The start of the year, as in then, dawned full of hope and vim for a new government after the election in November 2024. Now, at the end of the year, we examine where the hope and plans ended up. The last twelve months hasn’t progressed like that and some might say that in general things have regressed a bit. But what has the political year really …

Dunnes Stores is one of the most famous brands in the country with one in every five shopping euros spent in one of their outlets. But what of the family behind the brand? Many people would have been familiar with the late Ben Dunne, a larger than life character, but what lay behind the character and what of the other big personalities in the famil…

This week the government introduced new rules in relation to immigration, principally directed at asylum seekers. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said he is responding to a scenario in which this country has had a rapid increase in population. But is that the case, and is any such rise down to the number of people seeing asylum? Professor Ciar…

Comments by billionaire Denis O’Brien that some young people now feel entitled and that there is a decline in work ethic among the young have received much negative reaction. However, one voice that says O’Brien was talking sense is political scientist Eoin O’Malley, who is an associate professor in DCU. O’Malley, through his work has experience of…

This week, after 14 years in office, Michael D Higgins left Áras an Uachtaran for the last time and Catherine Connolly was sworn in as the 10th President of Ireland. In her inauguration speech, she said that the president should be “a unifying presence—a steady hand, but also a catalyst for change”. Irish Examiner deputy political editor Paul Hosfo…

Progress Ireland is a relatively unknown think tank from what might be described as the centre right of Irish politics. Among its backers are the billionaire brother Patrick and John Collison from Limerick. The think tank describes itself as “on a mission to connect Ireland to proven policy solutions around the world”. But what do they stand for sp…

DJ Carey has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for defrauding at least ten people out of various sums on money on the false premise that he was suffering from cancer. Carey was hurling’s first superstar whose exploits on the pitch thrilled the whole country. How did it all go wrong? What prompted him to head down the dark alley that…

Political communication was brought to a fine art by Terry Prone, her late husband Tom Savage and their mentor Bunny Carr. Their work was done and felt behind the scenes of successive governments and among numerous politicians. Now Terry is telling all in her memoir from the political years, which includes a whole raft of narratives about how some …

The GAA has deep roots right across Irish society, culture and the economy. On one level it has never been as popular but often threats lurk at the time when the sun is shining. The Irish Examiner’s Michael Moynihan has spent much of his career tracking progress in the GAA and now he has produced a book that looks at the future, the hopes, the drea…

Against the odds, Donald Trump has managed, at least temporarily, to stop the bombing and slaughter in Gaza. He has brokered a twenty point peace plan that could potentially ensure both peace and justice in an area that has been devastated. But will it work? And does Trump have the patience and political interest in ensuring that the long hard slog…

Irish Examiner Political Editor Paul Hosford joins Mick to talk over the shock departure of Jim Gavin from the presidential campaign and what now for the race for the Aras. On Tuesday the government introduced its first budget to the sound of groans from the general public and sirens sounding from economists. It was by any standards a week and a ha…

The presidential election campaign is underway but so far no fireworks are to be seen. But, Gary Murphy reckons, there are a number of subplots that may well liven up the race and there are questions to ask about the sour reaction of the supporters of candidates who failed to get nominated. Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics in DCU, is this week’s …

In 2021, Alan Kearney was heading towards the pinnacle of his career. He was due to be promoted to commandant in the defence forces and was in line for a prestigious deployment to Leinster House. Then it all fell apart and he found himself the focus of a long running investigation and criminal charges. It took over three years before he was vindica…

Charlie Haughey and Garrett Fitzgerald dominated politics in this country in the 1980s, and according to academic Eoin O’Malley, their rivalry shaped modern Ireland. O’Malley’s new book Charlie Vs Garrett examines the rivalry and the times the pair lived through when they were vying to run the country. It is a study of character, class and country.…

The presidential race is up and running now, with Fianna Fail the latest party to select a candidate this week. Elsewhere, a whole host of independents are attempting to get nominated by appealed to county councils and Oireachtas members. Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Louise Burne takes a look at the runners and riders and who exactly migh…

Ireland’s history has been tied up with that of Britain for eight hundred years through strife, colonialism, emigration and at times friendship. But where do we go from here? Philip Stephens is a long standing commentator with the Financial Times who had an Irish mother so he has a unique take on the ancient issue. His most recent book is These Div…

Fifty years to the week after the death of Eamonn de Valera, we talk to his biographer Colum Kenny about the makings of the man who dominated the Irish state for the first half of its existence so far. Revered by some, hated by others, he has his rule has been subjected to much revision since his death. Revolutionary, statesman, leader, yet also co…

The Leaving cert results are out and those who sat the exam are digesting how they did at a time when grade inflation is being reined in. But what does it all mean in today’s world? Will disappointment today just be a staging post to a career that is not at all dependant on the results and how far away is reform. Jess Casey is this week’s guest on …

Following a spate of racist attacks on Indian people in this country the question arises as to whether something new and ugly is going on in Irish society. Arpita Chowdhury is a journalist born in India but living now in Ireland. She has observed changes, both in real life and online in how racism is showing itsef. Arpita is this week’s guest on th…

The GAA in the north went through a torrid time during the Troubles, with members targeted and even murdered simply because of their membership. There were also members of the association who were in the IRA and ended up dead primarily because they were themselves involved in violence. Peadar Thompson has written a book commemorating all the GAA me…

For the first time, new regulations aimed at protecting Irish children online have been enacted – the ‘wild West’ era of social media is over. At least, that’s according to the Government, which this week announced the beginning of the Online Safety Code. It’s taken the law over 20 years to catch up with social media – and in the meantime, a whole …

The National Development Plan review was launched earlier this week to an underwhelmed response. An update of the previous plan, the review takes into account the Apple Tax escrow fund the Government was so keen not to claim, and promises a focus on providing the infrastructure key to housing delivery. Along with the Summer Economic Statement, both…

James Craig, the leader of unionist Ireland in the 1920s coined the phrase the root of all evil about the boundary commission, the body set up in 1922 to determine where exactly the border should lie between south and north on this island. But what was it all about? Could it have been any different? Did the border actually beget evil? Cormac Moore …

There has been some rustling in the political bushes of late concerning the forthcoming presidential election. Suddenly, a field might be beginning to take shape. Meetings, conventions, nomination processes, all are getting underway as the Summer break looms and the boys and girls in Leinster House break out their buckets and spades. But who is in …

This week there was some dramatic cases that came for hearing in the courts. Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey pleaded guilty to a series of charges of deception involving receiving money over false claims that he had cancer. In the Court of Appeal, Conor McGregor withdrew dramatic evidence which alleged the woman whom a High Court jury determined he…