Mooney on Irish Politics

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.

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/