Best Irish Politics Podcasts (2025)

1
1443. An Post vs Your Local Post Office 40:31

40m ago40:31

40:31

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackWorkers Rights Champions, Matt McGranaghan and Martin McMahon discuss the An Post Bogus self-employment case that is dragging along (delayed again) in the High Court. This is potentially another seismic case on the abuse of employment status by yet another semi-state business. The historic nature of the (a…

1
Will there be a teacher’s strike in the autumn? 45:36

3h ago45:36

45:36

Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Thoughts now turn to the election of his successor and whether they will be viewed to be as tolerant and progressive as the late pontiff. · Minister for Education Helen McEntee has her work cut out fo…

1
59. One Day in Gaza 40:56

2d ago40:56

40:56

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackRuwaida Amer is an award winning film-maker and producer from Gaza, yet she trained as a teacher. War has a way of turning everything upside down.She now dedicates her time to telling the stories of people in Gaza and the children who she cares deeply for. She joins us to speak about how the destruction of…

1
Layla Moran, Sir Robert Buckland, Ava Vidal & Lance Forman 51:26

2d ago51:26

51:26

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, former Conservative MP and minister Sir Robert Buckland, comedian and journalist Ava Vidal and businessman and political commentator Lance Forman.By LBC

1
How the Dublin Riots can be traced back to the Blueshirts 56:40

3d ago56:40

56:40

Cork-based author Pádraig Óg O'Ruairc joins Hugh Linehan to discuss his new book 'Burn Them Out; a history of fascism and the far right in Ireland’. He argues a line can be drawn directly between the far-right and, in the case of the Blueshirts, openly fascist movements of the 1920s and 1930s and the Dublin riots of 2023. Ó'Ruairc objects to the Ir…

1
Earth Day Special: Adrian Ramsay, Richard Tice, Tessa Khan & Michael Liebreich 52:16

3d ago52:16

52:16

Joining Iain Dale for this special edition of Cross Question to mark Earth Day are Green Party leader Adrian Ramsay, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice, climate change lawyer Tessa Khan and clean energy businessman Michael Liebreich.By LBC

1
1450. Travellers Not Invited 32:04

5d ago32:04

32:04

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack"Disappointed my concerns have been compounded by Govts misrepresentation. They claim no dissent was raised, yet multiple voices spoke in favour of removing the Traveller committee from d’Hondt. This erasure of support mirrors the disregard for Traveller voices in their decision."Senator Eileen Flynn, Apri…

1
Naomi Klein on conspiracies, climate and the 'personal brand' 44:34

5d ago44:34

44:34

This episode was first published in October 2023. Naomi Klein shot to fame with her first book, No Logo, which offered an acute critique of how powerful corporations in the 1990s had profited off exploitation in a globalising world. Her later books have examined a range of subjects including crisis capitalism, militarism, and climate change. Klein …

1
If public inquiries are a thing of the past, what now for other victims of state failure? 18:37

7d ago18:37

18:37

Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance; Rose Conway-Walsh, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo; Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick CityBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
A look at the future of rural Ireland from Ballycastle in Co. Mayo 21:54

7d ago21:54

21:54

Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance; Rose Conway-Walsh, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo; Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick CityBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Concerns for the viability of GAA clubs along the western seaboard 9:08

7d ago9:08

9:08

Benny Hurl, Chair of the GAA's National Committee on Demographics; Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance; Rose Conway-Walsh, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo; Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick CityBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
1449. Journalism has failed Palestinian Journalists with Niall Sargent 43:25

8d ago43:25

43:25

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackWe've been desperately disappointed by the mainstream western coverage of the genocide in Gaza since it began over 559 days ago. So when we read the piece Omissions, caveats and false balance: How media is failing Palestinians, the international order and our profession, by reporter with The Currency, Nial…

