Inside Politics The Irish Times

Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Harry McGee to look back on the week in politics:

Taoiseach Simon Harris’s sure-footed performance as he delivered an apology to the Stardust tragedy victims.
Less good was Minister for Justice Helen McEntee’s appearance at an Oireachtas committee, where she struggled to answer a question about the State’s handling of international protection applicants.
Discussions about budget spending are starting early this year, a sign of the auction politics to come in the run-up to the general election.
Plus the panel pick their Irish Times articles of the week:

Justine McCarthy on the growing number of journalists becoming Government advisors.
Finn McRedmond in defence of snobbery.
And coverage of the dysfunction in University Hospital Limerick, as revealed by a coroner’s report on the tragic death of teenager Aoife Johnston.
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London Correspondent Mark Paul joins Hugh Linehan to talk about the issues making an impact on British politics right now. The issues include upcoming local elections, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's drive to pass his Rwanda Bill, which will allow Britain to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda while their claims are processed, and the contrasting fortunes of the Conservative and Labour parties.
In part two they look north to Scotland, where the Scottish National Party is showing signs of fatigue after a prolonged period in power. It is a weariness that shows in party leader Humza Yousaf's struggle to handle a wide range of controversies, from green policies to corruption, rape trial reforms and trans rights.



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On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Hugh Linehan, Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray look back on the week in politics:
Two weeks in, Simon Harris has already experienced some minor controversies as Taoiseach. But how is he doing overall?
As the Greens head into their National Conference this weekend, will the party be happy with their standing as an election draws near?
The EU Migration pact has the potential to be a significant political flashpoint and raises the question: Do European matters receive enough scrutiny in the Oireachtas?
Plus the panel pick their Irish Times articles of the week:
Derek Scally on a German Luthern priest’s successful ploy to attract a younger congregation with help from Taylor Swift.
Patrick Freyne’s unflattering review of a new RTE comedy sketch show.
And Conor Pope’s reporting on the egregiousness of Eir.

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With its fast-growing economy and increasing significance as a player in European security, Poland’s political direction will have a major bearing on the future of Europe. But the centrist coalition led by Donald Tusk is grappling with how to unwind some of the oppressive legacy of its predecessors, the right nationalist Law and Justice party. 
Meanwhile, Poland’s neighbour to the West faces a different set of problems. An unpopular government, an economic recession and growing divisions over wars in Ukraine and Israel mean Germany is experiencing a crisis of confidence. 
Hugh Linehan explores these political and social pressures in Poland and Germany with Irish Times Berlin Correspondent Derek Scally.

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Alex Kane, Lisa Whitten, Freya McClements and Pat Leahy joined Hugh Linehan in Northern Ireland for a live show at the MAC in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The panel discussed the shocking departure of Jeffrey Donaldson from the pinnacle of NI politics, how the political system has responded since, and what it all means for the future of unionism and the power-sharing institutions. They also discuss the importance of the "neither" voters, the price of reunification and the economic benefits of Northern Ireland's post-Brexit position.


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Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his minimal Cabinet reshuffle. Did he go far enough to satisfy Fine Gaelers, or voters looking for change?
They also talk about the new Taoiseach's speech delivery and Mary Lou McDonald's forceful criticism of his track record.
But first they discuss the news that the reconstituted Government's first act will be to recognise the statehood of Palestine.

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