster and podcaster Ian Dale joins Hugh to discuss the upcoming UK general election and the state of British politics. A Conservative supporter, Iain explains why he may not be able to vote for the party for...
03.15.2024
Gaza overshadows St Patrick's Day trips
Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics, including the annual migration of Ministers to foreign lands for St Patrick's Day. But with the crisis in Gaza on many Irish voters' minds, Taoiseach Leo...
03.13.2024
Referendum aftermath: a deep dive into the political repercussions
Last weekend's referendum defeats have jolted the political establishment. How could all major parties and many other players have got it so badly wrong - and does the failure reveal something deeper going on? To discuss this, Hugh is joined by...
03.09.2024
‘Two wallops’ for Government as No-No vote emerges strong
Although counting is still underway in the family and care referendums, the Government has already admitted defeat, with a No-No result looking like the only outcome. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described the result as two wallops for Government, while Tánaiste Micheál...
03.08.2024
Is Europe in a ‘pre-war phase’?
Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: There were some interesting developments during the European People's Party (EPP) congress in Bucharest this week – Ursula von der Leyen was roundly endorsed for...
03.06.2024
Could angry farmers upend European politics?
Farmer protest movements are becoming an increasingly important part of the political landscape across Europe, from Poland, where they have been spurred by the lifting of tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural produce, to the Netherlands, where Government plans to cut nitrogen...
03.01.2024
Does it matter if the Government lose these referendums?
Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: One week out from the care and family referendums taking place on March 8th and campaigning on both sides is finally in full swing, the...
02.28.2024
European elections: a battle between the heavy hitters
Political scientist Theresa Reidy and political correspondent Harry McGee join Hugh to look ahead to June's European elections, when voters in Ireland and across the EU will pick their Members of the European Parliament. Since the last election in 2019,...
02.23.2024
Is Catherine Martin in political danger?
The latest scandal engulfing RTÉ and Minister for Media Catherine Martin may be more cock-up than conspiracy, but it is no less damaging for that. The fallout from the dispute over who knew what, when about retirement payments to outgoing executives...
02.21.2024
Is Ukrainian democracy functioning after two years of war?
As the second anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is still a very popular figure among voters. But with no elections having been held since 2019, and with martial law applying in the country, is democracy being...
02.19.2024
Referendums: What the amendments would really mean
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, has taken over the functions previously held by the Referendum Commission in relation to referendums. That means it is responsible for explaining the forthcoming referendums on care and the family. Chair of An Coimisiún Ms Justice Marie...
02.16.2024
Was Sinn Féin's licence fee amnesty proposal a misstep?
Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics: In another awful week for RTÉ before an Oireachtas committee, was it a mistake for Sinn Féin to raise the idea of an amnesty for those...
02.14.2024
Head-to-head: The Yes and No arguments ahead of the family and care referendums
At this point we are definitively into the campaign for the two referendums on family and care due to take place on March 8th. The data from the recent Irish Times/Ipsos B&A; poll showed substantial majorities in favour of both...
02.09.2024
Sinn Féin poll slump: ‘tide not gone out for them just yet’
Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: The latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A; poll shows support for Sinn Féin took a significant dent, down six points – its lowest level in three years....
02.07.2024
Will immigration hand the White House back to Trump?
Washington Correspondent Keith Duggan talks to Hugh Linehan about the seemingly inevitable rematch between US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump. What issues will dominate the campaign? It's early days, but the flow of immigrants at the southern...
02.05.2024
Britain and Ireland will change. It's time to get ready
In the past decade relationships between the different parts of the UK and Ireland have changed. The push for Scottish independence, growing support for Irish reunification and the Brexit process have all challenged the status quo. But what comes next? Common...
02.02.2024
Who's who in the Yes and No campaigns, Orbán bows to EU pressure
Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: Pat is in Brussels where the EU has agreed on a €50 billion package for Kyiv. He reports on how Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán was finally...
01.31.2024
Stormont will return: analysis from Belfast, London and Dublin
Pat Leahy, Freya McClements and Mark Paul join Hugh to discuss the DUP's acceptance of a historic deal that allows power-sharing in Northern Ireland to resume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01.26.2024
As the ICJ rules against Israel, Gaza remains an issue in Irish politics
Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics: Gaza is proving a persistent issue in Irish politics, and today’s ruling at the International Court of Justice could place more pressure on the Government to support...
01.24.2024
Under pressure: Roderic O'Gorman on tackling the refugee accommodation crisis
Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman is the man at the centre of one of the most severe and contentious problems facing the State: how to handle the huge increase in people arriving to seek International Protection. The war in Ukraine exacerbated...
01.19.2024
Is the political system starting to bend to asylum seeker protests?
