Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

4.4 (542)
POLITICS
UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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.

1 DAY AGO

Martin survives his close encounter of the Trump kind

Pat Leahy reports from Washington where Taoiseach Micheal Martin met US president Donald Trump this afternoon. How did the Taoiseach do? In part two, Harry McGee talks to political scientist Dr Kevin Cunningham about the evolution of polling and what data reveals about Irish political trends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

53 min
3 DAYS AGO

Will falling behind on climate cost Ireland billions?

A report last week made a stark forecast: Ireland will be subject to EU fines and costs ranging from from €8 billion to €26 billion for failing to meet its 2030 climate goals. So why are we not taking more action, more swiftly to avoid this fiscal calamity - or indeed to avoid the underlying catastrophe of climate change? Hugh talks to Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy at University College Cork, and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 min
6 DAYS AGO

Will Sinn Féin back a left unity candidate for the presidency?

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: · Did Simon Harris put his foot in his mouth when he contradicted the US account of a phone call between him and Donald Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio? The comments added to jitters over the Taoiseach’s visit to Trump’s White House next week. · Security and Ireland’s defence have roared onto the political agenda. Is our political system ready for the debate about how to respond? · This week left wing parties including Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Greens held talks to explore running a joint candidate in this year’s presidential election. But will the idea fly? Plus, the panellists pick their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week, including Ireland’s unintelligent intelligence services, the fight back against Ireland’s Covid grade inflation and hope for Ireland at next year’s Oscar winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

39 min
5 MAR

Can Europe defend itself without the United States?

US president Donald Trump's hard line with allies and his overtures to Russia have upended assumptions about the transatlantic security alliance. So where does it leave Europe and Ireland? Hugh talks to Edward Burke from UCD's Centre for War Studies and Irish Times security correspondent Conor Gallagher. They discuss Ukraine's ability to fight on without US assistance, the future of European security architecture and what these changes mean for Ireland's defence policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 min
3 MAR

Did Brexit make a Border poll inevitable?

How ready are citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for a border poll? What role would economics play in the debate? And what impact has Brexit had? The Irish Question, a new documentary by Alan Gilsenan and John Walsh, considers these questions through interviews with key players including former US president Bill Clinton. Alan and John talked to Hugh about their documentary and what they learned while making it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48 min
28 FEB

How should Micheál Martin approach his White House visit?

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: · Micheál Martin will likely have taken notes following the visits of Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer to the White House this week, each having enjoyed positive relations with US President Donald Trump. Trump congratulated the Taoiseach on his recent appointment as he issued an invitation for March 12th to mark St Patrick’s Day. · The row over additional speaking rights for Independent TDs who back the Government rumbled on this week with Opposition unhappy with the decision by Government to use its majority on the Dáil Reform Committee to push through proposals to change Dáil rules. · An X-ray scanning machine purchased by the National Gallery of Ireland eight years ago, and valued at €124,805, was never actually used. Instead it laid idle because no suitable room to house it has been found. Arts minister Patrick O’Donovan questioned the rationale behind the National Gallery’s decision to buy the scanner if they had nowhere to put it. · And will Irish neutrality become an issue in Brussels after suggestions from the Trump administration that it will no longer honour European security commitments? Is Irish military spending about to soar? Plus, the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including the secret behind far-right AfD’s growth in Germany, the funeral of former senior IRA member Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, and Donald Trump revives Canada’s Liberals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 min
25 FEB

Germany's 'it'll be grand' coalition inherits a country in crisis

Hugh talks to Berlin correspondent Derek Scally to find out about the weekend's Bundestag elections, described as the most significant in decades. The centre-right CDU will lead a new coalition, with far-right AfD becoming the main opposition party. Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and incoming chancellor, faces huge challenges, not least addressing Germany's deepening economic and security concerns. AfD leader Alice Weidel insists the new coalition that is likely to emerge will not last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

34 min
24 FEB

Is Trump's honeymoon period already over?

There’s been lots of noise, threats and bluster. But what has Donald Trump really achieved in his first five weeks in office? And could the non-stop drama of his leadership already be wearing thin among voters who welcomed his return? Meanwhile, the pace and aggression of Trump’s leadership means his Democratic Party opponents have plenty of material to work with - but the party still lacks coherent leadership to deliver its message. Washington correspondent Keith Duggan joins Hugh to discuss the impact of Trump’s executive orders, atmospheric shifts in Washington and the faltering response of the Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

32 min

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Hugh Linehan

Host

4.4

out of 5

542 Ratings

Lacks scrutiny

25/11/2024

avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa

Election episode unserious and lacking in scrutiny
Best Irish politics Pod.

20/11/2024

MonicaR-K

Never miss it. Always well thrashed out topics, fair and insightful but with an occasional lighter moment.
Favourite podcast by a mile

12/11/2024

Tash NíT

This is my favourite podcast for all things politics. I find the gang are well read and offer excellent insights and viewpoints and also give a fair platform to all guests. My only request would be more live events please!
Yawn

19/11/2024

Bobbydub86!

If you’re looking for a podcast that consistently slams Sinn Fein this is perfect. The biases is astonishing. Im not even a sinn fein voter but it’s exhausting. Such a turn off

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.