Columns - Irish Examiner

Alison O'Connor

Columnist

Politicians should stop playing to the gallery, and usher in reform

Our politicians obviously pitch their contribution in the Dail to make the headlines on the RTÉ news, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 11 Mar, 2016

As a new era of optimism dawns in politics, dare we take a leap of faith?

Our politicians face a very daunting task, which from some angles looks nigh on impossible, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 04 Mar, 2016

#GE16 analysis - Political proposals on the cards this Leap Day

IT IS curiously appropriate that today is February 29, a Leap Day, given the shock delivered to our political system over the weekend.

Mon, 29 Feb, 2016

Dull campaign with extraordinary parts to make for dolly mixture Dáil

There appears to be a certain overall illogicality at play here that simply defies explanation, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 26 Feb, 2016

Scrutiny is far higher when it comes to female politicians

Who would be a female politician – that was my first thought following a chat with a female acquaintance post the second leaders debate, writes Alison O’Connor

Thu, 25 Feb, 2016

Can Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil bury hatchet?

“You can just tell, almost as soon as they start talking. They’re posher,” so explains the die-hard Fianna Fáiler on how you can spot a supporter of the oul’ enemy, Fine Gael.

Sat, 20 Feb, 2016

Government hits turbulence and Joan Burton seems to be waving goodbye

For Labour, it is hard to come to any conclusion other than it is tanking and needs a miracle now, writes Alison O’Connor.

Fri, 19 Feb, 2016

Micheál Martin did well in debate but Fianna Fáil have long way to go

We would need a crystal ball to get clarity at this point on how things will go on polling day, writes Alison O’Connor

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

I’m weary of male voices shouting in this chest-thumping election campaign

With a more equal gender balance in the Dáil, we might get a more measured political debate, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 12 Feb, 2016

There is a sense that Fine Gael would abandon economic caution simply to get back into power

A general election machine can be so well-oiled that it can slip out of your hands before the campaign has even begun, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 05 Feb, 2016