In this episode I look at the political indifference underpinning the difficult relationships in the Irish defence establishment. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/02/27/no-defence-of-defence-relationships/

In this episode I suggest that we will not see a return to the normal exercise and discussion of ordinary politics until we are all able to safely have a pint or a drink without food in a non-gastro pub (the so-called Wet Bars). For that to happen, the vaccination programme will need to roll out much faster.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/01/20/normal-political-service-will-resume-when-pubs-reopen/

I look at the row over increasing the pay of the Secretary General at the Dept of Health by €80k. While some commentators are fixating on the personalities involved, I argue that the focus should be on (i). what is the role of the Sec Gen in the department of health and (ii) how is this value for money and (iii) how was this vacancy allowed to arise (and run for almost eight months) in the midst of a major public health emergency.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/02/16/government-bidding-against-itself-on-top-officials-pay/