Timing is everything when it comes to general elections

Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Pat Leahy and Cormac McQuinn to look back on the week in politics:

· With the giveaway budget done, will this government conclude in time for an early general election? Timing is vital, but can the Coalition arrive at a consensus given their advanced preparation for an election campaign?

· Sinn Féin’s difficulties are the Government’s opportunities with the Michael McMonagle scandal rumbling on, and now TD Patricia Ryan’s resignation from the party after hitting out at its leadership for “not listening” to members and TDs.

· US actor and activist Mark Ruffalo was heavily critical of the Green Party in a social media post pointing to the Government’s planning legislation allowing for use of ‘strategic’ liquefied natural gas reserves.

‘I want someone to take an actual stand on immigration’: How will TCD student debaters vote?

The best restaurants to visit in Britain and continental Europe right now

Trump’s cabinet: who’s been picked, who’s in the running?

· Who is Cobalt? On Wednesday, initiated by Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley, several senators took the opportunity to deny they were Russian ‘assets’. Tánaiste Micheál Martin says he was never briefed about an alleged Russian spy in the Oireachtas, something he is not too happy about.

· And arrivals from Ukraine will not be offered accommodation from next March, under proposals being developed by senior Government officials.

Plus, the panellists pick their favourite IT reads of the week:

· Miriam Lord’s report from Mary O’Rourke’s funeral on Monday.

· Trinity’s Berkeley Library is now the Eavan Boland library.

· A twist in the Tory leadership race suits PM Keir Starmer.

Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date