Behind the Story

RTÉ News

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Yesterday · 32 min
Blue wave and a red wipeout but where to now?
Democrats are celebrating massive wins in the US mid term elections while Trump and the Republic Party reel from the size of the losses. Justin McCarthy joins Paul from Washington to talk about election night and how things unfolded. Later, Michael Ricci, Prof of Public Policy at Georgetown University analyses the results, what this win means and whether the MAGA movement is in decline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 30 min
Pay talks collapse and inside the seizure of the MV Matthew
Despite days of negotiations, the public sector pay talks collapsed and Unions plan a 24 hour strike on Thursday Nov 12th. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Karen Creed to explain what happened and why the government is under more pressure now. Later, Martime Operations Manager with Customs, Andrew Ryan speaks about one of the most dramatic drug seizures in the history of the state. In 2023, over two tonnes of cocaine was discovered on the MV Matthew. Army Rangers boarded and took control of the vessel in storm conditions off the coast of Cork. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Friday · 40 min
A conversation with Kevin Bakhurst
Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ's Director General joins Fran and Paul for a wide ranging interview following the sudden withdrawal of €20 million from the broadcaster's budget for 2027. Mr Bakhurst discusses his shock at the funding cut but expresses confidence a solution will be reached. Fran and Paul quiz the DG on Ireland, Israel and the Eurovision, Ger Gilroy's new podcast, Fair City and license fee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 28 · 28 min
Israeli elections - what next?
Voters turned out in their highest numbers in decades in an election that was described as make-or-break for Israel, but provisional results suggested no clear path to power for either Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot. On this episode, Alexander Cornwell, senior correspondent for Reuters in Tel Aviv joined Paul Cunningham to explain the political fallout, what happens next and what it means for the wider Middle East region See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 26 · 19 min
All you need to know about the US midterms
Although President Trump is not on the ballot paper, the US midterm elections will decide how the final phase of his presidency will play out. And there is a lot at stake as Democrats try to win majority control of the US Congress. On this episode, Dan Geary - Mark Pigott Professor in U.S. History at Trinity College Dublin – guides us through what is happening, where to watch and what it all means for US politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 23 · 24 min
Israel's key election and hurling's new rules
Israel's general election takes place next week, the first since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Our Deputy Foreign Editor Heaphy talks to us from Tel Aviv, on what many see as the most pivotal elections in Israel's history, with global implications. Later, RTÉ’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey takes Eamon Horan through the proposed rule changes in hurling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 21 · 33 min
Irish Rail - signal failure and the Triple Lock row
Iarnród Eireann's scrapped IT project is back in the headlines, when it was revealed today that Indra, the company contracted to do the work, is seeking €30m as part of final accounts. Public Policy correspondent with the Irish Times, Martin Wall, joins Paul to explain the background to the failed project and what the plan is to rescue it. Later, Security analyst, Declan Power discusses the possible end of the Triple Lock and UNFIL mission in Lebanon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 19 · 32 min
France on the brink
Violent protests and looting spread across several cities in France over the weekend, as over a half a million people took to the streets on a wide variety of issues. The authorities plan to implement localised curfews in some areas to deal with the deteriorating situation. Senior lecturer in European Politics at UCC, Emmanuelle Schon Quinlivan joins Paul to explain the background to the crisis. Later, Adam Maguire discusses the popularity of Chinese EVs and why the EU has security concerns around the increasing level of tech available in the cars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 16 · 32 min
Sally Rooney's stand
Award winning author Sally Rooney's books will no longer be available for sale in the UK due to her support for Palestine Action. Human rights lawyer, Caoilfhoinn Gallagher joins Fran to discuss the situation and why sweeping anti-terrorism legislation is having a far reaching impact on protest and culture. Later, Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke goes behind the scenes of NBC's Today show and looks at the success of Tourism Ireland's strategy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 14 · 42 min
What's happening at the AI Summit?
