The Explainer

What do the layoffs at Meta and Twitter mean for the tech industry?

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Elaine Burke, editor of Silicon Republic, joins us on this week's episode to look at what's happening in the tech industry. What's behind the latest w...

What will the COP27 climate summit focus on?

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Lauren Boland joins us this week to look at what lies ahead for the climate conference. The UN summit is taking place next week in Egypt ...

By Noteworthy: Why are Travellers so overrepresented in prison?

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, reporter Michelle Hennessy tells Susan Daly about Noteworthy's latest project which examined the impact of the justi...

Who is Mahsa Amini, and why has her death led to protests in Iran?

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined on this week's episode of The Explainer by Dr Paola Rivetti, an associate professor in politics and international relations at DCU whose ...

What’s the story with the women’s football World Cup?

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time ever, Ireland's women's football team are off to the World Cup. The42's Emma Duffy joins us to explain everything you need to know ...

What will Putin's next steps be in his invasion of Ukraine?

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Senator and retired army officer Tom Clonan joins us to look at what comes next in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The conflict is now in its seventh mo...

What’s happening in Brazil’s closely fought presidential election?

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Cowie, a journalist based in Brazil, joins us to examine Brazil's potentially seismic presidential election. The far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonar...

What type of tax system does Ireland have?

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Barra Roantree, economist with the ESRI, joins us on this week's episode to put Ireland's tax system under the microscope. What exactly is a progressi...

What do recent arrests mean for the Kinahan gang?

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Garreth MacNamee joins us to examine the future of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang in the wake of significant moves by international pol...

By Noteworthy: How much weedkiller are councils using?

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our investigations team at Noteworthy examine the use of pesticides by public authorities. They've found that almost all councils still apply chemical...

What challenges will Britain's new king face?

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joining us this week is Enda Brady, London-based journalist and media consultant, to examine what lies ahead for Britain's new head of state. What cha...

Why is Ireland so obsessed with Garth Brooks?

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

RTÉ arts and culture journalist Alan Corr and The Journal's resident Garth Brooks fan Christina Finn join us to look at the return of the country mus...

By Noteworthy: Why are Irish unweaned calves being exported?

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Niall Sargent and Austrian vet Dr Alexander Rabitsch tell Susan Daly about animal welfare concerns in the growing li...

How have abortion laws changed in the US since Roe v Wade was overturned?

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marion McKeone, US Correspondent for the Business Post, joins us to look at how abortion laws in the United States have evolved since Roe v Wade was o...

By Noteworthy: Are religious property proceeds going to redress?

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by our investigations team, Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney tells Susan Daly that though most religious congregations have paid redres...

Why has polio reappeared in some major cities?

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Kathleen O'Reilly, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, joins us to talk about polio. The virus, long eradicate...

Is Ireland facing the threat of winter power blackouts?

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

ESRI energy economist Muireann Lynch joins us on this week's episode to look at how the energy crisis could impact Ireland. As supply dwindles and wha...

How is the global monkeypox outbreak being managed?

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cillian De Gascun, head of then National Virus Reference Laboratory, joins to discuss what we know so far about monkeypox. The virus has gained a foot...

What makes Love Island so successful?

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Orlaith Condon, host of the My Pod On Paper podcast, to examine the popularity of reality dating programme Love Island. What's the sec...

Is Ireland heading towards another recession?

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Kinsella, University of Limerick economics professor and chief economics writer with The Currency, joins us to look at the factors leading som...

What do the recent extreme temperatures tell us about future Irish summers?

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Peter Thorne, a climate change professor at Maynooth University and a coordinating lead author with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate...

Will Dublin's metro actually be built this time around?

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Caulfield, associate professor with the School of Engineering at TCD, joins us this week to examine MetroLink, formerly known as Metro North. Af...

By Noteworthy: Is Ireland a dumping ground for poultry manure?

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to reporters Ella McSweeney and Niall Sargent about their recent investigation, FACTORY FARM which...

Why are energy prices still going up?

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daragh Cassidy, head of communications with price comparison website Bonkers.ie, delves into why exactly your electricity and gas bills keep going up ...

Why was Roe v Wade overturned and what does it mean for US laws?

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr David Kenny, associate professor at the Trinity College School of Law, joins us to examine last week's monumental decision by the US Supreme Court....

What's the future of EU defence - and how does Ireland play a role?

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recently elected senator and former Irish Army captain Tom Clonan joins us on this week's episode to examine the future of EU defence. What structures...

