

The Explainer
The Journal
The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 16, 2024 • 28min
What was the political fallout from previous attacks on US presidents?
Scott Lucas, professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, UCD and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView, joins us to examine the history of attacks on US presidents - both sitting and former - to gauge what the fallout from the attempted assassination of Donald Trump could be.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2024 • 20min
Can US President Joe Biden really continue in the election race?
This week on The Explainer we hear from The Journal's US columnist Larry Donnelly on his thoughts after the press conference and ask our very own Assistant News Editor Rónán Duffy if Joe Biden can really continue in the election race?This episode was brought to you by senior producer Nicky Ryan, assistant producer Muiris O'Cearbhaill, executive producer Sinéad O'Carroll and presenter Laura Byrne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5, 2024 • 27min
What next for UK politics after Labour's landslide election win?
Dominic McGrath, UK correspondent with the Business Post, joins us for an essential overview of the latest in the United Kingdom's seismic election result. Just how much of a hit did the Tories take? And what will the political landscape look like under Keir Starmer?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 27, 2024 • 23min
What is 'go-away money' and how is it being used in Ireland's planning system?
Brendan Slattery, a solicitor with McCann Fitzgerald specialising in expert in planning and environmental law joins us to look at 'go-away money' in the Irish planning system. What is it all about? How is it being used? And what might new laws do to stop it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2024 • 26min
What do the next five years hold for the European Parliament?
Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University John O'Brennan joins us to look at what the next five years hold for Ireland's new or returning MEPs. What will the priorities be for the European Parliament? And where will Irish politicians fit in?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 2024 • 38min
What is the shape of Irish politics after the local and European elections?
The seats are filled, the dust is settling, and the count centre staff enjoying some well-earned rest. To take stock of where we're at now, Laura Byrne is joined on this week's episode by our Political Editor Christina Finn, and Brendan Flynn, a Head of Political Science at the University of Galway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 6, 2024 • 25min
How does Ireland's system of voting work?
Virgin Media's political correspondent Gavan Reilly sits down with us to explain what exactly proportional representation with a single transferable vote is all about. Do you need to give a preference to every candidate listed on a ballot paper? How and when do preferences beyond your first come into play?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 1, 2024 • 27min
What exactly are the European elections all about?
On 7 June, you'll have the chance to vote in the European elections - but what exactly will the end result be? For the latest in a special series of episodes, The Journal's Muiris O'Cearbhaill and European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O'Connell join us to look at how the election process works, what exactly an MEP does, and how you should decide on who gets your vote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 2024 • 31min
What next for Iran after the death of the country's president?
DCU's Paola Rivetti, an expert in Middle East politics, joins us to look at the fallout from the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash last week. What role did he play in Iranian society? What does the succession process look like - and is there any scope for a more moderate leader?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 23, 2024 • 26min
By Noteworthy: Are young people with psychosis getting the help they need?
Presenter Maria Delaney is joined by News Correspondent Órla Ryan who has been leading our year-long ‘Falling Through the Cracks’ investigation into young people with psychosis, which was supported by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in Ireland in partnership with Headline, a Shine programme. They're also joined by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Karen O’Connor who is the HSE’s National Clinical Lead for Early Intervention for Psychosis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.