What is wrong with Ireland’s housing and planning system?
The government has come under increasing intense criticism of its record on housing, and the sluggishness with which its addressed the need to build more affordable homes.Today on Inside Politics, Hugh Linehan discusses the issues with the planning and regulatory system that some argue is slowing down the process of boosting housing supply in Ireland.In an essay published in The Irish Times last month, the tech billionaire and founder of Stripe John Collison argued construction, and infrastructure projects more generally, are being held back by regulation and judicial barriers stemming from the planning corruption scandals of the 1980’s and 90’s.On the podcast today is Orla Hegarty, assistant professor at University College Dublin and a fellow at the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, dismissed Mr Collisons case, saying: “It jumps to a solution that doesn’t relate to the problem”.“There is a thinking that if the market isn’t functioning, the issue must be regulation. That’s a really naive take.”The evidence doesn’t support that" she added.Hugh is also joined by Sean Keys, the executive director of the think tank Progress Ireland, for which John Collison is a significant financial donor, says the argument is not solely about de-regulation.“We need to build new agency. We need to build state capacity”.He added: “What the national planning framework does is basically put a thump on the scale of building in Dublin”.Produced by JJ Vernon and Andrew McNair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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54:54
How is Catherine Connolly viewed in Europe?
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 raised eyebrows on the continent, and how might she navigate Ireland’s EU presidency in 2026?Hugh Linehan is joined by The Irish Times correspondent in Berlin Derek Scally, and in the studio by Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary.Produced by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Is it possible to have a coherent debate on immigration?
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 Ireland being too high, has it become almost impossible to have an honest discussion around immigration? · Taoiseach Micheál Martin is currently away at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, but the fallout from Fianna Fáil’s disastrous presidential campaign shows little sign of ebbing away. Could a potential heave against the party leader be gathering momentum? · Could the controversy surrounding Ivan Yates and his admission that he advised Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate Jim Gavin, and the subsequent conflict of interest that created, all have been avoided if he highlighted it early on in the presidential campaign? · And Mayor-elect of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has been branded a ‘commie’, among other things, by US President Donald Trump and various members of the Republican Party, but has Mamdani shown the way forward for politicians mounting an election campaign?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The annual British search for Irish poppy refuseniks, the $20,000 AI home robot butler, and Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin on the issue of recreational drug use and the GAA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48:09
Iain Dale, chronicler of British leaders, turns his attention to Irish taoisigh
Iain Dale has written books profiling prime ministers, monarchs and dictators. Next up from the LBC broadcaster and podcaster is a book on the people - all men - who have served as taoiseach. The Taoiseach: A Century of Political Leadership profiles all who have held the office and explores the evolution of the role. But Dale didn’t write it himself this time, instead drafting in a roster of Irish writers to take on a taoiseach each. Dale talks to Hugh about Ireland’s political leaders and what examining them has taught him about Irish history and politics. Along the way they they take a lengthy diversion into Iain’s real area of expertise: UK politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How does Micheál Martin quieten dissenting voices in Fianna Fáil?
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 government arising from the next general election? · With anger still simmering in Fianna Fáil’s ranks after a disastrous presidential campaign, is party leader Micheál Martin looking at a leadership challenge down the line? Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 this week, the Taoiseach criticised “unacceptable” and “hurtful” comments about him from Fianna Fáil rebels like fellow Cork TD James O’Connor. · The coalition partners are becoming more openly critical of immigration. Perhaps they are now following the example of other European countries? · And Naomi O’Leary discusses the Dutch political scene with reports suggesting the centrist D66 party caused a big upset in Dutch elections this week.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Mary ‘Mae’ McGee who successfully fought the ban on contraception in Ireland, and Newton Emerson on how Fine Gael’s anti-British rhetoric came back to bite Heather Humphreys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The best analysis of the Irish political scene featuring Irish Times journalists, political thinkers and the occasional politician. Hosted by Hugh Linehan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland