Columns - Irish Examiner

Alison O'Connor

Columnist

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

Prescription for health service is for Leo Varadkar to stay in his post

Yes, the next minister for health needs a budget, and he needs authority, but he also needs the support of his government colleagues, writes Alison O’Connor    

Fri, 29 Jan, 2016

As parties jockey for poll position ahead of the election, the outcome is far from certain

IS THIS going to be a cod liver oil general election or a plague on all your houses one, asks Alison O’Connor. 

Fri, 22 Jan, 2016

Electioneering is already under way but what do we know so far?

The US media would laugh at what is being described as ‘negative campaigning’ here, writes Alison O’Connor

Fri, 15 Jan, 2016