Derek on tensions Between Dept of Defence and Irish Defence Forces
During a newspaper review on @Broadsheet I expand on the article I had written earlier that day attributing the reported breakdown in relationships between senior management in the Dept of Defence and the Defence Forces to a decade of political indifference.
See: https://vimeo.com/515750083
On Thursday February 11th I was on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne Show debating proposals to vaccinate cabinet members and whether the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin should go to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, if invited. Also on the show was Bríd Smith T.D. (S-PBP, Dub Sth Central)

I was part of RTÉ Radio One’s coverage of the US Presidential election on Nov 3rd appearing on a Late Debate Election Special hosted by Katie Hannon. The show featured former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer, Prof Liam Kennedy of UCD, Irish pollster Dr Kevin Cunningham of TU, Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer NUIG plus a number of US guests, including Chris Burkirk of the pro-Trump American Greatness organisation, with whom I had a small contretemps. You can listen to the full 110 min broadcast HERE or check the edited highlights below:
On Sept 23rd 2020 I was on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne discussing pay increases for TDs, the appointment of special advisers for 10 junior ministers and how the news of these two developments was playing out on he same day as the rate of PUP was being cut for many of those put out of work by Covid-19. Also on the panel were Sinn Féin’s Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD and former TD and Junior Minister John Halligan.
The Irish Examiner also reported on our discussion:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40053431
In June 2020 I appeared on the Virgin Media TV evening news to discuss the upcoming members’ vote, within Fianna Fáil, on the proposed Programme for Government https://vimeo.com/455771983
On Feb 24th 2019, I was on RTÉ’s Sunday political show The Week in Politics, offering my analysis on the future of the current FG/FF Confidence and Supply arrangement and the likelihood of a general election in Ireland later this year. You can watch the full show here (from the 6 min mark) https://www.rte.ie/news/player/the-week-in-politics/2019/0224/

In December 2018 I was asked to speak at a conference on conflict resolution organised in Istanbu by the Baris Vakfi peace foundation. I was talking about lessons learned from the NI peace process and the work of peace groups such as the Glencree Centre. Here are two local Turk/Kurd reports on my speech:
http://www.haberercis.com/guncel/mooney-barisa-olan-guven-onemli-h302566.html
https://www.evrensel.net/haber/365127/ucuncu-goz-olmadan-baris-surecleri-yurumez

On Nov 8th I was on the panel of RTE Radio One’s Late Debate discussion programme alongside the former UK Europe Minister, Dr Denis MacShane, Niall Collins TD, Brid Smith TD and Sen Frank Feighan discussing Brexit:
On March 30th 2018 I was on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland news show discussing the Fianna Fáil oppositon front bench reshuffle which had been announced the evening before. You can listen to the clip here:
Or you can access the Morning Ireland podcast:
Here I am on the panel of RTE Radio One’s Late Debate on March 14th 2017 discussing whether emigrants should get a vote in presidential elections.
I was also on Late Debate on Nov 8, 2016 discussing the US Presidential Election
and here too…
In October 2017 I was asked to make a presentation at a briefing for senior Turkish political and civic society leaders at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on the role of the media in a peace process:


I was a guest speaker at a PRII seminar in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin on on the advent of New Politics in May 2016. Other panelists included Darragh O’Brien, TD, Dr Muiris MacCarthaigh, Grace Milton, moderated by Shane Coleman.

Facilitating a workshop between the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a visiting delegation of senior Turkish and Kurdish women politicians in February 2015. In conjunction with DPI

I was on RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland on Tues Sept 2, 2014 to discuss the continuing participation of the Irish Defence Forces in the UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights
The ancient Irish art of tallying (2014 European Elections, scrutinising the adjudication of spoilt ballots) (Pic from http://www.independent.ie)








