The Candidate Awards: Best row, best clanger and best politician so far this Dáil term
Ministers held their last Cabinet meeting this week, while TDs and senators have already cleared out of Leinster House for their break. That means it's time for us to hand out the report cards. We asked our listeners and readers to help us dish out some accolades for the performance of TDs in the current Dáil so far: Best Politician; Best Newbie; Comeback Kid; Must-Try-Harder Award; Quote of The Term; Clanger of The Term; Row of The Term; Best Political Moment. Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy make the tough decisions on this week's episode.The Candidate will be taking a break for a few weeks until Irish politics starts ramping up again (but don't worry, we'll have you covered if anything major happens). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:00:52
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1:00:52
The government is spending billions (on what, exactly, isn't clear)
The government unveiled its updated infrastructure spending plan this week and its plans to splash billions on projects around the country. But on what projects and where? Well, that type of detail was, oddly, not forthcoming...From MetroLink to housing and health, the National Development Plan was heavy on spin and light on specifics. It was followed by the Summer Economic Statement and a shift in mood: next year’s Budget might not be particularly cheery. Christine Bohan, Jane Matthews and Rónán Duffy unpack the two announcements.Also: the Social Democrats just turned 10. What explains their 'slow burn' staying power, and are they the exception to the rule about small Irish parties? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:17
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30:17
TDs are gaslighting us about their holidays
The Dáil has wrapped up for the summer... again. But with a housing crisis, major legislation pending, and just 33 sitting weeks a year, should TDs still be clocking off this easily? Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, and Jane Matthews unpack whether Ireland’s political calendar is stuck in the past, and why a rethink of how the Dáil actually works should be on the cards.Also: the Occupied Territories Bill is drawing increasingly sharp criticism from the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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21:20
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21:20
Mary Lou, Mairead and Catherine would be the election we've been waiting for
Mary Lou McDonald is finally sailing us out of the presidential election doldrums... without saying much at all, really. Her non-denial that she would be throwing her hat in the ring has ramped up speculation around her being Sinn Féin's candidate. But could she actually win? And why are all the other parties playing it so coy?Christine Bohan, Christina Finn, Jane Matthews, and Rónán Duffy look at this continued quiet, cautious election tip-toeing that is continued.Also: could Leo's post-taoiseach persona win over former sceptics? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:08
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36:08
The government brought this student fees mess on itself
As Micheál Martin woos Japan with harp performances and pints of Guinness, back home the government is floundering over student fees. Christine Bohan, Jane Matthews and Rónán Duffy dig into the communications mess that’s dominating headlines and angering parents (and is it simply a communications mess, or something more?). Also: what Rachel Reeves’ tears in the UK parliament say about the intensity of media scrutiny brought by the British press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
South Africa