School SNA row teaches Government a valuable lesson

School SNA row teaches Government a valuable lesson

Author: The Irish Times February 20, 2026 Duration: 47:58

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:


·       The sharp criticism that greeted a review of allocation of special needs assistants in schools around the country prompted a hasty retreat by Government. The review has now been paused which should buy the Government some time to soothe tensions.


·       The Government are yet to act on their own voiced concerns around under-16s using social media. The problems arising from children using these platforms has been thoroughly diagnosed, but what will actually be put in place to address them?


·       Ireland’s only directly-elected mayor, Limerick mayor John Moran, is finding it difficult to achieve what he has set out to do in his role, and has questioned whether there is a strategy in place to “create sufficient pressure that I might simply walk away”.


·       The International Protection Bill is quickly working its way through the Dáil to be in place by June, in time for the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum which will take effect then.


·       And splashed across every front page on the planet this week was former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor who had been detained by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.


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


·       A revolt against Microsoft in a small German state (which Hugh fully supports), doyen of the Irish business world Michael Smurfit, and the street sweepers who keep Dhaka in Bangladesh ticking over.

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: 100

Irish Times Inside Politics
Podcast Episodes
How is Catherine Connolly viewed in Europe? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
As Catherine Connolly is inaugurated as Ireland’s 10th President on Tuesday, Inside Politics asks how the country’s European partners will be preparing for her presidency.What issues from the Connolly campaign may have r…
Is it possible to have a coherent debate on immigration? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· With renewed criticism from left-wing Opposition leaders of Tánaiste Simon Harris, over remarks he made about migration numbers in I…
How does Micheál Martin quieten dissenting voices in Fianna Fáil? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
Ellen Coyne and Naomi O’Leary join Pat Leahy to look back on the week in politics:· In the wake of Catherine Connolly’s emphatic presidential election win, could there now be a legitimate prospect of a left-wing governme…
What would a united Ireland actually involve? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
This week’s Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan explores what a united Ireland would actually involve, Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole and Belfast Telegraph journalist Sam McBride have written a new book that…
How outspoken will Connolly be as president? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
Pat Leahy joins Hugh Linehan for the final episode of Election Daily for this campaign. They look at the impact of Connolly's victory on left-wing politics, wonder if Ireland is about to have a more outspoken president t…
Election Daily: The highs and lows of a strange campaign [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:24
Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan Jones join Hugh Linehan to talk about the final day of campaigning before voters go to the polls.They look at how the Connolly campaign has managed to create momentum that sustained her pus…
Election Daily: Will the 'spoil the vote' campaign be felt on Friday? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
What does a two-horse race look like in our PR-STV electoral system? What happens when you throw a zombie candidate and a 'spoil your vote' campaign into the mix? And what about turnout? Pat Leahy and Hugh Linehan nerd o…
Election Daily: Who came out on top in the final debate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:40
The two remaining candidates in the presidential election came into the final televised debate of the campaign needing different things.Well behind in the polls, Heather Humphreys needed to come across convincingly while…