Mooney on Irish Politics: Recent Episodes
Derek Mooney
A sometimes jaundiced, but always informed commentary on today's Irish politics from Derek Mooney, an experienced campaigner, former ministerial adviser and now a public affairs consultant.
After today's The Week in Politics debate and the Sunday Independent poll numbers, I take a very quick look at the evolving Irish presidential election and conclude (once again) that it will be hugely consequential for the leaderships of Fianna Fáil... and possibly Fine Gael.
Two links:
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To my Twitter thread
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To Cathal Lee interview on Shannonside
With Fianna Fáil picking its Aras candidate in 2 days time, Derek looks at how the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party may be about to re-exert its authority by refusing to declare a winner before its votes in secret. The title for this episode from from an old Michael Heseltine anecdote.... it doesn't matter who you say you're voting for.... just so long as you vote for me.
In this episode I discuss the evolving political manoeuvres ahead of the 2025 presidential race. Internal Fine Gael turmoil after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness should be a boon for Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil, but their continuing silence limits competition. The field is unlikely to go beyond four contenders... five at most.
This is the podcast to go with my 9th annual political reading list (See list online) As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection, be it Irish, European or global.
This podcast differs slightly from the original online list as I omitted Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin's "Unfinished Empire" the story of how Putin clings to Russia’s imperial legacy, particularly in Ukraine.
The other books remain the same.
Feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback below.
In this episode I look again at the prospects for the presidential election and conclude that both the contest poses equal problems for the two biggest parties: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.
I also dispel the notion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is considering a run... he means what he says when he says he does not want to run... as Sigmund Freud never said... sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!!
I also look briefly at what the college fees row tells us about government incoherence... and the capacity of Tánaiste Simon Harris to bring this government to an untimely end.
In this episode I consider how Northern Ireland and the changes to the triple lock may become issues at the upcoming Irish presidential election.
I examine the evolving shifts in Micheál Martin's thinking on Irish unity and his preference for engagement with lapsed nationalists, over unionists and northern nationalists.
I set out my problems with the government's proposed reforms of the Triple Lock on Irish Defence deployment... and with the opposition's response.
I also explore how the presidential race could influence broader government stability.
In this short episode I use an excellent Twitter thread from U.S. Democrat Senator, Chris Murphy of Connecticut to thrash President Trump's tariff tactic. As Senator Murphy correctly highlights: They aren’t designed as economic policy. The tariffs are simply a new, super dangerous political tool. Once seen through this lense, the approach makes some sense... but remains every bit as dangerous and damaging.
Note that I use an AI text to voice model for Sen Murphy's tweets.
In this episode I manage to link quotes from my late mentor Ben Briscoe and the great Lenny Bruce to lead me to a point where the Dáil speaking time and Garron Noone debacles meet... and leave me less than impressed.
In this podcast episode I discuss Taoiseach Micheál Martin's upcoming White House visit, addressing potential challenges such as US demands for Apple's tax money and pressure to buy American military equipment.
I don't offer advice, as it is not needed. An Taoiseach, and his diplomatic team, know how to deploy diplomatic caution and avoid public confrontations with the Trump administration. They just need to watch out for VP Vance.
In this episode I critique both the government and opposition tactics in the Dáil speaking row, with each arguing that they should be able to play all across the pitch with the other side confined to their own half.
Meanwhile Fine Gael's leadership issues is impacting government stability and messaging. So if FG TDs plan to dump Harris (and I think they do) then better to do it now.
In this "Mooney on Politics" podcast, I reflect on Ireland's planned defence investments, saying "I told you so!"
I again critique past neglect while acknowledging the signs of progress... but above all I stress the need to boost defence capacity, irrespective of neutrality debates.
In this episode I chat with Colum Eastwood MP, about the work his New Ireland Commission is doing to drive planning for a new and united Ireland. We delve into the Commission's strategies for engaging with diverse communities, its approach to creating a more prosperous society for all.
Colum mentions (in passing) he is currently writing a book... one to look out for later this year.
In this more security policy focused episode I look at some of the potentially positive elements of the probable Programme for Government (PfG), specifically the justice/law and order ones, and the very definitely negative ones on the defence, particularly the absence of any timeline to fix the decade of neglect.
Rather than making predictions about what might happen in 2025, I flag some key issues that will arise in the year ahead. Two of which have a distinctively presidential tinge...
