Podcast: Irish Times journalists discuss resounding Yes

Fiach Kelly, Michael O’Regan and Sarah Bardon look at what credit is due to the political establishment

Panti (Rory O Neill) in the court yard at Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Panti (Rory O Neill) in the court yard at Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

On this special edition of Inside Politics, Hugh is joined by Fiach Kelly, Michael O'Regan and Sarah Bardon to look at the resounding vote in favour of marriage equality, what credit is due the political establishment, and whether any party can harness the youthful energy of the yes campaign.

Political Reporter Sarah Bardon was unimpressed by some aspects of the political establishment's support for a yes vote. "Some would suggest that maybe they were right to take a backseat role because this was a referendum for the people and should have been led by the people that it affected. But I think with regard to maybe Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, with a lot of rural voters unsure of how to vote, there are serious questions about how those parties reached out to those voters over the past number weeks to convince them to vote yes."

Political Correspondent Fiach Kelly sees no party getting a boost from the result. “I spoke to a couple of people around Dublin castle yesterday, people from all parties, and they all said there’s no dividend going to arise for any party out of this”.

And there’s more bad news as Parliamentary Correspondent Michael O’Regan sees little chance of a re-engagement with politics by the young people whose turnout defined the referendum. “None. Actually, and that’s a pessimistic view of it. The battle is lost. The political establishment has lost the battle in terms of credibility.”

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon is head of audio at The Irish Times