Why is homelessness in Ireland on the rise again?

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The number of people homeless in Ireland has passed 10,000 for the first time since before the start of the pandemic - Mike Allen, advocacy director w...

Why is it so hard to take action on mass shootings in the US?

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the horrific shootings at a school in Uvalde, Texas, discussion has turned yet again to gun laws in the USA. The Journal columnist and ...

What’s causing the chaos at Dublin Airport?

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As summer travel picks up again, Dublin Airport is buckling under the pressure. Editor of Air & Travel magazine Eoghan Corry joins to talk through the...

What is Sláintecare and how does it aim to reform Ireland’s health system?

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It could completely overhaul Ireland’s troubled healthcare system, but what exactly is it? Liam Doran, former general secretary of the INMO, joins u...

Why isn't Ireland winning Eurovision?

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by The Journal's News Editor Daragh Brophy, who was at the Eurovision final in Turin, and Johnny Fallon, strategy director at Carr Commun...

What does the election result mean for the future of Northern Ireland?

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by Press Association reporter Dominic McGrath to dissect the results of Northern Ireland’s election. What will it mean to both unioni...

In the age of disinformation and misinformation, how does factchecking work?

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Journal's Deputy Editor Christine Bohan and Ciarán O'Connor, analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, join us on this week's episode to...

What is the situation like for people fleeing Ukraine?

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Céimin Burke tells us about his experience reporting from the Polish-Ukrainian border. We examine why some Ukrainians are heading back t...

Why is cutting turf so bad for the environment?

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Senior lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast Ray Flynn joins us to discuss the incredible importance of Ireland’s bogs. With the government propo...

How are war crimes investigated and prosecuted?

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As evidence of war crimes by Russian forces in Ukraine mount, we're joined by NUIG's Prof Ray Murphy to discuss what could happen next. When is a crim...

Is there a revival of the Irish language underway?

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by our reporter Rónán Duffy and president of Conradh na Gaeilge, Paula Melvin, to put the Irish language under the microscope. What m...

What is the census used for?

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's almost time to fill in your census form - but what's the point in it? Joining us this week is senior statistician with the CSO Cormac Halpin to e...

How secure is Ireland’s food supply?

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Trevor Donnellan, head of economics and surveys at Teagasc, joins us to examine how secure Ireland’s food supply is. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ...

Is the internet bad for our brains?

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cyberpsychology researcher Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton joins to examine whether being online as much as we are in modern life impacts on our brain and our ...

What is NATO and what's Ireland's involvement in it?

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The military alliance has been at the centre of world politics - should it intervene in Ukraine, or stay out to avoid a direct clash with Russia? UCC’...

What is life like for people in Ukraine, and for those who have left?

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to cause devastation, we speak to independent journalist Olga Tokariuk about what life is like for people ...

By Noteworthy: How is inadequate care impacting people with eating disorders?

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to reporter Maria Delaney about the recent SILENT TREATMENT investigation by Noteworthy which foun...

Why did Vladimir Putin invade Ukraine?

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the situation on the ground in Ukraine continues to deteriorate rapidly following last night’s invasion by Russia, we’re joined by DCU professo...

By Noteworthy: Are public works on our rivers damaging biodiversity?

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, as a bonus episode of The Explainer brought to you by our investigative platform Noteworthy, Susan Daly chats with science and nature repor...

How did a truckers’ protest in Canada spread to other countries?

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Regan, a radio producer based in Canada, and Ciarán O'Connor, an analyst from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, join us to examine how a pro...

By Noteworthy: What can be done to improve Irish childcare?

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, as a bonus episode of The Explainer brought to you by our investigative platform Noteworthy, Susan Daly chats with reporter Peter McGuire a...

What is driving Ireland's rising cost of living?

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our business reporter Ian Curran and Tricia Keilthy, St Vincent de Paul’s social policy development officer, join us on this week’s episode to exa...

What can Ireland do to become a safer place for women?

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Orla O'Connor, director of the National Women's Council of Ireland, about what more can be done to make Ireland a safer place for women - ...

Why is Ireland reopening now - and how do people feel about it?

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Behavioural scientist Pete Lunn and immunologist Christine Loscher join us on this week's episode to examine Ireland's unexpected and sudden reopening...

In Depth: A GP, paramedic, ICU doctor and emergency medicine expert on working amid the Omicron wave

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by four healthcare workers to examine what working during the latest wave of Covid has been like so far - Dr Amy Morgan is a GP based in ...

What led to violent unrest in Kazakhstan?

