Inside Politics The Irish Times

Despite the government's comfortable defeat of a motion of no confidence this week, the fallout continues as it reacts to the forthcoming lifting of the eviction ban. "They've made a hames of it," according to Pat Leahy. Jack Horgan Jones analyses how Green support is slipping among young voters and the number of WhatsApp leaks is indicative of a very unhappy party. Plus, the attitude to the Windsor Framework in Brussels and is Leo Varadkar in the make-or-break phase of his political career?
Hugh's article of the week is Finn McRedmond's opinion piece on whether this generation is worse off than its parents.
Pat particularly enjoyed Fintan O'Toole' grudging admission that he's finally fallen in love with rugby.
Jack Horgan Jones recommends Mark Paul's London Letter, after attending the annual Press and Political Reception at the Irish embassy in Belgravia.

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The contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon has been heating up over the last number of weeks, as the three candidates vying for the position, have clashed over policy issues and the future of the party. The first leadership contest in 20 years; it’s generally believed to be a two-horse race between current Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, with former Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan, trailing behind in popularity.  
So what can we expect from the final days of the contest, will the next leader unite or divide the SNP and how will the emerging cracks be covered over?
To discuss all this and more, Hugh is joined by Scotland Editor of The Spectator Alex Massie and London Correspondent Mark Paul who is following the contest from Edinburgh.


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It's St Patrick's Day week and ministers are flying off to press the flesh around the world. Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about everything that's going on back home in politics including:

Joe Biden will visit Ireland next month. How will he be received North and South? Tanaiste Micheal Martin says Ireland has 'turned a corner' on housing. Is he right?An errant tweet has landed the Green Party's communications director in hot water and put the spotlight on divisions within the party.

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One issue has dominated the agenda on what was an already busy week for politics. The decision to lift the eviction ban was a shock reversal of what was expected from Tuesday's cabinet meeting, according to Jack Horgan-Jones. The maelstrom of personal stories from worried renters gives the opposition an easily-understood attack line from now until the next election. Coalition tensions are also mounting over plans to reduce private car usage, with Green ambitions to introduce congestion charges. Cormac McQuinn also highlights the potential minefield for the government if it opts for holding three referendums relating to gender equality in November. Plus the panel choose their Irish Times article of the week:
Kitty Holland's explainer on referendums relating to the constitution's article on 'women in the home'
Fiona Reddan's deep dive into why Ireland has Europe's most expensive housing market
Conor Capplis' passionate article in favour of Paul Mescal taking the Oscar for Best Actor at this weekend's Academy Awards

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People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire Richard Boyd Barrett talks to Hugh and Jen about a pamphlet recently published by his party that set out its unashamedly radical politics and questioned how far the electorate could trust Sinn Fein to implement left-wing policies if in government.
They also discuss Richard's views on the need to nationalise industries, how to tackle the housing crisis and when it is appropriate to object to housing in a politician's constituency.

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Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about the week in politics:

Minister of state Niall Collins fails to put questions over a planning application to bedPeople Before Profit publish a remarkable documentWhere new Soc Dems leader Holly Cairns can find votes for her party
Plus the panel talk about their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:

Matt Hancock's leaked Whatsapp messages Harry McGee talks to a Louth councillor who was targeted online for her stance on refugeesDenis Staunton paints a picture of springtime in Beijing
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