Host Hugh Linehan is joined Cormac McQuinn and Jennifer Bray on this week’s wrap with housing for refugees and asylum seekers, and the lack of alternative accommodation, now a perennial talking point, especially in this year of elections. But has...
01.17.2024
Are Britain's media and politics broken? With James O'Brien
British broadcaster and author James O'Brien returns to Inside Politics to talk about his most recent book, How They Broke Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01.12.2024
‘Referendums that won’t grasp the imagination’
There are two referendums around the corner on March 8th, but are they too complex and less immediately understandable than other referendums in recent times? Hugh is joined by Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray and on the podcast, with Jennifer...
01.10.2024
Vote! Vote! Vote! A year of election predictions in one podcast
In the first half of 2024 highly consequential elections will take place in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico among others. Things get closer to home later in the year with European parliament elections, local elections and possibly a...
01.03.2024
‘Irish people love elections!’
Still less than a year in existence, the Electoral Commission is set for a packed 2024 with local and European elections in June, a referendum in March and strong odds of a general election too before the year is out....
12.29.2023
Ask us anything, 2023 edition - part two
It's part two of the traditional Inside Politics end-of-year Ask Us Anything podcast. Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn are in celebratory mood as they answer your questions about elections, policies and politicians. Wishing a Happy...
12.27.2023
Ask us anything, 2023 edition - part one
It's part one of the traditional Inside Politics end-of-year Ask Us Anything podcast. Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn hit play on a range of listener queries and even help one to settle a bet....
12.22.2023
A closer look at attitudes to reunification
North and South, how open are citizens to constitutional changes in order to make a United Ireland work? How much economic pain would they be willing to bear? What level of short-term pain would be felt worth any long-term gains? Understanding...
12.20.2023
Mary Lou McDonald on house prices, migration policy, defamation cases and more
Sinn Féin party leader and Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald sat down with Pat Leahy to talk about a range of policy areas, from housing to migration and reunification. They also discussed the practice of some Sinn Féin members...
12.15.2023
Summit surprises, wrapping the year
Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan for the final weekly politics wrap of 2023. Jennifer Bray is dialling in from Brussels, where the EU Council summit has been taking place, with national leaders meeting to discuss difficult issues including...
12.13.2023
Cop 28, the geopolitics of Net Zero and the future of energy - with Helen Thompson
An agreement has been reached at Cop 28 that includes a commitment to phasing out the use of fossil fuels, with some hailing it as an historic moment in the struggle to mitigate climate change. But an agreement is not...
12.08.2023
Sinn Féin lose confidence in their own motion
On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: There’s been a lukewarm reception to Cabinet-approved plans for referendums to amend the Constitution when it comes to removing the...
12.06.2023
The Origins and the problems of 'The Great Awokening'
In his new book, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time, political scientist Yascha Mounk has written the most comprehensive and detailed account yet of how a new form of progressive thinking has taken over the...
12.01.2023
2023's political highs, lows, winners, losers and funny bits
Hugh Linehan and podcast regulars Pat Leahy, Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray got together on Wednesday to look back on all the major (and some not-so-major) developments in Irish politics in 2023. And they did so in front of a...
11.29.2023
Talking about talking about immigration
Is it time for the political system to grapple more explicitly with how immigration is changing Ireland and what sort of model - integration? multiculturalism? - we as a state wish to pursue? Or is such a conversation only...
11.24.2023
Riot response a major challenge for McEntee
This week the Friday wrap panellists are joined by Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher to talk about how Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the entire State apparatus will respond to unprecedented violence...
11.22.2023
Will economic trouble mean an early election?
"With economic signals flashing amber, the next Irish general election might be sooner than we thought", argues Cliff Taylor in an analysis piece for The Irish Times. But does Cliff's economic reasoning survive contact with political logic? Jennifer Bray and...
11.17.2023
Are Fine Gael all out of fight ahead of a year that could define the party?
LIVE SHOW: Inside Politics will record live on Wednesday, November 29th in Dublin city centre. For details and to secure your ticket, follow this link: https://events.irishtimes.com/events/59159 Hugh Linehan is joined in studio by Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones. First up for...
11.15.2023
Spain's turbulent politics : 'Phrases like coup d'etat are floating around'
It is almost four months now since Spain went to the polls to elect a new parliament. This week it looks as if Socialist Party leader Pedro Sánchez is finally about to be confirmed for a new term as Prime...
11.12.2023
Sinn Féin keep focus on housing and Palestine at Ard Fheis
Housing, housing, housing and Palestine. Anyone hoping to hear much about anything else at this weekend’s Sinn Féin Ard Fheis will have left Athlone disappointed. Pat Leahy was there and he joins Hugh Linehan to discuss what happened at the conference,...
11.10.2023
Suella Braverman the maverick, stances on war, Sinn Féin's direction
Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: The dire situation in Israel and Palestine continues to dominate Irish political discourse.UK home secretary Suella Braverman's controversial opinion piece may cost her her job....

