#GE2020 – A “Leaders” Debate?

It’s always hard to imagine something that hasn’t been done before. So while it’s understandable that people are defending Virgin Media TV’s (and RTE’s) decision to hold a “leaders” debate, it is, in our opinion wrong. We discuss why this is not representative of the majority of the electorate and needlessly gives the historical parties of government an unfair advantage. […]

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#GE2020 – A Three Horse Race?

The latest opinion poll shows less than the margin of error separating Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. While it’s only a poll, the trend for FG is down and in a three week campaign that won’t be easy to reverse. We discuss the FG “Left Wing” media bias claims, Labour’s willingness to talk to other parties of the […]

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#GE2020 & Can Slaintecare be Saved?

The Sunday Times poll was a bombshell. It rattled Fine Gael, RTE and anyone else who wants this campaign to be a strict FF/FG battle. We discuss the latest, the growing trend of negative campaigning and the opportunity that the next 2 weeks represents. Then, in a slight break from GE coverage exclusively, we are joined in the shack by […]

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#GE2020 – Law & Order? Ep.213

While the campaign has failed to spark in terms of any noticeable political vision, external events are dominating the political news. With two shootings in as many days and a brutality never seen before in Ireland has people questioning if Fine Gael can claim their self-appointed title of the Party of Law & Order. We discuss this, the failure of […]

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#GE2020 – A Homelessness Election? Ep.211

The campaign has started and with a man suffering life changing injuries while his tent was forcibly removed and a young woman tragically dying in emergency accommodation, this is quickly becoming the homelessness election. Or is it? We discuss the recent events, the unacceptable comments made by Sinn Fein Councllor, Paddy Holohan and the negative campaigning that Martin loves. We […]

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Joao Pina – Left Unity #GE2020 Ep.210

#GE2020 has kicked off and so has our coverage. We will be bringing you pods, interviews, analysis and more over the campaign. To start we were joined by Joao Pina, Deputy Vice-Leader of the Socialist Party. He talks us through how after 40 years of a Right wing government the Left united. He explains how their success is measured by […]

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Dr Mary McAuliffe & Dr Vicky Conway – The RIC & the #BlackAndTans Ep. 208

The controversy around the government’s now deferred plan to commemorate the RIC, DMP and by extension the Black and Tans, has captured the public imagination. But my guests in The Tortoise Shack – Historian, Feminist, Assistant Professor at UCD’s Gender Studies, Dr Mary McAuliffe and Associate Professor at the School of Law and Government at DCU, member of the Policing […]

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Extinction Rebellion – Paul McCormack Cooney #XR Ep.200

The Climate Crisis became the biggest movement for change in 2019. Our guest in The Tortoise Shack is a concerned parent who got engaged and active with Extinction Rebellion, Paul McCormack Cooney. He tells us why he got involved, how the group works and what they want to achieve. We discuss some of their actions, the perception of XR and […]

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