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Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The inauguration of Ireland's 10th president in in St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle, on Tuesday, saw Catherine Connolly deliver a stirring address, amid a real testament to the health of democracy in this country, with all sides coming together after an at times brutal election campaign. Perhaps this is something our immediate neighbours and those across the Atlantic could one day emulate. · The Government's long-awaited housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, was published this week with the focus firmly on lifting families out of homelessness. A target of 300,000 new homes by 2030, ramping up the role of the Land Development Agency, and greatly reducing red tape when delivering homes, are some aspects of a plan that needs to become a reality if this Government is to be judged a success. · And Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin faces continued pressure over the failed Jim Gavin presidency campaign, but Wednesday's parliamentary party meeting revealed that the review of the campaign will now not be completed until early December. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The BBC makes mistakes but shouldn't bend to Donald Trump's will, Mark Paul on accents and belonging, and how Ireland's forthcoming presidency of the European Council should focus the 'hot mess of uncoordinated gibberish' of some policy positions here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Harry McGee, Irish Times political correspondent, on what we can expect from the term of President Catherine Connolly.
Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· With renewed criticism from left-wing Opposition leaders of Tánaiste Simon Harris, over remarks he made about migration numbers in Ireland being too high, has it become almost impossible to have an honest discussion around immigration? · Taoiseach Micheál Martin is currently away at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, but the fallout from Fianna Fáil's disastrous presidential campaign shows little sign of ebbing away. Could a potential heave against the party leader be gathering momentum? · Could the controversy surrounding Ivan Yates and his admission that he advised Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate Jim Gavin, and the subsequent conflict of interest that created, all have been avoided if he highlighted it early on in the presidential campaign? · And Mayor-elect of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has been branded a ‘commie', among other things, by US President Donald Trump and various members of the Republican Party, but has Mamdani shown the way forward for politicians mounting an election campaign?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The annual British search for Irish poppy refuseniks, the $20,000 AI home robot butler, and Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin on the issue of recreational drug use and the GAA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Sunday papers is Frances Fitzgerald, former Tánaiste and member of the G7 Advisory Council; Joan Burton, Former Tánaiste/leader of the Labour Party; Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCU; and Harry McGee, Political correspondent with The Irish Times.
Our panel of Padraig O'Sullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central, Christina Finn, Political Editor at The Journal and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times discuss the presidential election as it heads into the final day.
Padraig O'Sullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central, Christina Finn, Political Editor at The Journal and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times on today's meeting of the Finance Committee.
Padraig O'Sullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central, Christina Finn, Political Editor at The Journal and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times.
Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to talk about today's news from the presidential campaign trail:A concert in support of Catherine Connolly's campaign brought top musical artists and thousands of young people together in Dublin's Vicar Street on Monday night. The event also brought together Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, the Social Democrats' Holly Cairns, Paul Murphy of People Before Profit-Solidarity and Labour's Ivana Bacik, who were photographed hand-in-hand on stage. Could the left's new-found unity be an image of the political future?The panel also look at the ongoing fallout from 'the video' and ahead to tonight's RTÉ debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Harry McGee, political correspondent with the Irish Times
With Catherine Connolly showing an unprecedented lead for a presidential candidate one week out from polling day, could her campaign only be derailed by something extraordinary at this stage? Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to discuss Connolly's seemingly unassailable lead, the repetitive nature of recent debates, and with posters for Connolly and even Jim Gavin outnumbering Humphreys in some Dublin Fine Gael strongholds, could the party be accused of adopting a low energy approach to this campaign? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ellen Coyne and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · With Jim Gavin gone, the presidential election is now a two-horse race between Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys, and a more combative one at that as the third live debate on Thursday on RTÉ Radio's Drivetime will attest. Is Heather Humphreys trying to appeal to voters on the left who haven't made their mind up about Connolly yet? · As the timetable of who knew what and when becomes apparent in the Jim Gavin controversy, could those running his campaign have done anything to dampen the impact of the revelation around an unpaid debt to a former tenant from Gavin's time as a landlord in 2009? And why did Gavin go ahead and participate in RTÉ's televised debate last Sunday when the game was already effectively up? · And will Wednesday's marathon Fianna Fáil party meeting provide enough catharsis for a cohort within the party questioning Micheál Martin's leadership in the wake of the Jim Gavin fiasco? Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Manchán Magan remembered, Japan's Iron Lady, and Ray D'Arcy leaves RTÉ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cúrsaí polaitíochta an deire seachtaine agus an buiséad.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is among several EU leaders gathering in Denmark today for an informal European council meeting to discuss defence and drone incursions. Ministers across several departments have clashed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We discuss this and more with Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times and also Michael Gillespie, TUI General Secretary.
