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Thursday 8 June 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# the explainer

Yesterday
7th June 2023
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is it like to sit the Leaving Cert in 2023?
Luke Saunders, co-founder and CEO of Studyclix, joins us on this week’s episode to give the lie of the land for anyone whose own memory of sitting the exams might be fading. We look at the lasting impact of the Covid pandemic on the exams, and share advice for students and parents alike.
Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Podcast
The Explainer: 16 years on, what is happening with the Madeleine McCann case?
Joining us on this week’s episode is journalist Robbyn Swan, author of Looking for Madeleine and who featured in the Netflix series The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, to look over the history of the investigation. Are police making progress? Who is the suspect who has been linked to the case?
Last month
May 2023
# the explainer
The Explainer: What's behind Ireland's love affair with the Late Late?
Mark O’Brien, head of DCU’s School of Communications and associate professor in journalism history, and Kirsty Blake Knox, writer with the Irish Independent, delve into the show’s history, examine its enduring popularity, and ask what its new presenter must do to keep it going strong.
# The Late Late Show
Media history expert says The Late Late Show needs to 'bring back its unpredictability'
The professor said if the show returned to the unpredictable format, it would bring back the energy of the show and “make it lively”.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Interview - HSE doctor speaks about her evacuation from war-torn Sudan
We sit down with Dr Sulafa Salama, a Sudanese doctor working in St James’s in Dublin, who was trapped in Khartoum when the fighting broke out. We’re also joined by Dr Aia Mohamed, assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, who speaks to us about how her father was visiting Sudan when the fighting broke out.
# the explainer
'I couldn't reach my kids for five days': Ireland-based doctor describes outbreak of war in Sudan
“Some people were praying, some people were crying.”
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why are supermarkets suddenly cutting the prices of milk, butter and bread?
We’re joined by Caitríona Morrissey, news editor with the Irish Farmers Journal. She gives us the background to these recent price drops and explains how cuts to ‘loss leaders’ might have little impact on your overall shopping basket.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How does Ireland and the EU fight wildfires?
Marcin Pater, an emergency response officer at DG ECHO’s Emergency Response Coordinate Centre, and Pádraic Fogarty, campaigns officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust explore the issue of wildfires from both an Irish and European perspective. What is being done to help country’s battle these fires, and what type of impact have we seen on the ground in Ireland?
# Watching the Watchdog
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Is GSOC fit for purpose?
Journalists Mick Clifford of The Examiner and Alice Chambers of Noteworthy tell Susan Daly about the Garda watchdog’s severe and ongoing problems.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How is Revolut changing and what does it mean for its customers?
Joining us this week is Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie to look what’s next for Revolut – is it on track to dominate Irish banking, or will it remain nothing more than a handy app for splitting a bill? Should we start viewing it as a traditional bank? And what do the latest changes mean for its customers?
This year
2023
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is happening in Sudan?
Joining us on this week’s episode to explain more is Jehanne Henry, a human rights lawyer based in East Africa. She was an advisor to the transitional government in 2020-21, and previously held the role of associate director in Human Rights Watch’s Africa division.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Everything you need to know about the trial of Gerry Hutch
Frank Greaney, courts correspondent with Newstalk and Today FM, joins us on this week’s episode to delve into the case. We examine the origins of the feud, explain who exactly The Monk is, look at key moments from the trial, and explore the origins of the Special Criminal Court.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What does Trump being indicted mean for him and the 2024 election?
This week on The Explainer, Laura Byrne is joined by The Journal columnist and University of Galway law lecture Larry Donnelly to delve into the case.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why are there concerns over how TikTok is using your data?
Chris Stokel-Walker, author of a definitive book on TikTok, joins us this week to explain what the controversies around the Chinese-run app are.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What's behind the recent wave of bank failures?
Brooke Masters from the Financial Times joins us on this week’s episode to explain exactly what is going on. What caused the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank? How did it cause ripple effects across the world? And although we’re hearing a lot about venture capital, how worried should Joe and Jane Doe be about their savings?