1
Fine Gael slumps as Sinn Féin returns to top spot in our poll 18:43

9d ago18:43

18:43

Pat Leahy and Harry McGee analyse the latest Irish Times / Ipsos B&A poll results, which show that Sinn Féin has regained its position as the most popular party in the Republic while Fine Gael has slumped to a record low in the series. The new data also show voters have little enthusiasm for the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Independent Coalition. Hosted o…

1
1445. An Austerity of Ambition 47:23

9d ago47:23

47:23

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this Echo Chamber Podcast we are rejoined by economist with NERI, Ciarán Nugent to discuss the Trump Tariffs, our Pharma vulnerability, the potential impacts on the tax haven and killing false economic narratives like "austerity saved the economy."Senator Eileen Flynn podcast is out now here:https://www…

1
Al Pinkerton, Angela Knight, Scarlett MccGwire & Max Anderson 52:30

10d ago52:30

52:30

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Lib Dem MP Al Pinkerton, former Conservative MP and minister Angela Knight, political commentator Scarlett MccGwire and Max Anderson from the Conservative Environment Network.By LBC

1
Will Europe cave to Trump's trade demands? 22:42

10d ago22:42

22:42

Cliff Taylor joins Pat Leahy to assess the latest developments in the trade war initiated by US president Donald Trump that threatens to upend the global economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Christabel Cooper, Charlotte Pickles, Matthew Stadlen & Sarah Southern 52:35

11d ago52:35

52:35

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Christabel Cooper from the Labour Together think tank, Charlotte Pickles from the REFORM think tank, broadcaster and journalist Matthew Stadlen and political commentator Sarah Southern.By LBC

1
1447. From Sympathy to Solidarity with Dr Ciarán O’Carroll 19:46

11d ago19:46

19:46

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this Echo Chamber Podcast we have something very rare for you all. Apparently it’s called “good news.” We won’t spoil it. We’ll let Technological University Dublin (TUD) lecturer Dr Ciarán O’Carroll do that.Kidding COC, thank you for all you have done!The Austerity Agenda podcast with economist Ciarán N…

1
Paul Scully, Leonie Cooper, Roger Mosey & Annabel Denham 51:51

11d ago51:51

51:51

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are former Conservative MP and minister Paul Scully, Labour London Assembly member Leonie Cooper, former head of BBC TV news Roger Mosey and Telegraph columnist Annabel Denham.By LBC

1
How Morgan McSweeney put Keir Starmer in power 36:39

12d ago36:39

36:39

As the head of an organisation called Labour Together, which despite its name '"was all about dividing the Labour party and defeating the left", Irishman Morgan McSweeney handpicked Keir Starmer as the leadership candidate to take on Jeremy Corbyn and the party's left wing in 2020. That is according to Patrick Maguire, co-author of Get In, an enter…

1
1441. RTE vs the Law – Is the Gig (Economy) Up? 41:37

13d ago41:37

41:37

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackMatt McGranaghan joins Martin on this Echo Chamber podcast to discuss ongoing bogus self employment cases they are representing in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the implications for RTE workers and pretty much all of us as taxpayers. Martin and Matt lay bare the corruption, the criminality a…

1
When can a child be subjected to restraint in school? 18:48

14d ago18:48

18:48

Caoilfhinn Gallagher, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection; Alan Dillon, Minister for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy; Cathy Bennett, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan–Monaghan; Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin CentralBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Why has govt u-turned on a pledge to increase statutory sick leave? 24:30

14d ago24:30

24:30

Dr. Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions; Alan Dillon, Minister for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy; Cathy Bennett, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan–Monaghan; Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin CentralBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Soc Dems decision to include Eoin Hayes to get an Oireachtas chair 4:29

14d ago4:29

4:29

Alan Dillon, Minister for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy; Cathy Bennett, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan–Monaghan; Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin CentralBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
58. My Students Kept Me Going 53:08

14d ago53:08

53:08

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this very special PalCast we are joined by Abeer Barakat, who is a lecturer in the University of Applied Sciences, Gaza and a PhD candidate of English at the University Putra Malaysia.She joins us from Gaza to talk about displacement, the difficult decision to send two of her children outside Gaza to co…

