Best Patrick Conlon Podcasts (2022)

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Inside Politics

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Pandemonium: Jack Horgan-Jones and Hugh O’Connell 49:55

2d ago49:55

49:55

Pandemonium: Power, Politics and Ireland’s Pandemic, is the new book by Irish Times political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones and Hugh O’Connell, political correspondent for the Irish Independent. It examines the government handling of the coronavirus pandemic, revealing the moves, power-plays and tactics of those in charge. The co-authors join Pat Leah…

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Inside Politics

1
Stormont election special: Seismic or not, a significant result for Northern Ireland 48:40

4d ago48:40

48:40

Freya McClements, Mary Minihan and Pat Leahy join Hugh to analyse the results of last week's Northern Ireland Assembly elections. The major talking point is Sinn Féin taking the largest number of seats for the first time, while the Alliance Party's unprecedented success signals the importance of the middle ground in Northern Ireland. See acast.com/…

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Inside Politics

1
Voters go to the polls in Britain and Northern Ireland 41:18

9d ago41:18

41:18

Tomorrow Northern Ireland goes to the polls, in what’s been dubbed the most important vote in a generation. For the first time in more than a century, there is the prospect of a nationalist being elected to the top job in government. What could that mean for power sharing? In the rest of the United Kingdom, local elections are taking place. Will di…

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Inside Politics

1
Turf wars, TD numbers and a row over surrogacy 44:39

16d ago44:39

44:39

Pat and Jen join Hugh to talk about all the political stories of the past week including tension within the coalition over a proposed ban on the sale of turf, the prospect of an increased number of TDs due to a growing population and what that will mean for politics, and an argument in the Seanad over remarks by one Senator during a debate on surro…

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Inside Politics

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Two very different elections, two defining moments 43:29

26d ago43:29

43:29

Next weekend, French voters decide whether Emmanuel Macron should remain president or Marine Le Pen should replace him. The latter result would transform France and Europe. Next month, Northern Irish voters elect their MLAs in a vote that could see a Sinn Féin First Minister appointed for the first time. Freya McClements and Lara Marlowe report on …

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Inside Politics

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Poll exclusive: majority favour keeping neutrality 20:47

1M ago20:47

20:47

There is overwhelming support for a retention of Ireland’s current model of military neutrality, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos poll. Two- thirds of voters do not want to see any change in neutrality, with less than a quarter (24 per cent) saying they wanted to see a change. Pat Leahy explains the poll results in detail. See acast.com/pr…

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Inside Politics

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Watt in the spotlight / State of the parties 45:35

1M ago45:35

45:35

Part one: The political controversy over the appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to a position in Trinity College has raised some awkward questions for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and his departmental Secretary General extraordinaire Robert Watt. Part two: The Dáil is in recess this week - time to run the rule over the performance of the variou…

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Inside Politics

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What is neoliberalism - and is it over? 53:25

1M ago53:25

53:25

Neoliberalism means different things to different people. As a set of economic policies it is mainly associated with reducing state intervention in commerce and society. In the course of its late 20th century heyday, neoliberalism transformed the world - for better or worse. But now its dominance is challenged by different models, such as the autho…

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Inside Politics

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Zelenskiy’s historic address to Oireachtas, carbon tax increase, Seanad by-election 39:49

1M ago39:49

39:49

Hugh is joined by Jennifer Bray, Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee to discuss the big political stories of the week, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this morning, the debate surrounding the impending carbon tax increase and the result of the recent Seanad by-election. Se…

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Inside Politics

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Ivana Bacik on Labour’s past, present and future 48:04

2M ago48:04

48:04

Ivana Bacik’s uncontested election as Labour Party leader came after the swift removal of Alan Kelly from the role and her own relatively recent appointment as a TD in the Dublin Bay South by-election. She talks to Hugh and Pat about her recent elevation, her vision for the future of the Labour Party and the challenges it faces in re-establishing i…

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Inside Politics

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A disappointing Patrick’s Day for the Taoiseach, Covid’s resurgence, inflation bites 40:06

2M ago40:06

40:06

Hugh catches up with Pat Leahy, fresh from his trip to Washington for Micheál Martin’s ill-fated St Patrick’s Day visit. They’re also joined by Jennifer Bray to discuss the future of the coalition and the big political challenges it faces, including the resurgence of Covid, the war in Ukraine and inflation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt…

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Inside Politics

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Lionel Barber on Putin and how the West should deal with him 37:24

2M ago37:24

37:24

As Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine enters its fourth week, with little sign of an outcome, the question of what an endgame of this war might look like is increasingly the subject of international debate. Former editor of the Financial Times, Lionel Barber, is one of the few Western journalists to have conducted an in-depth interview with Vladimi…

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Inside Politics

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Helen Thompson, author of Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century 58:32

