Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
Episodes
Michael Brendan Dougherty: how Trump won me over
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It is just three weeks since Donald Trump was inaugurated but his impact has been huge. A flurry of executive orders and aggressive actions is already...
Jim O'Callaghan and the new ministers out to make a good first impression
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:· &nb...
Europe gets serious on security. Will Ireland follow?
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Linehan and guests discuss domestic political issues and European defence challenges. In part one, Pat Leahy talks about the resolution of the Dá...
Can Germany's centre hold as the far-right AfD rises?
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh speaks with Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about major political shifts happening in Germany ahead of the federal election later this month. G...
Seanad drama and the speaking rights impasse
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:· ...
Are 'super-juniors' unconstitutional? With Fintan O'Toole
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are super-junior ministers allowed under the terms of the constitution? Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly this week launched a legal challenge against their use, j...
Could Europe pivot to China in the Trump era?
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
China correspondent Denis Staunton sits down with Hugh Linehan to talk about the impact of Donald Trump's reelection on the geopolitical landscape. Th...
A new Government and a tough new approach from the Opposition
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: It came a day later than ...
Chaos in Leinster House: how the day unfolded and what happens next
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Instead of the expected election of a taoiseach and appointment of ministers, today Leinster House was the scene of chaos and an unprecedented disrupt...
Who will get the top jobs in the new government?
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Later today the Dáil will return to elect Michéal Martin as taoiseach, after which new government ministers will be appointed. But who are the TDs i...
How should Ireland navigate the return of Trump?
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the day Donald Trump returns to office as president of the United States, Hugh and Pat are joined by journalists Paul Colgan and Liz Carolan and Pa...
The numbers game: ministers, junior ministers and technical groups as the next government beds in
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics: · &n...
Does a junior ministry dilute the Healy-Rae brand?
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about the composition of the new Government and what we now know about the policies that will fo...
Should President Higgins speak for Ireland on Nato?
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:·  ...
Government formation: what's happening behind the scenes
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Government formation talks have ramped up since Christmas. What are the key points being discussed between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail? And what demands...
Back catalogue: what is neoliberalism - and is it over?
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In case you missed it: in 2023 Hugh spoke to American historian Gary Gerstle about his book The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order. Neoliberalism m...
Back catalogue: coming to terms with Ireland's religious past
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In case you missed it: back in March 2021 Hugh talked to Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about his book The Best Catholics in the World....
Back catalogue: Clare Malone on politics, media and class in America
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In case you missed it: back in August 2023 Hugh talked to New Yorker magazine writer Clare Malone about the US presidential election, still then in it...
Inside Politics live with Ken Early of Second Captains
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In December the Inside Politics team discussed the year in politics and the aftermath of the general election in front of an audience at the Laughter ...
Christmas AMA, part two: more questions from listeners
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh for part two of our annual "ask me anything" to consider many excellent question...
Christmas AMA, part one: your thorny political questions answered
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones, Jennifer Bray, Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh for part one of our annual "ask me anything" session. Thanks to everyone who sen...
Fresh TDs bring innocent joy as old hands eye the big jobs
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's our final Friday wrap of the year and Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to discuss the week in politics:The large influx of fresh TDs...
Eoghan Murphy reflects on political failure
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh talks to former Minister for Housing and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South Eoghan Murphy, whose recent memoir Running From Office explores how hi...
Why FF and FG don't relish going in with Independents
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy to look back on the week in politics:· With Labour ...
Lewis Goodall: why Keir Starmer has struggled - and how the UK sees Irish politics
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
British journalist Lewis Goodall is cohost of the UK's most popular news podcast, The News Agents. Today he talks to Hugh about the year in UK politic...
Government formation: Simon Harris warns 'don't take us for granted' while Soc Dems go it alone
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Post-election negotiations - or “government formation speed dating” as such discussions are now also known - have been happening throughout the we...
Is there no alternative to the status quo in Irish politics?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it came to picking an alternative government, it felt to many like there was little real choice in the election just held. Fine Gael and Fianna F...
