Jim O'Callaghan and the new ministers out to make a good first impression

Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan on today’s Inside Politics podcast to discuss the week in politics:

·      Letters from Independent TDs to to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy stating they will support the Government on a “case-by-case” basis has brough the true size of the coalition’s majority into question.

·      The speculation around picks for the last 11 Seanad seats suggests Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will opt for greater gender balance.

·      Incoming Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, like the raft of other new senior ministers, will look to hit the ground running in his new role. Addressing dwindling Garda numbers and restoring a sense of safety to Dublin’s city streets will be high on his priority list.

·      Although the contest to succeed President Michael D Higgins is not happening until late autumn, there are already some eye-catching, if unlikely, potential candidates, not least the Irish Times’ own Fintan O’Toole.  

Plus, the panel pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including the defunding of USAID and peace process absurdities, radical right momentum in Europe, and a Chitty-averse arts minister.

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