Indo Politics
Every week the Irish Independent's political team brings you the biggest stories, the latest analysis and the gossip from the corridors of Leinster House. New episodes every Friday.
Episodes
Budget 2027, government squabbles and social media showdown at the Oireachtas
Budget 2027 is just around the corner and legitimate tensions between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are becoming increasingly visible. From proposed ideas being shot down to a contentious announcement around a sports grant, the coalition government appears to have a big job on its hands ahead of Budget Day in just a couple of weeks’ time. Do they care about public perception, or is this
‘Audible gasps’ as Trump backs a united Ireland, blindsiding Taoiseach
Donald Trump has come and gone from Áras an Uachtaráin, but not without causing considerable consternation. The US president said he would “love” to see a united Ireland and suggested it “may as well happen now” because it is “going to happen eventually”. So what prompted his unexpected intervention, and could it have any impact on the debate over Ireland’s future? We want to earn your trust and a
Jack Chambers on Budget 2027, leadership Ambitions and a United Ireland
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers joins Mary Regan in the Indo Politics studio to discuss his preparations for Budget 2027, including inheritance tax, childcare costs and the key challenges facing the Government. He also talks about his relationship with Simon Harris, how his political views have evolved over the years, including on abortion, and why he believes it's time to ref
School's out: The Winners, Losers and Gaffes of the Political Year (So Far)
From Micheál Martin's resilience to Sinn Féin's missed opportunities and the biggest political blunders of the year, Mary Regan and Maeve McTaggart look back on a dramatic first half of 2026, and ahead to the budget battles and leadership questions still to come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
EU Commissioner Michael McGrath on EU social media ban for children
EU Commissioner Michael McGrath talks to Mary Regan about potential social media bans for teens in Europe as EU officials grapple with the thorny issue of technology and teens, the growing scrutiny surrounding the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick and the future of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics poli
RTÉ's funding fight, the hare coursing row and is a border poll in our future?
As the Dáil breaks for summer, Kevin Doyle and Maeve McTaggart assess the political winners and losers of the past six months. They examine RTÉ's growing funding gap, the fierce battle over hare coursing, Sinn Féin's push on Irish unity, and ask who's heading into the EU Presidency with momentum. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independen
Zelensky hits Dublin as EU Presidency begins
Ireland’s EU presidency officially began this week and welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Dublin. However, things became a little awkward from the outset when President Zelenskyy raised concerns about Ireland’s ties to Russian alumina. Zelenskyy was forced to cut short his visit due to an imminent attack on Kyiv, once again raising questions about European defence and Ireland’s ro
The Triple Lock: Starmer, Burnham and Oireachtas on drugs
As the UK's Labour Party reconfigures in the wake of Keir Starmer’s resignation, we hear about potential new leader Andy Burnham's proud Irish roots, what his northern sensibility might mean for UK politics and how he might deal with a push for a United Ireland. We also discuss the growing pressure on Irish neutrality, the recommendations made in a report from the Oireachtas committee on drugs and
Data centres, energy credits and airport caps: Minister Darragh O’Brien in conversation
Indo Politics spoke to Energy and Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien this week as Mary Regan and Cónal Thomas asked the Fianna Fail TD questions relating to several key issues in Ireland today. As the US and Iran near a peace deal, can Irish citizens expect some relief on oil prices? Should excise cuts be extended beyond the end-of-July deadline? Can we expect energy credits to return in the
Europe in focus: Ireland’s EU presidency, far-right politics rise, Israel relationship
French MEP Valérie Hayer, President of the Renew Europe Group, sits down with Mary Regan this week for a wide-ranging interview. On the agenda? Ireland’s imminent EU presidency – what do Europeans expect from us at a pivotal political moment not just for Europe, but the world at large? On that note, how does Ireland’s increasingly difficult relationship with Israel and Taoiseach Micheál Mar
The Kingdom Divided: Inside the Healy-Rae fallout - and Holly Cairns' good news
The Healy-Rae political empire has dominated Kerry for decades, but disagreement over support for the government has exposed cracks within the family. This week, we examine the fallout and whether the famous Healy-Rae brand can survive intact. We also discuss Holly Cairns' growing popularity, the good news around her expanding family and what the Social Democrats' momentum could mean for Irish pol
