With its fast-growing economy and increasing significance as a player in European security, Poland’s political direction will have a major... more

Alex Kane, Lisa Whitten, Freya McClements and Pat Leahy joined Hugh Linehan in Northern Ireland for a live show at... more

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his... more

Ahead of Simon Harris’s first Fine Gael Ard Fheis as party leader, Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan... more

On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Hugh is joined by David Rieff. David is the author of many books, including In Praise... more

What sort of a politician is Simon Harris? What can we learn from his record? And what sort of a... more

Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy and Harry McGee to talk about the swift emergence of Simon Harris as Fine... more

Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to discuss today's unexpected announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that... more

British political pundit, broadcaster and podcaster Ian Dale joins Hugh to discuss the upcoming UK general election and the state... more

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics, including the annual migration of Ministers... more

Last weekend's referendum defeats have jolted the political establishment. How could all major parties and many other players have got... more

Although counting is still underway in the family and care referendums, the Government has already admitted defeat, with a No-No... more

Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:There were some interesting developments... more

Farmer protest movements are becoming an increasingly important part of the political landscape across Europe, from Poland, where they have... more

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:One week out from the... more

Political scientist Theresa Reidy and political correspondent Harry McGee join Hugh to look ahead to June's European elections, when voters... more

The latest scandal engulfing RTÉ and Minister for Media Catherine Martin may be more cock-up than conspiracy, but it is... more

As the second anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is still a very popular figure among voters.... more

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, has taken over the functions previously held by the Referendum Commission in relation to referendums. That means... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics:In another awful week for RTÉ before... more

At this point we are definitively into the campaign for the two referendums on family and care due to take... more

Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:The latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A... more

Washington Correspondent Keith Duggan talks to Hugh Linehan about the seemingly inevitable rematch between US President Joe Biden and former... more

In the past decade relationships between the different parts of the UK and Ireland have changed. The push for Scottish... more

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to look back on the week in politics:Pat is in Brussels where the... more

Pat Leahy, Freya McClements and Mark Paul join Hugh to discuss the DUP's acceptance of a historic deal that allows... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics: Gaza is proving a persistent issue... more

Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman is the man at the centre of one of the most severe and contentious problems... more

Host Hugh Linehan is joined Cormac McQuinn and Jennifer Bray on this week’s wrap with housing for refugees and asylum... more

British broadcaster and author James O'Brien returns to Inside Politics to talk about his most recent book, How They Broke... more

There are two referendums around the corner on March 8th, but are they too complex and less immediately understandable than... more

In the first half of 2024 highly consequential elections will take place in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico... more

Still less than a year in existence, the Electoral Commission is set for a packed 2024 with local and European... more

It's part two of the traditional Inside Politics end-of-year Ask Us Anything podcast. Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry... more

It's part one of the traditional Inside Politics end-of-year Ask Us Anything podcast. Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray, Harry... more

North and South, how open are citizens to constitutional changes in order to make a United Ireland work? How much... more

Sinn Féin party leader and Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald sat down with Pat Leahy to talk about a... more

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan for the final weekly politics wrap of 2023.Jennifer Bray is dialling in... more

An agreement has been reached at Cop 28 that includes a commitment to phasing out the use of fossil fuels,... more

On today’s Inside Politics podcast, Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in... more

In his new book, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time, political scientist Yascha Mounk has... more

Hugh Linehan and podcast regulars Pat Leahy, Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray got together on Wednesday to look back on... more

Is it time for the political system to grapple more explicitly with how immigration is changing Ireland and what sort... more

This week the Friday wrap panellists are joined by Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher to talk about... more

"With economic signals flashing amber, the next Irish general election might be sooner than we thought", argues Cliff Taylor in... more

LIVE SHOW: Inside Politics will record live on Wednesday, November 29th in Dublin city centre. For details and to secure... more

It is almost four months now since Spain went to the polls to elect a new parliament. This week it... more

Housing, housing, housing and Palestine. Anyone hoping to hear much about anything else at this weekend’s Sinn Féin Ard Fheis... more

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back on the week in politics:The dire situation in Israel and... more

Will they or won't they? DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson must soon decide whether to lead his party back into power-sharing... more

The Dail is in recess, and that means no Friday wrap today. Instead, we’re going to bring you a conversation... more

The response to the Hamas terror attack on October 7th has been fierce. In the weeks since then, Israel has... more