In this penultimate episode of 2024 I look at 3 recent domestic developments: the first day of the new Dáil, Israel closing its Irish embassy and the Soc Dem ex TD saga and suggest that each has an element of the paradoxical about it... and that paradoxes are (to cite Sr Gertrude via Muriel Spark) is something we must live with.
As the two main parties prepare for coalition talks, I offer Fianna Fáil some thoughts on how that government should be structured:
- Rotating Taoiseach 3 years FF + 2 years FG
- 15 Cabinet places split 8 to 7
- FF to retain Finance (merged with D/Per) for 5 years
- FF takes Justice
- F/T Defence Minister
This is not so much a podcast, but just a rebroadcast of my comments on Times Radio (UK) from early this morning. Though based on the Exit poll which may have understated FF and overstated SF, the broad points remain correct.
It has been my view from the start of the campaign that voters did not feel there was a viable alternative on offer... and that's not healthy for our politics in the medium term... but what might that alternative look like?
After two polls showing Fine Gael in a steady decline has the three horse race become a two horse one with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin competing fiercely for first place? I discuss this with former Sinn Féin MLA for Lagan Valley, Paul Butler, and get his perspective on the final few days.
Even before the Kanturk fiasco it looked like Fine Gael's highly personalised campaign, built around its leader was in trouble. Harris has just had his Gordon Brown 2010 moment... only this one is much, much worse. Can FG slide back even further? Is it now at risk of coming 3rd?
With just one week to go, I chat with Dr David McCann of the University of Ulster about government formation once the election is over. He suggests that 2.5 / 3 party governments will be the norm from here onwards. I suggest that Sinn Féin should be driving a wedge between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rather than pushing the FFG line.
With 8 days to geo I chat with old friend and self confessed "liberal hardline centrist" Jason O'Mahony about how he thins the election campaign has gone, so far. We discuss the part that independents may play in government formation and conclude that (counter intuitively) more independents will mean less influence.
With 10 days to go to polling day... I look at last night's RTÉ Upfront 10 podium leaders debate and conclude... there is no shortage of opposition parties... what we don't have is any alternative government.
Just under two weeks to go and any polling shifts are well within the margins of error.
The fact that voters may not have switched on to the campaign is a not a permission slip for parties to forget the lessons of the global crash and indulge in auction politics.
In this episode I am joined by Stephen Spillane of the Green party. He is a long serving political activist who knows and well understands the Cork political scene.
We do a tour of the 5 Cork constituencies and Stephen offers his insights on what to watch out for, in each.
Check out his Cork GE2024 blog
With 15 days to go… what do we know now that we didn't know before it started… well... not a lot. One of the few things I think we can say for sure is that the voters are not yet fully engaged.
In my second GE2024 podcast I look at how the Soc Dem and Labour party leaders fared in their two media outgoings and observe that Paschal Donohoe uncharacteristically rose to the bait at the housing debate on RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon.
The first of my (almost) daily series of short GE2024 podcasts looking at how the Irish general election campaign is playing out. If well begun is half done... then Fine Gael's campaign isn't even 5% done.
The morning after an appalling night before, I reflect on lessons from Trump's big win. I specifically look at his clear messaging that posed him as the voter's ally.
I only saw his "Kamala is for They/Them. President Trump is for you" messaging today. It's crisp, clear and direct and speaks to concerns middle America has about the country's direction.
These are my thoughts as we wait for the Irish general election to be called next week. TL;DR: I worry that many of the available options won’t resonate with voters. If I were in a different constituency I might examine my ballot paper and think: “None of the above” ...and I've voted Fianna Fáil 1, 2 and 3 at almost every election, ever.
Finally, here is the link to Stefan Müller's excellent Irish Polling Indicatorproject, which I reference several times in this podcast.
Though much of the political process speculation will focus on whether the election will be held in February 2025 or November 2024, I think it should instead look at why so many centrist and MoTR voters look at SF, FG and FF and say... none of the above.
This is my 7th annual Summer political reading list. Most of the books on this year’s list have been published within the past 12-18 months. All cover broadly political topics, or are (imho) of interest to those with an interest in politics, be it Irish, European, American or global. The choices are mine. I have read some, not all, but all are of interest to me.
