Stephen Collins

Pressure is coming on the Government to start spending the projected €65 billion budget surplus

Stephen Collins: President Michael D Higgins’s desire for a shift in the national focus from material progress to ethics and a more balanced relationship with nature has struck a chord. But we tried it before

An intimate conversation between King George VI and the then Irish ambassador reveals what he really thought about de Valera - and the ordeal of coronations

We spend less than any EU country on defence, yet wallow in the notion that our neutrality confers some sort of moral superiority

Biden’s only mistake on his nearly note-perfect visit, during which he managed to walk the tightrope with skill, was his snub of Sunak

Government is in tune with voters on most issues with one big exception: housing is regarded by 52% of voters as the key concern in Ireland

Since losing office the party appears more concerned with apologising for what it failed to do rather than claiming credit for what it achieved

Interest in influencing Government policy rather than grandstanding on the emotive issue of the eviction ban bodes well for the Coalition lasting its full term

Stephen Collins: Intensely proud of his Irish roots, US president has a string of political and economic victories - whether the electorate recognises it or not

Ireland risks squandering a golden economic opportunity unless the Taoiseach takes personal charge and drives projects forward

The nous shown by the UK prime minster in resolving the protocol impasse might save Tories from annihilation

At a stroke, the DUP leader could bring stability to Northern Ireland, gain influence with Sunak and win friends in Starmer’s Labour Party

Several politicians are likely to announce their retirements before the end of the current Dáil. Fine Gael will be hardest hit

It’s unlikely that the DUP and hardcore Tory Brexiteers will ever be satisfied, so there’s a strong case for making a deal with the EU anyway and finally moving on

State’s position is not, and never was, the moral stance some of its strongest advocates proclaim

At a time when politicians routinely face threats and intimidation, Opposition and media should think twice about launching a groundless campaign against a Minister

It should not be forgotten that twice in the first decade of this century voters rejected treaties designed to improve workings of EU

There is no pressure on the EU now to make further concessions. It is down to the British and the DUP to come to terms with what was agreed back in 2019

Stephen Collins: Brexit fiasco in the UK has put a serious dent in the notion that radical change is always for the best

Chances of a united Ireland coming to pass in decades ahead are remote, but endless speculation has put issue at centre of political debate

SF will almost certainly need a large coalition partner, and polling shows vast majority of FF supporters oppose any such arrangement

Involvement of party councillor Jonathan Dowdall with gangland boss Gerry Hutch has lifted the veil on a dark corner of Irish life

Keir Starmer every bit as keen as the Conservative leadership to ignore damage of hard Brexit to UK economy

Stephen Collins: Coherent messaging from Coalition is vital as it faces hard decisions

Divorce referendum was probably the high point of Labour minister’s political career

We have a seat on the security council but Kabul exit shows we can’t look after our own

One-time party loyalist and then PD leader obliged FF to shelve ‘core value’: no coalition

RIA historic documents: Monnet questioned if Ireland could face demands of free trade

Irish diplomat gave account of London dig after ‘49 years in a waterlogged grave’

Political anoraks rejoice as the Nealon’s Guide to the 33rd Dáil and 26th Seanad lands

Stephen Collins: Trump’s threat to electoral process has implications for entire world

Government casts more doubt on ability to lead amid Covid-19 and Brexit challenges

Politician had self-belief to repeat same message for decades until eventually it was accepted by almost everybody

Fianna Fáil leader must take advantage of the Apple tax decision to reboot as Taoiseach

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were forged out of the bitterness of an ancient quarrel

Two parties rose out of Anglo-Irish Treaty but today their ideology overlaps considerably

Fine Gael won only 15.5% of the votes among the youngest 18-24 age group

PR-STV, or single transferable vote, is one of most flexible, subtle systems in the world

Former Seanad member fell out with Charles Haughey, had a blazing row with Garret Fitzgerald and felt let down by Bertie Ahern