Hugh Linehan is joined in studio by Jennifer Bray, while Pat Leahy is on the line from Brussels where he... more

Former MP, Tory leadership candidate, author and now host of the UK's biggest politics podcast The Rest is Politics, Rory... more

Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look at the week in Irish politics: Foreign policy came to... more

From Banbridge, County Down, Irish Times Books Editor Martin Doyle grew up in the heart of the 'Linen Triangle', home... more

Having already amassed a $26 billion fortune at 28, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was the world's richest person under 30.... more

The horrific events this week in Israel and the Gaza Strip are the subject of part one of today's podcast.... more

Budget 2024 was a missed opportunity to invest more in housing and tackle chronic problems in our health system, says... more

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look at the week in politics:If past years are anything to... more

On today's podcast:Jack Horgan-Jones on the darkening economic backdrop to next week's delivery of Budget 2024.Mark Paul reports from the... more

Today’s guest is Canadian academic and author Naomi Klein. Klein shot to fame with her first book, No Logo, which offered... more

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics:The latest Irish Times / Ipsos opinion... more

A constitutional stopwatch is now ticking for the way in which some senators are elected. And it’s finally time for... more

Our Friday wrap of the week returns with the start of the new political season. Jennifer Bray, Jack Horgan-Jones and... more

Peter Foster tells today’s Irish Times Inside Politics podcast that, while polls show a majority of British voters now think... more

How hard it is it to write a tell-all book about Sinn Féin, a political party known among journalists for... more

October 10th is Budget Day, so it is the time of the year for politicians and lobbyists to make their... more

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Pat Leahy to talk about the big political stories of the week:News that RTÉ... more

The Electoral Commission has published its highly anticipated constituency review which, as expected, recommends an increase in the number of Dáil seats to... more

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to discuss the big stories of the past few weeks: Is Minister for... more

The final episode of the series ends with a bang, or rather a crash, as Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy... more

In this episode Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy pore over what comes after Fianna Fáil's successful 2002 general election amid... more

In this episode Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy delve into Bertie Ahern's first government as Taoiseach, a government which oversees... more

His legacy is debated, but there's no denying that Bertie Ahern is one of the most significant figures in Irish... more

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to US politics, as proved again today with the announcement of fresh... more

Who are Sinn Féin and what really makes the party different, if anything? Who holds real sway within the party?... more

The Dáil summer recess has arrived and our political experts Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn have convened to... more

In a summer heatwave gripping countries including Spain, Italy, France and Greece, Europeans are experiencing temperatures more commonly found in... more

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics including hopefully the final... more

It's the Twelfth and to mark Unionism and Loyalism's day of celebration, Hugh talks to Dr Aaron Edwards, author of... more

On today’s Inside Politics podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray to discuss the week in... more

Under the leadership of Holly Cairns, the Cork South-West TD who took over from Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall in... more

In a wide-ranging interview in today's Irish Times, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee talks about remarks critical of her taking... more

Hosting Inside Politics in Hugh Linehan’s absence, Pat Leahy is joined by Current Affairs Editor of The Irish Times, Arthur... more

Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to talk about the week in politics, including:The fiasco unfolding at RTÉ over... more

Columnist and former Fianna Fáil advisor Gerard Howlin joins Hugh Linehan, Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray to talk about two... more

The latest Irish Times/ Ipsos opinion poll shows support for both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin has dropped, with Taoiseach... more

Conor Gallagher, Irish Times Crime and Security Correspondent, has a new book out Is Ireland Neutral? The Many Myths of... more

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the week in politics, including:Ifac cautions coalition on expenditure and... more

The podcast takes a look at the concept of ‘middle Ireland’, a concept that has been around for a long... more

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to talk about the week in politics, including:Ireland is on course to miss... more

In his new book Public Morality and The Culture Wars, academic Bryan Fanning analyses what he calls the ‘triple divide’... more

The coalition Government still has plenty of time to run but, if the past week is anything to go by,... more

The Electoral Commission is a newly established state body set up to oversee elections in Ireland. Taking on a range... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about the week in politics, including:Government reaction to the agonising migrant... more

The ongoing crisis over a shortage of accommodation for International Protection applicants is an acute problem that risks becoming a chronic... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to discuss the big political stories of the week. Hosted on Acast.... more

Political columnist and podcaster Rafael Behr returns to the podcast to talk about his new book Politics: A Survivor's Guide.... more

After yet another ECB rates rise, could we see the reintroduction of mortgage interest relief to take some pressure off... more

