Pat Leahy columns
The world is a changed place and Ireland must figure out how to deal with those changes. Would it not be an idea to have some debate about this in the national parliament?
There’s a sense that this is probably the last extended act in a long political career and that time is short
The South has no hesitation saying yes to unity – as long as it doesn’t cost any money or involving changing a flag or an anthem
Preparing for the inevitable consequences of a heating world is an urgent task for governments everywhere. Ours hasn’t given it remotely enough attention
What we witnessed was the end of a consensus in which the big parties all agreed that parliament had to work. The feelings that erupted won’t dissipate quickly
Things are good now, but there’s a worrying sense in our new government that the economy will look after itself
Government likely to pursue a middle way, promising to enact the proposed legislation but kicking it into a process to draw up amendments and consider possible costs
If the next government wants to solve the housing crisis, then it will have to treat it as a crisis
The Dublin riots changed politics, but not in the way anyone expected
Wondering about how you’ll explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives – or to yourself? Wonder no more
The observation that ‘the past is never dead – it’s not even past’ seems especially true in Northern Ireland
The next government faces immense challenges that require guile, nerve, judgment and luck
The Taoiseach isn’t the only one losing the run of himself – the election is turning into a massive auction
Political insulation from the cost-of-living crisis has been paid for by bumper corporation tax receipts – and now those receipts are under threat
A campaign dominated by Simon Harris and Micheál Martin would suit Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I don’t think it’s going to happen
Climate, immigration and the sustainability of our economic model are subjects no one wants to talk about but they are not going away
Voters often ignore the conclusions of the political bubble, as the former Fianna Fáil leader demonstrated time and again
Mattie McGrath spoke for the whole Dáil – an unusual occurrence, this – and maybe the rest of us too when he told the Chamber on Tuesday that all the election speculation was driving everyone 'demented'
Fianna Fáil and the Greens are absolutely adamant that they will not be hustled into an early election to suit Fine Gael
Budget 2025: No big new policies, no inspired plans, just more than €2 billion in a budget-day giveaway
Campaigns are dynamic, unpredictable and volatile, but the party faces an uphill battle
The reason senior gardaí – and a small number of other senior public servants – would have faced a huge tax bill is because their pensions are huge
Apple’s billions threaten to transform our entire political debate into a massive auction, but this would be a big mistake
We have an opportunity to learn from the very clear lessons of the past if we are to avoid a massive inquiry running for years
Everyone - within Government and without - is preparing for a November election
Haughey understood the ambiguity many felt about the Northern conflict. FitzGerald understood the yearning of middle class urbanites to be modern, European, more secular. The leaders who will prosper now are those who intuit where the country really is in 2024
The Fine Gael feel-good factor isn’t going to last forever. Throw in the expectation in Government of a Trump victory on November 5th and the possibility of a “flight to safety” by Irish voters afterwards, and one date starts to look most likely
Between the once-off measures that occur every year and the rule that must be broken, the Department of Finance is like something from Flann O’Brien
Eleven FG TDs have said they will not run in next election, and the party faces a headache finding electable new candidates
Make no mistake: A far-right government in France would be an earthquake for the EU
Even those who don’t like the departing Green Party leader take him seriously
If the two parties don’t commit to a pact before the general election, voters may reasonably conclude they are not really serious about being in government and having their policies implemented
Nastier lead-in, more focus on migration and less on green issues, and Sinn Féin’s need to get back to basics
The message from the two budget boyos is that with inflation under control there is little justification for another glut of one-off giveaways
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Get the latest news, analysis and match reports from the M6N and W6N championships
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices
