Explore every episode of the podcast Mooney on Irish Politics

In this episode of the upcoming Mooney on Politics podcast, I chat with good friend and acknowledged referendum campaign expert Tiernan Brady.

We discuss the lessons he learned from directing the successful marriage equality referendums in Ireland Australia, and how they could apply to any further referendum on Irish Unity.

With UK PM Andy Burnham saying a border poll is off the table, for now, Tiernan sets out why fixating on the "when" and seeking a date for a border poll on Irish Unity is a distraction. He urges everyone to focus now on the harder, and much more urgent question: how those of us who want unity start working to persuade of the positive case for Unity.

(Yes, I have new theme music via foximusic.com )

There is a video clip with this podcast https://youtube.com/shorts/Hv7rYfgT9JY?feature=share

Is Ireland's peacekeeping legacy at risk?

Derek Mooney chats with Prof Roger Mac Ginty (Durham University), a key contributor to the 2023 Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, to unpack Irish neutrality, the future of UN peacekeeping, and the government's push to scrap the triple lock.

They dig into the OSCE's untapped potential, a "weak" UN Secretary-General, Europe's abdication on Ukraine, and why cross-party consensus on defence matters more than ever. A sharp, honest look at Ireland's place in a fracturing world order.

In this episode I look at some of the paradoxes of Irish politics... the government is hugely unpopular (on a par with Trump in the US) but the opposition cannot capitalise on it.

Meanwhile Taoiseach Micheál martin attempts to deflect from his own vulnerabilities by going to war with his own backbenchers in a way that just further highlights those vulnerabilities... !

In this episode I set out the 7 core leadership lessons for Irish political parties from Andy Burnham's ascent to No 10:

1. Don’t make it personal

2. Timing matters – no delays

3. Prepare properly

4. Take risks

5. Keep control of the message

6. Day one counts

7. Don’t fear blood

This is my Summer 2026 holiday political reading list... these are the 8 books I recommend to take away with you to read while on your summer holidays. All eight are political and should be of interest to any Irish politico... whatever their political hue. This podcast also looks at the books that almost made the list... and the one that most definitely didn't. You can read the original blogpost via my website: www.derekmooney.ie

New episode out now: Derek look at Sinn Féin’s recent unity bill, the Government’s decision to oppose it, and what that says about the real politics of constitutional change, Shared Island, and the principle of consent.

What does enduring or durable consent mean? And should we be worried by it?

#IrishPolitics #GoodFridayAgreement #SharedIsland #Unity

With the government planning abolition, Derek answers 7 critical questions:

• Why it's not sovereignty loss,
• Why reform, not abolition is sensible
• How the Fianna Fáil leader shifted from 2020's "fully maintain" pledge to backing abolition
• What public support means,
• Why defence mustn't be politicised
• Value of military neutrality, and
• Brutal reality that the Defence Forces is at less than 70% of its 11,500 target strength.

Martin, Harris, McEntee and Byrne cannot Triple Lock their way out of their massive capability gap

In this episode I look at events and developments over the last few weeks, since the two bye-elections and consider the lesson for the leadership of Fianna Fáil... and remind TDs that several EU countries have changed prime minister during an EU presidency... and it didn't hurt anyone.

As Fianna Fáil marks its centenary, there are several lessons from the recent U.K. elections for the former big beast of Irish politics.

UK Labour’s current attempt at renewal and the SNP’s successful reinvention contrasts with drift and lack of ambition under Micheál Martin's leadership.

Fianna Fáil cannot wait much longer to change leader or to plan seriously for unity.

In this episode I use the famous Enoch Powell quote about political lives ending in failure "unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture" to ask if any of the three leaders will know when to go?

I consider Ireland's three main party leaders through Powell's lens: is Mary Lou McDonald in trouble as leader, is Micheál Martin now delaying the inevitable; and is Simon Harris, racing toward a juncture he may never reach.

Does any party have a succession plan... or even see the merit of one?

In this 6 minute long episode Derek sets out why the government response was wrong to focus primarily on a security solution to a political problem... a political problem which its own senior members had flagged weeks ahead.

I have revised the opening 5 minutes of this previously published podcast to include clips from that March 2017 interview - after some extra research I found an audio recording of the full interview. see link below.

In this Mooney on Politics podcast episode I consider how Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s stance on Irish unity has shifted since 2017. From promising a detailed white paper and “blueprint” for reunification to today’s emphasis on Shared Island, reconciliation and keeping constitutional questions at arm’s length.

Link to that 2017 interview via YouTube:

Link to print RTÉ March 2017 news report

In this episode I look at Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s unsurprisingly solid Oval Office performance with Donald Trump.

I express regret that opposition parties here took such a overwhelmingly negative stance on his performance. But... even more... I regret that Martin fails to communicate as well on domestic issues as he does when in the White House.

I also ask why, with government satisfaction on the floor, Sinn Féin still isn’t breaking through... and look to the Gerald Barry rule of politics... at some point every opposition leader is the worst ever opposition leader.

In this podcast episode I argue that Fianna Fáil TDs can’t afford to sleepwalk into 2027. Three Taoisigh in one year (2027) would make the party (and government) look ridiculous.