Fiona Hill returns to the podcast to talk to Hugh Linehan about how global attitudes to the war in Ukraine... more

Tánaiste Micheál Martin's rant in the Dáil was the first point of discussion on the podcast's round-up this week. The... more

Minister for Transport and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan talks to Hugh Linehan and Harry McGee about policies and politics.... more

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the week in politics:How should the Government use this year's... more

On today’s Inside Politics podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones from our political team to... more

Irish Times Washington Correspondents past and present, Simon Carswell and Martin Wall, have both been covering US president Joe Biden's... more

Gerard Howlin and Freya McClements join Pat Leahy to talk about all the politics surrounding US President Joe Biden's visit... more

The whole world is a series of collective action problems, says Professor Ben Ansell. We want action taken to solve... more

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back at the week in politics:Bad-tempered Dáil debates on confidence motions... more

April marks 25 years since the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement was reached, ending the Troubles and establishing a new... more

Despite the government's comfortable defeat of a motion of no confidence this week, the fallout continues as it reacts to... more

The contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon has been heating up over the last number of weeks, as the three candidates... more

It's St Patrick's Day week and ministers are flying off to press the flesh around the world. Jack Horgan-Jones and... more

One issue has dominated the agenda on what was an already busy week for politics. The decision to lift the... more

People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire Richard Boyd Barrett talks to Hugh and Jen about a pamphlet recently published by... more

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about the week in politics:Minister of state Niall Collins fails to... more

The Government and the European Union expect British prime minister Rishi Sunak to proceed with the new deal on the... more

Holly Cairns is seen as the most likely contender to succeed Roisin Shorthall and Catherine Murphy, who announced they’re to... more

How the war in Ukraine is seen in Europe and around the world is complex and always changing, but there's... more

Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk through some of the biggest political stories of the week including... more

The political debate around the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom and its future economic relationship with Europe is 'just... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to talk about the readmission to Fianna Fáil of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern,... more

Today we answer listener questions about the North and South project, with help from Professor Brendan O’Leary of the University... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to talk about the week in politics:A letter from Minister Roderic O'Gorman... more

Labour leader Ivana Bacik talks to Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy about her efforts to revive the party's fortunes since... more

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to look back on the week in politics.Claims of electoral expense irregularities expand... more

No elections take place this year. But 2024 could see local, European and general elections all taking place in Ireland.... more

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has cultivated a reputation for being a safe pair of political hands, so it has... more

"If we push honest views below ground, we simply push those views into the hands of real racists". That statement,... more

Struggling in your job, your attitude, your relationships? There are a growing number of self-declared online experts who have all... more

Cormac McQuinn and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to discuss the fallout from a report on The Ditch news website... more

On today's podcast:The crisis in Emergency Departments this winter reveals a lack of accountability in the upper echelons of the... more

New year, new Taoiseach, but the same headwinds facing the Government in areas like housing, refugee accommodation and a struggling... more

It's part two of our annual Ask Us Anything, featuring questions on journalism, politics and a podcasting rivalry.Taking your questions... more

You asked, we answered. It's part one of our annual Ask Us Anything, featuring questions on journalism, politics and a... more

What happened in the Cabinet reshuffle? Not a lot, is one reasonable answer - there were no surprises, most ministers... more

Naomi O'Leary is on the line from Brussels where a money-for-influence corruption scandal has rocked the European Parliament. But first,... more

Current affairs editor Arthur Beesley joins Hugh and Pat to talk about his report on what happened inside the Standards... more

"Loser's consent" could be a critical concept in the event of a referendum on Irish reunification. Will the losing side... more

When should a referendum on Irish unity be held, and how would citizens north and south vote? The answer to... more

Next month Fianna Fáil's Micheal Martin will hand over the office of Taoiseach to Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar.The switch will... more

On the podcast today:How much of the East Wall refugee protest story is really an outworking of the housing shortage?... more

Political correspondents Harry McGee and Jennifer Bray join Pat Leahy to discuss how the Government is grappling with some disquiet... more

Non-political stories have dominated the news agenda this week, but each has a political dimension. Cormac McQuinn and Pat... more

"After months of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing amid talk of economic decoupling and a new cold war, Joe... more

The world’s most powerful media and technology companies use their market power to lock their customers into a relationship they... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look at the week's politics:A Supreme Court ruling creates a headache for... more

