Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan 'Sorry' doesn’t seem to be the hardest word for Government
Feb 27, 2026
Cormac McQuinn, political correspondent known for Dáil reporting, and Ellen Coyne, incisive commentator on Irish politics, unpack a week of high-stakes moments. They discuss state apologies and survivors’ needs. They probe new rent rules, investor incentives and possible rent rises. They examine planning delays, the Rotunda row, and the unfolding Dublin Central and Galway West byelection contests.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Poor Redress Can Re-Traumatise Survivors
- Survivors sometimes find state attempts to atone re-traumatising when redress processes are poorly designed or delivered.
- Coyne noted current supports only arose after Caranua wound up and criticised narrow or traumatising schemes like earlier Magdalene redress.
Thalidomide Campaign Shows Time Matters
- Cormac McQuinn used the Irish Thalidomide Association to show how delayed apologies matter when survivors age and numbers shrink.
- He described their 60-year campaign and imminent apology meetings with the Taoiseach and Simon Harris.
Rent Reform Intends To Incentivise Investors
- New Residential Tenancies rules (effective March 1) cap rent increases at 2% or market rate and aim to attract investors with longer six-year tenancies.
- Cormac McQuinn noted I-Res Reit's report estimating up to 25% portfolio rent increases over a decade as an intended investor incentive.