Columns - Irish Examiner

Fergus Finlay

Fergus Finlay is a former political activist and adviser to three governments, the former head of the children's charity Barnardos, a writer and a broadcaster.

S Fergus Finlay: Dear Andy Burnham, I've advised many political leaders so here's my advice to you

Be generous, be brave, and do what you believe to be right, even if it makes you unpopular. Good luck

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

S Andy Burnham is now Britain — and Europe's — last defence from Nigel Farage

There’s an awful lot riding on a man called Andy Burnham and the outcome of the by-election in Makerfield in the north of England

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

S Fergus Finlay: No socket, no pillow, not an extra blanket to be found — my night in A&E

The health service is in many ways as good as any in the world — but when it isn't, it's for stupid, unnecessary reasons, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

S Fergus Finlay: America has never had a president who thinks so little of the country he leads

America's 200th anniversary set out to capture the essence and spirit of the world’s leading democracy. The 250th anniversary, it turns out, is not about America at all. It’s about the attempted self-glorification of a supremely trivial and banal man

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

S Fergus Finlay: The fact that more people need rape crisis services shows we are failing as a nation

70% of adults in Ireland think we have a problem with consent, and 81% agree that talking about consent will result in more healthy sex and sexuality — that's why the DRCC's services are crucial

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Fergus Finlay: The UK leadership battle really matters for Ireland — so who will win?

Anglo-Irish relations are crucial, and we should all shudder at the prospect of the feckless and values-free Nigel Farage rising to power

Tue, 19 May, 2026

S Fergus Finlay: Young people must be taught to think critically or we are doomed

We’ve just witnessed a set of local elections in the UK that represent, at least for now, a seismic change in public opinion, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Fergus Finlay: Our public services are far from perfect, but we are lucky to have them

We’re lucky to have the commitment and quality of our own public services and the thousands of people who make them work

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Anxiety, thinking and window with child in home for mental health, adoption crisis or stress. Mistake, foster care trauma and ab

Fergus Finlay: We can afford the best protection system in the world — but we are still failing children

Tusla's budget has never been sufficient for its workload — and now we are spending a fortune on unregulated private companies to make up for it

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

S Fergus Finlay: On both sides of the Irish Sea, political leaders are in trouble

Micheál Martin stands accused by his own as being massively out of touch over the fuel protests while Keir Starmer is under fire over the Peter Mandelson debacle

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026