In the history of the state Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have never coalesced in government. Civil War politics has always been the purported reason preventing the grand coalition. Dr Brian Hanley tracks the historic ideologies of both major parties and why at this point coalition may eventually lead to amalgamation.
The protests in reaction to the death of George Floyd has rocked America to its core. The intended outcomes of the protests have at times have been overshadowed by rioting and violence. Who are the main players influencing the protests? Have they got it right? The good the bad and the ugly. Larry Donnelly investigates.
There has never been more interest in US Presidential Elections. Ever since Donal Trump shocked the world and became the 45th President of the United States, the Democrats have been obsessed with getting him out of the White House. As of now their only chance of doing so rests with their nominee, Joe Biden, in the election next November. Columnist, Law Lecturer at NUI Galway and Democrat, Larry Donnelly, assesses the Democrats and Joe Biden’s chances.
In 1969 the escalation of violence in Northern Ireland precipitated a flood of Catholic refugees into the Republic. Initially there was enormous goodwill and solidarity with the plight of these refugees. But within 5 years the mood in the Republic had morphed into bitterness and distain within even the highest levels of government. Author of the book: The Impact of the Troubles on the Republic 1968 – 1979, Dr Brian Hanley explains how it came about.
On the face of it, Rugby Union seems to be in a good place, but in reality, there are inherent problems in the game. Brain injuries, drug issues and financial challenges are all storms looming on rugby’s horizon. Shane Horgan joins me to unpack rugby’s problems and discusses if there are any potential solutions.
The Good Friday Agreement came into being in 1998. It collapsed in 2016 for 3 years before the institutions got up and running again. Tommie Gorman joins me to give a unique insight into the twists and turns around Devolution in Norther Ireland over the past 20 years and the challenges it faces in the future.