Election Daily: answering your questions about GE24
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The general election is over and talk has turned to the aftermath. For that some means government formation, for others it means new roles in oppositi...
Election Daily: surprises, upsets and ousters as the final seats are filled
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to talk about what has been happening in count centres around the country as the final seats are filled...
Election Daily: a dramatic day in count centres as the political future takes shape
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
INSIDE POLITICS LIVE SHOW WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - DUBLIN. TICKETS HEREHarry McGee, Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about a dramatic da...
Election Daily: first counts trickle in and anti-immigration candidates falter
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones joins Hugh Linehan to analyse the latest news from count centres across the country.First count results are starting to trickle in w...
Election Daily: tallies look bad for Greens and Stephen Donnelly, good for Sinn Féin and Gerry Hutch
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to look at the early indications from count centres and think about what sort of coalitions might emerge. ...
EXIT POLL: what do the results mean for government formation?
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
INSIDE POLITICS LIVE SHOW WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - DUBLIN. TICKETS HEREPat Leahy joins Hugh Linehan to share the results of The Irish Times exit poll...
Election Daily: the highs and lows of a tense campaign
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
INSIDE POLITICS LIVE SHOW WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - DUBLIN. TICKETS HERE!Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to discuss today on tra...
Election Daily: will undecideds lend Sinn Féin their vote?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
INSIDE POLITICS LIVE SHOW WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - DUBLIN. TICKETS HEREHarry McGee and Jennifer Bray join Hugh for a look at today's events on t...
Housing: what is on offer in this election campaign?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
INSIDE POLITICS LIVE SHOW WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - DUBLIN. TICKETS HEREHousing will be one of the issues foremost in voters' minds when they go to th...
Leader's debate: what did we learn and who won?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What were the most important moments in tonight's debate between Mary Lou McDonald, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris - and who came out on top? Pat Le...
Election Daily: can Paul Gogarty make a surprise return to the Dáil?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bringing you all today's news from the campaign trail, Sarah Burns and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to discuss:A story about a Fine Gael staffer t...
Election Daily: a new hope for Sinn Féin as Fine Gael tries to stop the rot
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to discuss today's news from the campaign trail:Reaction from Mary Lou McDonald (delight) and ...
Harris hop becomes the Simon slump as poll shows Fine Gael behind Sinn Féin
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The final Irish Times Ipsos B&A poll of the campaign reveals a stark reversal of fortunes for Fine Gael and Taoiseach Simon Harris, with the party...
Micheál Martin answers listener questions on coalition red lines, renter's rights and more
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the second in our AMA series with leaders of the three largest parties, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin answers listener questions on a range o...
Election Daily: far right candidates, Harris's 'arrogant' views on coalition
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh for our latest election podcast:Kitty interviewed independent candidate for...
Simon Harris says no to a 'four or five' party coalition - and answers your questions
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of a series with the leaders of the three largest political parties, Taoiseach Simon Harris sat down with Hugh Linehan to answer question...
Election Daily: McDonald hits her stride, Aontú's missing manifesto
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee join Hugh for a look at today's events on the campaign trail:Mary Lou McDonald showed how effective a campaigner and pol...
Election Daily: What is Sinn Féin's 'peer review' of RTÉ Gaza coverage all about?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to discuss the day's political action from the campaign:As discussed in this morning's regular podcast, there i...
Ireland's economic model is in trouble. Are big spending promises in touch with that reality?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks largely to corporation tax receipts from multinationals, the Irish state has plenty of money. And so far this election campaign has been largel...
Election Daily: How Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch got his nickname
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Harry McGee and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about all today’s news on the election campaign trail:Standing side by side during last night’s le...
Election Daily: Why did Fine Gael select John McGahon?
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Burns and Pat Leahy join Hugh to discuss the day’s politics on the campaign trail:Today saw party leaders give their views on the behaviour of...
Election Daily: First week of the campaign down, now it really begins
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh for our daily discussion of the election campaign:· With the first ...
Poll: Support for independents on the rise
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Political stability is indicated by the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil looking set to lead the next government...
