{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6155db9059a3fa00137f30a9/6839cb1f2780b226c792b360?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Committees of the Oireachtas are back, but why can’t Irish politicians ask a good question?","description":"<p>Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2025/05/29/rte-execs-return-for-another-grilling-at-the-media-committee-barbecue-but-wheres-the-beef/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Committees of the Oireachtas</a> are indeed back, but rigor and insight seem to be missing in some of the questions posed by politicians during <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/05/28/rte-appearance-at-oireachtas-committee-a-drab-sequel-to-firework-show-of-two-years-ago-starring-ryan-tubridy/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RTÉ’s appearance&nbsp;</a>in front of the Oireachtas media committee on Wednesday.</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/05/28/independents-barry-heneghan-gillian-toole-vote-against-coalition-and-in-favour-of-sinn-feins-pro-palestine-bill/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Independent TDs Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole</a>, who support the Government, put a dent in the Coalition’s majority by voting in favour of a Sinn Féin Bill in support of Palestine.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2025/05/30/gerry-adams-awarded-100000-after-jury-finds-he-was-defamed-by-bbc-broadcast/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams</a> was awarded €100,000 after a jury found he was defamed by a 2016 BBC TV programme and related article that falsely accused him of sanctioning the murder of a British agent.</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And is it time to disband <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/05/28/minister-for-health-actively-considering-subsuming-childrens-health-ireland-into-hse/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Children’s Health Ireland</a>? Minister for Health&nbsp;Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill is considering subsuming the statutory body into the HSE following <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/05/28/six-years-and-several-controversies-in-the-government-is-losing-its-faith-in-chi/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">several controversies</a> during its six years in existence.</p><p><br></p><p>Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tight <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2025/05/29/pub-takes-centre-stage-in-presidential-race-as-polish-voters-go-for-another-round/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Polish presidential race</a>, looming <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025/05/30/john-mcmanus-theres-a-reason-ryan-tubridys-150000-is-getting-more-attention-than-staggering-climate-fines/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">climate fines</a>, the rise of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/05/25/its-gone-absolutely-loony-as-irelands-campervan-culture-explodes-problems-arise/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">the campervan</a>, and the wonderful <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2025/05/30/cait-oriordan-i-quit-the-pogues-at-21-i-got-sober-didnt-see-shane-much/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Cáit O’Riordan</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}