# assessing autism
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why is it so tough to access autism services?
Reporter Niall Sargent and expert Eleanor McSherry tell Susan Daly about chronic delays in autism assessments and services for children.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is shrinkflation?
This week on The Explainer, Laura Byrne speaks to Edgar Morgenroth, professor of economics at DCU Business School, to delve into the subject more. What level of shrinkflation are we seeing right now, is there anything to protect consumers from it – and when will it end?
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is it like to be a humanitarian on the ground in Ukraine right now?
Presenter Sinéad O’Carroll speaks with Claudia Amaral, head of office with DG ECHO in Kyiv, about her work. What type of assistance do people need the most? What stories has she heard from people on the ground? And how long will her work be needed?
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why does Matt Hancock keep making headlines?
This week, we’re joined by PA Media’s Dominic McGrath to look back over the career of Matt Hancock, and delve into the impact of his leaked WhatsApp messages.
# shall not pass
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What is the environmental cost of hydropower?
Reporter Anthea Lacchia tells Susan Daly about declining fish stocks and significant changes in Ireland’s longest river.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What are 15-minute cities and why do some people think they’re controversial?
Listen in to hear Stevie McDermott and Camilla Siggaard Andersen explain.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why are there still problems accessing a drug that prevents extreme morning sickness?
Listen in to hear political correspondent Christina Finn explaining the situation with Cariban.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why is Bertie Ahern back?
Listen in to hear Lise Hand and Sinéad O’Carroll discuss the highs and lows of his career – and what might be in store next.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How could the war in Ukraine end?
Donnacha Ó Beacháin, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, joins us.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How does Ireland's immigration system work?
Listen in to hear Nick Henderson of the Irish Refugee Council explain.
# depopulation
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Is the State ignoring island depopulation?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and islander John Walsh tell Susan Daly about what is needed to help our offshore islands thrive.
# System Overload
The Explainer x Noteworthy: How is the Irish public health system coping?
Reporter Peter McGuire and Dr Anne Dee of the Irish Medical Organisation tell Susan Daly about public health challenges and reforms.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How did Ireland get so many Oscar nominations?
Listen in to hear reporter Aoife Barry on how it happened – and what it means for the film industry.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Who is Andrew Tate?
Listen in to hear Dr Debbie Ging of Dublin City University explain more about the controversial online figure.
# Fuelling Retirement
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are Irish pensions invested in fossil fuels?
Lauren Boland of The Journal and Ciarán Hughes of ethical investment company Ethico tell Susan Daly about the relationship between pensions and fossil fuels.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How can you make your money go further in 2023?
Listen in to hear financial advisor Nick Charalambous give his advice.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Our favourite explanations of 2022
Listen in to hear what we picked amongst the range of topics we tackled across politics, sport, entertainment and health this year.
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.
# Waste Away
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What happens to your soft plastic recycling?
Alice Chambers of Noteworthy and Mindy O’Brien of environmental charity VOICE tell Susan Daly about Ireland’s recycling system.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is being done for survivors of Ireland's mother and baby homes?
Listen to Órla Ryan, presenter of Redacted Lives podcast, explain about Ireland’s mother and baby home system, and what is happening for survivors.
# Data Centres
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are data centres ramping up Ireland’s emissions?
Niall Sargent of Noteworthy and UCD’s Dr Patrick Brodie tell Susan Daly about our latest investigation.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What do we know about an alleged coup plot in Germany?
Listen to hear Prof Peter Neumann, a German journalist and academic, explain the background and context to the story.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is happening with inflation and how is it affecting our pockets?
Listen in to hear economist and research affiliate with the ESRI John Fitzgerald to hear more.
# Hands On Deck
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are migrant fishers exploited in Ireland?
Maria Delaney of Noteworthy and Geela Garcia in the Philippines tell Susan Daly about our latest cross-border investigation.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What is RSV and why are so many children sick with it?
Parent Paul Murphy, whose son is being treated in hospital for RSV, and Dr Niamh Lynch explain more in this week’s podcast episode.