Gardaí, politicians and the US president under pressure

On today's episode of Inside Politics our panellists graze on a buffet of bad news stories for politicians at home and abroad.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan, while not a politician, will certainly need political skills in her fight to hang on to her job. Sarah Bardon says it will be hard for O'Sullivan to retain the confidence of the force and Government while she is the subject of lengthy investigation.

(That was before news broke of Labour leader Brendan Howlin's dramatic comments in the Dáil on Wednesday.)

Donald Trump recently revealed he starts his day at 5am by watching "lies" about himself on TV.

Commissioner leaked McCabe ‘sexual offences’ claims, Dáil hears

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HP job losses became apparent five weeks ago, says Kenny

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Joan Burton claims FG running a ‘cash for access’ scheme

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‘There'll have to be more breakfasts with Noonan and lunches with Varadkar’

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His personal war against the "mainstream media" continues and his rhetoric is getting harsher.

Is he capable of dealing with the pressure of the Oval Office and the scrutiny he is now under? Perhaps, but it also serves a political purpose, says Political Editor Pat Leahy.

Irish politicians grappling with what tone to take on Trump's presidency will not want the Ceann Comhairle to take a leaf out of Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow's book.

And they’d be dead right, argues Parliamentary Correspondent Michael O’Regan.

The misery does not end there. Our panel also finds time to discuss embattled DUP leader Arlene Foster's negative comments on the worth of supporting the Irish language; the vitriol directed at Stephen Donnelly over his conscious coupling with Fianna Fáil and the contrition of Minister for Health Simon Harris over shocking failings in our health service as revealed by RTÉ earlier this week.

Inside Politics is hosted as ever by Irish Times Culture Editor and politics nerd Hugh Linehan. Tweet about the show in his direction: @hlinehan.

Or you can email us directly: politicspodcast@irishtimes.com

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