An chead díospóireacht teilifíse le iarrthóirí na huachtaránachta inniu.
Naoise Ó Cearúil, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North; Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan; Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator; Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times
Naoise Ó Cearúil, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North; Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan; Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator; Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times
Naoise Ó Cearúil, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North; Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan; Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator; Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times
Naoise Ó Cearúil, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North; Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan; Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator; Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times
Agallamh le Harry McGee, Eagraí Polaitiúil de chuid The Irish Times faoin toghchán uachtaránachta i mbliaina - beo ar Eadra
Cúrsaí polaitíochta an lae - an feachtas uachtaránachta.
Harry McGee, Political correspondent with The Irish Times
Inniu an chéad lá do sheachtain ghnoitheach i ndomhan na polaitíochta, ní hamháin go mbeidh na teachtaí Dála ag pilleadh ar an Dáil Dé Céadaoine ach tá roinnt acu go fóill ag plé le cruinnithe réamhDhála.
We take a look into the presidential race as the battle continues this morning for independents as they look for support to become the latest presidential candidate. Today has been described as “super primary” day with eleven councils due to hold special meetings so they can consider nominating another candidate. But the latest news surrounding the presidency is Conor McGregor's withdrawal from the contest. All to discuss with Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times.
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.
Michael Collins, Cork South-West deputy and Independent Ireland leader, discusses whether Independent Ireland will back barrister Maria Steen as presidential candidate. Harry McGee, Irish Times Political Correspondent, assesses whether Maria Steen will be able to garner the required 20 Oireachtas nominations to be on the presidential ballot.
Tá tuilleadh cruinnithe le bheith ag na páirtithe polaitíochta an tseachtain seo agus chomh maith leis sin beidh an chéad Rialtas áitiúil sa tír - sin i gCiarraí ag teacht le chéile inniu agus iad ag éisteacht le hiarrthóirí atá ag lorg ainmniúcháin do thoghchán na huachtaránachta.
Cén ghlacadh a bheidh ag cosmhuintir Fhianna Fáil roimh Jim Gavin mar a n-iarrthóir don Uachtaránacht agus céard faoi fheachtais na bpáirtithe eile?
Harry McGee, Irish Times' Political Correspondent, observes the current presidential race, in relation to support from local authorities.
With two months until the Presidential Election, there is still just one candidate (Catherine Connolly) in the field while we await Fine Gael's choice. But what about Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil? We hear from Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne; former deputy head of press for Sinn Fein, Siobhan Fenton; and then analysis from the Irish Times' Harry McGee.
Harry McGee and Ellen Coyne look back on the week in politics:· The presidential race is the only show in town with Fine Gael recovering remarkably well from the news last week that Mairead McGuinness was dropping out for health reasons. Within days of that bombshell, Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly emerged as rivals for the party candidacy, but Humphreys' momentum and popularity across party lines makes her a strong favourite to win the race for the nomination. · And while Fine Gael can count three legitimate potential candidates, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is playing his cards close to his chest with Fianna Fáil yet to put anyone forward. Perhaps former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will eventually get the nod? · Will Sinn Féin throw their support behind Catherine Connolly in the absence of an obvious candidate in their own ranks? Mary Lou McDonald aside of course. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Walking the Boyne Valley Camino, and Rose of Tralee winner Katelyn Cummins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Harry McGee, Political correspondent with The Irish Times
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · Fox News and its standard of journalism were highlighted during an episode of The Will Cain Show this week that featured media commentator and author Douglas Murray talking about open borders migration. During the segment Murray claimed Dublin had gone from being one of the safest cities in Europe to one of its most dangerous. His basis for this was a survey conducted by the Online Betting Guide (OLBG) entitled European Nightlife Index Casinos. In it, Dublin was ranked ninth in Europe with Birmingham, Naples and Paris placed among the most dangerous cities. · A group of 16 members of the House of Representatives have sought to exert pressure on Ireland's Government by writing to US treasury secretary Scott Bessent to request he consider adding Ireland to a list of countries boycotting Israel if the proposed Occupied Territories Bill is passed. · Billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond feels Artificial Intelligence will make Dublin's planned MetroLink obsolete and has urged the Government to shelve the €10 billion project. · And Independent ministers are not happy with the current rules around inheritance tax. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Diarmaid Ferriter and Stephen Collins on the legacy of Daniel O'Connell, Cliff Taylor on how Ireland's economy still remains suspended between Boston and Berlin, and Sonia Harris Pope on Jewish identity in Ireland at the moment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tá foláireamh tugtha don rialtas ag Gabriel Makhlouf, Gobharnóir an Bhainc Ceannais, go gcaithfeadh siad a bheith stuama ag dréachtadh na cáinaisnéise. Tá sé ag rá go bhfuil an geilleagar sách bríomhar mar atá agus nach dteastaíonn aon tacaíochtaí breise.
