731 episodes

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.

Inside Politics The Irish Times

    • News
    • 4.7 • 101 Ratings

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.

    Election Daily: Tempers flare among candidates as polling day approaches

    Election Daily: Tempers flare among candidates as polling day approaches

    Hugh Linehan is joined by Jennifer Bray and Sarah Burns to discuss Thursday on the campaign trail:
    With polling day almost upon us, some running in the European elections have been engaging in a ‘war of words’, with members of Fine Gael and the Green Party butting heads on the campaign trail. Is all this ‘clawing at each other’ simply a final bid for cut through before votes are cast, or a taste of what a general election could look like?
    And is the broadcasting moratorium relevant or wise anymore given the amount of stories that seem to break right before polls open? Even the Minister for Housing is sceptical.
    Plus: Jen’s how-to guide will arm you with all the necessary knowledge as you set off with your polling card on Friday. 

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    • 23 min
    Election Daily: Small parties versus independents, nitrate debate, Soc Dem criticism

    Election Daily: Small parties versus independents, nitrate debate, Soc Dem criticism

    Hugh Linehan is joined by Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy to discuss Wednesday on the campaign trail:
    Independent candidates are “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, warned People Before Profit at a campaign event today. What does that mean, and why are the small parties so worried about the impact of this rag-tag category of opponent on election day?
    The Nitrates Derogation is something that matters hugely to rural Ireland, so in election week you don’t want to wade into controversy over whether it should be retained, as Fianna Fáil’s Chris Andrews discovered today.
    Plus: An element of Pat’s analysis of the Dublin European election came in for sharp criticism from Social Democrats candidate Sinéad Gibney when she was asked about it by RTE’s Sarah McInerney during a televised debate.


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    • 17 min
    Election Daily: A dogfight in Dublin, Aontú's hopes, Sinn Féin's numbers

    Election Daily: A dogfight in Dublin, Aontú's hopes, Sinn Féin's numbers

    The run-in to Friday's local, European and Limerick mayoral elections is now underway and so is the daily elections podcast from The Irish Times. Hugh Linehan is joined by Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee to look at the stories from the campaign trail:
    As Aontú launches its campaign, party leader Peader Toibin is bullish about the party's prospects in local elections.
    More polls showing disappointing levels of support for Sinn Féin. Can the party pick up momentum in the final days?
    The same polls show surging support for independent candidates. Some of them will be fighting for the final European seat in Dublin.
    But with many voters yet to make up their minds, the panel agree there is a lot left to fight for in these elections. To help you keep up with the latest from the campaign, new episodes of Election Daily from Inside Politics will be in your feed every day this week after 5pm.


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    • 20 min
    Will Trump’s conviction derail his reelection?

    Will Trump’s conviction derail his reelection?

    Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics:

    The conviction of former US president Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to an alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels is unprecedented in American political history. But will it make any difference on election day?
    More evidence emerged this week that Ireland is failing to meet legally-binding climate change targets.
    Will a scandal that engulfed Fine Gael local election candidate Marian Agrios dent the party outside of Louth, or even her Drogheda constituency?
    Plus, the panelists pick their favourite IT reads of the week:

    Our new columnist Mark O’Connell on why students keep schtum when asked why they are protesting.
    Revelations that the Irish State is in the pocket of Big Smoky Bacon.
    Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder criticises President Higgins.
    Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
    Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
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    • 43 min
    Do rural voters really hate the Greens?

    Do rural voters really hate the Greens?

    Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee, Cormac McQuinn and Jennifer Bray who, after weeks travelling the highways and byways of Ireland in the company of hopeful local and European election candidates, are here to answer questions about what is happening on the ground. Do rural voters really blame the Greens for everything? Are Sinn Féin really struggling? Will the migration issue really help candidates like Niall Boylan? And what is the incredible new technique for reaching voters who aren't at home?



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    • 48 min
    Sunak’s doomed gamble and anger at Fianna Fáil’s election launch

    Sunak’s doomed gamble and anger at Fianna Fáil’s election launch

    Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn to discuss the week in politics:
     
    ·     Rishi Sunak’s decision on Wednesday to announce a snap election for July 4th, four months earlier than predicted, caught everyone off guard. Will it prove to be a gamble worth taking?
     
    ·     Cormac was present at Fianna Fáil’s European election launch this morning where tensions boiled over as Senator Niall Blaney got into a public disagreement with Fianna Fáil leader, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, over the level of support he was getting from the party amid their three-candidate strategy in the Midlands North-West constituency.
     
    ·     And on Friday, June 7th – the same day voters across the country will elect representatives to local councils and the European Parliament – the people of Limerick will decide who will be the country’s first directly elected mayor. But what powers will the successful candidate have to go with their €154,000 salary?
     
    And the panel pick their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:
    ·     Laura Slattery writes about “king of the airwaves” Pat Kenny.
     
    ·     The passing of Ireland’s first business superstar, Tony O’Reilly.
     
    ·     Pedestrians best be on their guard against the quiet threat of electric vehicles as outlined by Shauna Bowers.

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    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
101 Ratings

101 Ratings

Johnny in the Mass Hills ,

Greatly enjoyed your Friday wrap program

Pat outdid himself there at the end.

c_o_shea ,

Surprisingly Funny

The most recent episode was the funniest podcast I’ve listened to in quite a while (nod to Pat’s impressions. More please. Spinout pod perhaps?) As a recent emigrant, Inside Politics keeps me feeling engaged and connected with Ireland.

CogetteUS ,

Hosts and contributors draw you in by speaking to the audience

Enjoy this podcast more than most as Hugh & Pat draw you in with their comfortable and natural way of discussing and exploring in depth topical events, while occasionally making hilarious digs at one another. All the journalists wear their erudition lightly and their easy camaraderie makes listening to their discussion a fun experience. I listen to a wide variety of political podcasts from 6 countries and the Irish Times podcasts continue to outperform those from media outlets focusing primarily on radio & TV. RTE ABC and CBS are found wanting. Also no question but there are those among us who would happily pay to listen to Denis Staunton read aloud from a phone book.

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