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An expert on post-Soviet states, DCU politics professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin joins us to examine recent protests in Kazakhstan. The rare unrest left ...

What can we learn from South Africa's Omicron wave?

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mia Malan, editor-in-chief of Bhekisisa - an award-winning health journalism centre in South Africa - speaks to us about what Ireland can learn from S...

The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are people still paying thousands for fertility treatment?

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to reporter Maria Delaney about the findings of the team's latest investigation into fertility tre...

Our favourite explanations of 2021

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Explainer team of Gráinne, Michelle, Sinéad, Nicky, and Aoife sit down to pick their favourite clips from the year, with topics ranging from Cub...

Interview: RTÉ's Brian O'Donovan looks back on Biden's first year as US President

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

RTÉ's outgoing Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins us to look back on Joe Biden's first year in power as US President - what were the big ...

Is Euroscepticism stronger or weaker after Brexit?

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with EuroNews, joins us on this week's episode to examine the current state of Euroscepticism. Did Brexit give hope...

Why hasn't anyone won the Lotto jackpot yet?

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Lotto has rolled over yet again - but is it that unexpected? Stephen McDermott, assistant news editor with The Journal, and Michael Cronin, head o...

Does global vaccine inequality put us at risk of new Covid variants?

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Virologist Dr Kim Roberts and Dimitri Eynikel from Doctors Without Borders join us to examine the new Omicron variant and vaccine inequality. While r...

Why do we need another dose of a Covid vaccine?

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Loscher, professor of immunology at DCU, joins us on this week's episode to examine the need for booster shots. How much does the efficacy o...

What is the standoff on the Belarus-Poland border about?

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the tensions grow on the border between Belarus and Poland, we’re joined by DCU politics professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin, an expert on post-Sovie...

Why is there so much talk about Ireland's cows?

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There has been a lot of attention on Irish cows recently. In this episode, head of economics at Teagasc Trevor Donnellan and our reporter Orla Dwyer, ...

By Noteworthy: Why are the school days of Traveller children being reduced?

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to reporter Maria Delaney and Anne Marie Quilligan – a social care worker for the Tipperary Rura...

Will Sinn Féin lead the next government?

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our Political Correspondent Christina Finn and Aidan Regan, associate professor at UCD, join us on this week's episode to examine what comes next for ...

How do you get a book published in Ireland?

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Authors Sophie White and Alice Taylor join us to explain how they entered the world of publishing, share tips for would-be book writers, and answer th...

Why are Covid cases rising despite Ireland's high vaccination rate?

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nicky Ryan, author of The Journal's coronavirus newsletter, and Dr Gerald Barry, assistant professor of virology at UCD, join us on this week's episod...

Who is Stephen Kenny and why does he divide opinion in Irish football?

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The 42's Gavin Cooney joins us on this week's episode to examine Stephen Kenny's role as manager of the Republic of Ireland men's soccer team - why is...

By Noteworthy: What is the issue with farm subsidies and nature?

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to journalist Ella McSweeney and reporter Niall Sargent about how the EU's agri-subsidies (Common ...

How is post-Brexit Britain handling migration?

09 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Gráinne Ní Aodha and immigration journalist CJ McKinney join us this week to look at how post-Brexit Britain is handling migration. The...

What does 'missing white woman syndrome' tell us about media coverage of missing people?

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Washington Post reporter Brittany Shammas and our producer Aoife Barry join us to discuss how recent high-profile murders raise questions about the me...

Why are there fears about Ireland facing power shortages this winter?

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most people will have heard some talk recently about household energy bills rising and the shortage of natural gas. This week, Sinéad O’Carroll spe...

Should we be ordering our Christmas presents now?

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, we're talking about Christmas in September. Our reporter Ian Curran joins us to discuss the strains facing global supply chains and how it could ...

Where does Ireland fit into the space race?

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Space expert Leo Enright joins us on this week's episode to look up at the heavens, and examine what role Ireland plays in getting more stuff up there...

By Noteworthy: What can be done to halt the decline of our biodiversity?

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a bonus episode, brought to you by our investigative team at Noteworthy, Susan Daly chats with reporter Niall Sargent about the state of Ireland’...

How is Australia battling its biggest Covid outbreak to date?

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Bodkin, formerly of this parish but now editor of AAP Factcheck in Sydney, joins us to look at how Australia is handling its latest Covid outbre...

What's the future for women in Afghanistan?

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As Afghanistan descends further into an uncertain future, we're joined by Heather Barr, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rig...