In this episode I look at how pleased Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are pleased by each securing 23% of the votes of those who showed up… but point out that this is not necessarily a sign of greater things to come. That said, Fianna Fáil should celebrate its cohort of new Cllrs. See column on which this podcast is based.
I look my elections checklist and see how the results stack up against it. I see the predictions I got right (a few) and the ones I got wrong... and why. I also comment on the current petulant row over newspaper polling.
There will be another podcast soon, looking at the Fianna Fáil Local and European results in more detail.
In this (short) episode I offer my checklist of what to watch out for as the ballot boxes are opened this week-end:
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Watch the Limerick Mayoral Result
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Compare party results with GE2020, not LE2019
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The SF vote total is important, but don't allow FF or FG to use that to deflect from their results
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See who emerges as the biggest party or faction in local govt - how far will FF slide?
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Don't see this an inflection point... but it may give hints as to how close we are to one?
There are no election predictions in this podcast as many voters have yet to decide - instead I focus on what to watch out for as we enter the last week of campaigning. I look at how party leaders will try to manage expectations, especially around seat losses and failed gains... but above all I stress that this is NOT a mid term election - the next general election is 9 months away, at most, and could be called within 4 or 5 months.
In this episode I return to a topic I have discussed many times - Irish Defence. Though there are some signs that things may be about to improve, the pace is no where near fast enough as the Minister responsible is more pre-occupied with positioning and messaging, than on tackling the real problems. There is also an article to accompany this podcast.
In this episode I analyze and examine the recent Árd Fheis speeches of Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD and [now] Taoiseach Simon Harris TD... and am not overly impressed by either, as pieces of political communications.
There is a text version to accompany this podcast
In this episode I ask why does the nation's business have to go on hold for another 12 days while Fine Gael struggles with who/what it stand for? I also comment briefly on the circumstances of the resignation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as DUP leader. Read the column on which this podcast is largely based.
Leo Varadkar's resignation as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader has thrown Irish politics into turmoil... things will not just continue as they were... and the other government coalition parties need to grasp this reality... fast. This podcast is based on this recent column
Having critiqued the Tánaiste's party leader speech last week, I now turn my sights on the Sinn Féin leaders speech.
As a piece of writing, a piece of political communications, Mary Lou McDonald's speech was far better than those of the Taoiseach or Tánaiste... but style is one thing, substance is another. While the core message was change... how that change would be achieved was left undefined.
There is a blogpost to accompany this episode, you can read it HERE
In this episode I critique An Tánaiste Micheál Martin's 2023 Árd Fheis speech as a speech, a performance, and as a piece of political communication and it scores a "must do better" on all three criteria. You can read the original column on which this podcast is based: here
This episode is about the various "tells" from government parties which point to the binary narrative that Leo Varadkar plans to apply to the next election. There is a blogpost to accompany this podcast, it will be available later today.
A little later than planned... here is my Summer 2023 political reading list (plus a short supplemental list). The 8 books on my core list look at Irish, EU and global politics. The two lists (core and alternatives) contain several biographies as well as polemics on key issues. You can read the accompanying blogpost at: https://derekmooney.ie/2023/08/12/my-summer-2023-political-reading-list/
In this episode I consider Sinn Féin's performance in the opinion polls over the past year and conclude that while it will be the biggest single party in the next Dáil, I believe the most likely outcome of that election will be another election. This podcast is based on this recent column: https://derekmooney.ie/2023/07/17/is-sinn-fein-flatlining-from-its-known-knowns/.
I also pay a small personnel tribute to two good friends I've recently lost: Peter Boylan and Ben Briscoe.
This impromptu (i.e. unscripted) podcast is my response to the controversy prompted by today's Sunday Business Post interview by President Michael D Higgins. This is not intended as a "hot take" or an effort to stoke the flames. I genuinely believe both the President and the Tánaiste are in the wrong - and that the focus of both should be on implementing the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendations - the only debate we should be having today is on why we must wait until 2028 for full implementation?
