# Explainer

All time

# Coronavirus

Limited lockdowns and restrictions on unvaccinated: How Europe is dealing with Covid wave

New measures are on the cards in several countries as cases continue to climb.

23.6k

Nov 13th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about Ireland's cows right now?

You guessed it – it’s climate change related.

3.1k

Nov 11th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Poland-Belarus border

Explainer: Why tensions are flaring between Poland and Belarus over migrant crossings

The situation has escalated rapidly since last weekend.

26.8k

Updated

Nov 10th 2021, 2:07 PM

# Explainer

The government's health screening 'czar' wants people's input on how services could be extended

We see screening as something that is in the public ownership, Professor Niall O’Higgins said on why the public were being asked.

9.7k

Nov 7th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

What exactly is Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol and how does it work?

The UK is again threatening to trigger the clause this week.

34.4k

Nov 5th 2021, 4:41 PM

# Explainer

The Local Property Tax deadline is approaching - here's how to calculate and pay your bill

Over a third of people can expect to see an increase this year.

107k

Nov 5th 2021, 10:50 AM

# Coronavirus

Heading into winter, how are other countries in Europe coping with the latest Covid wave?

Germany reported its biggest daily increase in cases since the start of the pandemic yesterday.

27.6k

Nov 5th 2021, 6:15 AM

# allies at war

Another fish fight: Why is the UK at loggerheads with France over fishing?

There is a disagreement about French vessels’ access to UK waters, and whose fault it is.

10.9k

Oct 29th 2021, 7:45 PM

# Meta

Explainer: Why has Facebook changed its company name?

Facebook has revealed a new company name and brand, Meta.

29.2k

Oct 29th 2021, 1:25 PM

# Explainer

'Both challenging and not ambitious enough': Why the carbon budgets are a huge deal for Ireland

Ireland’s first proposed carbon budgets were finalised yesterday.

6.8k

Oct 26th 2021, 4:41 PM

# Analysis

Anti-vaxx groups' claims about Covid deaths among the vaccinated are misleading

Anti-lockdown groups suggest that vaccines aren’t working – but the data shows otherwise.

75.1k

177

Oct 24th 2021, 12:05 AM

# fuel allowance

Explainer: What is the Fuel Allowance and who can qualify for it?

It was announced in the Budget this week that the Fuel Allowance would increase by €5 per week.

37.7k

Oct 17th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

A useful guide to Ireland's planning system and how to have your say on proposed developments

News of two developments brought the system into focus again this week.

14.4k

Oct 9th 2021, 7:00 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: Why did Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp go down yesterday?

The platforms were down for around six hours yesterday.

37.5k

Oct 5th 2021, 12:33 PM

# the explainer

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

On this week’s podcast we look at the discussions around the deaths of Sarah Everard, Gabby Petito and Sabina Nessa, and the issues about the media coverage of them raised on social media.

5.9k

Oct 1st 2021, 6:00 PM

# Podcast

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

In this week’s podcast, we look at what’s behind these fears, and how the supply of electricity works.

10.7k

Sep 27th 2021, 9:50 AM

# Explainer

Ivermectin is not a proven treatment for Covid - so what's behind the demand in Ireland?

Health authorities across the world have warned of potentially serious side effects associated with improper use.

26.1k

Sep 18th 2021, 9:30 AM

# EUSPA

Explainer: What is the European Union Agency for the Space Programme?

EUSPA was officially launched this year as part of the EU’s €14.8 billion space programme.

5.4k

Sep 13th 2021, 7:00 PM

# Explainer

What's going on with the government's Sláintecare plan for the health service?

The office in charge of the reforms saw two key departures this week.

14.3k

Sep 10th 2021, 8:00 PM

# mu variant

How much do we know about the Mu strain of Covid-19, the WHO's latest 'variant of interest'?

Four cases of this variant have been identified so far in Ireland, according to latest figures.

44.2k

Sep 5th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What's the future for women in Afghanistan?

This week’s guest is Heather Barr from Human Rights Watch.

