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: I was always proud of the Irish flag — now it is just a symbol of hostility

Behind the flags there is more than racism. We need to debate this — and we need to do it honestly

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Fergus Finlay: Sr Stan never settled in her advocacy for people on the margins of Irish life

There’ll be all sorts of tributes paid to Sister Stan in the coming days, every one thoroughly well-deserved.

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: The nomination process has to change before the next presidential election

Connolly’s victory was decisive but exposed deep flaws in Ireland’s presidential process — and the anger now consuming public debate

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: Is the 'spoil your vote' campaign loony or something more sinister?

I can think of nothing less democratic than spending resources on trying to persuade people to waste their vote

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Fergus Finlay: €2,500,000,000 on the dogs and the geegees? That's Ireland

We give millions in taxpayers' money each year to Ireland's richest men, while a tiny number of greyhound racing enthusiasts have us all on the hook, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: I have no sympathy for Jim Gavin — the whole thing was grubby

This tawdry mess is throwing a cloud over the office of the presidency, and now our choices are unacceptably narrow

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Fergus Finlay: Martin Mansergh was top of the list of peacemakers in the North

Throughout that period of government, the thing that bound Martin and I close together was the peace process, writes Fergus Finlay

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: The US is on the road from culture war to civil war

Donald Trump wants to push America into a bleak future where he gets to finally crush all dissent, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: Presidential race highlights how leaders grow — or shrink — under pressure

The presidential race will not be decided by policy or ideology, but by whether candidates show true leadership under pressure

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

S Fergus Finlay: Ireland’s child protection failures go beyond Tusla — the real issue is political will

Ireland has one social worker per 3,000 people, yet we scapegoat Tusla instead of fixing systemic failures in child protection

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025