That interview, Fianna Fáil's review and thorny issues for the Government

That interview, Fianna Fáil's review and thorny issues for the Government

Author: The Irish Times December 12, 2025 Duration: 53:28

Ellen Coyne and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh to look back on the week in politics:


  • Next week Fianna Fáil will get the long-awaited review into the circumstances around Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential campaign. Has the wait taken the sting out of the issue for Micheal Martin?


  • The Government is worried about political fallout if it fails to vote against the EU's Mercosur trade deal. It argues that any such vote could be purely symbolic


  • Another thorny issue for the coalition: lengthy waiting lists for assessments of need, the process by which children with additional needs are assigned educational supports. The situation has long been untenable but the proposed solution is also controversial.


  • Hugh addresses some of the many comments that have come in about Wednesday's interview with Eoin Lenihan.


  • Minister Patrick O'Donovan wants Ireland to move ahead of the EU to restrict how younger teenagers access social media.


And finally the panel pick their favourite Irish Times journalism of the week.


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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

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