Ireland gears up for EU presidency and Andy Burnham sweeps Makerfield byelection

Ireland gears up for EU presidency and Andy Burnham sweeps Makerfield byelection

Author: The Irish Times June 19, 2026 Duration: 46:21

Jack Horgan-Jones and Mark Paul join Harry McGee to look back on the week in politics:


·       Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Brussels for the EU summit this week, also in attendance is Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy who is pushing for serious peace negotiations with Russia. Will Vladimir Putin come to the negotiation table? And could Ukraine’s EU membership be fast-tracked during Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency?

 

·       Security, competitiveness and the EU budget are some of the issues that will come into focus as Ireland becomes a deal maker and parks parochial affairs for the duration of its six-month presidency starting July 1st.



·       And with Andy Burnham justifying the hype by crushing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the Makerfield byelection, will prime minister Keir Starmer go quietly or hang around for a leadership battle he stands little chance of winning?


Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:


Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, Irish Times Inside Politics cuts through the noise to bring clarity to the forces shaping Ireland. Guided by host Hugh Linehan, the conversations here go beyond the headlines, offering a deeper, more considered understanding of the political landscape. You’ll hear from the newspaper’s own journalists, who provide grounded insight from the front lines, alongside a range of independent political thinkers and analysts. Occasionally, politicians themselves join the discussion, offering their perspective directly. The result is a nuanced and thoughtful examination of power, policy, and public life that values context over quick reactions. This isn't about partisan soundbites; it's about unpacking the how and why behind the day's debates and long-term shifts. For anyone looking to move past surface-level reporting and grasp the real stories unfolding in Leinster House and beyond, this podcast serves as an essential weekly briefing. The Irish Times brings its tradition of thorough journalism to the audio format, creating a space for analysis that is both accessible and substantive. Tune in for a consistently informed and engaging take on the issues that define the nation's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Irish Times Inside Politics
Podcast Episodes
What's the best way to make Ireland more equal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
Left-leaning think-tank Tasc has published a new report to mark its 25th year. the report (The State We Are In - Inequality in Ireland 2026) suggests that the redistribution of wealth via the tax system is struggling to…
Why has Occupied Territories legislation taken so long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
Inside Politics Live is coming to Cork on September 30th. Get your tickets here.Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:Green leader Roderic O'Gorman has proposed a one-off €2.5bn…
P aul Mason on communism, China and the crisis of the left [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
British journalist Paul Mason talks to Hugh about his new book Reds: A Global History of Communism.The book traces communism’s story from early human egalitarian impulses to modern China’s controlled capitalist system. M…
What will President Connolly say to president Trump? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:30
Inside Politics Live is coming to Cork on September 30th. Get your tickets here.Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:Labour’s annual think-in is happening in Galway and Pat…
Where next for Simon, Micheál and Mary Lou? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
Hugh, Pat, Ellen and Jack took to the stage at Electric Picnic on Saturday to discuss politics and take some uestions from the audience. They discussed UK prime minister Andy Burnham's controversial comments on the possi…