Israel-Hamas conflict takes all the attention at the EU leaders’ summit

<p>Hugh Linehan is joined in studio by Jennifer Bray, while Pat Leahy is on the line from Brussels where he is covering the EU leaders’ summit. As Pat explains in part one of today’s Inside Politics podcast, the Israel-Hamas conflict has been top of the agenda there, with hours of negotiation going into the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/10/27/taoiseach-satisfied-with-eus-call-for-pauses-rather-than-ceasefire-in-gaza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">European Union’s call for “pauses” in the conflict in Gaza</a>.</p><br><p>Also in part one, Jennifer highlights a Cabinet disagreement over future plans for housing Ukrainian refugees here, and the proposal for a 90-day time limit on State accommodation given our lack of capacity.</p><br><p>And in part two, the pod discusses the novel suggestion by Minister of State for Northern Ireland and former Chair of the European Research Group, Steve Baker, that a united Ireland referendum should need a ‘super majority’ of 60 per cent in the North and the Republic to carry. Something he now feels the UK Brexit vote of 2016 should have required.</p><br><p>Plus the panel pick their favourite articles of the week from&nbsp;<a href="http://irishtimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">irishtimes.com</a>:</p><br><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerry Thornley celebrates <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/10/21/gerry-thornley-we-will-never-again-see-the-like-of-johnny-sexton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Johnny Sexton’s remarkable rugby career</a></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2023/10/26/state-is-right-back-in-the-global-spotlight-over-corporation-tax/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">corporation tax policies</a> attracting unwanted international attention writes Cliff Taylor</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karlin Lillington on the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/technology/2023/10/26/paddy-cosgraves-undoing-exposes