Is Ireland doing enough to fight climate change?

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist John Gibbons and our reporter Lauren Boland join us on this week's episode to look at the recent stark report on climate change from the IP...

What happened to Ireland’s rail network - and what's its future?

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Lauren Boland joins us to examine how Ireland went from having an expansive rail network, with thousands of kilometres of track, to some ...

From the Olympics to Ryanair flights, why is Belarus making international headlines?

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Radio Free Europe's Moscow correspondent Matthew Luxmoore joins us on this week's episode to examine Belarus and the hold of 'Europe's last dictator' ...

What sparked rare protests in Cuba?

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author and former editor of The Observer Magazine Ruaridh Nicoll joins us from Havana to examine what sparked recent widespread protests in Cuba. He s...

Why does the British government want to stop Troubles prosecutions?

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Blevins, senior Ireland correspondent with Sky News, joins us on this week's episode to examine proposals to ban prosecutions for killings that ...

What could your holidays look like for the rest of the year?

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Travel writer Eoghan Corry and our producer Nicky Ryan look ahead to holidays in 2021 - how will the Digital Covid Certificate work, will I have to qu...

What is the mica scandal and how has it affected homeowners?

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our senior reporter Michelle Hennessy joins us to delve into the mica scandal. What exactly is it, how has it impacted the homes - and lives - of thos...

What is going on with the National Maternity Hospital?

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Gráinne Ní Aodha sets us straight on everything to do with the new National Maternity Hospital - why is the hospital moving, who will b...

How much do we know right now about the Delta variant?

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TCD virus expert Dr Kim Roberts and our senior reporter Michelle Hennessy join us to explain just how much more contagious the Delta variant of the co...

What's all this about a Brexit sausage war?

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

BBC Radio Foyle's Dominic McGrath and our own Gráinne Ní Aodha join us to discuss the latest Brexit spat and why it's being dubbed a sausage trade w...

What's next for the Mother and Baby Home commission?

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Renowned archivist Catriona Crowe and our reporter Órla Ryan join us to discuss the latest controversy over the Commission of Investigation into Moth...

Who are the Uighurs and what is going on in China?

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the latest instalment of The Good Information Project we are joined by Clifford Coonan to talk about claims of human rights abuses in the Xinjiang...

Why are you hearing so much about cryptocurrency?

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Charalambous, managing director of Alpha Wealth, and our business reporter Ian Curran join us on this week's episode to talk cryptocurrencies. Wh...

What is the impact of the HSE cyberattack?

23 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Honan, cybersecurity expert and CEO of BH Consulting, and our senior reporter Michelle Hennessy join us to discuss the impact of the cyberattack...

What's the story with rapid Covid tests?

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporter Cónal Thomas examines what a Covid antigen test is, and why the sale of them in Lidl has sparked such debate. He explains how their resu...

How has Covid changed the way we work?

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporters Sean Murray, Adam Daly, and Brian Whelan join us to discuss the latest instalment of The Good Information Project, examining how the pan...

Why did Arlene Foster make the shock decision to step down as DUP leader?

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, Arlene Foster abstained in on a vote on banning gay conversion therapy. That decision snowballed this week into Foster being effectively ou...

Why did everyone hit the roof over plans for a football Super League?

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It was impossible to escape the news of plans for a European Super League this week - plans which soon fell apart. The42's Gavin Cooney is on hand to ...

From influencers to QAnon - how misinformation changed in Ireland over the past year

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our deputy editor Christine Bohan and Ciarán O'Connor of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue join us on this week's episode to look at how the sprea...

Has the pandemic had an effect on housing prices?

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ronan Lyons, associate professor of economics at Trinity College Dublin, joins us on this week's podcast to examine what impact the pandemic is having...

How likely is a united Ireland in the next 10 years?

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporters Rónán Duffy and Gráinne Ní Aodha examine the possibility of - and the appetite for - a united Ireland in the next decade. How would ...

Why is there talk of an EU-UK 'vaccine war'?

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our reporters Gráinne Ní Aodha and Michelle Hennessy join us to examine why vaccines are causing tensions to almost boil over between the European U...

How do you get nominated for an Oscar?

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Co-director of Wolfwalkers, Tomm Moore, joins us on this week's episode to discuss the film's nomination for an Academy Award. What type of groundwork...

Banks, brokers, and bonds are back in the news - should we be worried (again)?

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our business reporter Ian Curran joins us to look at recent stories about banks and brokers, from Ulster Bank pulling out of Ireland and Bank of Irela...