In the run up to the US midterm elections, polls and political spectators forecast a landslide for the Republicans, but... more

New legislation will give extra protection to members of groups affected by crimes motivated by hatred. But critics say the... more

The latest Irish Times/Ipsos opinion poll shows that despite a strong desire to support Ukraine, 61 per cent of voters... more

“Time to look at the big picture; what does it mean for me?”Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan... more

The debacle of Liz Truss's short premiership has cast the entire UK political system into crisis. Not least the system... more

Many Irish Times readers were talking this week about Fintan O'Toole's column on the subject of the IRA and the... more

"A grim agenda" of recession, UK bond crisis and global energy crisis awaits later in today's podcast, so first the... more

The European Political Community, a new forum for European leaders including wannabe EU members and Brexit Britain, met for the... more

Gerard Howlin, Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about this week's politics:Who is satisfied or dissatisfied with... more

Follow-up analysis of Budget 2023 including childcare measures and the concrete levy, plus a look at the difficult political choices... more

Now that the dust is beginning to settle on Budget 2023, it’s time to pick it all apart. With €11... more

For a quick catchup on the political news of the week, Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan. Topics... more

Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary talks to Hugh about forthcoming elections in Italy that look likely to return a government led... more

In a new book Kevin Rafter explores how art and artists have been treated by our taoisigh, from W.T. Cosgrave... more

Party think-ins have been happening, a cost of living crisis is raging and the Dáil is back today - so... more

London editor Denis Staunton and political editor Pat Leahy join Hugh to discuss the dawning UK premiership of Liz Truss.... more

Professor Brendan O'Leary returns to the show to talk about his new book Making Sense of a United Ireland, in... more

This winter, thousands of Irish households will be pushed into energy poverty, as the price of oil and gas continues... more

On Wednesday Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy stepped down from his role as Minister of State after weeks of controversy... more

Religious belief has declined in Europe, but the strength of people's political views is stronger than ever - or at... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray emerge from the misty miasma of August political coverage to tell Hugh what's going on... more

Patrick Radden Keefe is an American writer and investigative journalist. His book Empire of Pain is a detailed history of... more

"It is not a question of whether, but when and how Ireland will be united", is the provocative opening argument... more

Jack Horgan Jones, Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan, back after a two-month absence, to talk about the... more

The Government this week moved swiftly to tighten Ireland's immigration and asylum regime, when it revoked automatic permission to enter... more

Pat Leahy talks to guest host Mary Minihan about the results of this week's series of Ipsos opinion poll results.... more

Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn join Pat Leahy to discuss the confidence debate and vote that the Government handily won... more

Crucial midterm elections for the US Congress will take place in the autumn, with the Democratic Party predicted to lose... more

With Boris Johnson on his way, however slowly, out the door, the Conservatives face a challenge to find a leader... more

It seems to be a question of when, not if, for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose mishandling of sexual... more

Fine Gael under leader Leo Varadkar are hopelessly out of touch with young voters, says Irish Times columnist Una Mullally.... more

Jennifer Bray, Jack Horgan-Jones and Irish Times Economics Correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy join Pat Leahy to discuss the long wait until... more

The rising cost of living is the most immediate issue facing governments all over the world. The Central Statistics Office... more

Jack Horgan-Jones is one of many parents paying through the nose for childcare. The Government wants to take some of... more

Not without difficulty, EU member states reached an agreement on new sanctions against Russia, this time banning most oil imports.... more

Celebrated author and podcaster Jon Ronson talks to Hugh about his recent BBC podcast series Things Fell Apart which explores... more

If Sinn Féin fulfils its ambition to be the first party other than Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil to form... more

Part one: Following two weeks of intense debate and discussion on the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital, the plan... more

Pandemonium: Power, Politics and Ireland’s Pandemic, is the new book by Irish Times political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones and Hugh O’Connell,... more

Freya McClements, Mary Minihan and Pat Leahy join Hugh to analyse the results of last week's Northern Ireland Assembly elections.... more

Tomorrow Northern Ireland goes to the polls, in what’s been dubbed the most important vote in a generation. For the... more

Pat and Jen join Hugh to talk about all the political stories of the past week including tension within the... more

Next weekend, French voters decide whether Emmanuel Macron should remain president or Marine Le Pen should replace him. The latter... more

There is overwhelming support for a retention of Ireland’s current model of military neutrality, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos... more

Part one: The political controversy over the appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to a position in Trinity College has raised... more

