Politics watch: Referendums and RTÉ crisis dominate political agenda

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics that will dominate political discourse in the coming week.

RTÉ crisis

The RTÉ scandal is showing no signs of dying down, and it will continue to be a big talking point.

The resignation of RTÉ board chairwoman Siún Ní Raghallaigh came after more revelations about huge payouts for high-ranking staff.

Media Minister Catherine Martin failed to express confidence in Ms Ní Raghallaigh live on Primetime, prompting a resignation letter in the early hours of the morning.

Ms Martin has faced huge criticism from Opposition parties since, with the Labour Party saying her position is "untenable".

She has been firmly supported by Coalition colleagues such as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

However, that is unlikely to be the end of the discussion. Sinn Féin has called on Ms Martin to answer questions on the RTÉ crisis in the Dáil this week.

Referendums

On Friday, March 8th, Irish citizens will be asked to vote in two referendums to change the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of family and women’s role in society.

The proposals, called the family amendment and the care amendment, would make changes to the text of Article 41 in the Constitution.

The Government, and most of the Opposition, are backing a yes vote from both amendments.

Aontú is the only party backing a no-no vote. However, some Independent TDs, and senators, are doing the same.

Some critics have also said the referendum will not help the position of carers, so this will be a topic in the Dáil.

Click here for a comprehensive guide on what we will be voting on.

Abroad

In the US, Donald Trump convincingly won the Republican primary in South Carolina, in another blow to his last party rival Nikki Haley.

Ms Haley, who served as the state's governor, has vowed to continue her campaign but realistically there looks to be no path for her to win the party's nomination.

The other big political story is US president Joe Biden's proposed foreign aid bill.

It would see $14 billion go to Israel as part of a $95 billion foreign aid bill. This has led to fierce criticism within his own party.

It was passed in a bipartisan Senate vote and will now go to the Republican-led House.

There is plenty of political turmoil in the UK as well.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing continued pressure to step down as UK House of Commons speaker after almost 70 MPs called for him to go.

The controversy is over his handling of a debate on a Gaza ceasefire that desceneded into chaos in the Commons.

Meanwhile, prime minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party faces more controversy.

It comes after senior Tory politician Lee Anderson had the Conservative whip suspended following his widely criticised claim that London mayor Sadiq Khan was controlled by “Islamists”.