# Explainer

This year

2023

Property questions take out another minister but this resignation is different to the Troy saga

English’s resignation is solely due to a 2008 planning application.

Fine Gael TD Damien English resigned his position as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment today.

The Meath West TD resigned solely due to a 2008 planning application in which he failed to declare he owned a house.

Public scrutiny of politicians’ ownership of housing has ramped up in recent months following the controversy surrounding TD Robert Troy and his properties.

13.9k

Jan 12th 2023, 3:01 PM

# brasilia

Brazil's riots at Congress: what we know so far

Hundreds of people have been arrested in the wake of the riots.

Thousands of protesters stormed Brazil's seat of power in scenes which have been compared to the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol.

Footage posted on social media showed rioters breaking doors and windows to enter the Congress building before damaging property inside.

It comes just a week after leftist Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva was sworn in having defeated former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.

4.1k

Jan 9th 2023, 3:18 PM

# kevin mccarthy

Explainer: Why can't the House of Representatives elect a speaker?

Twenty hardline Republicans are blocking their party’s candidate, Kevin McCarthy.

11.5k

Jan 6th 2023, 1:12 PM

Last year

2022

# Podcast

The Explainer: What did 2022 hold for US politics - and what can we expect in 2023?

Listen in to hear columnist, Bostonian and lawyer Larry Donnelly explain how things went.

2.4k

Dec 29th 2022, 9:33 AM

# reichsburg

A bizarre coup by German plotters loyal to the pre-WW1 Reich was foiled - what do we know?

The coup was allegedly spearheaded by a German aristocrat called Heinrick XIII.

18.2k

Dec 8th 2022, 1:17 PM

# Strep A

Explainer: What is Strep A infection and how are people affected?

The HSE is investigating if a four-year-old child has died from Strep A in Ireland.

14.1k

Dec 6th 2022, 2:09 PM

# Explainer

Could Mastodon take over from Twitter - and how do you join?

We explain why the decentralised social media site is now in favour, and what makes it different.

28.3k

Nov 7th 2022, 3:44 PM

# The North

Still no clarity on an election date in Northern Ireland, what's going on?

The NI Secretary has faced criticism for failing to provide clarity on whether he will call an election.

10.1k

Updated

Nov 2nd 2022, 4:05 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What’s the story with the women’s football World Cup?

Listen in to hear The42.ie reporter Emma Duffy explain.

3.3k

Oct 21st 2022, 6:00 PM

# Explainer

Mortgage lending limits: What will the new Central Bank announcements mean for you?

An easing of lending restrictions announced today will make a mortgage more accessible for first-time buyers

11.1k

Oct 19th 2022, 6:12 PM

# truss issues

Keep Calm and Carry On or quit: Is Truss certain to be ousted and how might it happen?

The British Prime Minister is battling to save her position despite several Tory MPs publicly calling for her to resign.

13.3k

Oct 18th 2022, 3:33 PM

# Explainer

Disconnection moratorium: How will pay-as-you-go customers be impacted this winter?

The matter has been before the Dáil on multiple occasions in the last two weeks.

17.0k

Oct 16th 2022, 12:05 AM

# episode

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

Listen in to hear retired army officer Senator Tom Clonan explain what’s going on.

5.9k

Oct 13th 2022, 6:00 PM

# Explainer

How Ireland could still qualify for the Euros even if they finish bottom of their group

Stephen Kenny’s side were handed a tough draw, with Netherlands and France the favourites to progress.

14.7k

Oct 10th 2022, 12:00 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What's happening in Brazil's closely-fought election?

Listen in to hear journalist Sam Cowie, who’s based in Sao Paulo, explain.

4.4k

Oct 7th 2022, 6:00 PM

# Meningitis

Explainer: What is meningitis and what are the signs and symptoms to look out for?

While meningitis can affect anyone, it is most common in infancy and early childhood.

12.2k

Oct 6th 2022, 3:37 PM

# tracker mortgages

Timeline: How the tracker mortgage scandal unfolded in Ireland

Bank of Ireland has been fined €100,520,000 by the Central Bank for its role in the controversy.

9.4k

Sep 29th 2022, 1:09 PM

# bond buying

Explainer: Why the UK's chaotic financial markets forced the Bank of England to step in

The Bank intervened to try to bring surging yields in government bonds under control as they spiralled higher.

21.8k

Sep 28th 2022, 6:20 PM

# Immunology

Explainer: What you need to know about the new adapted Covid vaccines heading into winter

Professor of Immunology Christine Loscher says the new jabs work ‘specifically against Omicron’.

27.6k

Sep 26th 2022, 12:05 AM

# in the weeds

The Explainer x Noteworthy: How much weedkiller are councils using?