Harry McGee, political correspondent with The Irish Times and Tom Philips, Planning Consultant and adjunct associate professor in Architecture and Planning in UCD
Ellen Coyne and Harry McGee join Pat Leahy to look back on the week in politics: · When Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was asked on Monday if she was ruling herself out of this year's contest to succeed Michael D Higgins, she replied, “we're not ruling anything in or anything out.” But could a tilt at the presidency be a potential career-ender for Mary Lou?· Elsewhere, those ruling themselves firmly in include Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who says she plans to launch her presidential election bid next week. The veteran Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher says he is considering seeking Fianna Fáil nomination to run, but Fine Gael's Seán Kelly has ruled himself out, with Mairead McGuinness now widely expected to seek Áras election.· The Occupied Territories Bill is now undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. The big question remains whether the proposed bill will include services along with the prohibition of trade in goods with Israeli companies operating in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The throwaway lyrics of Oasis, the social cohesion of the July 12th bonfires, and when crying in public is the natural thing to do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cothrom an ama seo, 30 bliain ó shin a cuireadh tús leis an slad cine dhíothaithe a d'fhág 8,000 duine maraithe i Srebrenica, baile beag a bhí i gcroí lár Chogadh Bosnia.
Tá Fine Gael ar an gcéad pháirtí polaitiúil a bhfuil tús dá chur acu inniu lena bhfeachtas do thoghchán na hUachtaránachta.
Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · The drive to inject some impetus into the Irish presidential race has not yielded anything of note just yet with the starter pistol not expected to sound until Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin nominate their candidates. · The Coalition remains divided over Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless's recent assertion that the student contribution could increase by as much as €1,000 next year for third-level students. · The pause on Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs is almost up – is there a plan in place to keep Ireland's pain to a minimum?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The puffins of Rathlin Island, the digital revolution that didn't turn out as expected, and how the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez destroyed quiet luxury. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dheimhnigh an Tánaiste agus an tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha Simon Harris go bhfuil cúig dhuine dhéag saoránach de chuid na hÉireann á dtabhairt abhaile as as Iosrael ar iarratas uatha fhéin.
Sally Hayden and Harry McGee join Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics:· Sally Hayden joins the pod on the line from Beirut where missiles flying overhead have become a fact of daily life despite the ceasefire agreement Lebanon signed with Israel last November. With Israel's attention now firmly on Iran, the rising death toll and continuing aerial attacks from both sides show no signs of abating. And is the US on the verge of joining Israel's attack on Iran? What could that mean for stability in the Middle East? · Children's Health Ireland appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee this week with politicians eager to tear strips off the embattled group responsible for running children's hospital services in Dublin. After so many controversies since its inception in 2018, can CHI be trusted to run the new national children's hospital when it opens? And how will this all be handled by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill given her short time as a first-time senior Minister? Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· How AIB came back from the brink, and a misguided viral appeal following the death of an Irish emigrant in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ellen Coyne and Jack Horgan-Jones join Harry McGee to talk about the ongoing fallout from the Government's proposed changes to the rights of tenants and landlords. They look at growing criticism of the finer points of the policy. Will the delay in rolling out RPZs to the whole country incentivise landlords to raise rents while they can? Do the new rules effectively prohibit short-term lets in tourism areas? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The election for the next President of Ireland must take place before November 11th. It's June, so where is the list of Áras hopefuls?As of now two independents have declared their intention to run, MMA fighter Conor McGregor and former candidate and businessman Peter Casey. They have yet to get local authority approval.When can we expect the race to get going and what qualities make for an ideal president?Harry McGee from the Irish Times political team, explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Polaitíocht an lae.