Election Daily: Another day, another huge campaign promise
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh for our daily discussion of the election campaign:Simon Harris says Fine Gael would remove the means test for re...
Election Daily: Eoghan Murphy gives Fine Gael another headache
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's panelists are Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray, who join Hugh Linehan to discuss:Housing is the issue of the campaign so far - we recap how...
Cheapfakes, brainrot and sh*tposts: the online battles to woo voters
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fears that the use of AI deepfakes would disrupt the flow of accurate information in a general election campaign have not come true. Instead we have b...
Election Daily: has Sinn Féin improved its standing with working class voters?
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Harry McGee and Sarah Burns, who have accompanied politicians from several parties as they have canvassed for votes in the past week, join Hugh to tal...
Election Daily: O'Learygate gets Fine Gael off to a bumpy start
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn to discuss today’s events in the 2024 general election campaign:Ryanair boss Michael O’Lear...
Election Daily: campaigning begins in shadow of Trump's return
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Dáil has been dissolved and the 2024 general election is officially underway. Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to discuss day one of the cam...
Election Daily: follow GE24 every day with Hugh Linehan and the Irish Times politics team
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
November 29th is now confirmed as the date of General Election 2024. Election Daily from The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast will update you on th...
How Trump won and what it means - with Fintan O'Toole, Steven Carroll and Jennifer Bray
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Live from Palm Beach Florida, where Donald Trump is celebrating his historic victory in the 2024 US presidential race, Steven Carroll joins Hugh, Fint...
Could Simon Harris spring a final election surprise?
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When will Simon Harris dissolve the Dáil and go to the Áras? Could he pull a surprise, or are there any final banana skins that could disrupt his pl...
The final countdown to the US election
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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David McWilliams: Money is humanity's greatest invention - but Ireland lacks the skill to use it
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Economist, podcaster and Irish Times columnist David McWilliams joins Hugh to talk about his new book Money: A Story of Humanity. They talk about the ...
Clare Daly throws a cat among the pigeons in Dublin Central
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee join Hugh to discuss the week in politics:The Government is completing what it can of its unfinished legislative program...
GE24: The battleground constituencies
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Now that it is confirmed there will be a general election this year, the Irish Times politics team can finally unleash their predictions - or should t...
Democrats are sweating but nothing is certain in the race for the White House
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trump or Harris? We'll know America's answer in just two weeks, but until then the race is too close to call. With the margins so tight, Democrats and...
Will Sinn Féin’s recent controversies have an impact in the election?
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics:· With a genera...
Election before Christmas? Ok, says Micheál Martin
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tánaiste Micheál Martin sits down with Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy to talk about the timing of the next general election. For the first time he state...
Sinn Féin's latest crisis is a disaster for the party at the worst possible time
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The resignation from Sinn Féin of Laois TD Brian Stanley on Saturday, and the party's referral to the Gardaí of information it gathered during an in...
Timing is everything when it comes to general elections
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics:· With the giveaw...
Trump, Harris and how media and politics merged - with Ben Smith
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the US presidential election nears, Hugh talks to American journalist Ben Smith about the intertwining of media and politics in the United States:h...
Does Sinn Féin’s two-candidate general election strategy lack ambition?
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee to look back on the week in politics: · The pane...
The battle to convert a giveaway budget to electoral success
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Budget 2025, reminiscent of the bonanza Celtic Tiger years, was leaked almost entirely before Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe took to the ...
Will Budget 2025 be like a Toy Show giveaway?
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics:· The budget...
Can Sinn Féin reverse its decline in popularity before the election?
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's not that long ago that a Sinn Féin-led government after the next election was seen as something of a sure bet. Now, with polls showing the party...
Budget kites flying high (but don’t mention the election date)
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics:· Political p...
Fine Gael has the momentum as Sinn Féin's slide continues - poll
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Support for Fine Gael has increased, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll, with approval ratings for Taoiseach Simon Harris ...
EU’s uneasy centre holds for now as flood waters rise
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Power and Derek Scally join Hugh Linehan to discuss developments in European politics:Michael McGrath was handed the EU Commission's justice port...
