The Mick Clifford Podcast

Epizódy

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  TRUMPED UP VISIT: Clodagh Harrington. 10.09.2026 37min

  Donald Trump is visiting the country this weekend and it’s safe to say that many people, from the upper echelons of power down to the man and woman in the street, would prefer if he stayed home.He is here to attend the Irish Open golf championship at the Doonbeg in Clare which he owns.But what kind of welcome will he receive and will he notice anything beyond the perfect arc of Rory McIllroy’s golf swing. And is time running out for this man whom many suggest is bringing democracy into disrepute.This week’s guest on the podcast is Clodagh Harrington who lectures on US politics in UCC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  A NATION LIKE NO OTHER: Paul Howard 03.09.2026 57min

  What would a united Ireland look like? Could we come up with imaginative solutions that would only cheese off everybody equally? Paul Howard, the creator of Ross O’Carroll Kelly has written a satirical novel set in a government department charged with planning for a united Ireland. The results are not what you might expect. Mick interviewed Paul before a live audience in Waterstone’s Cork for this week’s podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  FUEL FOR THOUGHT: Elaine Loughlin 27.08.2026 32min

  The Dail has been recalled to delay the restoration of excise taxes in order to keep down the price of fuel. But is he government acting simply out of fear of a repeat of the fuel protests earlier this year? And what will happen if the USA’s war in Iraq continue through the winter and the price keeps rising? Are the government making it all up on the hoof? Irish Examiner political editor Elaine Loughlin is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: Catherine Heaney 20.08.2026 43min

  Democracy is under threat right across the world, certainly in the liberal form that persisted since the end of the Second world war. Donald Trump is leading the charge for a new form of populism and his administration is now providing funds for like minded organisations in Europe. Here, in contrast, a new body has been established to promote democracy and fight mis and dis information. Caradem was co-founded by Simon Coveney, Eamon Gilmore and Catherine Heaney. Catherine, the CEO of Caradem, is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  THE TREATY MAYOR: John Moran 13.08.2026 49min

  It hasn’t been a smooth ride since John Moran was elected Mayor of Limerick, the first such office to be created in a city in the state. He has clashed on a number of occasions with councillors and most recently there has been conflict with traders in the city centre. But there has also been progress in establishing a new form of local government and injecting, as he would have it, new ideas on how a city (and county) should be overseen. John Moran is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  GOVERNING FOR INSTANT GRATIFICATION: Elaine Loughlin 06.08.2026 37min

  The coalition government, awash with cash and bereft of a core political compass, appears to be governing by the path of least resistance. The Irish Examiner’s Political Editor Elaine Loughlin recently outlined in a column how the government is now content to sort out those who shout loudest irrespective of the damage that might do to the country’s long term health. Elaine is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  POWER OR PROCESS? Tadgh McNally 30.07.2026 40min

  The Government says Ireland needs to build faster. To do that it is preparing legislation that could allow major infrastructure projects to bypass parts of the planning system. At the same time, a major review of local democracy wants to hand more power to councillors and reduce the dominance of unelected council executives.So are politicians taking back control, or are they concentrating power in different ways? Will these reforms speed up the delivery of housing, transport and public services? And what happens when national priorities collide with local democracy? Irish Examiner political reporter Tadgh McNally joins guest host Eoghan O'Sullivan to discuss two major reforms that could reshape how Ireland is governed and how decisions are made.Article: Local authority 'mini cabinets' to give more powers to councillors: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41883649.htmlGovernment plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41885329.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  THE MORALITY OF KILLING: John Ware 23.07.2026 36min

  The running of agents in the North by the British state was a moral maze. Those who were in charge of the agents often had to decide whether or not to allow a murder go ahead in order to protect an agent’s cover. But where is the morality in such decisions? Did a point arrive where the state ceded the moral high ground to groups like the IRA which were killing at will?Veteran reporter John Ware’s new book is entitled Neither Confirm Nor Deny – British Intelligence, lawless agent running and the suppression of truth. He is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  FOOTBALL FEAST OR SPORTS WASHING: Colin Sheridan 16.07.2026 41min

  As the World Cup comes to a conclusion we look back on a month of football to celebrate the best of it but also to ask where exactly the game is going and whether it is irredeemable corrupt. And beyond that, do we care if we keep watching it which is exactly what everybody did. Joining Mick to discuss all this is Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  INDEFENSIBLE DEFENCE FORCE: Neil Michael. 09.07.2026 42min

