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The latest BelTel / LucidTalk polling reveals Sinn Féin keep the top spot as both the DUP and UUP see a slight boost in popularity, but the trend is worrying for Alliance. But Almost half of unionists say they would vote for Reform UK. And as talk of a border poll refuses to go away, most people want to know what exactly the criteria for calling one would be. And finally, as Catherine Connolly wins the presidential elections down south, the polling reveals how NI voters would have voted. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalist Aoife Moore and political commentator Alex Kane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After Catherine Connolly's decisive victory in the 2025 Presidential election, there's plenty to sift through with Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport; John McGuinness, Fianna Fáil TD and Leas-Cheann Comhairle; and Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin.
As the full tallies began to land, Brendan was joined by Sinn Féin TD, Claire Kerrane; Fine Gael Minister of State, Emer Higgins; Communications Consultant and Labour Party member, Lorna Fitzpatrick; DCU Politics Professor, Gary Murphy; newspaper columnist, David Quinn; Former Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring; and RTÉ's Barry Lenihan.
Also - should girls have to rely on ‘legal right to challenge schools to wear trousers'?
A ‘super casino' has been granted planning permission in Cork, despite strong push back from members of the local community. To discuss this issue in a bit more detail, Ciara Doherty is joined by Cllr Joe Lynch, a Sinn Féin Cllr from the local area, and Patrick Hughes, who ran hotels in Las Vegas for over 20 years.
A new film on Gerry Adams' life has hit the silver screen in Irish cinemas.‘Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man', created and produced by Trisha Ziff, aims to recapture the life of the former Sinn Féin President.Filmmaker Trisha Ziff is based in Mexico and has previously created films on the Spanish Civil War and Che Guevara.She spent over five years working on this movie with Gerry Adams and a mostly Mexican crew, with a vision to give Adams a ‘simple platform' to retell his story.She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Wildcard Distribution
A councillor from the Clondalkin local electoral area, Sinn Féin’s William Joseph Carey spoke to Treasa about the local reaction to the violent scenes at the Citywest IPAs Centre last night. She also caught up with the chief reporter at Bauer Media Group, Barry Whyte who was at the scene as the riot unfolded | Kerry Today with Treasa Murphy
Tensions remain high in Citywest, where protests continue outside a centre for asylum seekers. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has promised a “robust response” to any violence as concerns grow over public safety and community division. Joining the discussion are Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Sinn Féin TD and Justice Spokesperson Matt Carthy, and Eimer McAuley, News Correspondent with The Journal.Later, outrage after a deepfake video of presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, falsely claiming she had quit the race, spreads online. Could AI manipulation truly sway voters? Adrian Weckler, Irish Independent Technology Editor, and Dr. Susan Leavy, Assistant Professor at UCD's School of Information and Communication Studies, explore how deepfakes threaten democracy.Unrest on the ground, deception online — all on The Tonight Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A new film on Gerry Adams' life has hit the silver screen in Irish cinemas.‘Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man', created and produced by Trisha Ziff, aims to recapture the life of the former Sinn Féin President.Filmmaker Trisha Ziff is based in Mexico and has previously created films on the Spanish Civil War and Che Guevara.She spent over five years working on this movie with Gerry Adams and a mostly Mexican crew, with a vision to give Adams a ‘simple platform' to retell his story.She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Wildcard Distribution
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.
Our panel of Maeve O'Connell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal, Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County and Cuan Ó Seireadáin, Political Correspondent Raidió na Gaeltachta discuss the meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Maeve O'Connell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal, Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County and Cuan Ó Seireadáin, Political Correspondent Raidió na Gaeltachta on the final Presidential Election Debate which is taking place tonight.
PJ is joined by Sinn Féin TD Donnachadh O'Laoighre to chat about, despite national recruitment drives, Cork continues to lose Gardaí year after year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South which includes Kerry, Kathleen Funchion, talks to Treasa about the new 'Jennie's Law', which the cabinet is currently considering. She hopes the new domestic violence register will include those convicted of coercive control, and not just of physically violent crimes. Her former partner was jailed for coercive control. MEP Funchion also talks to Treasa about a claim made by former EU Commissioner Phil Hogan. She disagrees with him that Irish farmers have “nothing to fear” from the Mercosur deal, claiming his statement is out of touch and misleading.