Neoliberalism means different things to different people. As a set of economic policies it is mainly associated with reducing state... more

Hugh is joined by Jennifer Bray, Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee to discuss the big political stories of the week,... more

Ivana Bacik’s uncontested election as Labour Party leader came after the swift removal of Alan Kelly from the role and... more

Hugh catches up with Pat Leahy, fresh from his trip to Washington for Micheál Martin’s ill-fated St Patrick’s Day visit.... more

As Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine enters its fourth week, with little sign of an outcome, the question of what... more

In her new book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, Helen Thompson, a professor of political economy at Cambridge... more

Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty joins Hugh and Pat to discuss what his party's priorities and policies would be,... more

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought about enormous changes in European policy in an incredibly short space of time. To... more

Businessman-turned-campaigner Bill Browder returns to the podcast to talk to Hugh about Russian president Vladimir Putin's actions and motivations, the... more

Professor Jane Suiter and political correspondent Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the week's political stories. The National Women's... more

Academic and author Lea Ypi talks to Hugh about her unique and insightful memoir Free, in which she recalls her... more

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about how a relaxation of the remaining Covid restrictions might play... more

The pandemic is not over but the emergency phase of the State's response to it is. So, how did we... more

Fiona Hill is a former White House official who advised presidents Bush, Obama and Trump on European and Russian affairs,... more

The Government is still under pressure over the so-called “champagne party” in the Department of Foreign Affairs on the night... more

To understand the strategy and politics behind Russian president Vladimir Putin's buildup of military might on Ukraine's border and how... more

Pressure continues to build on UK prime minister Boris Johnson. Denis Staunton has the latest from London. But first Jack... more

Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the latest Covid-19 moves being considered by Government, an eye-catching... more

Pat is joined by Kevin Cunnimgham and Ed Brophy to talk about the major trends that could shape politics in... more

Once again you asked and once again we will answer. Jen, Pat and Jack join Hugh to respond to listener... more

The resignation of Lord David Frost has introduced a new uncertainty to slowly-progressing talks on the Northern Ireland protocol. EU... more

A rebellion by Tory MPs against Boris Johnson's "Plan B" to suppress the Omicron variant left the PM in the... more

According to our latest Ipsos MRBI poll, there's a desire for a United Ireland. But when we asked what changes... more

We assess the political fallout from the decisions taken over the past few weeks to introduce new Covid-19 restrictions covering... more

Depending on who you ask, Charles J. Haughey is either the great villain of Irish political life or the benevolent... more

Years of being on the opposite side of difficult Brexit negotiations have unarguably damaged Irish-British relations. But how bad is... more

Once again, too many people are getting sick, and there aren't enough hospital beds. The Government is struggling to come... more

For days now politicians in Ireland and the EU have been expecting UK Brexit negotiator David Frost to trigger Article... more

At Sinn Féin’s ardfheis in Dublin last weekend, a motion in support of the non-jury Special Criminal Court was passed, representing... more

Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary talks to Hugh about the rising Covid numbers in many EU member states, the rising energy... more

Ed Brophy is a former chief of staff to finance minister Paschal Donohoe and to Labour’s Joan Burton when she... more

Author and academic Noam Chomksy talks to Hugh about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the morality of Ireland’s tax regime... more

Pat Leahy talks to Seamus Coffey, Jack Horgan-Jones and Cliff Taylor about yesterday's budget and how the last-minute news that... more

The Government’s 10-year National Development Plan announced this week has been greeted with scepticism in some quarters and criticised by... more

Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones from the Irish Times politics team join Hugh to discuss the major considerations... more

Berlin correspondent Derek Scally joins Hugh for a deep dive into the most interesting German federal election in decades, which... more

After a turbulent summer break for the coalition, the country’s political parties hunkered down for their respective think-in meetings over... more

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin’s latest book, Defects: Living with the legacy of the Celtic Tiger, tells the... more

Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn from the Irish Times politics team to discuss the... more

Patrick Radden Keefe is an American writer and investigative journalist. His new book, Empire of Pain is a detailed history... more

As one of the world's most respected newspaper editors, Lionel Barber spent over a decade at the helm of The... more

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to assess the damage done by the recent Zappone controversy. Now that the... more

Suzanne Lynch arrived in the US to take up her new role as Irish Times Washington correspondent ten days after... more

This week, London Editor Denis Staunton engaged in a brief, yet courteous Twitter exchange with former Downing Street advisor Dominic... more

