Comment & Analysis - Irish Examiner

comment and analysis

Palestinians, taking refuge in a UNRWA school, struggle to survive

There is nothing to celebrate on this International Human Rights Day

As the people of Gaza struggle to survive, International Human Rights Day rings hollow unless real change is made

The Mick Clifford Podcast: How long will it take to put a government together?

The Mick Clifford Podcast: How long will it take to put a government together?

Bitcoin has topped $100,000. See what pushed the price up

Bitcoin has topped $100,000. See what pushed the price up

FRANCE-POLITICS-PARLIAMENT-GOVERNMENT

France’s government has fallen. Here are three scenarios for what could happen next

This is my father and it's the first time we met

This is my father and it's the first time we met

We need to do more than talk about getting more female TDs

We need to do more than talk about getting more female TDs

Fallout from the general election offers a golden opportunity to increase the number of female councillors in Ireland — and we should grab the chance

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Green Party's experience shows the limits of government formation in Ireland

Green Party's experience shows the limits of government formation in Ireland

Myth of pragmatism can force smaller parties to ‘pull on the green jersey’, but where is the point in going into government just to maintain the status quo

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Asylum seeker accommodation protest

Graham Clifford: New Government needs to get tough on the far right

This election, once and for all, showed us what the people of Ireland really think about. And, for the overwhelming majority, it’s not immigration, writes Graham Clifford

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Colin Sheridan: President's pardoning of middle-aged son hardly surprising, and quite unimportant

S Colin Sheridan: President's pardoning of middle-aged son hardly surprising, and quite unimportant

All it does is confirm what we already knew; that these people in positions of extreme power are only ever in it for themselves

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

General Election Ireland 2024

Fine Gael will be left wondering why seats there for the taking were not won

Strategic missteps saw the party lose seats in Kerry and Wexford

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

The Green Party’s reward for climate action? Electoral evisceration

The Green Party’s reward for climate action? Electoral evisceration

The good news is that both the Social Democrats and Labour have placed environmental protection and climate action at the centre of their political agendas, writes John Gibbons

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

With his pardon of son Hunter, Joe Biden delivers a heartfelt hypocrisy

With his pardon of son Hunter, Joe Biden delivers a heartfelt hypocrisy

The president and supporters argue Hunter Biden would never have been charged were it not for his name – and any father might have done the same. But this exercise of power also looks like a validation of Donald Trump

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

Barbara O’Driscoll: As well as supporting survivors, we must tackle the causes of violence against women

Barbara O’Driscoll: As well as supporting survivors, we must tackle the causes of violence against women

Mná Feasa leader writes that Ireland must provide more accessible services for women who have been abused — but we must also work harder to root out embedded misogyny and inequality

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

Students sitting in amphitheater

Comment: University teachers’ precarious employment is unsustainable

Not only does the normalisation of precarious jobs keep staff poor, it threatens the reputation of third-level education in Ireland

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

General Election Ireland 2024

Comment: Kamikaze Green Party sacrificed itself for climate goals

There is much talk that climate was not a priority issue in this election. However, much has changed in the political landscape since 2020, writes Cara Augustenborg

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

Irish Children's Referendum

Theresa Reidy: Young people are turning away from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Parties are in a pattern of variable but long-term decline

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Who are the winners and losers from Election 2024?

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Who are the winners and losers from Election 2024?

Irish Examiner political editor Elaine Loughlin joins Mick to sketch out the national picture and who are the big winners and losers

Listen | Sun, 01 Dec, 2024

Mick Clifford: Micheál Martin began this comeback in 2011 when he stayed to rebuild Fianna Fáil

Mick Clifford: Micheál Martin began this comeback in 2011 when he stayed to rebuild Fianna Fáil

Cork South-Central veteran could have fled in 2011. But he stayed, did the hard yards, and oversaw Fianna Fáil's evolution into a medium-sized party that is set to take office again

Sun, 01 Dec, 2024

General Election Ireland 2024

Here are the 10 things we learned from Election 2024

Generational divide among voters, celebrities failing to succeed, and how the centre-left stayed strong

Sun, 01 Dec, 2024

Election 2024: Fractured far-right candidates fizzle out

Election 2024: Fractured far-right candidates fizzle out

While immigration was a major issue during the local elections, exit polls showed just 6% of people interviewed cited it as the main issue in the general election campaign

Sun, 01 Dec, 2024

Elaine Loughlin: Buoyant Fianna Fáil eyeing up the 'magic 50'

Elaine Loughlin: Buoyant Fianna Fáil eyeing up the 'magic 50'

Fianna Fáil has always had a weakness in the capital, but is set to make gains this time around.

