Show Notes
For a few hours, Budget 2027 appeared to have escaped without a major political banana skin. Then came the news that RTÉ would receive €20m less next year than it had expected, and suddenly the national broadcaster and the Government were at loggerheads. RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst says the broadcaster had planned on the promised €260m, and has warned that some difficult decisions may now have to be made. But Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan says he isn't satisfied with the pace of reform at Montrose, raising the question of whether RTÉ is effectively being punished for failing to change quickly enough. So could the fallout ultimately mean cuts to programmes, sport or jobs, and what does this latest row tell us about the increasingly fraught relationship between Government and the national broadcaster? On this Extra episode of The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent political correspondent Conal Thomas to examine the €20m bombshell and ask what gets cut at RTÉ now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from The Indo Daily
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is at the centre of a new Metropolitan Police investigation into an alleged rape said to have taken place in his Westminster office. The development comes just days after Donaldson was sentenced to prison for child sex offences, including the rape of a child. What do we know about this latest allegation, how did the investigation come about and what happens next? Today's Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast, The BelTel. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent Allison Morris to examine the facts of the case and the wider political fallout. This episode was originally produced by The BelTel The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rolex watches, luxury BMWs and designer handbags worth almost €300,000 have been seized in Garda raids targeting a prominent Irish charity. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has carried out searches linked to Liberty Recycling, a charity chaired by Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh. Sinn Féin have confirmed that there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD and none of the items seized are connected to him. The investigation centres on suspected money laundering. As the probe continues, Liberty Recycling remains operational and is still accepting donations through its website. On this Extra episode of the Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent News and Security Correspondent Robin Schiller to address the latest developments, the garda operation and Sinn Féin's response to the investigation. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A strike by criminal defence lawyers is causing disruption across Ireland's courts, but the bigger question may be what happens next. With barristers and solicitors warning their action could escalate, pressure is mounting on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to find a solution. Is this a routine industrial dispute, or the first big political test of his tenure? On today's Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan examines what's at stake for the justice system, the Government and for O'Callaghan himself. He is joined by Irish Independent’s legal affairs editor Shane Phelan and political editor Mary Regan to explain the row, the politics and the potential fallout. And with neither side showing signs of backing down, they ask: who will blink first? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
James McClean’s view that therapy is a “weakness” has been widely criticised. But where does that belief come from? Dan McDonnell, ghostwriter of McClean's new book The Walls, joins Kevin Doyle to discuss McClean’s difficult upbringing, the man behind the controversial opinions and the things he has spent much of his life refusing to talk about. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
France is burning. What began as student protests over crumbling schools has exploded into riots, looting and a political crisis that is shaking the country ahead of next year's presidential election. As President Emmanuel Macron struggles to restore order, many are asking whether this is a uniquely French revolt or a warning sign for the rest of Europe. Today on the Indo Daily Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Paris-based journalist Catherine Field to explain how France reached this breaking point and why support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen is soaring. Also, Irish Independent political correspondent Cónal Thomas examines whether the same cost-of-living pressures could spark unrest closer to home. And as anger grows across the continent, we ask: could protests in Ireland be on the horizon?