What's Inside Politics about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Inside Politics episodes:

Grading Harris, migration pact flashpoint, the lure of Taylor Swift

The uncertain futures of Poland and Germany - with Derek Scally

Northern Ireland has weathered Jeffery Donaldson's shock departure - for now

McDonald hits a nerve as Harris takes the reins

Can Simon Harris build any kind of policy departure before this government ends?

David Rieff on Ukraine, Gaza, populism and the death of art

Fintan O'Toole: What does Simon Harris stand for?

Simon Harris takes the reins of a party in trouble

Why did Leo Varadkar choose this moment to go?

'Rishi Sunak can't do politics' - British broadcaster Iain Dale on why he may not vote Tory for the first time ever

Gaza overshadows St Patrick's Day trips

Referendum aftermath: a deep dive into the political repercussions

‘Two wallops’ for Government as No-No vote emerges strong

Is Europe in a ‘pre-war phase’?

Could angry farmers upend European politics?

Does it matter if the Government lose these referendums?

European elections: a battle between the heavy hitters

Is Catherine Martin in political danger?

Is Ukrainian democracy functioning after two years of war?

Referendums: What the amendments would really mean

Was Sinn Féin's licence fee amnesty proposal a misstep?

Head-to-head: The Yes and No arguments ahead of the family and care referendums

Sinn Féin poll slump: ‘tide not gone out for them just yet’

Will immigration hand the White House back to Trump?

Britain and Ireland will change. It's time to get ready

Who's who in the Yes and No campaigns, Orbán bows to EU pressure

Stormont will return: analysis from Belfast, London and Dublin

As the ICJ rules against Israel, Gaza remains an issue in Irish politics

Under pressure: Roderic O'Gorman on tackling the refugee accommodation crisis

Is the political system starting to bend to asylum seeker protests?

Are Britain's media and politics broken? With James O'Brien

‘Referendums that won’t grasp the imagination’

Vote! Vote! Vote! A year of election predictions in one podcast

‘Irish people love elections!’

Ask us anything, 2023 edition - part two

Ask us anything, 2023 edition - part one

A closer look at attitudes to reunification

Mary Lou McDonald on house prices, migration policy, defamation cases and more

Summit surprises, wrapping the year

Cop 28, the geopolitics of Net Zero and the future of energy - with Helen Thompson

Sinn Féin lose confidence in their own motion

The Origins and the problems of 'The Great Awokening'

2023's political highs, lows, winners, losers and funny bits

Talking about talking about immigration

Riot response a major challenge for McEntee

Will economic trouble mean an early election?

Are Fine Gael all out of fight ahead of a year that could define the party?

Spain's turbulent politics : 'Phrases like coup d'etat are floating around'

Sinn Féin keep focus on housing and Palestine at Ard Fheis

Suella Braverman the maverick, stances on war, Sinn Féin's direction