Sun, 01 Dec, 2024

Elaine Loughlin: Three-party deadlock means it'll be a long road to forming a government

Elaine Loughlin: Three-party deadlock means it'll be a long road to forming a government

Election 2024: With less than two percentage points separating Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fáil in the exit poll, a coalition of four or more parties could well be the only option

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

Conceptual image of a person voting during elections

Theresa Reidy: Don't be put off by naysayers who say your vote doesn't count

The Irish political system guarantees that a diverse array of political views are represented in the Dáil

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

AI survey

Hospital care should have been the issue of Election 2024

Imagine a never-ending economy class flight with no entertainment and you have a close picture of many of our hospitals. These are not the places of care or sanctuary they should be, writes Professor Rónán Collins

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

The Mick Clifford Podcast: More than just a correspondent - Paul Hosford

The Mick Clifford Podcast: Are we there yet? Taking a final look at the election campaign

Mick and Paul Hosford look at who to look out for ahead of polling day and what shape the next coalition will take

Listen | Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

General Election Ireland 2024

Paul Hosford: Fine Gael slogan will not resonate with some voters

When the country has seen a rise in the number of children experiencing material deprivation and rates of child poverty have increased, the party's election slogan is blind to the fact that not everyone is feeling the financial improvement in the country in the same way

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

General Election Ireland 2024

Simon Harris's weakness has not been lack of empathy, but economic cop-on

A campaign strewn with gaffes and missteps has seen the party descend from clear election favourite to level pegging with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin

Listen | Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Ireland In The Eighties

Terry Prone: Gemma Hussey was a true pioneer of women's rights in Ireland

'It’s not an insult to have the struggle forgotten,' she once said. 'It’s a triumph that this generation of women can take their rights for granted.'

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire in Lebanon doesn’t ensure a lasting victory for Israel, but does signal a setback for Iran

Ceasefire in Lebanon doesn’t ensure a lasting victory for Israel, but does signal a setback for Iran

Hezbollah is still armed and has the potential to attack Israel. But more significantly it has in effect abandoned Hamas

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Mick Clifford — Only real loser from leaders' debate was the undecided voter

Election 2024: Mick Clifford — Only real loser from leaders' debate was the undecided voter

Simon Harris, Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald were pretty solid, but none were spectacular or anything approaching it, writes Mick Clifford

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

London protests

How the far right is weaponising AI-generated content in Europe

This year’s European parliamentary elections were the launchpad for a roll-out of AI-generated campaigning by the European far right

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Donald Trump
Angela Merkel

Regrets, feminism, and Trump’s ‘fascination’ with Putin: key takeaways from Merkel’s memoir

The former German chancellor’s book Freedom gives insights on Brexit and her East German upbringing

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Man installing thermal roof insulation layer - using mineral wool panels. Attic renovation and insulation concept

Party manifestos leave renters — 20% of households — out of energy efficiency schemes

Election 2024 presents a critical opportunity for the next government to address energy poverty while ensuring a fair transition away from fossil fuels, writes Clare O'Connor

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Will the rise of the independents continue?

Election 2024: Will the rise of the independents continue?

