Inside Politics

09/04/14 The phony war is nearly over as the political parties, and the growing number of independents, get ready to launch their campaigns for the local and European elections. What does the weekend’s Irish Times Ipsos/MRBI poll tell us about the state of the two government parties, and are strains between the two likely to intensify as they come under increasing electoral pressure? Political geographer and psephologist Adrian Kavanagh of NUI Maynooth, political correspondent Harry McGee and parliamentary reporter Michael O’Regan discuss the likely outcome of the elections, the differences between local and European contests, gender balance in candidate selection and whether the electorate is preparing to give Fine Gael and labour a good old traditional mid-term kicking. Inside Politics is a weekly politics podcast presented by the digital editor of the Irish Times, Hugh Linehan and produced by Sinead O’Shea. It can be listened to and downloaded via Soundcloud and iTunes. It can be delivered for free to you each week via this link. itun.es/i66S4x2 #iTunes Android users can access this podcast via stitcher.com/s?fid=44906&refid=stpr