The minister for justice will seek Cabinet Approval tomorrow for the establishment of a Domestic Violence Register. Under the proposed 'Jennie's Law' named in honour of Jennifer poole. For more on this Anne Clarke, Chief Executive of the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service & Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP.
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber Podcast, Sinn Féin's Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin sits down with Tony to talk about Catherine Connolly, left unity, the groups that are shaping the government's housing policy and why social housing can be beautiful. He also correctly calls Tony deranged. But they don't fall out... Baraa'h Qandeel in Gaza on the "ceasefire" is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141438094 Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712
Gardaí have been trained to use drones to track scrambler motorcycles since 2023, but have been unable to deploy the tech due to a lack of 'legislative clarity'. Sinn Féin's Paul Connolly TD for Dublin West is on the line to discuss the issue.
A look at what happened today in the presidential election race with Louise Burne, Political Correspondent for The Irish Examiner, John Connolly, Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West, Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Féin TD for Louth, and Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats TD for Kildare North.
Sinn Féin proposed the Education (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Dáil today.
He was once a Sinn Féin councillor and Hutch gang associate, now Jonathan Dowdall is about to vanish. As his release from prison approaches, he and his family are set to enter Ireland's version of the witness protection programme. Host; Fionnán Sheahan, Guests; Ali Bracken and Paul Williams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clare's opposition TD has dismissed a recent meeting of MidWest politicians over the HIQA review as an optics exercise. Only government Oireachtas members from Clare and Limerick along with Mayor of Clare Paul Murphy attended the event, where they decided to lend support to a three-tiered HSE plan aiming to solve overcrowding in the region. Despite being invited, TDs from Sinn Féin, Labour and Independent Ireland declined to attend. Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan believes it was a talking shop that won't deliver real results.
This morning, the Oireachtas Transport Committee met to discuss the provision of buses in rural areas.Representatives from Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority appeared before the committee to discuss the biggest challenges facing public transport on these rural routes.Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Sinn Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly and the National Transport Authority's Director of Public Transport, Jeremy Ryan.Image: TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan
Also - DUP motion to replace Belfast bilingual street signage policy sparks Assembly row.
Sinn Féin councillor Tom Barry spoke to Jerry about anti-social behaviour and the use of fireworks in North Kerry. Jerry also spoke to Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly about the ongoing issue.
Many of the big energy providers have hiked their prices in recent months. With many people already squeezed by the cost of living, some have suggested that a price cap should be implemented to stop what they see as price gouging… but would a price cap be a feasible or effective solution?Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Economist and former Political Analyst David Higgins and Sinn Féin MEP, Lynn Boylan.
The Hunger Strike of 1981 saw a surge in violence that left scores killed. With no end to the Troubles imaginable and Sinn Féin emerging as a serious electoral force, constitutional nationalism decided it had to do something. Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald and the SDLP leader John Hume had a meeting of minds resulting in The New Ireland Forum. What does the Forum recommend? Was it more than just a talking shop? And did it lead to the later Anglo-Irish Agreement? Ciarán Dunbar spoke to historian Séan Ó Duibhir. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of an Israeli hostage; Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South West
Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South West
Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South West
Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South West
All eyes are on the Middle East as a truce was reached between Israel and Palestine. Galway has a special connection to the conflict this week as Sarah Clancy, an activist in the Global Sumud Flotilla, returned home. She recounted the horrific ordeal she and other activists went through to us on Galway Talks. We also looked at electricity, phone connectivity, and internet coverage this week. The Maam Valley has had patchy connectivity over the past few weeks and months. We went out there and spoke to Regina Keane of Keane's shop and Bar in Maam, but also to some of the locals, some of whom are relying on cellar conectivity to get a kidney transplant and other medical appointments. They explained their frustration about the infrastructure in the Maam Valley and Connemara. The Budget was also a big topic this week, and the political parties went head-to-head as to whether it was a good budget or a bad budget. The government have said that this is a budget that will be good for the economy, while the opposition asks what is in it for middle-class, working people. We had many debates during the week, and one of those was with Senator Anne Rabbitte of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin Deputy Mairead Farrell. They went through the pros and cons of Budget 2026. Now, Claddagh Watch have been hitting out this week at the loss of their flags. Nearly a month ago, they were taken from O'Brien's Bridge on Chilean Independence Day and have yet to be returned. It is a big cost to the organisation themselves, but also a serious issue for people who may be getting into difficulty on the waterways around Galway. Arthur Carr, their founder, described their frustration and called for people to return the flags to them. Parking was again a big issue in the city this week, and Councillor Niall McNelis has told us that from this week, they will be erecting better signage to tell people what people need to do to pay for parking in Galway City. Finally, a Mullagh woman will be climbing Mera Peak to raise much-needed funds for the Galway branch of Parkinson's Ireland. She recounted one amazing story whereby she saved one of her friend's lives on a hike.