Paul Hosford outlines some independent candidates who will be worth watching this weekend

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Colin Sheridan: Support for our Defence Forces troops needs to be quiet and consistent, not quick for clicks

Colin Sheridan: Support for our Defence Forces troops needs to be quiet and consistent, not quick for clicks

After the trauma they endured, the returning soldiers need proper, and private, support from the Defence Forces, not to be paraded out to provide photo ops for grinning politicians

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Elaine Loughlin: Spring in McDonald's step after poll puts Sinn Féin back in the game

Elaine Loughlin: Spring in McDonald's step after poll puts Sinn Féin back in the game

With the three main parties now within two percentage points of each other, Sinn Féin has regained its confidence and for good reason, writes Elaine Loughlin

Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

Dick Spring: Voters encouraged to sleepwalk into more of the same old, same old

Dick Spring: Voters encouraged to sleepwalk into more of the same old, same old

The public doesn’t need another five years of a book-keeping Government, writes former Labour leader Dick Spring

Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

Paul Hosford: Taoiseach hoping Enda Kenny's Knock appearance could signal his salvation

Paul Hosford: Taoiseach hoping Enda Kenny's Knock appearance could signal his salvation

The news that Fine Gael support was down four points in Sunday's opinion poll didn't seem to faze many, but the weekend's other issue did

Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

The Mick Clifford Podcast: One week to go — who is having a good election?

The Mick Clifford Podcast: One week to go — who is having a good election?

With just a week left before polling day, we take a look at where everybody and everything stands in the general election campaign

Listen | Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Rural Life — Few want to engage on election in Macroom

Election 2024: Rural Life — Few want to engage on election in Macroom

If the level of apathy in Macroom is anything to go by, the system better watch out. Mick Clifford asks locals what are the main election issues for them

Listen | Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

The future of global climate finance hangs in the balance

The future of global climate finance hangs in the balance

Final negotiations at Cop29 will decide not only the future of climate finance, but the entire concept of a global, consensus-based approach to the climate emergency

Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

House key with home keyring in keyhole on wood door, copy space

Election 2024: How the parties differ from each other in housing policy

Much of the pre-election debate will focus on social, cost rental, and affordable housing, but it’s really about how to approach the private housing market

Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

How might Russia respond to UK and US letting Ukraine hit it with their missiles?

How might Russia respond to UK and US letting Ukraine hit it with their missiles?

Moscow has rattled its nuclear sabres, but experts say an increase in hybrid, ‘grey zone’ warfare is more likely

Thu, 21 Nov, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Emergency court orders for victims of stalking

Election 2024: Terry Prone — State needs to cut out high-level waste

My message to the new Dáil: Our reliance on bureaucratic procedures as a comfort blanket needs serious looking at

Listen | Thu, 21 Nov, 2024

How much will Trump’s opposition matter to climate action?

How much will Trump’s opposition matter to climate action?

Tackling climate change has always been about more than one state, writes Hannah Hughes

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Migrants like me do not have a voice in this election

Election 2024: Imasha Costa — Migrants like me do not have a voice in this election

Having lived in Ireland for five years but not having a vote, Imasha Costa feels she is underrepresented, as the upcoming election will affect her as much as anyone else

Listen | Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Immigration — Tackling misinformation and housing will quell much discontent

Election 2024: Immigration — Tackling misinformation and housing will quell much discontent

In Ireland, years of under-investment in housing and public services clashed with a sudden increase in people coming to Ireland

Listen | Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

GP surgery stock

Election 2024: Your checklist for the political parties' health priorities

The parties have been spelling out their health policies in areas such as hospital overcrowding, access to GPs, and disability services

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

I have yet to see a solar panel in the city that hosts Cop29

I have yet to see a solar panel in the city that hosts Cop29

A protest that will stick out in my memory was a peace protest for Gaza, writes Dr Barry Hayes

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Thousands of corporate lobbyists are at the UN climate summit in Baku. But what exactly is lobbying?

Thousands of corporate lobbyists are at the UN climate summit in Baku. But what exactly is lobbying?

Companies rely heavily on their associations to conduct the most obstructive lobbying. This distributes the blame for lobbying among all competitors, so no company can easily be singled out

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

Focus Ireland annual report

Election 2024: Homelessness — 'The political debate has been characterised by point scoring'

With 14,760 people in emergency accommodation in September, experts working at the coalface say a radical reset is needed

Listen | Tue, 19 Nov, 2024