Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan Jones join Hugh Linehan

Despite the government's comfortable defeat of a motion of no confidence this week, the fallout continues as it reacts to the forthcoming lifting of the eviction ban. "They've made a hames of it," according to Pat Leahy. Jack Horgan Jones analyses how Green support is slipping among young voters and the number of WhatsApp leaks is indicative of a very unhappy party. Plus, the attitude to the Windsor Framework in Brussels and is Leo Varadkar in the make-or-break phase of his political career? Hugh's article of the week is <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/03/23/holly-cairns-says-our-generation-is-worse-off-than-parents-but-what-about-the-huge-benefits-from-modernity/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Finn McRedmond's opinion piece</a> on whether this generation is worse off than its parents.Pat particularly enjoyed <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/03/21/it-took-a-working-class-lad-from-wigan-to-make-me-like-rugby/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fintan O'Toole' grudging admission</a> that he's finally fallen in love with rugby.Jack Horgan Jones recommends <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2023/03/22/steve-baker-the-unlikeliest-doyen-of-british-irish-relations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Paul's London Letter</a>, after attending the annual Press and Political Reception at the Irish embassy in Belgravia.

The Independents’ policy setting power, unhappy Greens and a perilous position for the government

Who will become Scotland’s next First Minister? 

The contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon has been heating up over the last number of weeks, as the three candidates vying for the position, have clashed over policy issues and the future of the party.&nbsp;The first leadership contest in 20 years; it’s generally believed to be a two-horse race between current Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, with former Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan, trailing behind in popularity.&nbsp;&nbsp; So what can we expect from the final days of the contest, will the next leader unite or divide the SNP and how will the emerging cracks be covered over? To discuss all this and more, Hugh is joined by Scotland Editor of The Spectator Alex Massie and London Correspondent Mark Paul who is following the contest from Edinburgh.

‘A pretty bruising contest’: SNP leadership race uncovers cracks within the party

Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh

It's St Patrick's Day week and ministers are flying off to press the flesh around the world. Jack Horgan-Jones and Jennifer Bray join Hugh to talk about everything that's going on back home in politics including: <ul><li>Joe Biden will visit Ireland next month. How will he be received North and South? </li><li>Tanaiste Micheal Martin says Ireland has 'turned a corner' on housing. Is he right?</li><li>An errant tweet has landed the Green Party's communications director in hot water and put the spotlight on divisions within the party. </li></ul>

Has housing 'turned a corner'? Biden's welcome, Green Party disharmony

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan 

One issue has dominated the agenda on what was an already busy week for politics. The decision to lift the eviction ban was a shock reversal of what was expected from Tuesday's cabinet meeting, according to Jack Horgan-Jones. The maelstrom of personal stories from worried renters gives the opposition an easily-understood attack line from now until the next election. Coalition tensions are also mounting over plans to reduce private car usage, with Green ambitions to introduce congestion charges. Cormac McQuinn also highlights the potential minefield for the government if it opts for holding three referendums relating to gender equality in November. Plus the panel choose their Irish Times article of the week: Kitty Holland's <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2023/03/08/up-to-three-gender-equality-referendums-possible-to-address-discriminatory-language/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explainer on referendums</a> relating to the constitution's article on 'women in the home' Fiona Reddan's deep dive into <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2023/03/07/housing-costs-how-does-ireland-compare-to-the-rest-of-europe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">why Ireland has Europe's most expensive housing market</a>Conor Capplis' passionate article in favour of <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/2023/03/10/oscars-2023-if-ever-an-irish-underdog-deserved-to-win-its-paul-mescal-aftersun-has-changed-me-forever/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul Mescal taking the Oscar for Best Actor </a>at this weekend's Academy Awards

Eviction ban, congestion charges and the state’s inability to look around corners.

Richard talks to Hugh Linehan and Jennifer Bray 

People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire&nbsp;Richard Boyd Barrett talks to Hugh and Jen about a pamphlet recently published by his party that set out its unashamedly radical politics and questioned how far the electorate could trust Sinn Fein to implement left-wing policies if in government. They also discuss Richard's views on the need to nationalise industries, how to tackle the housing crisis and when it is appropriate to object to housing in a politician's constituency.

'We are out to provoke' - PBP's Richard Boyd Barrett on policies, politics and trusting Sinn Fein

Plus: what was Matt Hancock thinking? 

Jennifer Bray and Pat Leahy join Hugh to talk about the week in politics: <ul><li>Minister of state Niall Collins fails to put questions over a planning application to bed</li><li>People Before Profit publish a remarkable document</li><li>Where new Soc Dems leader Holly Cairns can find votes for her party</li></ul> Plus the panel talk about their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week: <ul><li>Matt Hancock's <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2023/03/02/matt-hancocks-lockdown-whatsapps-the-drip-feed-terrifying-westminster/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">leaked Whatsapp messages </a></li><li>Harry McGee <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/03/02/shes-an-absolute-nut-job-posts-on-facebook-about-politician-did-not-breach-standards/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">talks to a Louth councillor</a> who was targeted online for her stance on refugees</li><li>Denis Staunton paints a picture of <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-pacific/2023/03/03/beijing-letter-more-protests-are-a-bridge-too-far-as-china-prepares-for-two-sessions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">springtime in Beijing</a></li></ul>

Questions for Niall Collins, Holly Cairns's opportunity, PBP stakes its territory

The Windsor Framework was agreed this week

The Government and the European Union expect British prime minister Rishi Sunak to proceed with the new deal on the Northern Ireland protocol even if the DUP ultimately rejects it, according to sources in Dublin and Brussels. But where would that leave politics in Northern Ireland?&nbsp; To talk about the deal and how it is going down in Dublin, London and Belfast, Hugh talks to Pat Leahy, Mark Paul and Sarah Creighton.&nbsp;

A pivotal moment for Northern Ireland

Harry McGee and Pat Leahy join Hugh to wrap up the biggest political stories of the week

Holly Cairns is seen as the most likely contender to succeed Roisin Shorthall and Catherine Murphy, who announced they’re to step down as co-leaders of the Social Democrats this week. Harry McGee observes the party’s younger generation of TDs and councillors may better reflect the profile of the party’s membership. The first Irish Times poll of 2023 is reassuring for Fine Gael and Sinn Fein while perhaps offering a jolt for Fianna Fail, which has seen a slight drop in support since Micheál Martin departed the role of Taoiseach. Pat Leahy says the poll is also noteworthy for the number of undecideds, suggesting there’s a large group of voters still to be won over before the next election. We were expecting a deal on the NI Protocol this week but it appears the British PM’s biggest stumbling block may be overcoming the objections of his own backbenchers. And there was embarrassment for Fine Gael in the Dáil this week after Minister of State, Kieran O’Donnell, forgot to oppose a PBP bill which allowed it to pass to the next stage.

'When you go to a Social Democrats convention, you're struck by how young its supporters are'

Denis Staunton, Derek Scally and Naomi O'Leary discuss the global impact of the war

How the war in Ukraine is seen in Europe and around the world is complex and always changing, but there's no doubt that global perceptions. and motivations will play a role in how the conflict plays out and ultimately comes to an end. To discuss the global aspect of the war, Hugh is joined by China correspondent Denis Staunton, Brussels correspondent Naomi O'Leary and Berlin correspondent Derek Scally.

How the world sees the war in Ukraine 

The best analysis of the Irish political scene fe…

The best analysis of the Irish political scene featuring Irish Times journalists, political thinkers and the occasional politician. Hosted by Arts & Culture Editor Hugh Linehan.

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