1
Micheál Martin interview: Ireland will ‘resist’ EU tech tax 56:05

14d ago56:05

56:05

On Friday afternoon Taoiseach Micheál Martin talked to Hugh and Pat about a range of issues: On tariffs, the Taoiseach says he "suspects" a US decision on pharmaceuticals may be incorporated into overall trade negotiations, to Ireland’s advantage. He says that Ireland will resist any move by the EU to apply new taxes to US tech firms and supports t…

1
Sanctimonious Soc Dems find themselves on shaky high moral ground 39:34

15d ago39:34

39:34

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · The ‘Golden Age of America’ came and went over the course of a week as US President Donald Trump decided on Wednesday to pause his reciprocal tariffs for most countries for the next 90 days. · The status of suspended Social Democrat TD Eoin Hayes was up for deb…

1
1444. Still Not Heard, Still Not Safe 52:08

15d ago52:08

52:08

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackEd Note: In this very special Echo Chamber Podcast we pay tribute to our late tortoise shack colleague, Dr Vicky Conway in both the coverage of the new report Still Not Heard, Still Not Safe and in knowing that her work was instrumental in its foundations.Joining us is the founder of Black and Irish, Leon …

1
Tariff pause, surgery scandal and Soc Dems pull a stroke 26:45

16d ago26:45

26:45

Donald Trump steps back from the brink...for now. The 90-day pause is nowhere near long enough to hammer out trade deals. So, what happens on 9 July? We may get a housing tsar, but will they be hobbled by water supplies and planning blockages? More grim revelations at CHI, and the Soc Dems ditch the high ground to pull an old fashioned stroke.…

1
Bobby Dean, Jessica Harrington, Aman Bhogal & Ian Birrell 52:45

17d ago52:45

52:45

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Lib Dem MP Bobby Dean, former Conservative MP Jessica Harrington, free markets campaigner Aman Bhogal and foreign affairs journalist Ian Birrell.By LBC

1
Bertie? Frances? Conor? Who will run and who can win the presidency in 2025 49:56

17d ago49:56

49:56

The podcasters turn away from the heavy news agenda of tariffs and economic upheaval to examine a lighter, more enjoyable but still important topic: the 2025 Irish presidential election. What makes a good president? What makes a good presidential candidate? And who are the candidates in the running at this late stage? From big party nominees like F…

1
1436. Extermination Camps in Mexico 33:14

17d ago33:14

33:14

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this podcast we are rejoined by Mexico-based Colombian journalist with El Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, to discuss the impact the new Trump administration is having on the region, the shocking discovery of what is being called an extermination camp in Mexico and the people “disappearing” from the US into Su…

1
Polly Billington, Jonathan Gullis, Jemma Forte & Conor Wilson 53:23

18d ago53:23

53:23

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Labour MP Polly Billington, former Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis, podcaster Jemma Forte and Express journalist Conor Wilson.By LBC

1
Mike Tapp, Ellie Chowns, Tim Stanley & Aggie Chambre 55:29

19d ago55:29

55:29

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Labour MP Mike Tapp, Green MP Ellie Chowns, Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley and LBC's Aggie Chambre.By LBC

1
Why is it so hard to get big things done in Ireland? 47:51

19d ago47:51

47:51

Why does it take so long to build infrastructure in Ireland? If you consider the amount of red tape needed to secure approval for something relatively simple like the upgrade of Dublin's bus lanes, it is hardly surprising, says Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin. He talks to Hugh Linehan about the costly bott…

1
RTE Receiving Illegal State Aid 37:52

20d ago37:52

37:52

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackMartin had a long chat with his co-conspirator, Matt McGranaghan, in relation to the two cases they are currently working on with RTE staff in the workplace Relations Commission. This also a good insight into where the political landscape is when it comes to protecting workers in the face of systemic corru…

1
Arrests at The Mothers Against Genocide protest on Wednesday 14:52

21d ago14:52

14:52

Timmy Dooley, Minister of State for Fisheries & the Marine; Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West; Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South-WestBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Why is Govt holding back on supports for those most at risk from tariffs? 29:27