Sinn Féin’s identity crisis, the Soc Dem surge and the growing battle over OTB
The Occupied Territories Bill is finally heading to the Oireachtas, but the government's decision to exclude services has sparked fierce criticism from opposition parties. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats are celebrating major by-election victories, raising fresh questions about Sinn Féin's position on the left and Holly Cairns' growing appeal. Host; Mary Regan, Guest; Maeve McTaggart We want to ea
By-Elections: Daniel Ennis leads the way in Dublin as Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil falter
A “just delighted” Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats is racing ahead in the Dublin Central by-election, leaving rival candidates from heavyweight parties in the dust. A historic day for the Social Democrats proved to be a difficult one for both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil as Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin lost momentum. Meanwhile, events in Galway West have been considerably tighter, wi
Indo Politics: Government despair over 'RTÉ pyschodrama' and by-election preview
RTÉ was before the Oireachtas committee this week and gossip on the corridors of Leinster House was 'intense'. Political Editor Mary Regan and reporter Aisling Moloney talk through the latest scandal and the ongoing Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections. Host: Mary Regan Guest: Aisling MoloneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan on migration and Bertie Ahern's controversial comments
In a wide-ranging interview Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan speaks to Political Editor Mary Regan and Political Correspondent Cónal Thomas about migration, Bertie Ahern's controversial comments on migrants and the long wait to become Fianna Fáil leader. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘Budget fever’ in May, and is Gerry Hutch adopting the Donald Trump playbook?
It has been strongly indicated that fuel supports will be a major factor in this year’s Budget, while we’ve recently learnt that Ireland’s electricity costs are way above the European average. Elsewhere, by-election buzz is building as polls mark the way, and Gerry Hutch stands accused of evoking Donald Trump as he finally outlines his policies. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Conál ThomasSee omnys
Cabinet divisions exposed, Air BnB register rows, and the fallout from the Jim Glennon scandal continues
Confusion at cabinet, delays to short-term letting rules, and mounting pressure from fuel protests are exposing cracks in government strategy. With key by-elections looming, are political tensions rising See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Catherine Connolly trying to have her cake and eat it as presidential constraints tighten?
Another not-so-quiet week in politics brought us Leo Varadkar’s apologetic climbdown and rumours of in-fighting among the Healy-Rae family, but Catherine Connolly raised tensions as she put pen to paper on the International Protection Bill. Despite signing the bill into law, the President retains concerns about its nature. Are the constraints of her new offi
Beginning of the end for Micheál Martin? Can Taoiseach survive second leadership crisis in six-months
It has been a busy first week back in the Dail, as the effects nationwide fuel protests continue to be felt within the coalition government. With Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil facing renewed threats, with a group of TDs approaching senior ministers to discuss a change at the top. While it is understood the disgruntled backbenchers are not close to having the numbers for a successful n
Government condemns fuel protests as tensions escalate
hings have escalated dramatically in recent days, with nationwide fuel protests dominating the news agenda and causing chaos on our streets. As protestors continue to dig in, notable alarm has been growing in the government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the demonstrations, calling the blockage of a key refinery in Cork an act of “national sabotage”. As pressure mounts and talk of Defence
A €250m cost of living package under scrutiny and the return of Mairead McGuinness
Mairead McGuinness returns with a new EU role as the government rolls out a €250m cost-of-living package. Will it ease the pressure, or just delay tougher budget decisions ahead? Host; Kevin Doyle, Guest; Cónal Thomas We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Taoiseach meets Trump: How did Micheál Martin fare in Washington?
Taoiseach Micheál Martin sat down with US president Donald Trump for the traditional St Patrick’s Day summit, with Mr Trump in typically boisterous form. How did the Taoiseach get on, though, with Iran, Keir Starmer, and a potential Doonbeg visit all on the agenda? Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Mary Regan and Cónal Thomas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All to play for Taoiseach in Oval office showdown, and will energy prices force the Government’s hand?
