Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

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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.

23 HR AGO

Leo Varadkar speaks his mind on reunification, Covid, Eoghan Murphy and Phil Hogan

Leo Varadkar's new memoir promises readers an insight into what the former taoiseach really thought about the monumental events - Covid, Brexit, the housing crisis - that he was centrally involved in. He talks to Hugh Linehan and Irish Times Britain and Ireland editor Mark Hennessy about the book and his life and times in politics. He explains why Eoghan Murphy may have been suited to a government role other than Housing Minister, why he and Phil Hogan still don't speak, why a Covid inquiry still hasn't happened and why the question of reunification may need serious consideration more quickly than we think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 1m
4 DAYS AGO

Charlie Kirk shooting another example of escalating political violence in US

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · The assassination of the conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk on stage at a college campus in Utah on Wednesday is the latest chapter in America’s increasingly toxic political climate. A Donald Trump loyalist, Kirk was instrumental in mobilising younger voters during last year’s US presidential race. Unfortunately, the threat of violence is present in Irish politics too, with Tánaiste Simon Harris outspoken on the intimidation and bomb threats directed at him and his family. · The urgency with which aspiring independent presidential candidates have sought support is ramping up, with ten Oireachtas members now said to have given commitments to conservative campaigner Maria Steen to nominate her to enter the presidential election. Council nominations are also a viable route for independents but one that is narrowing all the time. · And EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to suspend parts of EU-Israel trade deal could be seen as a significant shift towards the stance Ireland and others have taken as the slaughter in Gaza continues. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week: · Javier Milei’s right-wing ‘chainsaw revolution’ in Argentina, Ireland’s shambolic display against Armenia as their World Cup dream dies, and yet another new prime minister as France’s political crisis deepens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 min
6 DAYS AGO

Kelleher's rousing speech isn't enough to overcome Micheál's man

The run-in to October’s presidential election continues to pick up pace this week with the selection of Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s nominee. Jack Horgan-Jones brings us behind the scenes at Fianna Fáil’s special meeting where members had to choose between newcomer Gavin and party stalwart Billy Kelleher. Could the manoeuvring that took place around this vote foreshadow leadership contests to come? Jack, Pat Leahy and Hugh Linehan also discuss Sinn Féin's stance in the presidential race now that Mary Lou McDonald has stated definitively she will not run. Does the party now clearly favour throwing in behind Catherine Connolly? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min
8 SEPT

Starmer's Labour in disarray as the UK's divisions deepen

Keir Starmer's Labour government seems to be in big trouble, with opinion polls suggesting the possibility of a dramatic reshaping of British electoral politics in favour of Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner last week has shown yet more Labour weakness for Farage to eagerly exploit. It's all happening against a backdrop of deepening divisions over subjects including immigration, taxation, the economy, Gaza and freedom of speech. London correspondent Mark Paul has been trying to keep up with it all. He talks to Hugh on today's podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 min
5 SEPT

It’s all systems go for this presidential election

Ellen Coyne and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · With polling day expected to be October 24th, nominations are now open for the office of president and to close on September 24th. Another date to keep in mind is next Tuesday September 9th which will see a vote among Fianna Fáil’s 71-strong parliamentary party to select its presidential candidate from former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and MEP Billy Kelleher. · And with nominations closing on September 24th, that leaves just three weeks for Independent candidates, including Gareth Sheridan, Nick Delehanty and Maria Steen, to secure nominations from local authorities. · September 20th could be a red-letter day for Sinn Féin. The party will either confirm support for Independent TD Catherine Connolly or select a candidate of their own choosing. Will questions be asked of Mary Lou McDonald if a strong candidate doesn’t materialise? · Labour’s party think-in took place in Nenagh, Co Tipperary on Thursday and was almost derailed by Tipperary North TD and former party leader Alan Kelly’s refusal to follow the party’s endorsement of Cather Connolly. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week: · Next month’s budget critical for the Coalition, Ireland’s past status as tradwife capital of the world, and RTÉ’S new national obsession, The Traitors Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

52 min
3 SEPT

The broken UN, and Ireland's role: 'There's cynicism among member states towards our so-called neutrality'

The absence of a coherent international response to the crises in Gaza and Ukraine has raised questions about what used to be called the international rules-based order. Does it still exist at all, or has the reality of raw military and economic power trumped every other consideration? Against that backdrop, what role, if any, does the United Nations have to play? And what is Ireland's role within the UN? On today's podcast Niall McCann, who recently left the United Nations Development Programme after more than a decade working throughout the UN system in positions in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, talks to Hugh about what he found at the UN, why it isn't working and how he thinks it should be reformed. He also explains why Ireland's standing within the UN is lower than is sometimes suggested. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

42 min
1 SEPT

Does the Presidency matter? Live at Electric Picnic

Today we bring you a recording of a live episode that took place yesterday in the Mindfield area of Electric Picnic. Hugh talked to Ellen Coyne, Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy about the meaning of the presidency, the prospects of all the potential candidates and the political calculations being made by the big parties as the race begins. Thanks to everyone who attended and to Electric Picnic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35 min
29 AUG

Does Jim Gavin have what it takes for a presidential campaign?

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · It seems highly likely that former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has the blessing of Taoiseach Micheál Martin to seek a nomination to contest the presidential election for Fianna Fáil. Cork MEP Billy Kelleher is also seeking support for a nomination through parliamentary party colleagues. Kelleher is a seasoned and formidable vote-getter, but how would Gavin perform should be find himself on the campaign trail? · Catherine Connolly is already well and truly on the campaign trail, with fundraising and volunteer recruitment ramping up. Connolly is very much the anti-establishment candidate, but will she be able to build a vote beyond that? · And Sinn Féin are the missing piece in this presidential race jigsaw – will they put forward their own candidate in the form of Mary Lou McDonald or Pearse Doherty? Or will they decide to throw their weight behind Catherine Connolly instead? Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week: · Governor of California Gavin Newsom is trolling Donald Trump, Lara Marlowe is reporting from Ukraine, and what would Reform leader Nigel Farage do to the Good Friday Agreement? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min

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Hugh Linehan

Host
Pat Leahy

Guest
Ellen Coyne

Guest
Cormac McQuinn

Guest
Harry Hand McGee

Guest

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.