Reporter Anthea Lacchia and campaigner James Walsh tell Susan Daly about how almost all councils are still using pesticides.

5.8k

Updated

Sep 20th 2022, 7:45 PM

# Swedish election

Explainer: The Swedish right are likely taking over, but what does it mean for Europe?

The country’s right-wing bloc is expected to oust the incumbent Social Democrats.

24.6k

Sep 14th 2022, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

Explainer: Contempt of court and the potential for an indefinite prison term

Ireland’s contempt of court laws are derived from the ancient Common Law catalogue of past case law.

20.1k

Sep 11th 2022, 8:30 AM

# Puzzle Pieces

Energy-saving tips: How can you tell which appliances use the most power?

If you’re looking to cut down your energy consumption, here are a few tips to figure out where it adds up.

71.0k

Sep 3rd 2022, 12:10 AM

# Explainer

Ireland's World Cup play-off route - and what they need now to clinch a seeded place

A complex, convoluted route lies ahead.

18.5k

Sep 2nd 2022, 2:46 PM

# holy land

The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are religious property proceeds going to redress?

Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney tells Susan Daly about how over €90 million worth of properties were sold.

7.2k

Aug 30th 2022, 5:45 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Is Ireland facing the threat of winter power blackouts?

Listen to hear Muireann Lynch from the ESRI explain.

9.2k

Aug 19th 2022, 6:00 PM

# Housing Crisis

Explainer: What rights do tenants have against eviction in Ireland?

The number of evictions this year has increased significantly, according to the Residential Tenancies Board.

19.6k

Aug 9th 2022, 2:52 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: Is Ireland heading into another recession?

Economist Stephen Kinsella explains the risks and the potential long-term fallout.

42.3k

Jul 30th 2022, 7:00 AM

# the explainer

The Explainer: Is Ireland heading towards another recession?

This week we discussed how different a possible recession could look compared to the post-2008 downturn.

20.1k

Jul 28th 2022, 5:10 PM

# Explainer

Labour leader Keir Starmer accused of 'own goal' for sacking an MP after he joined a rail picket

The British Labour leader has been accused of turning ‘a Tory transport crisis into a Labour story’.

17.6k

Jul 28th 2022, 3:30 PM

# Explainer

Shamrock Rovers to face champions of North Macedonia in Europa League

We explain Rovers’ route to group stage football following their Champions League exit.

6.6k

Jul 26th 2022, 11:07 PM

# Hitting the ceiling

Crunch time for coalition as agriculture emissions divide parties ahead of Cabinet

Cabinet ministers may approve sectoral targets for reducing emissions on Wednesday – but only if a dispute over agriculture can be resolved.

21.2k

Updated

Jul 25th 2022, 7:02 PM

# Breakdown

Explainer: Here's how (and why) sectors are being told to cut their emissions

There’s been push and pull within government over the limits, especially in relation to agriculture.

13.9k

Jul 20th 2022, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

The Explainer: Will Dublin’s metro actually be built this time around?

Listen in to hear public transport expert Brian Caulfield of Trinity College Dublin explain.

8.4k

Jul 15th 2022, 10:45 AM

# What's the rush?

Explainer: How 'deeply controversial' planning law changes could lead to 'years of litigation'

A proposed Bill with last-minute amendments impacting judicial reviews is being voted on by TDs tonight.

A proposed Bill with last-minute amendments impacting judicial reviews is being voted on tonight

These could cause 'serious legal issues', with one 'incompatible' with EU law, a solicitor told Noteworthy

Changes criticised by politicians and environmental NGOs but welcomed by construction industry

23.8k

Jul 13th 2022, 12:05 AM

# factory farm

The Explainer x Noteworthy: Is Ireland a dumping ground for poultry manure?

Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and journalist Ella McSweeney tell Susan Daly about concerns over the cross-border poultry manure trade.

3.9k

Jul 9th 2022, 9:30 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why are energy prices still going up?

Listen in to our interview with Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie to find out more.

5.3k

Jul 7th 2022, 6:00 PM

# Explainer

Here's everything you need to know about Euro 2022

The tournament begins at Old Trafford on Wednesday as hosts England face Austria.

16.1k

Jul 3rd 2022, 7:30 AM

# the explainer

The Explainer: What Roe v Wade being overturned could mean for other US laws

The landmark decision means Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion.

9.1k

Jul 2nd 2022, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

The Explainer: Why was Roe v Wade overturned - and what could it mean for US laws?

Listen in to our interview with Dr David Kenny of Trinity College School of Law to find out more.

4.5k

Jun 30th 2022, 6:00 PM