The Explainer

It's just the latest seismic shock to rock the BBC: the resignation of Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness. The trigger was a Panorama documentary about Donald Trump, which a leaked memo revealed had 'spliced' together two parts of his 6 January speech, making it sound like a direct call to violence. Why did this controversy explode now? And what does it say about impartiality and political pressure at the corporation - and maybe even its future? We're joined by Dominic McGrath, UK correspondent with the Business Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Journal's News Correspondent Eimer McAuley and Gaelic games writer with The 42 Declan Bogue join us to look at the rise and fall of iconic hurler DJ Carey. The sporting star was sentenced for a series of long-running frauds amounting to almost €400,000. He conned friends, fans, and even businessman Denis O'Brien using a fake cancer story and forged medical documents to maintain the deception. How did he do it, and how did he get away with it for so long? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A major change is underway in how local communities, gardaí, and councils discuss safety in Ireland. But you might not be allowed to hear about it just yet. The government is replacing the long-standing Joint Policing Committees with new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs). However, new Department of Justice guidelines are advising councils to restrict press access to these meetings. What are these new committees, and what do these rules mean for public accountability? We're joined by Eoghan Dalton, a reporter at The Journal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was something many people noticed on Monday: the internet was slow to load, maybe your banking app was acting up, or you weren’t able to complete your daily DuoLingo. You check your WiFi, but the problem isn't in your house. It’s actually a problem with the internet itself. But how? Is it so fragile that business-as-usual constantly one bad line of code away from collapsing? We're joined by tech journalist and co-host of the For Tech's Sake podcast Elaine Burke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of intense conflict, genocide, and a devastating humanitarian crisis, what seemed at times impossible has been achieved: a ceasefire in Gaza. The news is a welcome relief, but tempered by concerns over whether it will last. There are also significant questions hanging over the fine print of what the plan will actually involve. We're joined by Dr Brendan Ciarán Browne, associate professor in Conflict Resolution and a fellow of Trinity College Dublin, to examine the chances for a lasting resolution to the conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the political paradox of Budget 2026: a multi-billion euro package that seems to have left almost everyone underwhelmed. The government has announced major spending on housing, infrastructure, and social welfare, but from farmers to homeless charities, many are calling it a 'missed opportunity' that fails to tackle Ireland's big issues. We're joined by Emma Howard, economist at TU Dublin, to explain what the headline figures really mean, who the winners and losers are, and whether this budget is putting Ireland on a risky path. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government’s Core Funding scheme was designed to keep childcare affordable by giving providers government funding in exchange for them agreeing to freeze their fees, meaning they wouldn’t increase costs for parents. However, childcare providers are abandoning the scheme in droves. A new investigation by The Journal Investigates has found that more than 50 providers around the country pulled out in recent years, including 25 that exited the scheme this year alone. We’re joined today by Conor O’Carroll, the reporter behind this report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder of Charlie Kirk sent shockwaves through an already deeply divided America, and the fallout has become emblematic of the country's dangerously high tensions. As the US heads towards midterm elections, could this killing become a rallying cry to galvanise the Republican base? What does this moment reveal about the deep, at times seemingly irreconcilable, fractures in its society? We're joined by Larry Donnelly, a law lecturer at the University of Galway and a political commentator with The Journal, to explain what happens now and how Kirk's death could reshape American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel's involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest has been the subject of protests for years, with calls for a boycott gaining significant momentum since 2023. Activists have called for Israel to be excluded completely, and now, state broadcasters are listening. RTÉ said that if Israel continues to be part of the competition, Ireland will not send an entry in 2026. Other countries are threatening to do the same. Could Eurovision go ahead without them? We're joined by our own Daragh Brophy, News Editor of The Journal, to explain the controversy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The presidential election is just weeks away, but before candidates face the public, they must first find a way to get themselves on the ballot paper. How does the process of currying favour with local councils or members of the Oireachtas actually work, how have previous candidates navigated it, and what should the public be aware of on the day itself? We're joined by Dr Theresa Reidy, a political scientist in the Department of Government at UCC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Elaine Burke, tech journalist and host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast to ask: are these new controls a meaningful step towards safety, or just a sticking plaster on a much deeper problem? We’re all grappling with how to use new AI tools, or whether to attempt to stay away from them completely. For some people, they've become a source of support. But what happens when a chatbot becomes a trusted confidant for a teenager in crisis? Following a lawsuit in the United States from the parents of a teenager who died by suicide, OpenAI is rolling out parental controls for ChatGPT. The move comes as data suggests mental health queries are a common type of prompt from Irish users, with local experts and regulators