Tá eolas faighte ag an Teachta Dála Farrell ón Roinn Tithíochta, agus Rialtais Áitiúil go bhfuil siad le maoiniú a chur ar fáil don staidéar féidearthachta atá ar bun ag Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe faoina tithe atá á dhíol ag Tearmann Éanna in Eanach Mheáin agus i Ros a Mhíl.
Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown / Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs & Migration. TD for Cavan Monaghan / Alison O'Connor, Journalist and Commentator / Emma Howard, Economist at TU Dublin
Nolan talks to the TUV's Timothy Gaston and political commentator Mick Fealty.
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State; Rose Conway Walsh, Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Where now for Micheál Martin?The decision by Fianna Fáil Presidential candidate Jim Gavin to withdraw from the contest means the race is now between Independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.But what of the man who asked Gavin to stand? Suffice to say I am not a supporter of Micheál Martin. There is nothing personal in this. I have seen at close quarters how he works and I am not impressed. How Fianna Fáil responds to this debacle which its leader landed it in will determine how it faces into the future. Because the process by which Jim Gavin became the Fianna Fail candidate says more about Fianna Fáil and how Micheál Martin runs it than anything else. No leader can ignore or disregard the views of grassroots or other activists. Diktat may keep a leader in place if he has the guile and resilience to survive. But for what purpose? Especially for a party which is proclaims itself to be republican. Micheál's instinct will be to brazen it out. But he can only do that if the party lets him. And that risks the party completely losing its sense of itself.Mr. Martins negative approach to the Good Friday Agreement and the Unity Referendum it provides for amounts to a refusal to fulfil his obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Constitution and Fianna Fáil's own aims and objectives.The Orange and the Green. Another friend of mine died last week. An Orangeman, Ian Milne. He was also an undertaker. I met Ian in 2003 in Dublin Castle when he spoke at The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. I thought it was a very good initiative by him in an effort to find a resolution of the Drumcree stand-off caused when the Portadown Orangemen refused to accept a ruling by the Parades Commission preventing them from marching down Garvaghy Road. After the event we bumped into each other in the Men's Room. In those days Men's Rooms were the main venue for the many first informal off the record words between me and some unionists. I told him that Sinn Féin would talk to the Orange if that would be helpful. Ian was very friendly although he was at pains to tell me that he wouldn't reveal at that time that he talked to me. Eventually we did do the meeting with some Portadown Orangemen. It was in Conway Mill and while it didn't resolve the issues it was a very worthwhile and informative discussion. It's good to talk. And to listen. Ian was also in dialogue with Seán Murray for over twenty years as part of their efforts to advance reconciliation.
Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly shared her experience of public transport on social media - criticising how overcrowded her train was, to the point of being dangerous.How widespread of a problem is this in public transport, and do we need to tackle overcrowding?Louise joins Kieran, as well as Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnród Éireann, to discuss.
On Tuesday afternoon, Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister, Jack Chambers delivered Budget 2026 which favoured ‘sustainable decisions over one-off payments' All to discuss with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of Ireland, Peter Burke and also Sinn Féin TD, Spokesperson for Public Expenditure, Mairead Farrell.
Opposition parties have criticised the government on Tuesday after details of Budget 2026 were announced.Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty accused the government of delivering “nothing” for people who are feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, and that the budget plans "bear no connection with what's going on out there in the real world".Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe joined Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the conversation.
To get the reaction to Budget 2025, Drivetime speaks to Mairead Farrell, Sin Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure
Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson, outlines his party's priorities as they launch their alternative Budget.
Tuairisíctear go ndeachaigh fórsaí Iosrael ar bord roinnt de na báid atá mar chuid den chabhlachán Global Sumud aréir
Tá baile bheag i gContae Lú faoi scáth an bhróín inniu ó fritheadh coirp Louise, Mark agus Evan O'Connor i nDroim Gamhna inné.