In this episode I take the latest Irish Times/ Ipsos opinion poll as my starting point. I look at the numbers and then discuss the likelihood that the next Dáil will have 18 extra TDs... and wonder how many will be FF or FG-ers... based on the poll and the behaviour of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach, I doubt that many will. There will be a written article (with URL links etc) to accompany this podcast
Welcome to my first podcast in several weeks, in this episode I consider the penchant of both main parties in government to pursue policies that make it difficult for their supporters to stick with them... This podcast is based on my recent column:
While it may be fleeting, the SocDems poll bounce is a reminder that Fianna Fáil’s persistently poor poll ratings since 2019 have not happened despite Micheal Martin, they are a direct consequence of decisions he made as leader. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2023/03/06/because-leadership-matters-socdems-poll-bounce-is-about-more-than-just-a-new-leader/
In my first podcast of 2023 (apologies for the delay) I look back at the first few weeks of the Donohoe #Postergate saga and explore how Fine Gael has taken the old political dictum: when you are explaining, you are losing, and turned it on its head. Though they may feel it is working in the short-term… I believe that in the longer term, it will not. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2023/01/26/fine-gael-reckons-when-they-are-explaining-you-are-snoozing/
In this podcast episode I discuss the principal factors a party leader should consider when contemplating a mid-term reshuffle. I manage - almost - to refrain from engaging in speculation about who may be in or out next Saturday… or next week when the junior ministries are announced. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/12/15/the-perils-of-the-mid-term-reshuffle/
Small wonder Fine Gael would rather have some pie-in-the-sky discussion on the triple lock than discuss the realities of their political neglect of defence. It’s a political three card trick from the party that brought us the triple lock, treble flip-flop. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/11/25/fine-gaels-triple-lock-three-card-trick/
In this episode I draw together a range of recent political moves and manoeuvres in an attempt to find a path back to viability for Fianna Fáil. It's a struggle... as the party's problems date back to 2018 and beyond. It is just possible... but it will requires new leadership from Fianna Fáil and a serious drive to reconnect with its lost working class base. This week's podcast is not based on a blogpost, the blog will follow the podcast, however.
In this episode I take “compare and contrast” look at the recent party leader speeches of Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and An Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheal Martin, T.D. - and conclude that Sturgeon comes out much better. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/10/18/a-timely-tale-of-two-speeches/
My observations and comments on the lead story in today’s Belfast Telegraph reporting that the three year long political partnership between the SDLP and Fianna Fáil has come to an end.
I am pleased present tis year's Summer Political reading list - my sixth one since 2017. This episode is also available as a written blog with links to all the books mentioned: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/07/25/derek-mooneys-summer-2022-political-reading-list/
This episode is based on two recent blog posts. Both addressed ongoing issues in Fianna Fáil, while one looked at the plans to increase defence investment and the other looks at the history of Programme for Government reviews and concludes that they are a good thing:
http://derekmooney.ie/2022/07/15/fianna-fail-looks-defenceless-in-government-while-increasing-defence-investment/
and
https://derekmooney.ie/2022/07/18/there-should-a-mid-point-review-of-the-pfg-in-fact-the-review-should-be-annual/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/06/23/heres-an-appalling-vista-a-politics-dominated-by-sinn-fein-and-fine-gael/
If you haven't already checked out the Here's How podcast, then listen to this highly rated episode from a few years back and check out the series at https://blog.hereshow.ie/ or searchs for "Here's How" on your favourite Podcast host.
