The Explainer

Ireland has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, but does that mean we're suddenly in charge of Europe? Over the next six months, Ireland will have to broker deals among 27 governments on some thorny issues, from a contested €2 trillion budget to big tech regulation and children's online safety, all while holding onto our traditional stance on military neutrality. We're joined by Barry Colfer, director of research at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), to examine what Ireland's EU presidency actually entails, and what it means for us at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're caught speeding in Ireland, you'd be forgiven for assuming a fine and penalty points are all but inevitable. But a new investigation by The Journal Investigates has found that almost one in every two speeding cases before the District Courts doesn't result in a conviction. we're joined by Patricia Devlin, journalist with The Journal Investigates.

Patricia’s reporting on this topic was supported by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, the conversation around problem drug use in Ireland centred on heroin. But on the streets of Dublin and beyond, a different drug has taken hold. Treatment demand for crack cocaine rose by 31% in a single year - and by more than 900% over the last decade - according to the latest figures from the Health Research Board. Those working on the frontline say the drug's cheap price and sheer availability are driving the increase, with a single rock selling for as little as €10. But behind the statistics are people, and the question of how someone caught in the grip of one of the most addictive drugs out there finds their way back out. Dawn Russell, chief executive of Ana Liffey, one of Ireland's leading harm reduction organisations, joins us to explain what's driving the surge, and what recovery actually looks like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alumina is the fine white powder needed to make aluminium, and Ireland is home to Europe's largest producer of it. Aughinish Alumina's ownership by Russian giant Rusal has put the Limerick plant under intense scrutiny, with a recent investigation tracing its product all the way to the Russian military. Niall O'Connor, News Correspondent with The Journal, joins us to explain who owns the refinery, how its alumina allegedly ends up in Russian weapons, and what it all means for the hundreds of people who work there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even if you've never watched an episode of Love Island in your life, it has become almost impossible to escape the drama. This season, with Galway footballer Seán Fitzgerald swapping the GAA pitch for Majorca, viewers in Ireland are once again deeply invested in the villa's antics.

But away from the poolside chats, the series faces heavy scrutiny over its intense production schedules and a shift from genuine matchmaking to becoming an influencer pipeline. We're joined by Kate Demolder, arts and culture journalist, to examine the growing criticisms aimed at the franchise and how its modern duty of care measures up against a deeply controversial reality TV legacy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.