Ministers may be globe trotting for St Patrick’s Day, but the political temperature at home is rising. As energy prices climb amid tensions in the Middle East, the Government insists it will not be found wanting, but what does that mean in practice? At the same time, Micheál Martin prepares for a significant meeting with Donald Trump in the White House. Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guest: Cónal
International chaos, a political comeback and an eviction storm
As conflict in Iran pushes up energy prices, the Government faces mounting pressure over possible emergency supports. New rent reforms are already causing controversy in the Housing Minister’s own constituency, while Phil Hogan re-emerges as Ireland’s candidate for a top UN job. Tabitha Monahan and Conal Thomas chat through down a tense week in Leinster House. We want to
Why education is now in the political danger zone and Dublin Central battle heats up
The government scrambles to contain the fallout from its SNA allocation controversy, announcing a late night funding reversal but has lasting damage already been done? Plus, Sinn Fein selects Janice Boylan for the crucial Dublin Central by election as Gerry The Monk Hutch gears up for another run. What does it all mean for the political landscape? Copy: This week on Indo Politics, the government f
SNA cuts, social media ban and Rotunda row: a week of pauses and public outcry
A tricky week for the Government inside and outside of Leinster House goes under the microscope on the latest Indo Politics. On the agenda: public outcry at proposed SNA cuts, the planning permission row at the Rotunda Hospital, and the much-mooted social media ban for under-16s and how it might work, not to mention the Coalition tensions it’s causing. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Mary Regan and
Monk’s political return, a rent gamble and we finally have our housing tsar
Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has confirmed he will contest the Dublin Central by-election and already the political temperature is rising. On this week’s episode of Indo Politics, Tabitha Monahan and Conal Thomas examine how Hutch’s entry could reshape the race, who Sinn Féin and the government parties are likely to run, and why transfers may once again prove decisive. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr
By-Elections Loom and Bord Bia under fire
Whilst heavy rain and winds battered parts of the East coast this week, temperatures rose inside Leinster House. As Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin appeared before the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. The government continued to push through regulations on the ban on scramblers, and we now have a date for the upcoming by-elections in Galway West and Dublin Central. So how is the field shaping up?
The fallout from Storm Chandra and what awaits the Taoiseach in Washington on St Patrick's Day?
It's been a busy week in Irish politics. As the country reels from Storm Chandra, government ministers have accused Met Eireann of withholding information about the extent of the storm. The death of Grace Lynch has placed the government's inability to police scramblers at the heart of political debate. Cónal Thomas joins Tabitha Monahan to discuss the government's next steps in the wake of the tra
Trump’s trade war averted for now and the government's new state-led childcare plan
Donald Trump pulls back from threatened tariffs and military action over Greenland, but what does it mean for EU-US relations? From Brussels, Mary Regan joins Tabitha Monahan to assess the fallout, Ireland’s tightrope diplomacy, and fresh tensions over the Mercosur trade deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Between Grok and a hard place: Pressure on Micheál Martin to hold golden tech goose to account
The Dáil is back and so is Indo Politics for the first time in 2026. The controversy around AI tool Grok dominated proceedings. Elsewhere the Mercosur trade deal sparked outrage. And government overspending was once more on the agenda this week at the Public Accounts Committee. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Mary Regan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indo Politics Awards 2025: Conquering Connolly, tenacious Taoiseach and gaffes galore
Another year in the history books, full of all kinds of point-scoring, in-fighting, power plays and seismic shifts. So, who won big on the political stage? Who lost in headline-making fashion? What were the standout gaffes? And just who can call themselves the “Brat of the Year” for 2025? All will be revealed as the Indo politics team hand out their coveted gongs just in time for Christmas... Ho
“A tragic drama” - Billy Kelleher speaks on the Jim Gavin presidential debacle
This week on Indo Politics, Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher speaks candidly about the party’s bruising presidential selection saga, the pressures applied behind the scenes, and what he calls a “tragic drama” for all involved. Host: Mary Regan, Guest: Billy KelleherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Introducing: Indo Politics
Welcome to Indo Politics. Every week the Irish Independent's political team will bring you the biggest stories, the latest analysis and the gossip from the corridors of Leinster House. New episodes every Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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