In this episode I revisit the three Fianna Fáil truths which I set out exactly two years ago (in June 2020). This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/06/14/goodbye-to-broadsheet-and-hello-to-cuckoo-clocks-and-the-3-fianna-fail-truths-i-set-out-2-years-ago/
Dublin faces a Catch-22: a city infrastructure that is creaking at the seams because it cannot serve the needs of those who depend on it, but which cannot be expanded because the labour needed to rebuild that infrastructure cannot be found as the wages cannot reasonably cover the cost of living in or around this Dublin. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/06/02/why-is-dublin-citys-infrastructure-gradually-falling-apart/
In this episode I again make the point that the government is not addressing the Irish housing crisis at the scale (or speed) required to stop housing being an election issue at the next general election in 2024. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/05/26/happy-the-opposition-when-a-government-cannot-effectively-promote-its-own-achievements/
This episode looks at the May 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election results. It is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/05/11/ni-assembly-result-was-historic-just-not-era-changing/
In this podcast I look at the problem of random vicious attacks and anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre. It is just one of an increasing number of problems which - combined - are detrimentally affecting the quality of life of people who live and work in Dublin city. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/04/28/no-more-no-go-in-dublin-city-centre/
This podcast was recorded two weeks before polling in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/04/21/dup-is-down-but-dont-count-it-out-just-yet/
When it comes to defence policy and the thorny issue of spending more on Irish Defence, the Irish public is far ahead of its political leadership. They know that military neutrality today means higher defence costs. The political obfuscation needs to stop... and this includes shelving the plan to set up yet another Citizens Assembly to debate neutrality. This risks being another kick to touch to save Fine Gael's embarrassment over its decade of neglect. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/04/19/the-irish-public-100-understands-that-defence-costs/
Just catching up on some unposted blogs and podcasts. This one is from mid-March 2022 and looks at Sinn Féin's bulk deletion of many 1,000s of old press statements and comments. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/04/13/why-eat-your-words-when-you-can-delete-them/
In this episode I examine how Putin's brutal, but faltering, invasion of Ukraine has in only a few days managed to undo his two decade long project of weakening and splintering the western alliance through sowing disunity and distrust within the EU and US polities. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/03/07/how-putins-brutal-invasion-of-ukraine-undid-two-decades-work-in-a-few-days-for-no-gain/
The false flag is one of Putin’s favourite political tactics. Indeed, he may well owe his tight and long-lasting grip on power in Russia to a vicious and blood curdling false flag operation that targeted and killed many 100s of innocent Russian civilians. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/02/22/putin-the-czar-of-false-flags/
While the DUP has the capacity to inflict damage and delay the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, it still faces a political and demographic shift that spells its ultimate decline as a major force. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/02/21/the-painful-sting-of-a-fading-dup/
In this episode I consider how a decade of political neglect of defence is coming back to haunt the government. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/02/02/irish-defence-policy-the-sleeping-dog-thats-no-longer-content-to-stay-sleeping/
In this episode I consider the beleagured leadership of Boris Johnson and suggest that he may limp on until May when his fate could be sealed by a bad mid-term local election result. Meanwhile, the three Irish government party leaders will be happy that the next local and european elections are not due here until 2024 and so they face no mid-term electoral test in 2022… except…
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/01/20/promises-to-keep-when-you-have-mid-terms-to-avoid/
This is the second episode of 2022 and looks at Sinn Féin's decade late discovery of the need for public sector reform. It is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/01/17/sinn-fein-discovers-public-sector-reform/
In the first Mooney on Politics episode of 2022 I look at the contrasting approaches that both Taoiseach and Tánaiste appear (from their public comments, at least) to the possibility of a reshuffle of their ministesr when the government mid-point/turnabout comes next December. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2022/01/11/for-both-taoiseach-and-tanaiste-the-question-is-to-reshuffle-or-not/
In this episode I look at the latest government responses to the Omicron variant and ask if we are taking sufficient notice from what our government, and others across Europe and across the globe, have sometimes done wrong, and often done right. I specifically urge the re-establishment of the Special Dáil Committee on Covid-19, which was, in a most short-sighted move, disbanded in October 2020.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/12/23/we-cant-spite-ourselves-on-covid-restrictions/
In this episode I make a comparison I'd never have thought possible just two years ago - but I explain why the two leaders - who do not share many other characteristics - regrettably share one very large negative one. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/12/16/martin-and-johnson-more-alike-than-youd-think/
In this week's Podcast I Iook at two strained sets of relationships. The first is that between ministers and NPHET and the second is the one between the government and the hospitality industry. Going after the hospitality sector when so more needs to be done in ICUs and in ensuring better ventilation in classrooms must seem unfair, if not an outright distraction. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/12/07/yes-filter-nphet-but-filter-the-air-in-classrooms-first/
This episode is a change of pace - no politics this week, but instead I offer a personal refection on how and why Stephen Sondheim could make me laugh and cry more readily than any other writer. This is based on my recent column. I also created a Spotify Playlist to accompany this column. It includes songs mentioned here, plus a few other personal favourites.
