Stephen Collins

Irish voters’ approach to Europe

A segment of the electorate regards the European elections as an opportunity to vent their frustrations by voting for mavericks

The clear lesson from history is that once the party forfeits power there is no guarantee it will get it back anytime soon, if ever

The focus of the Opposition and much of the media following Varadkar’s decision has been on his failures and mistakes, with little reference to his achievements

Irish waters in the Atlantic represent a black hole in western defences. The idea that Russia might decide to take its war to Europe’s exposed flank is a far-fetched scenario but not impossible

Official doublethink has left us with a warped definition of neutrality that has confused the public and left the country defenceless

Outpouring of praise in recent days is something he never experienced during his political lifetime but that did not dim his enthusiasm for politics

Even among politicians, support for the proposed changes to the Constitution is lukewarm at best

The choice confronting voters will be whether the attraction of change outweighs the stability and general prosperity offered by the Government parties

The pervasiveness of the Sinn Féin narrative is partly down to its adept use of social media to promote its unremittingly negative version of reality

The Joint Declaration has often been taken for granted in the 30 years since, but it was arguably more significant than the Belfast Agreement that followed

An unjustified ‘failed state’ narrative has taken a grip on public discourse in recent years

Party has made a concerted effort to use the legal system to muzzle the media as well as political opponents who have dared to criticise it

Despite Brexit, Ireland and the UK have more in common than any other two states in Europe. The two islands are inextricably linked by ties of family and kinship

Michael D Higgins criticised the European Commission President for overstepping her remit. What does he think he was doing?

Only certainty about the next election is that nothing is certain

While it is almost certain that Sinn Féin will emerge as the largest party, that is no guarantee of government

Dire warnings about the impact on trade for Irish firms did not materialise

A referendum to cap the number at 174 would surely find favour with voters, although sitting TDs may be reluctant to contemplate it

Spanish voters baulked at handing power to a party with a radical programme and no experience of government

US voters have almost ‘never had it so good’ as under Bidenomics, but they believe things have never been worse

The Fianna Fáil leader’s decision about Europe could influence Irish politics for the rest of the decade

There’s not much sympathy for the national broadcaster among Government politicians, who believe it goes out of its way to give them a kicking

Not content with seeing Tubridy’s career in tatters, his louder critics are demanding that he should never be allowed to work again. Time for some perspective

A cross section of Irish opposition forces from Sinn Féin to Shane Ross were loud in their support for Varoufakis and Syriza when they came to power

While there is an understandable reluctance on the part of Ministers to get involved in a demeaning debate with the President, there was a need for a stronger response

Too many people, including key policy makers, are operating on the basis that Ireland is a poor country which needs to be careful with its money

Dublin should get six seats in the constituency shake-up; the rest of Leinster seven. That leaves a handful to for the rest to squabble over

It is not simply a matter of splashing the cash around but of coming up with an overarching budget narrative that can persuade voters to back the Coalition

Invasion of Ukraine brought an end to any indulgence by our European allies and highlights ridiculousness of giving China and Russia a veto over Irish actions

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