issuing stark warnings about the dangers of using AI for therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hugely successful reality competition series The Traitors is about to land in Ireland, following much loved versions in the UK, US, Australia and beyond. It’s the latest in a long line of television programmes to go from concept to global franchise - think Big Brother, Love Island, MasterChef. This trend seems to be taking up more and more airtime on our screens. But how does a show actually make that leap? What’s the business behind international formats? And what does the rise of these "global-but-local" shows tell us about how we watch TV today? We’re joined by Sunday Times columnist and arts journalist Aoife Barry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pope Leo XIV took charge of the Catholic Church in May this year and already opinions are sharply divided between conservative and progressive Catholics. He has been painted by some as a cautious and unifying figure taking a more 'middle of the road' approach compared to his predecessor Francis, but other reviews are not so glowing: former president Mary McAleese pulled no punches and labelled his start as 'bog-standard patriarchal'. Our reporter Diarmuid Pepper joins us to examine what the first American pope has actually done, what his priorities are, and what his approach signals for the future of the Church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many, the flexibility of working from home was one of the few silver linings of the pandemic. But now, that flexibility seems to be disappearing. In recent weeks, a growing number of companies have started calling their staff back to the office, sparking a major debate about the future of work. Employers say it's about boosting collaboration, innovation, and company culture, but employees are pushing back, with surveys showing many would change jobs to maintain flexibility. Professor Alma McCarthy, the executive dean at the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at University of Galway, joins us to answer: is the golden age of remote work over, or is the genie well and truly out of the bottle with no going back? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A coordinated international approach to events in Gaza appeared to emerge last week, with countries like the UK, France and Canada announcing their plans for formal recognition of the State of Palestine. They were following the earlier lead of Ireland, Spain and Norway. The catalyst for the move is clear — the unfolding genocide, deepening humanitarian crisis and harrowing scenes of starvation in Gaza have intensified both public outrage and political pressure, pushing governments to act. The question now is, what real difference, if any, will this make for Palestinians on the ground? In this episode, we explore what lies behind the shift, its implications for global diplomacy, and any possible outcomes. Our own reporter, David Mac Redmond, joins us to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An all-out trade war between the EU and US has been averted - but only just. After months of tense negotiations, a tariff deal has been struck, and while it brings some certainty for businesses, it's not without significant cost. Is it really the best we could do, or should we view it as dodging what could have been a potentially very damaging bullet? We’re joined by Dr Emma Howard, an economist and lecturer at TU Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Epstein's name has long cast a shadow over America's elites, but new reporting has dragged one prominent figure back into the swirl of accusations: President Donald Trump. Supporters who once demanded the release of the so-called Epstein Files have watched as the Trump administration shifted tone after the president’s own name appeared in court filings and related documents. What exactly is in the files? And what is Trump’s real connection to the disgraced financier? We’re joined by our own columnist, Larry Donnelly, a lawyer and law lecturer at the University of Galway, to untangle the facts from the conspiracy theories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2024, Ireland made announced it would divest from six companies associated with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. New reporting says otherwise. The Journal's FactCheck Editor Stephen McDermott detailed how that the State’s sovereign wealth fund held more than €10 million in eight companies in 2023 flagged by the UN for links to settlement activity. These companies include global names like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Motorola Solutions, as well as Israeli firms supplying fuel and telecoms infrastructure inside settlements. Why do these investments remain? How are they justified? And what pressure is there for Ireland to go further? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland was named the loneliest country in Europe, but how did we get here? This week on The Explainer, we’re looking at the scale and impact of loneliness in Irish society. From bereavement to social isolation, housing to remote work, our recent Your Stories piece highlighted just how many people are affected, and how deeply. Dr Joanna McHugh Power of Maynooth University and chair of the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network joins us to explain the causes and consequences of long-term loneliness, what the latest research tells us, and what practical steps individuals and policymakers can take. Help is available: you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie or ALONE on 0818 222 024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It had all the makings of a Hollywood thriller — a dramatic high-seas chase, elite Army Rangers fast-roping onto the deck, and a massive cocaine haul hidden in plain sight. In September 2023, the seizure of the cargo ship MV Matthew led to the discovery of 2,000 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of €157 million euro. It was the State's largest ever drug seizure. Since that dramatic day, courtrooms have heard about encrypted phones, international smuggling routes, and plans to destroy the evidence. And now, we’re taking a step back to explain the full story. We're joined by Niall O'Connor, News Correspondent with The Journal, who has been covering the story in detail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.