This week's podcast looks at how Micheál Martin may enjoy the trappings of being Taoiseach, but eschews the political leadership responsibility that goes with it in favour of managerial minimalism. This podcast is based on this article: https://derekmooney.ie/2021/11/19/does-mm-stand-for-micheal-martin-or-managerial-minimalism/
In this episode I dismiss the easy speculation that Sinn Féin is set to be in govt North and South soon, but I warn that it cannot be ruled out... unless one of the two traditional big parties finally comes to its political senses. I also take a quick look at the most recent Sunday Business Post/RedC poll and see where this sits in the recent series of political polls. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/11/02/the-shinners-ready-themselves-for-government-but-are-we-ready-for-them/
I refer to a BEERG Byte podcast on the Italian Green Pass in my Podcast. You can listen to it HERE. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/19/this-weeks-covid19-reopening-should-have-gone-ahead/
In this episode I look at Fianna Fail's problems in defining itself, particularly the seeming unwillingness, or inability, of its leader to do it. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/13/when-leadership-colours-matter-fail-to-define-yourself-and-others-will-do-it-for-you/
In this episode I look at the NDP launch and the October Budget and reflect briefly on the latest Irish Times poll showing Sinn Féin moving 10pts ahead of Fine Gael. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/10/07/maybe-wed-believe-them-more-if-the-numbers-were-smaller/
In this episode I discuss the stories of rape, bullying and discrimination as related in RTÉ's Women of Honour radio documentary and the failure of the Irish military command to pursue these cases and deliver justice to the victims. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/28/women-of-extraordinary-honour-and-courage/
This Mooney on Politics podcast looks at the recent faux controversy over President Higgins declining an invitation to a NI100 church service in Armagh. I show how former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, set out the right approach to commemoration in a speech in May 2010 and show how President's decision is in keeping with this approach.
This podcast is based on this recent blogpost: https://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/21/three-more-reasons-why-the-president-is-right-to-decline-invitation/
You can get a copy of Brian Cowen's May 2010 speech, here: https://dsmooney.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/brian_cowen_institute_for_british_irish.pdf
In this Mooney on Politics episode I look at the recent no confidence motion on the day after the vote, using my column from a few days before. The column on which this episode is based is available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/16/a-brief-history-of-the-no-confidence-motion/
This is my first Mooney on Political podcast since the Summer break. My last one was about five weeks ago… and what an eventful five weeks it has been. In this episode I look at the fallout from the mishandling of Zapponegate and explore how the return of norrmal politics post Covid restrictions means we are nearing political endgame for the leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael This podcast is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/09/07/the-pubs-are-re-opening-so-normal-politics-is-resuming-and-endgame-is-near/
In this Podcast I look at the political issues I raised in my latest Broadsheet column, but omitted from my 2021 Summer Political Reading list Podcast. Here I look at Micheál Martin's bizarre use of polling to contend that all is well for Fianna Fáil and his absence of political cop-on when confronted (or blind-sided) by the proposal to appoint Katherine Zappone as a special envoy.
This episode features my fifth annual summer political reading list. As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection. All the books in this year’s selection are non-fiction and reflect my own tastes and prejudice It is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/07/29/my-2021-summer-political-reading-list/
The Dublin Bay South by-Election result shows that Fianna Fáil is facing a crisis of relevance and viability, one that its leader of over 10 years is unwilling to address or acknowledge. The party is now waiting 18 months for a review of the disastrous GE2020 campaign, so I offered this as an interim independent review of what I think went wrong in the by-election.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/07/14/my-interim-by-election-review-for-fianna-fail/
Here is the link to the video on the FF and FG twitter feeds I mentioned in the section on social media: https://youtu.be/qYfpkqkyU2M
I look at the argument on Fianna Fáil’s real and demonstrable problems with young voters that mysteriously leaked out from the parliamentary party. I also take a final look at the Dublin Bay South By-Election. This Podcast was originally produced as a Blogpost: https://derekmooney.ie/2021/07/07/why-does-martins-fianna-fail-have-such-a-stubborn-problem-with-young-people/
In this episode I look at the cost of the PCR tests required to travel in and out of Ireland and the complexity of getting PCR tests while abroad. Ireland should (a) be using rapid antigen testing for travel and (b) should have joined the EU Covid Digital Certificate process from the July 1st start. Delaying participation until July 19 was an error, but missing that deadline and taking even longer to sign up to it would be a massive mistake. This is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/07/05/its-very-testing-to-go-travelling/
This week I look at the paradox of Fianna Fáil's poll ratings showing it in thid place, while its leader's ratings increase... and I wonder, doesn't this mean that what is in his interest, is not in his party's.. and vice-versa? This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/06/22/why-does-an-unpopular-party-have-a-popular-leader/
Why fake pollsters does not mean fake polling. Was this really as big a scandal as some thought... or, rather than being something "sinister" was it just a "paradox". This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/06/20/fake-pollsters-do-not-mean-fake-polling/
I take an early look at the line-up of candidates in the Dublin Bay South by-election and conclude that this is too close to call between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. Logic suggests that this race is Fine Gael's to lose, but has their portrayal of their candidate as a Terenure Trudeau left him vulnerable? In my view this comes down to who comes 3rd, 4th etc and that there potentially will be enough transfers in play to let Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan snatch a last count win.