There are several simple truths that must be faced:

• Micheál Martin’s time as leader is naturally running out
• 2026 is the year for renewal, not 2027
• Fianna Fáil must decide what it stands for, and who best conveys that

The alternative, the default position is just to continue with Micheál Martin... and wander meekly into the darkness

In this episode I argues for reforming Ireland's Triple Lock military deployment system by updating... not scrapping... multilateral criteria to include UN General Assembly resolutions and regional organisations.

Indeed the whole Triple Lock debate is meaningless without addressing recruitment crises and investment shortfalls of the past decade and a half. Ireland's defence capability crisis was government made... it will not be sorted by Triple Lock three-card-chicanery.

You can read the core script from this podcast on my website.

In this final podcast of 2025 I look at a most consequential (but messy) year in Irish politics. I assess how the parties of government and opposition performed. I then conclude with a very personal league table of the newly elected TDs politicians who impressed most over the past 12 months.

In this penultimate podcast of 2025 I look at the fallout from Fianna Fáil's review into the disastrous Áras 2025 campaign and which of the several competing analyses of what happens next, I agree with. (Spoiler Alert... I take some elements from each).

I also explain why I cannot see Martin making it through 2026... and why its in no one's interests that he does.

In this very short episode (based on a recent local radio interview) I wonder if Fianna Fáil is still a serious political party?

The leadership's mishandling of the presidential campaign is now compounded by its mishandling of what should have been a simple report into that fiasco.

Ironically... when I am asked which new TD has impressed me most... I reply that it is a Fianna Fáil one... Albert Dolan... proving that there is still some future hope for Fianna Fáil

In this week's episode Derek throws an eye over the impact on government stability of the departure of Pascal Donohoe for the World bank... and wonders why Taoiseach Micheál Martin now questions the linear nature of time and why a delay is not actually a delay... or of any consequence

In this episode I do two things...

First, I explain why the "unsure" camp in the currently divided Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is in single digits and the pro and anti Martin factions are almost evenly divided.

Second, I explain why a departure timeline for Martin that stretches into 2027 or 2028 not only makes no sense, it is potentially damaging to its electoral prospects.

The damage being done to the Keep Martin campaign... by the Keep Martin campaign... makes the Gavin presidential bid look masterful. Their line that any move requires a challenger is contrary to the rules that Martin introduced... rules meant to ensure there could never be a spill (i.e. heave).

As we look back at the Haughey era... though Maire Geoghegan Quinn never actually used this phrase back in 1991 (one year before Haughey's actual departure) her reference to the haughey era was seen a signal to the great man that his time was up.

Are we hearing some subtle hints of the "as we look back at the Martin era" today? I think we are.

Link to that EVERHAZE event pn Tuesday. Register now.

After today's The Week in Politics debate and the Sunday Independent poll numbers, I take a very quick look at the evolving Irish presidential election and conclude (once again) that it will be hugely consequential for the leaderships of Fianna Fáil... and possibly Fine Gael.

Two links:

1. To my Twitter thread

2. To Cathal Lee interview on Shannonside

With Fianna Fáil picking its Aras candidate in 2 days time, Derek looks at how the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party may be about to re-exert its authority by refusing to declare a winner before its votes in secret. The title for this episode from from an old Michael Heseltine anecdote.... it doesn't matter who you say you're voting for.... just so long as you vote for me.

In this episode I discuss the evolving political manoeuvres ahead of the 2025 presidential race. Internal Fine Gael turmoil after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness should be a boon for Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil, but their continuing silence limits competition. The field is unlikely to go beyond four contenders... five at most.

This is the podcast to go with my 9th annual political reading list (See list online) As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection, be it Irish, European or global.

This podcast differs slightly from the original online list as I omitted Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin's "Unfinished Empire" the story of how Putin clings to Russia’s imperial legacy, particularly in Ukraine.

The other books remain the same.

Feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback below.

In this episode I look again at the prospects for the presidential election and conclude that both the contest poses equal problems for the two biggest parties: Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.

I also dispel the notion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is considering a run... he means what he says when he says he does not want to run... as Sigmund Freud never said... sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!!

I also look briefly at what the college fees row tells us about government incoherence... and the capacity of Tánaiste Simon Harris to bring this government to an untimely end.

In this episode I consider how Northern Ireland and the changes to the triple lock may become issues at the upcoming Irish presidential election.

I examine the evolving shifts in Micheál Martin's thinking on Irish unity and his preference for engagement with lapsed nationalists, over unionists and northern nationalists.

I set out my problems with the government's proposed reforms of the Triple Lock on Irish Defence deployment... and with the opposition's response.

I also explore how the presidential race could influence broader government stability.

In this short episode I use an excellent Twitter thread from U.S. Democrat Senator, Chris Murphy of Connecticut to thrash President Trump's tariff tactic. As Senator Murphy correctly highlights: They aren’t designed as economic policy. The tariffs are simply a new, super dangerous political tool. Once seen through this lense, the approach makes some sense... but remains every bit as dangerous and damaging.

Note that I use an AI text to voice model for Sen Murphy's tweets.