With the Dáil term drawn to a close, Pat, Harry and Jen join Hugh to answer our listener's questions about... more

The 2020 election marked the end of an era in Irish politics, with Sinn Féin winning the most votes for... more

Labour’s Ivana Bacik looked on course to top the poll in the Dublin Bay South byelection since tally figures on... more

The Government is coming under increasing pressure from all angles, as it wrestles with the toughest decisions for months on... more

On Thursday July 8th, voters in Dublin Bay South will cast their votes in a byelection, triggered by the resignation... more

The DUP will have its third leader in the space of two months when Jeffrey Donaldson is officially appointed on... more

21 years on from her book Northern Protestants: An Unsettled People, Susan McKay revisits the lives of that community in... more

Five months on from the final report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, controversy still surrounds the... more

Historian Niall Ferguson’s new book 'Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe' offers a sweeping compendium of the many appalling catastrophes that... more

With the Dublin Bay South byelection looking likely to take place in early July, Harry McGee and Jennifer Bray join... more

Today the team take a look at what role Sinn Féin will play in forming the next government. Although there... more

Jennifer Bray, Pat Leahy and Kevin Cunningham join Hugh to talk about how the government is struggling to come... more

British broadcaster and writer James O’Brien has built a loyal listenership on his LBC radio programme, dissecting the opinions of... more

The political focus has shifted from the pandemic to the housing crisis, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin this week declaring it... more

Denis Staunton talks to Hugh about the results of last Friday's local and regional elections in England, Scotland and Wales.... more

For decades, Ireland has used a low corporation tax rate to attract foreign direct investment. That is now threatened by... more

What led to Arlene Foster's ouster this week, who will succeed her and what will it mean for politics on... more

For much of the pandemic, the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG) has recommended that Ireland should aggressively suppress virus transmission... more

To what extent can political beliefs and behaviour be understood through the science of psychology and the study of human... more

Since coronavirus, governments around the globe have abandoned traditional concerns about deficits and enacted emergency measures in the interest of... more

CBS News political reporter, Slate Political Gabfest panelist and proud Irish-American John Dickerson talks to Hugh about the office of... more

The Government's Covid-19 policy was dealt a double blow this week, as it was forced to pause the mandatory hotel... more

It's not just Brexit, or the Bobby Storey funeral, or the constant talk of a border poll. Many factors fed... more

The debate surrounding mandatory hotel quarantine rumbles on between government departments, but what are the logistical, legal and diplomatic issues... more

Behavioral economist Pete Lunn and political correspondent Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about the government's major moves in the Covid-19... more

Last week was a very good one for the Green Party, but you could be forgiven for getting the opposite... more

In his new book Free Speech and Why it Matters, Andrew Doyle questions a new form of social justice activism,... more

The EU is set to tighten export controls in a bid to prevent Covid-19 vaccines leaving the bloc. It comes... more

In today’s episode Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally joins Hugh to speak about his brand new book: The Best... more

In today’s episode, Pat and Jen join Hugh for a special edition of “ask me anything”. From the zero Covid... more

Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan dominated the news headlines all this week. The most watched... more

It's just over a week since the Central Bank fined Davy stockbrokers €4.1 million for breaching market rules. On today’s... more

President Michael D Higgins sparked a debate recently with his sharp critique of British imperialism. In a piece for the... more

In January, the Affordable Housing Bill was published by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien. The Bill... more

Political editor Pat Leahy joins Hugh to look at the results of this week's Irish Times / Ipsos MRBI poll... more

This week Harry and Hugh talk to MEP Clare Daly, who since her election as an MEP for Dublin in... more

Following last week's podcast with professor Brendan O’Leary on the creation of Northern Ireland, today’s show looks at this year’s... more

This year marks the centenary of partition on the island of Ireland. The official commemoration takes place in May, but... more

It may feel like a lifetime ago, but this week marks one year since the 2020 general election. And what... more

The concept of universal basic income (UBI) - paying everyone a regular, fixed amount of money to ensure a basic standard... more

Naomi O'Leary on how the EU commission made its biggest blunder in years, combining two incredibly sensitive issues - the... more

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is presiding over a massive expansion of national debt to meet society's needs during this... more

What to do about the risk of international travel bringing the virus into the country has been a problem for... more

This week the spotlight has been well and truly on Tánaiste Leo Varadkar following the release of internal Department of... more