The Candidate

This week, we look across the Irish Sea to Keir Starmer's decision to lean Labour into much blunter rhetoric around immigration. Back home, a similar policy shift is happening, but behind a much quieter tone. How are both countries are handling political pressure on migration, and is Ireland is heading in the same direction, just with fewer dog whistles?Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Rónán Duffy contrast the differing strategies and look at how language and tone are shaping the conversation.Also: The cost of living crisis won't go away. Can Ireland fix the underlying systemic issues?

Ireland’s position on Israel and Gaza is clearer than ever, with strong condemnation and urgent calls for action. Although the country remains at the forefront of calls for the destruction to end, the actual impact of all this is harder to spot. How can the government be more effective? Or is it too late, and some of its best chances have already passed by? Sinéad O'Carroll, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy look at whether Ireland’s soft power is actually making a difference.The team also assess the government's first 100 days in office, and how in most areas —from childcare to housing — it's making a slow start at home. The new Taoiseach might still be stuck in first gear....

Kneecap have never been strangers to controversy, but they have now been pushed firmly into the political spotlight. The Belfast rap group's Coachella protest, resurfaced footage of older live performances, and a call to “urgently clarify” from the Taoiseach have triggered a row that now spans Westminster, the Dáil, and is even making a mark on the other side of the Atlantic. Sinéad O'Carroll, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy unpack the spectacle — and ask why some politicians seem more comfortable focusing on musicians than Gaza.Also: the government’s housing plan is due any day now (we think), and there’s a €430,000 job on offer to help get it over the line. Is a housing czar the radical fix we’ve been waiting for, or a plan to launch and quietly shelve before the summer break?

Cork is getting a Luas. When? Well... you know how these things go...Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy look at why big infrastructure projects in Ireland move so slowly and what the Cork project tells us about systemic bottlenecks (and even how to fix them). The big question is of course whether Ireland can unlock the ability to transform its infrastructure to match other European cities.The team also analyse the long-awaited Grace report and how it’s raised new questions instead of bringing clarity. Is Ireland’s system of public inquiries still fit for purpose?

We're still months out from the actual vote, but the presidential election machine is slowly spinning up (despite McGregor's efforts to jump-start it proving fruitless so farit so). Some potential candidates are tentatively suggesting that they have their eyes on a nomination, though none have declared yet.At the forefront is Fine Gael, with Mairead McGuinness emerging as a possible contender. But will Sinn Féin swoop in with someone more viable? Is Ming the type of person who would be more faithful to the role of president? Or will it be... I don't know... Tommy Tiernan?Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy take stock of the burgeoning race so far.

The speaking rights row has yet to be quelled. A truce or a compromise is nowhere in sight. It's only getting messier, causing deeper divisions between the opposition and government parties.And then, through a simple gesture given by Michael Lowry to Paul Murphy, the entire situation was elevated to new heights.Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, and Rónán Duffy discuss the continued chaos in the Dáil and try to identify the main issues which still need to be resolved.

And just when we thought the dust had settled after Micheál Martin's visit to the Oval Office.Conor McGregor's appearance in the White House was somewhat foreshadowed by Trump, who had referred to him as his favourite Irish person, but it caught many off guard. At the same time, McGregor being in the White House for 17 March shouldn't really come as any surprise – if anything, he's right at home. Could this be the start of Trump taking the former UFC fighter under his wing?Also this week, Christine Bohan, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy assess the latest chatter around housing targets, and highlight how there is still so little business being done in the Dáil (but also, who can we point the finger of blame at?).

Ireland watched the Taoiseach's Oval Office visit with bated breath. Would it be a disaster, an incredible success, or something in between?One of the biggest events in the Irish political calendar is over, and Micheál Martin has survived his 50-minute encounter with Donald Trump. Not without slipping on a couple of banana skins, of course.Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Rónán Duffy, and — up bright and early in Washington DC — Jane Matthews look at how the meeting panned out. Did it offer the warmness towards Ireland some might have hoped to see? Or was it simply a bout of official paddywhackery? And to what extent will Martin's comments on housing come back to haunt him?