Big Tech, Big Business and lots of politicians are attending the International AI Summit at the RDS. Fran and Paul are joined by Bloomberg's Tom MacKenzie to discuss AI in Europe. Later, Liz Carolan of The Briefing.ie and Charlie Taylor of the Business Post chat about the ups and downs of AI, dress codes and bad merch! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 12 · 29 min
How Robert Pether got out of Iraq
After five and a half years of illegal detention in Iraq, Robert Pether landed in Dublin airport on Monday morning. He was greeted by family and friends and spoke of his time in a Baghdad prison and subsequent struggle to survive before he was allowed leave the country. His lawyer, Irish man Peter Griffin, took up his case, pro-bono in 2021 having heard about Robert's case in his son's school newsletter. Peter speaks to host Karen Creed about the legal fight to secure Robert's release. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 9 · 26 min
Execution by firing squad and live streamed
The decision by the US Defence Department to live stream the execution of a man convicted of murdering thirteen unarmed soldiers at a military post in Texas in 2009 has sparked global headlines. The Pentagon announced earlier this week it would execute Nidal Hasan in December in the first military execution for more than 60 years. On this episode of Behind The Story we talk to death row lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith who has represented hundreds of people sentenced to death over the past four decades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 7 · 25 min
IVF costs and concern over 'add-on' fertility treatments
IVF services have expanded dramatically over the last few decades. Infertility treatments are widely promoted but concerns are mounting over how effective and/or safe some of these 'add-ons' are. RTÉ Investigates Deputy Editor Aoife Hegarty joins Paul to discuss 'Fertility Uncovered' documentary that includes stories of couples trying to have a baby and also looks at public funding for IVF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 6 · 28 min
BONUS - Budget special - will there be any more money in your pocket?
Ministers Harris and Chambers unveiled Budget 27 in the Dáil this afternoon. Income tax changes, welfare increases, carbon tax paused, just some of the headline announcements but will there be any more money in your pocket when inflation is taken into account? Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English joins Fran and Paul on a whistlestop tour of the key points of the budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 5 · 27 min
New charges on parcels and Andrew takes legal action
From next month, another new charge will come into effect on goods bought outside the EU. The €2 'union handling fee' will be implemented on Nov 1st, this is in addition to the €3 customs charge that had applied since July. Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fiona Mitchell to explain the new fees and how customers may not be aware of the new charges. Later, Chief Royal Correspondent with Newsweek, Jack Royston discuss ex Prince Andrew's decision to take legal action against the police over the search warrants used during his arrest in February this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 2 · 23 min
Proteinmaxxing: just how much protein do you really need?
Protein water? protein cereal or how about protein infused vodka? Protein products are everywhere but earlier this week the Bank of America issued a warning to the food industry that the protein craze could have peaked. Dietician Sarah Keogh and RTE business desk reporter Adam Maguire join Fran to discuss the products, proteinmaxxing, who's making money and how much protein does a person really need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 30 · 28 min
Strikes on the horizon? and foul play at Man City!
Thousands of public sector workers began a work to rule in protest at the government's reluctance to talk pay! Teachers, nurses and other sectors are threatening further strike action in the coming weeks. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Paul to explain what's going on. Later, hacking, leaking and dishonesty at the heart of one of the Premier League's biggest clubs. Football finance expert, Associate Professor Kieran Maguire discusses the allegations of dodging dealings at Manchester City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 28 · 28 min
Garvaghy Road stand-off and online house bidding
The stand-off between protestors and the Orange Order continues on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Sinn Fein and the DUP clash over the proposed parade with the row threatening to collapse the power sharing executive at Stormont. Host Karen Creed is joined by Prof Deirdre Heenan to analyse the situaton. Later, Political Editor with the Examiner, Elaine Loughlin discusses the online bidding process for buying a house and how concerns are rising around the 'gamification' of bidding and instant alerts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 25 · 38 min
Politics on the pitch - Ireland v Israel
The Republic of Ireland are due to play Israel on Sunday in the Nations League tournament in Hungary but pressure continues to mount on the players and the FAI to pull out of the fixture. Fran and Eamon discuss the increasingly tense situation as more protests are planned this weekend against the games. Later, UCD Lecturer in Politics Graham Finlay discuss the speeches made at the United Nations this week and whether the UN is fit for purpose as conflicts continue acround the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 23 · 23 min
The financial shock of cancer
A cancer diagnosis can cost far more than many patients expect. Cancer survivor Aoife Murphy and Irish Cancer Society CEO Nikki Gallagher join Paul Cunningham to reveal how falling incomes and mounting medical and travel expenses can leave families facing a financial crisis alongside treatment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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