In this podcast I look at how housing has once again emerged as the key political issue concerning voters, now that worries about Covid-19 are starting to ease. I consider how Fianna Fáil's only hope of avoiding annihilation is to show voters that it grasps the scale of the crisis, though Micheal Martin's party has seeming unwilling, or unable, thus far to do that. You can read the blog version of this Podcast at: https://derekmooney.ie/2021/06/03/theres-only-one-issue-that-matters-and-it-is-housing/
This episode looks at the recent cyber attack on the HSE and Dept of Health IT systems. It is also available as a blog post with links to various reports mentioned: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/05/18/doing-national-cybersecurity-on-cheap-costs-more/
The Brezhnev wing of Fianna Fáil will soon have to decide if keeping the blinds down and pretending they're heading somewhere is preferable to finding a fresh driver and a radically improved engine. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/05/11/riding-the-rails-with-the-blinds-down/
This podcast appears two weeks after it first appeared as a blog. Apologies for the delay. It looka t the art of good government communications as is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/05/05/theres-no-big-secret-to-good-government-communications/
In this episode I look at the upcoming Scottish Parliament election and argues that it will be one of the most consequential U.K. elections of modern times for the politics and future of these two islands. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/04/28/1-week-to-the-most-consequential-uk-election/
In this week's podcast I look at the recent disturbances and incidents across the North and consider what they us about what is happening in the leadership of both loyalism and unionism. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/04/15/when-loyalisms-loyalty-is-rejected/
This episode is based on my latest weekly Broadsheet column. You can read this on my website, here: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/04/01/times-up-for-martin-but-itll-take-a-little-longer-to-play-out/
This episode looks at how events in the week after St Patrick's week may have a deeper long term impact on relations across this island than all the fine words spoken over Zoom to the US. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/03/25/this-is-an-important-week-for-relations-across-these-islands/
Even before The Sunday Times front page story about the Tánaiste being the subject of criminal investigation, Fine Gael TDs were starting to imagine what a world without Varadkar as leader might look like. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/03/22/varadkars-future-no-more-assured-than-martins/
We have endured the longest lock down, closing all but essential workplaces for 200 days so far (and counting) - so, coming seventh or eighth in Europe when it comes to vaccine roll out, is just not good enough. We need to be at the top of the vaccine roll out league. That means we need to have a greater percentage of our people vaccinated, even if only with one dose, by the end of April or May.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/03/09/why-michealmartintd-must-act-to-defer-second-covid19vaccine-doses-now-so-we-can-unlock-sooner/
This podcast is based on an article I wrote in December 2020. Here I predict that duplicity and mendacity will be the hallmark of Johnson's future relationships with Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. Events would seem to be proving me right. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/01/18/johnsons-duplicity-will-not-end-with-brexit/
This episode is from late November 2020, but the doubts I express about Martin's continuing leadership of Fianna Fáil expressed then are sadly just a valid today. It also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2020/12/01/taoiseach-martins-negatives-outweigh-his-positives/
In this episode I look at the political indifference underpinning the difficult relationships in the Irish defence establishment. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/02/27/no-defence-of-defence-relationships/
In this episode I suggest that we will not see a return to the normal exercise and discussion of ordinary politics until we are all able to safely have a pint or a drink without food in a non-gastro pub (the so-called Wet Bars). For that to happen, the vaccination programme will need to roll out much faster.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/01/20/normal-political-service-will-resume-when-pubs-reopen/
I look at the row over increasing the pay of the Secretary General at the Dept of Health by €80k. While some commentators are fixating on the personalities involved, I argue that the focus should be on (i). what is the role of the Sec Gen in the department of health and (ii) how is this value for money and (iii) how was this vacancy allowed to arise (and run for almost eight months) in the midst of a major public health emergency.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://derekmooney.ie/2021/02/16/government-bidding-against-itself-on-top-officials-pay/