2M ago58:32

58:32

In her new book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, Helen Thompson, a professor of political economy at Cambridge University, gets to grips with the overlapping geopolitical, economic, and political crises faced by Western democratic societies in the 2020s. She talks to Hugh about some of these moments and the disorder that emerged from them.…

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Inside Politics

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Pearse Doherty on Sinn Féin’s policies, a united Ireland and issues of security and neutrality 57:05

2M ago57:05

57:05

Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty joins Hugh and Pat to discuss what his party's priorities and policies would be, if they were to lead the next government. They also discuss Ireland’s neutrality and security into the future, in light of the war in Ukraine, and whether cuts to excise duties on fuel, announced by the Government today, go…

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Inside Politics

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Europe's turning point 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought about enormous changes in European policy in an incredibly short space of time. To discuss how it happened, what it means and what happens next, Hugh is joined by Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary and Berlin correspondent Derek Scally. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.…

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Inside Politics

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"Putin can never show any weakness" - Bill Browder on war, sanctions and the outlook for Ukraine 28:07

3M ago28:07

28:07

Businessman-turned-campaigner Bill Browder returns to the podcast to talk to Hugh about Russian president Vladimir Putin's actions and motivations, the impact of sanctions and other measures on him and his inner circle as well as the outlook for Ukraine as it fights back against invasion. Browder has spearheaded a campaign against Putin and other R…

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Inside Politics

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NCWI spat raises interesting questions, Citizens' Assemblies, Sinn Féin's carbon stance 55:35

3M ago55:35

55:35

Professor Jane Suiter and political correspondent Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the week's political stories. The National Women's Council of Ireland annoyed some government politicians by failing to invite them to an International Women's Day event. The row raised interesting questions about the role of civic bodies like the NCWI and their r…

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Inside Politics

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Lea Ypi, author of Free: Coming of Age at the End of History 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

Academic and author Lea Ypi talks to Hugh about her unique and insightful memoir Free, in which she recalls her youth in Albania under communism, the regime's economic and political downfall and the disappointment of what came after. Lea Ypi is professor of political theory at the London School of Economics. Free is published by Penguin. See acast.…

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Inside Politics

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Covid restrictions, gender-based violence & do we need the Defence Forces? 43:59

3M ago43:59

43:59

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about how a relaxation of the remaining Covid restrictions might play out, the merits of Ireland’s Defence Forces and the new statutory agency for domestic and gender-based violence. They also discuss Helen McEntee’s ministerial performance and how government policy is preventing local authorities from …

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Inside Politics

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The lessons of the pandemic - with Fintan O'Toole and Jack Horgan-Jones 48:18

3M ago48:18

48:18

The pandemic is not over but the emergency phase of the State's response to it is. So, how did we do? What lessons can be learned from the state's response and what's the best way to find out what those lessons are? To discuss Hugh is joined by Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole and by political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones, who is the co-author wi…

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Inside Politics

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Fiona Hill on Russia, America and ending up in Trump's White House 49:46

3M ago49:46

49:46

Fiona Hill is a former White House official who advised presidents Bush, Obama and Trump on European and Russian affairs, and who is perhaps best known for her testimony in President Trump's impeachment hearings. Now she has written a book, There Is Nothing For You Here, about her life, her path to the White House and the declining politics of the …

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Inside Politics

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Politics after the pandemic 44:45

3M ago44:45

44:45

The Government is still under pressure over the so-called “champagne party” in the Department of Foreign Affairs on the night Ireland was elected to the UN Security Council two years ago, but will the incident have any lasting political impact? One issue that is certain to trouble the coalition in the coming months is inflation, as more of us begin…

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Inside Politics

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Understanding what's happening in Ukraine - with Tom Wright 40:51

4M ago40:51

40:51

To understand the strategy and politics behind Russian president Vladimir Putin's buildup of military might on Ukraine's border and how Ukraine, the United States, Europe and Nato are responding, Hugh talks to foreign policy expert Tom Wright. Tom Wright is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, a Washington-based foreign policy think tank, an…

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Inside Politics

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Is Boris Johnson on the brink? 41:32

4M ago41:32

41:32

Pressure continues to build on UK prime minister Boris Johnson. Denis Staunton has the latest from London. But first Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray talk about Minister for Justice Helen McEntee's plan to tackle gender-based violence and the growing optimism that Covid-19 rules can be relaxed and ultimately dismantled. See acast.com/privacy for…

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Inside Politics

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Covid calm despite case avalanche, Sipo's intervention, State papers 34:52

4M ago34:52

34:52

Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the latest Covid-19 moves being considered by Government, an eye-catching ruling by the Standards in Public Office Commission and what we learned from the State papers released over Christmas. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.…

