The Healy-Rae political empire has dominated Kerry for decades, but disagreement over support for the government has exposed cracks within the family. This week, we examine the fallout and whether the famous Healy-Rae brand can survive intact. We also discuss Holly Cairns' growing popularity, the good news around her expanding family and what the Social Democrats' momentum could mean for Irish politics.

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The Healy-Rae political empire has dominated Kerry for decades, but disagreement over support for the government has exposed cracks within the family. This week, we examine the fallout and whether the famous Healy-Rae brand can survive intact. We also discuss Holly Cairns' growing popularity, the good news around her expanding family and what the Social Democrats' momentum could mean for Irish politics.
­
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Every week the Irish Independent's political team will bring you the biggest stories, the latest analysis and the gossip from the corridors of Leinster House. New episodes every Friday. 

Indo Politics

The Kingdom Divided: Inside the Healy-Rae fallout - and Holly Cairns' good news

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers joins Mary Regan in the Indo Politics studio to discuss his preparations for Budget 2027, including inheritance tax, childcare costs and the key challenges facing the Government. 




He also talks about his relationship with Simon Harris, how his political views have evolved over the years, including on abortion, and why he believes it's time to reform the planning process. 




Indo Politics is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers joins Mary Regan in the Indo Politics studio to discuss his preparations for Budget 2027, including inheritance tax, childcare costs and the key challenges facing the Government.&nbsp;
 
He also talks about his relationship with Simon Harris, how his political views have evolved over the years, including on abortion, and why he believes it's time to reform the planning process.&nbsp;
 
Indo Politics is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Jack Chambers on Budget 2027, leadership Ambitions and a United Ireland 

From Micheál Martin's resilience to Sinn Féin's missed opportunities and the biggest political blunders of the year, Mary Regan and Maeve McTaggart look back on a dramatic first half of 2026, and ahead to the budget battles and leadership questions still to come.

From Micheál Martin's resilience to Sinn Féin's missed opportunities and the biggest political blunders of the year, Mary Regan and Maeve McTaggart look back on a dramatic first half of 2026, and ahead to the budget battles and leadership questions still to come.

School's out: The Winners, Losers and Gaffes of the Political Year (So Far)

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath talks to Mary Regan about potential social media bans for teens in Europe as EU officials grapple with the thorny issue of technology and teens, the growing scrutiny surrounding the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick and the future of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.  




We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. 

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath talks to Mary Regan about potential social media bans for teens in Europe as EU officials grapple with the thorny issue of technology and teens, the growing scrutiny surrounding the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick and the future of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. &nbsp;
 
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism.&nbsp;</a>

The Kingdom Divided: Inside the Healy-Rae fallout - and Holly Cairns' good news

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