In this episode Eamonn is joined by Professor Deirdre Heenan and journalist Dearbhail McDonald to analyse the response to the Covid 19 pandemic in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

Derry based Deirdre, who is formerly Provost and Dean of Academic Development at the Magee Campus is one of Northern Ireland's most distinguished researchers, authors and broadcasters.

Dearbhail is a Dublin based, Newry born author, broadcaster and commentator. She is a recognisable face and voice in the Republic of Ireland.

In this episode Eamonn is joined by Professor Diarmaid Ferriter one of Ireland’s best known historians and Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD. Diarmaid is also an Irish Times contributor.

Areas discussed include: the formation of a government in Dublin, Sinn Féin's current government shutout, Leo Varadkar's standing post Covid-19, Boris Johnson's leadership, the death of George Flyod and Donald Trump's re-election chances.

In this episode Eamonn is joined by Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss: legacy and pension payments for victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles, the current British government's Covid-19 response, the recent race protests in the USA and Donald Trump.

In this episode Eamonn is joined by Professor Phil Scraton, of Queen's University Belfast and Claire McKeegan a leading human rights lawyer who are discussing legal options open to families of loved ones who died in care homes in Northern Ireland from Covid-19.

More than half of all Covid-19 deaths took place in care homes in Northern Ireland.

Dr Scraton, who played a seminal role in getting to the truth of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster which claimed 96 lives, and Ms McKeegan debate the pros and cons of inquests or a public inquiry into deaths in care homes.

Eamonn is joined by Professor Gabriel Scally president of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. Gabriel gives his view on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In this episode Eamonn is once again joined by US based Ted Smyth, a leader in strategic communications, brand management and government affairs. Ted has been a senior executive at two Fortune 200 companies and an Irish diplomat.

Areas for discussion in this episode include: America's handling of Covid-19, Donald Trump’s agenda, Joe Biden's bid for The White House, Barack Obama’s recent comments and the American economy

Ted was Chief Administrative Officer of the H.J. Heinz Company from 2003 to 2009 where he was responsible for Global Human Resources, Communications, Government Affairs and Crisis Management. He was an Irish diplomat for 15 years, from 1972 to 1988, serving in Portugal, Geneva, the United States and the United Kingdom. Ted now serves on the boards of Glucksman Ireland House NYU and Marlboro College and is Chair of the Clinton Institute in University College Dublin.

In this episode Eamonn is joined by two of Northern Ireland's best informed health correspondents - Lisa Smyth of the Belfast Telegraph and Seanin Graham of the Irish News along with Claire McKeegan a leading human rights lawyer. 

Areas for discussion include: what has been going on with Coronavirus in Northern Ireland, are we getting the full picture from the administration in Parliament buildings in terms of how they are handling the situation, the role of the media and the performance of Northern Ireland's politicians.

Eamonn’s guest in this episode is the former Rome Correspondent for the Irish Times Paddy Agnew. Areas for discussion throughout the course of this conversation include: the Italian response to Covid-19, the economic consequences facing Italy and the pathway to economic and social recovery as Italy emerges from lockdown.

 

Kilrea born Paddy has been living in Italy since 1985 and is arguably Ireland’s most informed Irishman in Italy. Paddy is also a well-respected football writer and Author of Forza Italia.

Award winning journalist Eamonn Mallie is joined by Claire Trevett, the Senior Politics Writer of the New Zealand Herald to discuss New Zealand’s successful handling of Covid-19.

In this episode Eamonn is joined by Ted Smyth, a leader in strategic communications, brand management and government affairs. Ted has been a senior executive at two Fortune 200 companies and an Irish diplomat. Areas for discussion in this episode include: The American administration’s handling of Covid-19, the phenomenon that is Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s election chances, USA-Irish relations and Ted’s years working alongside Tony O’Reilly.