  For the last month a defence forces tribunal, that was over two decades in the making, has been hearing shocking evidence about how some officers conducted themselves. Allegations of sexual, physical and psychological abuse have called to mind the kind of army life that might have existed in a colonial force from the nineteenth century. The Irish Examiner’s Neil Michael has been reporting on the evidence and he is this week’s guest on the podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  STILL HOME OF THE BRAVE AT 250? Marion McKeone 02.07.2026 42min

  As America celebrates 250 years in existence as a nation, Marion McKeone looks at a country that is currently going through major upheaval with Donald Trump as president. Is America as we have known it coming to an end, or just going through another transition. Journalist Marion McKeone is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ANDY, WE HARDLY KNOW YA: Fergus Finlay 25.06.2026 44min

  With Andy Burnham all but certain to be the next British prime minister in the coming days, we talk to Fergus Finlay about what he can expect and what he should try to do. Fergus, who was an advisor to two governments talks about how all leaders should focus on one big idea and explains exactly how this should be done. Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay is this week’s guest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Brexit Blues: Ian Cooper 19.06.2026 40min

  Exactly ten years ago this week the UK voted to leave the EU and Brexit was born. At the time there were predictions that this could spell economic disaster for this country but that didn’t come to pass. The UK itself has not fared as well. In fact, the UK is in a bit of a mess, but exactly how much is all of that down to Brexit?Joining us this week to discuss how it happened and what the fall out has been is Ian Cooper, Senior Research Fellow at the Brexit Institute in DCU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HEALTHY PURSUIT: Niamh Griffin 11.06.2026 37min

  After the recent row between the Minister for Health and the Rotunda Hospital over consultants doing private work, a question arises as to how soon we will have a single tier health service. The move in that direction has been ongoing now for a number of years and while there might be progress it is not always obvious. Joining us this week to discuss the pursuit of a first class health system for all is Irish Examiner Health Correspondent Niamh Griffin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  MORALITY AND WARS: Colin Sheridan 04.06.2026 39min

  The Occupied Territories Bill and the triple lock are going to be landing hot and heavy in the public square in the coming months. Both issues elicit deeply felt emotions and questions over what is this state’s role in the wider world, and what should be done about it. Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan regularly touches on these matters and he is this week’s guest on the podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  THE HEALY RAE SPLIT 03.06.2026 28min

  Michael Healy Rae’s revelation that he believes his brother Danny cost him and Kerry a ministry has rocked the most fabled political dynasty in Irish politics. Is this the end or just a new beginning. Mick Clifford, Deirdre O’Shaughnessy and Louise Burne discuss and dissect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  POLITICAL PITSTOP: Elaine Loughlin 28.05.2026 34min

  The recent by-elections in Dublinand Galway took the temperature in politics right now and delivered victories to the Social Democrats and Fine Gael. But what did the elections say about the political pecking order right now and will there by any implications for Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail, who both performed badly? Also where now for the Occupied Territories Bill. This week’s guest on the podcast is Irish Examiner political editor Elaine Loughlin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  THE RISE OF KNEECAP: Dean Van Nguyen 21.05.2026 32min

  The Belfast rap trio Kneecap bring second record Fenian and their incendiary mix of Irish-language hip-hop and politics to Cork with two 'intimate' album launch shows at the Savoy Theatre ahead of a show Live at the Marquee on July 6. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the group’s journey - from their early days in Belfast to becoming one of the most talked-about acts in Irish music. Along the way, we explore how Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí have used the Irish language as both a creative tool and a cultural statement, while also courting controversy through their lyrics, performances, and legal battles. On this episode, Irish Examiner assistant news editor Eoghan O'Sullivan is joined by music journalist Dean Van Nguyen, who reviewed Fenian for Pitchfork. He is also the author of Words for My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur (Penguin Random House, 2025). Together, we look at the band’s rise, their impact, the tension between art and provocation - and what Cork audiences can expect from their live shows this summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  BY ELECTION SPECIAL: Louise Burne 16.05.2026 36min

  Two constituencies go to the polls next Friday in byelections created by the resignations from the Dail of Pascal Donohue and Catherine Connolly, who both went on to greater things. Dublin Central and Galway West will vote for their replacements in the first by-elections since the current government assumed office after the 2024 general election. So who’s up and who’s down, what matters what won’t. How will the results impact on party leaders? Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Louise Burne takes the temperature for this electoral event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  SOLDIERING TOWARDS DESTINY: Gary Murphy 14.05.2026 43min

  Fianna Fail is a century old this year and the party is celebrating the occasion this weekend with its Ard Fheis. But where stands a party that was in the twentieth century one of the most successful vote getters in the developed world. Has the new Ireland bypassed a party whose name translates as the Soldiers of Destiny? Or does it have the capacity to change and thrive with the times. Professor Gary Murphy of DCU is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.