In this episode I manage to link quotes from my late mentor Ben Briscoe and the great Lenny Bruce to lead me to a point where the Dáil speaking time and Garron Noone debacles meet... and leave me less than impressed.

In this podcast episode I discuss Taoiseach Micheál Martin's upcoming White House visit, addressing potential challenges such as US demands for Apple's tax money and pressure to buy American military equipment.

I don't offer advice, as it is not needed. An Taoiseach, and his diplomatic team, know how to deploy diplomatic caution and avoid public confrontations with the Trump administration. They just need to watch out for VP Vance.

In this episode I critique both the government and opposition tactics in the Dáil speaking row, with each arguing that they should be able to play all across the pitch with the other side confined to their own half.

Meanwhile Fine Gael's leadership issues is impacting government stability and messaging. So if FG TDs plan to dump Harris (and I think they do) then better to do it now.

In this "Mooney on Politics" podcast, I reflect on Ireland's planned defence investments, saying "I told you so!"

I again critique past neglect while acknowledging the signs of progress... but above all I stress the need to boost defence capacity, irrespective of neutrality debates.

In this episode I chat with Colum Eastwood MP, about the work his New Ireland Commission is doing to drive planning for a new and united Ireland. We delve into the Commission's strategies for engaging with diverse communities, its approach to creating a more prosperous society for all.

Colum mentions (in passing) he is currently writing a book... one to look out for later this year.

In this more security policy focused episode I look at some of the potentially positive elements of the probable Programme for Government (PfG), specifically the justice/law and order ones, and the very definitely negative ones on the defence, particularly the absence of any timeline to fix the decade of neglect.

Rather than making predictions about what might happen in 2025, I flag some key issues that will arise in the year ahead. Two of which have a distinctively presidential tinge...

In this penultimate episode of 2024 I look at 3 recent domestic developments: the first day of the new Dáil, Israel closing its Irish embassy and the Soc Dem ex TD saga and suggest that each has an element of the paradoxical about it... and that paradoxes are (to cite Sr Gertrude via Muriel Spark) is something we must live with.

As the two main parties prepare for coalition talks, I offer Fianna Fáil some thoughts on how that government should be structured:

• Rotating Taoiseach 3 years FF + 2 years FG
• 15 Cabinet places split 8 to 7
• FF to retain Finance (merged with D/Per) for 5 years
• FF takes Justice
• F/T Defence Minister

This is not so much a podcast, but just a rebroadcast of my comments on Times Radio (UK) from early this morning. Though based on the Exit poll which may have understated FF and overstated SF, the broad points remain correct.

It has been my view from the start of the campaign that voters did not feel there was a viable alternative on offer... and that's not healthy for our politics in the medium term... but what might that alternative look like?

After two polls showing Fine Gael in a steady decline has the three horse race become a two horse one with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin competing fiercely for first place? I discuss this with former Sinn Féin MLA for Lagan Valley, Paul Butler, and get his perspective on the final few days.

Even before the Kanturk fiasco it looked like Fine Gael's highly personalised campaign, built around its leader was in trouble. Harris has just had his Gordon Brown 2010 moment... only this one is much, much worse. Can FG slide back even further? Is it now at risk of coming 3rd?

With just one week to go, I chat with Dr David McCann of the University of Ulster about government formation once the election is over. He suggests that 2.5 / 3 party governments will be the norm from here onwards. I suggest that Sinn Féin should be driving a wedge between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rather than pushing the FFG line.

With 8 days to geo I chat with old friend and self confessed "liberal hardline centrist" Jason O'Mahony about how he thins the election campaign has gone, so far. We discuss the part that independents may play in government formation and conclude that (counter intuitively) more independents will mean less influence.

With 10 days to go to polling day... I look at last night's RTÉ Upfront 10 podium leaders debate and conclude... there is no shortage of opposition parties... what we don't have is any alternative government.

Just under two weeks to go and any polling shifts are well within the margins of error.

The fact that voters may not have switched on to the campaign is a not a permission slip for parties to forget the lessons of the global crash and indulge in auction politics.

In this episode I am joined by Stephen Spillane of the Green party. He is a long serving political activist who knows and well understands the Cork political scene.

We do a tour of the 5 Cork constituencies and Stephen offers his insights on what to watch out for, in each.

Check out his Cork GE2024 blog

With 15 days to go… what do we know now that we didn't know before it started… well... not a lot. One of the few things I think we can say for sure is that the voters are not yet fully engaged.

In my second GE2024 podcast I look at how the Soc Dem and Labour party leaders fared in their two media outgoings and observe that Paschal Donohoe uncharacteristically rose to the bait at the housing debate on RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon.

The first of my (almost) daily series of short GE2024 podcasts looking at how the Irish general election campaign is playing out. If well begun is half done... then Fine Gael's campaign isn't even 5% done.

The morning after an appalling night before, I reflect on lessons from Trump's big win. I specifically look at his clear messaging that posed him as the voter's ally.

I only saw his "Kamala is for They/Them. President Trump is for you" messaging today. It's crisp, clear and direct and speaks to concerns middle America has about the country's direction.