Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics: ·      The budget was somewhat overshadowed this week by stories with far less cost involved, but no shortage of outrage – not least the final cost of Government Buildings security hut hitting €1.4 million and the row over the announcement of new sports capital grant funding for local clubs.   ·      Sinn Féin’s alternative budget has many worthy pledges but is ultimately futile without the party’s hands actually being on the levers of power. ·      And the controversy around a letter of congratulations President Michael D Higgins sent in July to Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian was reignited at a United Nations event in New York last Sunday. Plus, the panellists pick their favourite IT reads of the week: ·      Michael McDowell on the Government’s advanced administrative sclerosis. ·      Mark Hennesy wrote of former taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s contention that immigration numbers have risen too quickly here. ·      And Mary Carolan’s piece on the use of ‘inappropriate’ slang and cultural references in a judgment concerning a Co Clare wind farm. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.