Irish Times Inside Politics

Donald Trump has pulled off one of the greatest upsets in political history by beating Hillary Clinton to the White House. How did he do it, and how did the pundits get it so wrong? And what can we expect from the unpredictable president-elect? Hugh Linehan talks to Simon Carswell and Ruadhan Mac Cormaic, who are in New York at the Trump and Clinton HQs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's politics podcast, Political Editor Stephen Collins talks to Fiach Kelly about the looming garda strike action and Taoiseach Enda Kenny's all-Ireland Brexit forum. And down at Leinster House, Harry McGee talks to TDs and senators about their experiences of how the press covers them and their activities, how they deal with the growing number of social media trolls and the problem of populism in the Dáil chamber. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We face the prospect of the most disruptive period of industrial unrest the country has seen in over a decade. Planned strike actions by teachers and gardaí are expected to sorely test the resilience of recession-era pay agreements. To understand how we got to this point, Industry Correspondent Martin Wall and Education Editor Carl O'Brien join podcast regulars Fiach Kelly and Hugh Linehan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who are the under-represented "squeezed middle" in Ireland and how do they vote? Minister for Finance Michael Noonan defined them as "those earning between €30,000 and €70,000", when in fact the truth is far more complex. To crunch the numbers and get a clearer idea of what the term means, Hugh Linehan is joined by Dr Kevin Cunningham of irelandthinks.ie, economics columnist Chris Johns and political correspondent Sarah Bardon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"One of the most poisonous debates witnessed in twentieth century Ireland" is how historian Diarmaid Ferriter described the run-up to the passing of the 8th Amendment in 1983. Against a backdrop of intense political division, moral outrage and conflicting understandings of how a brand new right, that of life to the unborn, would play out in public courts and private lives, the referendum passed with a two to one majority. With the Citizens' Assembly poised to once again examine the abortion question, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic takes us back to the early eighties to understand how and why the controversial amendment came about and its legacy in politics and society. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoghan Murphy of Fine Gael, Dara Calleary of Fianna Fáil and David Cullinane of Sinn Féin are in studio with Pat Leahy and Hugh Linehan to debate the worth of the measures outlined in yesterday's budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Tuesday we will find out what is in Paschal Donohoe’s first budget, and possibly Michael Noonan’s last. But, given the fiscal and political realities, hopes are not high for a day of landmark announcements. Pat Leahy and Fiach Kelly join Hugh to discuss what can we expect on Tuesday, where Minister Noonan found an extra €200 million to spend, and what effect this "dog's dinner" of a budget will have on your bottom line and the minority Government's chances of surviving the winter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The backdrop to Fatherland author Robert Harris' new thriller is the papal enclave, which he calls "the world's most secretive election". He sits down with Hugh to talk about power and populism in modern politics, the passing of Brexit and the rise of Trump - but first he explains the byzantine process of voting in a new Pope. Conclave is available now from Penguin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this installment of Inside Politics, Hugh Linehan is joined by Labour TD for Limerick City Jan O'Sullivan, Political Correspondent Harry McGee and Deputy Political Editor Pat Leahy. With some figures already leaked, is the upcoming budget already being treated as something of a damp squib? The panel discuss it's somewhat populist slant. And how can the Labour Party rebuild it's reputation following a disastrous performance in the general election, Jan O'Sullivan speaks on the party's aims for the future. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Michael Noonan and Paschal Donohoe deliver their budget in a few weeks' time, which party - Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin - will stand up to provide the real opposition? Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin and Jim O'Callaghan of Fianna Fáil are in studio to discuss this with Irish Times Deputy Political Editor Pat Leahy and host Hugh Linehan. But first they talk about the claim, made last night on a BBC Spotlight programme, that Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams approved the murder of Denis Donaldson in Donegal in 2005, and whether the truth of the Troubles' legacy of death can ever be brought to light. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fintan O'Toole visited Áras an Uachtaráin to interview President Michael D. Higgins this week. They talked about President Higgins' tumultuous upbringing, how poverty influenced his education and outlook, and his views on society, the free market and Europe. In this special episode of Inside Politics, Fintan presents excerpts from their discussion. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enda Kenny has rediscovered his Mojo, and along with it his desire to stay on as Taoiseach for the foreseeable future. But not everyone in Fine Gael is happy about that, including TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John Paul Phelan, who joins Fiach Kelly, Sarah Bardon and Hugh Linehan to discuss Fine Gael's leadership on today's Inside Politics Podcast. The panel also discuss the NAMA controversy, rebel Minister of State John Halligan's future in Government and the prospect of a boring Budget. The Inside Politics podcast is published every Wednesday on irishtimes.com. To subscribe on iTunes click here. To subscribe on Stitcher (for Android) click here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Inside Politics takes a welcome break from discussing the goings-on inside Leinster House and instead takes a peek inside The Four Courts, courtesy of Ruadhan Mac Cormaic, whose new book "The Supreme Court" is out now. Pat Leahy and barrister Tony McGillycuddy are also in studio to talk about the fascinating history of our highest court. But first Pat gives us an update on the latest political news: Junior Minister John Halligan's apparent threat to resign from Government over services in Waterford Hospital. Whether Halligan leaves or is placated and stays, the consequences for Government may be grave. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the dust settles on the EU's historic tax decision, it's becoming clear that the move threatens our economic model, our international reputation and the stability of our current Government. It's not just a thorny technical and political issue to be thrashed out, says Fintan O'Toole - it's an important moment in modern Irish history.Political Correspondent Harry McGee says the Dáil should be recalled to debate the issue before Cabinet makes a decision on whether to appeal - but doesn't think it likely. Defending any decision to appeal, Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless calls the ruling an "EU power grab" that must be resisted, especially now that the U.K., traditionally our friend in such matters, has left the building. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we broaden our podcast's horizons with a discussion of the challenges facing traditional 'conservative' politics around the world. Jay Cost, a Washington-based pundit with Republican-leaning (but Trump-fearing)magazine The Weekly Standard, explains the fissures within the party that have allowed Trump's rise. We also have Dr Jane Suiter of DCU's school of politics and Eamon Delaney of The Hibernia Forum in studio to talk about the ebbs and flows of conservative thought and practice in Ireland and Europe and whether the centre can hold for the right as high levels of immigration and widespread economic stagnation persist. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.