Harry McGee, Irish Times Political Correspondent
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Committees of the Oireachtas are indeed back, but rigor and insight seem to be missing in some of the questions posed by politicians during RTÉ's appearance in front of the Oireachtas media committee on Wednesday.· Independent TDs Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, who support the Government, put a dent in the Coalition's majority by voting in favour of a Sinn Féin Bill in support of Palestine.· Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was awarded €100,000 after a jury found he was defamed by a 2016 BBC TV programme and related article that falsely accused him of sanctioning the murder of a British agent.· And is it time to disband Children's Health Ireland? Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill is considering subsuming the statutory body into the HSE following several controversies during its six years in existence.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The tight Polish presidential race, looming climate fines, the rise of the campervan, and the wonderful Cáit O'Riordan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Ireland's decision to participate in a European-wide initiative celebrating Norman heritage and influence has drawn the ire of Sinn Féin. The initiative is called '2027 The Year of the Normans – People of Europe', and Cabinet approved plans to mark 1000 years since the birth of England's first Norman king William the Conqueror have been labelled “offensive” by the Opposition party.· In a move to start the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza after Israel's near three-month blockade, a majority of EU states have backed a proposal to review the union's agreement governing relations with Israel.· The HSE estimates that the number of children on waiting lists for disability or autism services will grow from 15,000 now to 25,000 by the end of the year, something disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody (14) highlighted with a 50-hour protest outside Leinster House this week.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Joe Biden's cognitive and physical decline, hurling at its most biblical, and the four distinct categories that leaders fall into. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The unprecedented increase in the numbers of people coming to Ireland seeking International Protection due to war or oppression in their homeland put serious pressure on State resources since 2023. The new Government has signalled a tougher approach to the issue, and has claimed some success. Are their reforms working, and is the tougher messaging appropriate? Hugh is joined by Colm Brophy TD, Minister of State for Migration, Madeleine Allen, policy and advocacy officer with the Irish Refugee Council, and Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· On the same day that the US agreed a trade deal with the UK, the European Commission unveiled a second, larger package of retaliatory tariffs – this was in response to the absence of negotiation from the US on what they actually want. Thankfully for Ireland, our biggest export to the US, pharmaceuticals, remained untouched, this is welcome news given the warnings from the Department of Finance this week.· The procrastination around the Occupied Territories Bill has been going on for years. Tánaiste Simon Harris has indicated that there may be some movement as he will seek approval from the Government to begin the process of drafting the legislation, but it likely wouldn't be discussed in the Dáil before autumn. · The Catholic Church have a new leader, confirmed on Thursday evening, Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost was an outside bet to succeed Pope Francis and is the first pope from the United States. Another 69-year-old taking up a prominent position is Germany's new federal chancellor Freidrich Merz.· And the panel give their reaction to the decision by People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger to refuse to answer a question posed by a Gript journalist at the Dáil plinth on Wednesday.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The continued inertia fueling the housing crisis, the misery of Prince Harry, and the story of The Irish Times' most famous front page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh almost became housing ‘tsar' until Fine Gael blocked his appointment this week. It seems communication between the two main parties was not at its strongest when it came to Fianna Fáil's push to have McDonagh head up the new Housing Activation Office.· Both the Government of the 34th Dáil and Donald Trump reach the milestone of 100 days this week, although it feels like night and day in terms of activity with the Government's executive functions here barely getting off the ground. · But nobody could accuse Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan of inactivity as he has taken that portfolio and ran with it. Building strongly on the work of his predecessor Helen McEntee, could Fianna Fáil be looking at a potential future party leader?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Has the EPP become a cold house for Fine Gael? Recollection of a soirée in Beijing, and Westminster's long memory for its murdered MPs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee analyse the latest Irish Times / Ipsos B&A poll results, which show that Sinn Féin has regained its position as the most popular party in the Republic while Fine Gael has slumped to a record low in the series. The new data also show voters have little enthusiasm for the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Independent Coalition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.