Podcast: Red lines and Dáil arithmetic make coalitions difficult to see

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin command the support of 80 per cent of the population between them, if polls are to be trusted. But if the three largest parties won't work together, how can an alternative government be formed after the next election?

That was on the agenda for a special live episode of the Inside Politics podcast, featuring Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan, Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne and Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly. They joined Hugh Linehan and Fiach Kelly for an occasionally spiky discussion about the relationship between their three parties and the prospects for future coalitions.

Thanks to our guests and to everyone who attended the live recording on Thursday at The Irish Times building on Tara Street. For information on future events, subscribe to The Irish Times political digest email.

Inside Politics is a regular podcast from The Irish Times. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, on Android, on Stitcher, on ACast or on Soundcloud.