Childcare is now a battleground issue ahead of general election
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s host Pat Leahy is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics:·  ...
US debate, Apple bonanza, Fine Gael get thinking
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Pat Leahy to talk about three big political stories of the day. First they analyse last night's debate ...
Simon Harris visits Ukraine to reaffirm Irish support
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s host, Pat Leahy, is joined on the line by Irish Times Europe Correspondent Jack Power to discuss Taoiseach Simon Harris’s visit to Ukr...
How has the Government responded to the schools abuse report?
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s host, Pat Leahy, is joined by Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee to discuss the big political stories of the week.Following Tuesday’s p...
Charlie versus Garrett redux: Listener questions answered
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What was it about Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s that a man like Charles Haughey could become its leader? Did he improve the country, despite the corr...
Coalition conflict as the budget draws near
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray to take stock as the political system cranks back into gear. With frequent political signal...
What will Simon Harris offer voters?
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In an interview with the Irish Times Taoiseach Simon Harris offered some major clues as to what he would offer voters ahead of the general election. P...
Charlie versus Garret, part three: Ireland transformed
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Covering pivotal events from the two elections in 1982 to the fall of a scandal-ridden government, part three of Pat Leahy and Hugh Linehan's explorat...
Charlie versus Garret, part two: Scandal and strife in 1980s Ireland
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy continues the story of the rivalry between Fine Gael's Garret FitzGerald and Fianna Fáil's Charles Haughey, the defining politicians of the...
Charlie versus Garret, part one: Origins of a rivalry
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout the 1980s, two men dominated the Irish political landscape. Charles Haughey and Garret FitzGerald embodied and articulated very differ...
Sinn Féin's reset, Fine Gael's exodus
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to tie up political loose ends as the summer finally arrives. With a General Election around the corner,...
Can Kamala win? - with Fintan O'Toole and Suzanne Lynch
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can Kamala Harris win against Donald Trump? Former Irish Times Washington correspondent Suzanne Lynch covered Harris's unsuccessful 2020 primary and t...
“Celebratory spirit” at the Republican Convention / Vote on von Der Leyen’s future
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Republican National Convention is taking place this week in Milwaukee, just days after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.Irish Times Washi...
Roderic O'Gorman on pacts, focus groups and nastiness
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics. They discuss the end of the Dáil term, the timing of t...
A candid look at politics in Dublin's north inner city
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After depicting the musical culture of Dublin's northside in his acclaimed documentary North Circular, director Luke McManus is now looking at the are...
Election results special: New political maps for Britain and Northern Ireland
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Labour has won the 2024 UK general election with a massive landslide. Beyond that, huge shifts have taken place across the political map of Britain an...
UK election: If the Tories implode, what then? With Rafael Behr
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Political commentator with The Guardian Rafael Behr returns to the podcast to talk about the UK general election. By Friday we will know if the widely...
Will Biden step aside after a disastrous debate?
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Washington correspondent Keith Duggan joins this week's wrap to discuss what could turn out to be one of the year's most consequential political devel...
Is Jack Chambers ready for Finance?
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Linehan is joined by Irish Times columnist Gerard Howlin and political editor Pat Leahy to discuss the appointment of Jack Chambers as Minister o...
Will a summer of cancelled flights harm Harris?
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Leahy is joined by Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn to look back at the week in politics:The latest in the race to succeed Eamon Ryan as Green party...
Who will replace Eamon Ryan? / Northern Ireland votes
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
First we focus on political upheaval following the announcement that Eamon Ryan is stepping down as leader of the Greens. Political correspondent Corm...
Will the by-elections ever take place?
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Harry McGee to look back at the week in politics. With our recent obsession on the local and European election...
Election Daily: Taking stock as the election winds down
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With some European seats still to be filled but the overall picture of these elections now fairly clear, Pat Leahy joins Hugh for a final episode of E...
A rightward shift in European politics
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Citizens of the EU used their votes in last week's elections to maintain centre-right control of the European Parliament, while shifting the overall m...