21d ago29:27

29:27

Simon Coveney, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade; Timmy Dooley, Minister of State for Fisheries & the Marine; Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West; Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South-WestBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Mixed messaging from govt on a 'Housing Czar' appointment 7:13

21d ago7:13

7:13

Timmy Dooley, Minister of State for Fisheries & the Marine; Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West; Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South-WestBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Government grapples with tariff fallout 40:47

22d ago40:47

40:47

Jack Horgan-Jones and Pat Leahy join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: It may have been one of the most consequential weeks for Irish politics in years, if US president Donald Trump’s tariffs have the expected impact on the Irish and global economy. The speaking rights row came to an end, at least for now this week following votes on the f…

1
57. We Are Not Doing Enough! 29:53

22d ago29:53

29:53

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this PalCast, Yousef and Tony discuss the latest news out of Gaza, the rapidly spreading famine and the way in which the international community has largely disgraced itself in standing by as the genocide restarted. We also talk the Garda treatment of the Mothers Against Genoicide activists, the new Iri…

1
Heavy tariffs, dodgy maths as further escalation looms 34:33

23d ago34:33

34:33

Donald Trump has unleashed a crisis which may prompt a recession. Irish officials are all on message - negotiations are needed, not tit-for-tat trade warfare. But the usually upbeat Pascal Donohoe warns of 'dark and more damaging' scenarios. Will the EU bring out the big guns? Or the US blink first? The world is being pulled into terra incognita.…

1
Trump's 'complete nonsense' tariff puts the ball in EU's court 31:58

23d ago31:58

31:58

Cliff Taylor and Pat Leahy are with Hugh to discuss the tariffs announced yesterday by US president Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Here’s How 179 – Lost Boys 55:03

23d ago55:03

55:03

Amun Bains is a journalist. ***** The first amendment to the US constitution starts “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” Our constitution is not quite so concise. Article 44 of De Valera’s handbook for governing deals with freedom of religion. Section one says “The State […]…

1
Trump's Tempestuous Tariffs: Ireland and the EU React 56:16

24d ago56:16

56:16

In the last 24 hours the global economic order may have transformed forever, as Donald Trump declares crushing tariffs for countries all over the world, not least the European Union. In this hot-off-the-press episode, Naomi explains what this might mean for Ireland and the EU, how the figures add up (or how they don't) and why the reasoning behind …

1
Rachel Taylor, Lord Stewart Jackson, Hashi Mohamed & Lucy Fisher 50:54

24d ago50:54

50:54

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Labour MP Rachel Taylor, Conservative peer Lord Jackson, barrister and commentator Hashi Mohamed and the FT's Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher.By LBC

1
'Liberation Day' is here / Speaking rights aftermath 25:48

24d ago25:48

25:48

As the Irish political system awaits tariff news from Washington, political editor Pat Leahy joins Hugh to look at how the day might unfold. But first they assess the outcome of yesterday’s Dáil vote on the future of Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle. Murphy survived the vote - but there will be longer-term consequences from the controversy. Hosted …

1
Satvir Kaur, Sir Roger Gale, William Atkinson & Aid Thompsin 56:01

25d ago56:01

56:01

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Labour MP Satvir Kaur, Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale, The Spectator's William Atkinson and satirist Aid Thompsin.By LBC

1
1437. A Bad State of Affairs with Simon McGarr 39:22

25d ago39:22

39:22

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshackIn this echo chamber pod we are rejoined by data protection expert, solicitor and one of our favourite troublemakers, solicitor, Simon McGarr, to talk about ChatControl, digital surveillance, State silos and the terrifying problem of paper clip maximisation.Read more here:https://www.thegist.ie/the-gist-a-…

1
Jo Stevens, Mark Field, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul & Christian Calgie 57:17

26d ago57:17

57:17

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Wales secretary and Labour MP Jo Stevens, former Tory MP Mark Field, political commentator Jovan Owusu-Nepaul and Christian Calgie from the Express.By LBC

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