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Inside Politics

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2022 political preview: Taoiseach rotation, virus mutation and cost inflation 46:35

4M ago46:35

46:35

Pat is joined by Kevin Cunnimgham and Ed Brophy to talk about the major trends that could shape politics in 2022. Will the pandemic continue to dominate everything? How will the return of Leo Varadkar to the office of Taoiseach work in practice? If the cost of living continues its rise as a major issue of concern for voters, who will benefit politi…

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Inside Politics

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Ask us anything 2021 - listener questions answered 42:33

5M ago42:33

42:33

Once again you asked and once again we will answer. Jen, Pat and Jack join Hugh to respond to listener queries on everything from the possibility of a far-right swing in one major political party's future to the role of expert advisors in the age of Covid-19 and the festive magic of Seanad reform. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions and apolog…

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Inside Politics

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David Frost's departure, Omicron uncertainties 43:03

5M ago43:03

43:03

The resignation of Lord David Frost has introduced a new uncertainty to slowly-progressing talks on the Northern Ireland protocol. EU negotiators would be foolish to think Frost's departure is necessarily a good thing, says London editor Denis Staunton. But first, public affairs editor Simon Carswell on the uncertain situation faced by the country …

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Inside Politics

1
Johnson loses the room, protocol moves, unionists and unity 43:13

5M ago43:13

43:13

A rebellion by Tory MPs against Boris Johnson's "Plan B" to suppress the Omicron variant left the PM in the embarrassing position of needing Labour support. Is Johnson on borrowed time? On the Brexit front, the UK government rowed back on its demand for European court supremacy over the Northern Ireland protocol, the Brexit agreement covering trade…

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Inside Politics

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Poll special: How much do we want a United Ireland? 22:06

5M ago22:06

22:06

According to our latest Ipsos MRBI poll, there's a desire for a United Ireland. But when we asked what changes to their lives people would be willing to accept to get it, the picture became more complicated. Political editor Pat Leahy shares the poll results with Hugh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.…

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Inside Politics

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Fresh restrictions breed frustration 42:16

5M ago42:16

42:16

We assess the political fallout from the decisions taken over the past few weeks to introduce new Covid-19 restrictions covering international travel, masking children in primary school and the hospitality sector. Are more measures on the way before Christmas? Could school closures be back on the menu after Christmas? Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy an…

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Inside Politics

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The life and legacy of Charles J. Haughey - with professor Gary Murphy 1:23:48

6M ago1:23:48

1:23:48

Depending on who you ask, Charles J. Haughey is either the great villain of Irish political life or the benevolent and forward-thinking saviour of a benighted nation. Professor of politics at Dublin City University, Gary Murphy, has written a biography of the former Taoiseach based on Haughey’s personal archives, as well as extensive interviews wit…

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Inside Politics

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What has Brexit done to Irish-British relations? 47:10

6M ago47:10

47:10

Years of being on the opposite side of difficult Brexit negotiations have unarguably damaged Irish-British relations. But how bad is the damage? To find out, this week's host Pat Leahy talks to former Irish ambassador to the UK Bobby McDonagh and our London editor Denis Staunton. They also discuss the latest developments in the standoff over the No…

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Inside Politics

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"No clear idea what to do next" 45:30

6M ago45:30

45:30

Once again, too many people are getting sick, and there aren't enough hospital beds. The Government is struggling to come up with a convincing plan to turn the Covid-19 situation around. Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray tell Hugh what the thinking is about how to tackle the crisis and how the latest reimposition of restrictions on nightlife and …

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Inside Politics

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The UK pulls back from triggering Article 16 - for now 39:23

6M ago39:23

39:23

For days now politicians in Ireland and the EU have been expecting UK Brexit negotiator David Frost to trigger Article 16, pausing the Northern Ireland protocol and creating a fresh crisis for EU-UK relations. But today Lord Frost made more diplomatic noises, saying negotiations had made some progress and still have longer to run. But if the threat…

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Inside Politics

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Sinn Fein: a party preparing for government 40:52

6M ago40:52

40:52

At Sinn Féin’s ardfheis in Dublin last weekend, a motion in support of the non-jury Special Criminal Court was passed, representing a considerable shift in position and removing a significant hurdle to the party’s ambitions to lead the next government. Banners declaring it’s “time for change” adorned the walls of the Helix in Dublin City University…

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Inside Politics

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Covid, rising energy prices and internal strife spell a difficult winter for the EU - with Naomi O'Leary 42:28

7M ago42:28

42:28

Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary talks to Hugh about the rising Covid numbers in many EU member states, the rising energy prices that are dominating the news and the row between Brussels and Poland over the rule of law. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Inside Politics

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Inside ten years as a government advisor - with Ed Brophy 51:09

