Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:

• The nomination process for presidential candidates rumbles on. At the time of recording independent Gareth Sheridan has the best chance, needing two more local councils to back him. A report today looking at Sheridan’s business partner’s links with Russia may not be welcomed by his campaign as councillors around the country weigh up their decision.

• Meanwhile social conservative Maria Steen is gathering nominations in the Oireachtas. Can she get over the line before next Wednesday’s deadline?

• Mary Lou McDonald continues to be coy about who will get Sinn Féin’s backing, perhaps enjoying an opportunity to toy with the media. But who will it be - Catherine Connolly, or one of their own?

• Budget 2026 is drawing near. So far the focus of political debate has been on the withdrawal of one-off payments. It is an issue that cuts through, as Opposition parties well know.

Plus the panelists pick their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week, including columns on a rescinded award and Ireland’s rudeness problem and a look at sport’s greatest quirkiest cheating scandals. 

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