When Eoghan Murphy became minister for housing, he wanted to change everything. He wanted to declare housing an emergency. He wanted a constitutional right to housing. He got neither as the conservative elements won out. Instead he became the face of the housing crisis, the minister for homelessness. On a Free State Weekend Special, Eoghan Murphy talks to Dion about failure and dealing with pressure. He breaks down as he remembers the darkest moment when politics turned him into someone he didn’t want to be. Dion asks him about his recent book event at the Irish embassy in London with Ryan Tubridy. Murphy also remembers an encounter with Joe Brolly in O’Donoghue’s pub but his version has one key difference to Joe’s.

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.

For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2018, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned Ireland’s ambassador in the country to their offices. Ireland was debating the Occupied Territories Bill so the ambassador was ‘reprimanded’ and told the legislation was ‘hypocritical and antisemitic’. This week Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar described Simon Harris as ‘antisemitic’ as Israel closed their embassy in Dublin. On Free State, Dion and Joe look at what this slur is designed to do and why it has been so effective in silencing the criticism of the genocide in Gaza. They examine how a society can become so blinded to the horrors being committed by their government. They also look at how Israel’s government has used anti-Irish tropes in the past and tell the truth about De Valera, Hitler and the book of condolences.

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.

For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How important is the GAA in Irish life? How important is it to our politicians? Is it something they cherish or does it provide merely a photo opportunity and a chance to act as if they care? On Free State, Joe and Dion look at the Revenue Commissioners’ probes into county boards. Everyone should be tax compliant but what does the treatment of small sums of money tell us about how the GAA is really valued.

Joe looks at the tax breaks given to other sportspeople and the money that has come the way of horseracing and greyhounds over the last 20 years. The GAA is a cultural colossus whose importance is immeasurable. Those who provide the glory enrich the nation in a way those who fumble in the greasy till never could. It is time for Gombeen Ireland to recognise what goes on in the real Ireland.

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.

For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.