7M ago51:09

51:09

Ed Brophy is a former chief of staff to finance minister Paschal Donohoe and to Labour’s Joan Burton when she was Tánaiste. Recently he stepped away from politics after ten years in the corridors of power. He talks to Hugh and Pat about the crises Ireland faced during his time as a government advisor, the challenges of governing under the watchful …

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Inside Politics

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Noam Chomsky: ‘Ireland has robbed poor working people of tens of trillions of dollars’ 39:51

7M ago39:51

39:51

Author and academic Noam Chomksy talks to Hugh about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the morality of Ireland’s tax regime and whether the human race can avoid the twin catastrophes of global warming and nuclear war. With thanks to the Institute of International and European Affairs for facilitating this interview. See acast.com/privacy for priv…

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Inside Politics

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Budget 2022: Understanding how key decisions were made 41:16

7M ago41:16

41:16

Pat Leahy talks to Seamus Coffey, Jack Horgan-Jones and Cliff Taylor about yesterday's budget and how the last-minute news that our economy has recovered more than expected played into spending decisions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Inside Politics

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National Development Plan: to-do list, or wish list? 36:15

7M ago36:15

36:15

The Government’s 10-year National Development Plan announced this week has been greeted with scepticism in some quarters and criticised by the opposition as more of a wish-list than a to-do list. The ambitious plan sets out to meet the needs of a growing population up to 2030. Can its goals be achieved? Hugh talks to The Irish Times political edito…

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Inside Politics

1
Pre-budget discussions, Mica redress and a divisive pandemic bonus 47:39

8M ago47:39

47:39

Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones from the Irish Times politics team join Hugh to discuss the major considerations for the government ahead of Budget day on October 12th. They also look at the divisive politics of the public service pandemic bonus and the latest on the Mica redress scheme. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out …

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Inside Politics

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Germany election special: who will replace Angela Merkel? 39:03

8M ago39:03

39:03

Berlin correspondent Derek Scally joins Hugh for a deep dive into the most interesting German federal election in decades, which takes place on Sunday. How did Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU, now under the leadership of Armin Laschet, blow its lead in the election race? And who are the other leaders and parties in contention? See acast.com/privac…

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Inside Politics

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Talking about think-ins 37:41

8M ago37:41

37:41

After a turbulent summer break for the coalition, the country’s political parties hunkered down for their respective think-in meetings over the last two weeks, before the return of the Dáil. Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones of The Irish Times political team report back to Hugh on the dominant narratives to emerge from the Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and …

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Inside Politics

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The legacy of ‘Celtic Tiger’ housing - with Eoin Ó Broin 52:58

8M ago52:58

52:58

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin’s latest book, Defects: Living with the legacy of the Celtic Tiger, tells the stories of some of the thousands of people living in dangerous homes with serious fire safety and structural defects in different parts of Ireland. The book also explains how decades of light touch building regulation and the de…

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Inside Politics

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A new Dáil term's afoot 35:30

9M ago35:30

35:30

Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Cormac McQuinn from the Irish Times politics team to discuss the Government's roadmap for the easing of pandemic restrictions, as revealed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday. They also look ahead to Minister Daragh O'Brien's much vaunted 'Housing for All' plan, the hurdles the Government is likely t…

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Inside Politics

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Empire of Pain - with Patrick Radden Keefe 49:50

9M ago49:50

49:50

Patrick Radden Keefe is an American writer and investigative journalist. His new book, Empire of Pain is a detailed history of the Sackler dynasty and their role in the American opioid epidemic. Known for their dedication to cultural philanthropy, the family built their wealth on pharmaceuticals, starting with tranquillisers like Librium and Valium…

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Inside Politics

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The Powerful and the Damned - with Lionel Barber 42:01

9M ago42:01

42:01

As one of the world's most respected newspaper editors, Lionel Barber spent over a decade at the helm of The Financial Times. His tenure coincided with some of the biggest events to shape the early part of the 21st century including the rise of China, Brexit, the tech boom and the crisis of western liberal democracy. Barber has documented his time …

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Inside Politics

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Aftermath of Zapponegate, a stark climate warning 41:58

9M ago41:58

41:58

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to assess the damage done by the recent Zappone controversy. Now that the dust has settled, what will it mean for Coveney, Varadkar and the future of the government. The team also discuss the easing of Covid restrictions and the recent UN Climate Change report, which signals a ‘code red’ for humanity. S…

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Inside Politics

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Washington Letter: Suzanne Lynch on her time in the US 48:15

10M ago48:15

48:15

Suzanne Lynch arrived in the US to take up her new role as Irish Times Washington correspondent ten days after Donald Trump's inauguration. As she prepares to leave the US capital this week for a new role in Brussels, she talks to Hugh about what it was like to report on the most extraordinary presidency in US history. See acast.com/privacy for pri…

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