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Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

The Irish Times

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Andy Burnham has a mission. Now he needs a mandate to deliver it

Andy Burnham has a mission. Now he needs a mandate to deliver it

Popular prime minister might be tempted to call an early election, but keeping out Reform UK means tactical voting

02.10.2026 20

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Donald Trump is less interested in Ireland than in creating mayhem

Unlike previous US presidents, Trump’s interest in Ireland is superficial

18.09.2026 30

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Free education was a gamble that is still paying off

Free secondary education and a national system of school transport were transformational

04.09.2026 30

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Water rationing is probably inevitable unless people are made to pay for it

The existing system of unlimited free public water for all households is unsustainable in the long term and unfair

21.08.2026 30

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

We must kill the myth that Irish independence was achieved through violence

Admiration for the violence that motivated some 1916 leaders has warped popular culture for too long

07.08.2026 40

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Most important quality of any politician? A certain nonchalance

The need to appear at ease in the role is something Keir Starmer never managed in his time as UK prime minister, but Andy Burnham seems comfortable -...

24.07.2026 40

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

EU presidency is a double-edged sword for the Government

Doing it well is important for the country’s standing in the world, but there is little or no political bonus for getting it right

10.07.2026 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Why did economists get the impact of Brexit on Ireland so wrong?

The consequences are still playing out in the UK, as it prepares for its seventh prime minister in 10 years. Yet the Republic is thriving

26.06.2026 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Do we really want to stop Intel trading with its sister plant in Israel?

Unlike the Opposition, the Government doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring the real world consequences of its actions

12.06.2026 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Here is something the ‘soft left’ parties need to pay attention to

Dublin Central and Galway West byelections show centre ground in Irish politics is capable of responding to threats from either left or right

29.05.2026 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Keir Starmer’s troubles must be worrying Micheál Martin

Byelections don’t matter - until they do. And this one matters for Martin

15.05.2026 70

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Keir Starmer has drifted from one U-turn to the next

Two of the most impressive officials in the Brexit saga have been axed by their political bosses, who live to fight another day

01.05.2026 70

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

State’s authority will be challenged again. We need to be ready

Last week’s events are clear warning to Government and gardaí about scale of what may come

17.04.2026 80

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Fracked gas from the US another sign of our ‘pure hypocrisy’ on energy

We like to think of ourselves as a nuclear-free zone but we are currently building the multi-billion-euro Celtic connector to France to get access to...

03.04.2026 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Everybody needs good neighbours. Like Ireland and Britain right now

A communique last week revealed growing co-operation between Micheál Martin and Keir Starmer

20.03.2026 90

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

UUP leader might have point about an Irish Government apology for conduct in Troubles

Saying sorry may not be on the agenda, but some serious reflection about State’s behaviour is warranted

06.03.2026 80

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Social Democrats, Labour and the Greens have some serious thinking to do

06.02.2026 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

How should the EU deal with Trump? Speak softly and carry a big stick

23.01.2026 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Trump is a bigger buffoon than we thought if he believes he can just take Greenland

09.01.2026 90

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Here’s the unpopular truth: many of us have never had it so good

26.12.2025 80

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

If Russia attacks the EU, Ireland’s wide-open back door may give it a way in

12.12.2025 80

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Simon Harris is facing his first big test. Can he shake off the TikTok Tánaiste image?

28.11.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

At the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, we sensed we were witnessing a historic event

14.11.2025 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Ireland’s neutrality is widely regarded as a joke. It’s time we got real

31.10.2025 50

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are not doomed. Yet

17.10.2025 70

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Backing Catherine Connolly is a smart political move by Sinn Féin

03.10.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

What happens if a president is elected on a mandate to oppose the Government?

19.09.2025 70

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Budget will be a critical test for the Coalition

05.09.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

Strong argument for Micheál Martin to back Heather Humphreys for presidency

22.08.2025 70

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

The parallels between Nelson Mandela and Daniel O’Connell are many

07.08.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

A redress scheme for school abuse survivors could become a ‘barrister-fattening exercise’

25.07.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins

EU’s goodwill towards Ireland is intact – but for how much longer?

11.07.2025 60

The Irish Times

Stephen Collins