Keira Keogh, Fine Gael TD for Mayo & Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Children and Equality; Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson for Children
Jerry got the views of Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris and of Malachi O’Doherty, author, broadcaster and Belfast Telegraph columnist.
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Chris Andrews is a Sinn Féin Senator and he's taking part in his fifth Gaza Flotilla. His ship was struck four times last night by Israeli drones. Despite this he and his fellow Sumud Flotilla shipmates, including over 20 Irish people, remain undeterred and committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He joins us from his ship to talk all about it. Yousef also covers the latest news from Gaza City, where the relentless destruction and bombing drives thousands out in what many fear is a permanent exodus. There's also an update from Ty Gickey ;) The Argentina Bailout podcast with El Pais's Nicholas Leal is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139738780 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758
Sinn Féin's Mid-Ulster MP Cathal Mallaghan speaks about the planned UK digital ID card and why his party calls it an attack on the Good Friday agreement.
Catherine Connolly – A President for all of IrelandIn less than five weeks' time the next Uachtarán na hÉireann will be elected by the people of the 26 counties. Election day is 24 October. That the people of the North and of the diaspora will be denied a vote is a disgraceful consequence of the efforts over recent years by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael (FFFG) to prevent the extension of the presidential franchise. Both parties are frightened by the prospect of people, who have never voted for either party, voting in Presidential elections. They want to retain the status quo not change it. This partitionist approach also influences the resistance of Micheál Martin and others to the growing potential for a referendum vote in favour of Irish Unity.Last weekend's decision by the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle to endorse Catherine Connolly's campaign is, to quote Mary Lou, a ‘game changer.' Sinn Féin has many capable, articulate leaders who would have been great candidates. But the party chose to join with others as part of a left alternative. This was a courageous decision which gives those who can vote in the election a clear choice between the conservative politics of FFFG or a progressive and positive alternative. Cearta –Marching for RightsUnder the banner of CEARTA – meaning RIGHTS - tens of thousands took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday to demand equality for the Irish language. In scenes reminiscent of An Dream Dearg in Belfast three years ago, Irish speakers and activists from across the island, wearing their distinctive red with a white circle, marched from Parnell Square to the gates of Leinster House.The protest was an exuberant and joyful celebration of our language and culture and of the demand that the Irish government implement policy changes that will protect and enhance the lives of Irish speakers and of the Gaeltacht communities. There was live music from Ispíní na hÉireann, Niamh Ní Dhubhgháin and Breandán Ó Beaglaoich and others. Niamh Ní Dhubhgháin performed a song about the needs of young people, especially those living in Gaeltacht areas who are finding it impossible to buy or rent or build a home. Go raibh maith agat Bruce MorrisonIn two weeks' time there will be a celebration in New York to mark 30 years of the Morrison Visa Programme. The event will remember the introduction of the visa legislation that provided an estimated 45,000 Irish people with a legal pathway into the USA in the early 1990s.The Morrison Visa was the brainchild of former US Congressman Bruce Morrison who introduced a program that allocated visas to nationals who up to that point were underrepresented in US Immigration. Bruce however, is also known for his hard work in support of the peace process. He was part of a group of Irish American business, trade union and political leaders – the Connolly House Group – who played a pivotal role in creating the conditions for the 1994 IRA cessation. Bruce and his colleagues continued to be active for years afterward and Bruce remains so today.
Independent Catherine Connolly speaks to William as Sinn Féin back her bid for the Áras
Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:The nomination process for presidential candidates rumbles on. At the time of recording independent Gareth Sheridan has the best chance, needing two more local councils to back him. A report today looking at Sheridan's business partner's links with Russia may not be welcomed by his campaign as councillors around the country weigh up their decision.Meanwhile social conservative Maria Steen is gathering nominations in the Oireachtas. Can she get over the line before next Wednesday's deadline?Mary Lou McDonald continues to be coy about who will get Sinn Féin's backing, perhaps enjoying an opportunity to toy with the media. But who will it be - Catherine Connolly, or one of their own?Budget 2026 is drawing near. So far the focus of political debate has been on the withdrawal of one-off payments. It is an issue that cuts through, as Opposition parties well know.Plus the panelists pick their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week, including columns on a rescinded award and Ireland's rudeness problem and a look at sport's greatest quirkiest cheating scandals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
