This episode is a change of pace - no politics this week, but instead I offer a personal refection on how and why Stephen Sondheim could make me laugh and cry more readily than any other writer. This is based on my recent column. I also created a Spotify Playlist to accompany this column. It includes songs mentioned here, plus a few other personal favourites. 

This week's podcast looks at how Micheál Martin may enjoy the trappings of being Taoiseach, but eschews the political leadership responsibility that goes with it in favour of managerial minimalism. This podcast is based on this article: https://derekmooney.ie/2021/11/19/does-mm-stand-for-micheal-martin-or-managerial-minimalism/

In this episode I dismiss the easy speculation that Sinn Féin is set to be in govt North and South soon, but I warn that it cannot be ruled out... unless one of the two traditional big parties finally comes to its political senses. I also take a quick look at the most recent Sunday Business Post/RedC poll and see where this sits in the recent series of political polls.  This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/11/02/the-shinners-ready-themselves-for-government-but-are-we-ready-for-them/

I refer to a BEERG Byte podcast on the Italian Green Pass in my Podcast. You can listen to it HERE. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/19/this-weeks-covid19-reopening-should-have-gone-ahead/

In this episode I look at Fianna Fail's problems in defining itself, particularly the seeming unwillingness, or inability, of its leader to do it. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/13/when-leadership-colours-matter-fail-to-define-yourself-and-others-will-do-it-for-you/

In this episode I look at the NDP launch and the October Budget and reflect briefly on the latest Irish Times poll showing Sinn Féin moving 10pts ahead of Fine Gael. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/07/maybe-wed-believe-them-more-if-the-numbers-were-smaller/

In this episode I discuss the stories of rape, bullying and discrimination as related in RTÉ's Women of Honour radio documentary and the failure of the Irish military command to pursue these cases and deliver justice to the victims. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/28/women-of-extraordinary-honour-and-courage/

This Mooney on Politics podcast looks at the recent faux controversy over President Higgins declining an invitation to a NI100 church service in Armagh. I show how former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, set out the right approach to commemoration in a speech in May 2010 and show how President's decision is in keeping with this approach. 

This podcast is based on this recent blogpost:  https://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/21/three-more-reasons-why-the-president-is-right-to-decline-invitation/

You can get a copy of Brian Cowen's May 2010 speech, here: https://dsmooney.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/brian_cowen_institute_for_british_irish.pdf

In this Mooney on Politics episode I look at the recent no confidence motion on the day after the vote, using my column from a few days before. The column on which this episode is based is available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/16/a-brief-history-of-the-no-confidence-motion/

This is my first Mooney on Political podcast since the Summer break. My last one was about five weeks ago… and what an eventful five weeks it has been. In this episode I look at the fallout from the mishandling of Zapponegate and explore how the return of norrmal politics post Covid restrictions means we are nearing political endgame for the leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael This podcast is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/07/the-pubs-are-re-opening-so-normal-politics-is-resuming-and-endgame-is-near/