4.3k

Aug 26th 2021, 7:30 PM

# Explainer

The Taliban are returning to power in Afghanistan after two decades - but who are they?

The last time the Taliban had control over the country, women and girls were mostly denied education or employment.

32.0k

Aug 16th 2021, 2:59 PM

# breakthrough cases

Explainer: Here's why a limited number of Covid-19 cases in vaccinated people is to be expected

The vaccines aren’t 100% effective, but they are a significant barrier against severe illness from Covid-19.

102k

Aug 15th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Disease

Explainer: Here's what you need to know about the Ebola-like Marburg virus

Guinea has recorded its first known case of the disease.

36.6k

Aug 10th 2021, 7:45 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What has sparked rare protests in Cuba?

Ruaridh Nicoll, a journalist based in Havana, joins us for this week’s episode.

8.7k

Jul 31st 2021, 8:45 AM

# double jabbed

Explainer: Why you may have a second dose vaccine appointment sooner than recommended

The HSE says that a 17 day gap for Pfizer is “safe and effective”.

52.8k

Jul 29th 2021, 8:01 PM

# Explainer

Here is the current guidance on vaccinating children against Covid-19

Niac is expected to issue guidance to the Government and HSE this week.

30.5k

Jul 26th 2021, 6:00 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why does the British government want to stop Troubles prosecutions?

David Blevins of Sky News joins us for this week’s episode.

8.2k

Jul 22nd 2021, 3:55 PM

# Explainer

Why is South Africa facing its worst level of unrest since the 1990s?

At least 72 people have died and over 1,200 have been arrested.

25.8k

Jul 14th 2021, 6:17 PM

# quick maths

What does data show about England's third wave, as it prepares to 'unlock' in 10 days?

Case rates are rising sharply, including among children, but the number of deaths remains at a low level.

28.4k

Jul 9th 2021, 3:25 PM

# Explainer

Cuckoo funds are said to be playing a role in Ireland's housing market, but what impact are they having?

The Government has come under fire for passing an amendment to allow tax breaks for the funds.

17.3k

Jul 8th 2021, 7:30 PM

# Explainer

Haiti is in a 'state of siege' after its president was assassinated – so what's behind the latest chaos?

The 53-year-old was killed by gunmen yesterday.

11.9k

Jul 8th 2021, 3:36 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: Ireland got its first cost-rental homes today - but how exactly do they work?

“They’re secure, people can lay down their roots here,” said Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien.

26.3k

Jul 7th 2021, 8:00 PM

# Podcast

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

This week, we talk you through how the mica scandal unfolded, and what it tells us about housing in Ireland.

4.0k

Jul 7th 2021, 6:00 PM

# Lord of the rings

'The gates of hell opening up': What caused the massive Gulf of Mexico fire?

Footage of the inferno went viral over the weekend.

36.2k

Jul 5th 2021, 1:13 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What is going on with the National Maternity Hospital?

Reporter Gráinne Ní Aodha talks us through what you need to know.

4.7k

Jul 2nd 2021, 6:00 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What's all this about a Brexit sausage war?

Yes, a Brexit sausage row. Let us break it down for you with the help of Gráinne Ní Aodha and Dominic McGrath of BBC Radio Foyle.

3.7k

Jun 17th 2021, 6:00 PM

# Human Rights

Explainer: How does Hungary's new law affect LGBT+ rights?

Hungary has passed a bill that bans sharing content that “promotes” being gay to children and teenagers.

11.2k

Jun 17th 2021, 4:34 PM

# Explainer

The Mica controversy explained: Here's why thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin to protest today

Homeowners are protesting in Dublin’s city centre today.

69.7k

Jun 15th 2021, 4:07 PM

# Controversy

Explainer: Why has a controversy blown up around political party members posing as pollsters?

Some parties have said they never engaged in this practice, while others used it up until a few years ago.

It was reported yesterday that Sinn Féin party members had pretended to be pollsters carrying fake marketing research company IDs.

SF TD Eoin Ó Broin described the practice as "widespread and common".

Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have also engaged in similar polling in the past.

12.4k

Updated

Jun 10th 2021, 3:10 PM