Claim OwnershipBehind the Story
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Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest some of 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.
117 Episodes
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As US President Donald Trump issued tariff threats on 8 European countries, Fran [yes, he's back] and Karen speak to Chief Economist with the Institute of European Affairs, Dan O'Brien. The tariff threats are retaliation for the countries disagreeing with Trump's demand to own Greenland. Dan explains the impact of the previous round of tariffs and says that there's comes a time when economics needs to take a backseat when the territorial integrity of a member state is at risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this week, it was reported that China's trade surplus has reached $1.9 trillion last year, a 20% increase on 2024. As China exports continue to grow, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Evelyn and Karen to discuss his recent trip to China and what it was like to be stopped by police in Shanghai. Later, reporter Julieanne Corr of the Sunday Times discusses the increasing use of ketamine in Ireland and the side effects of the drug. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior Gardaí appeared at the Oireachtas media committee today where they revealed they are investigated two hundred complaints about Grok AI and child abuse imagery. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Evelyn and Karen to discuss the committee hearing, which politicians are leaving X and if the authorities are playing catch up with AI developments. Later, retired architect, David O'Connor explains the history of the construction of Dublin City Council buildings and why he believes more needs to be done to examine staying on the site rather than vacating it for new offices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the Golden Globes for her performance in 'Hamnet', an adaptation of the best selling book of the same name by Coleraine born author Maggie O'Farrell. Evelyn O'Rourke and Maggie Doyle discuss the win, what it means for Irish acting talent and if this could be the start of even more awards for the actress from Killarney. Later, the duo are joined by Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics to discuss Iran and the ongoing protests in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A majority of EU States voted to pass the Mercosor trade deal with South American countries. Ireland, along with 4 other countries voted against the deal. Professor John O'Brennan of Maynooth University joins Evelyn O'Rourk to explain the deal, Ireland's position and why it's not over the line just yet. Later, Dara Tallon, producer of 'On The Beat' - the fly on the wall TV documentary following on duty Gardaí reveals the secrets of the production and what it's like to go on a drugs raid with the force. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government is hoping to attract more tourists here from India, the UAE and the Asia-Pacific region as part of a new strategic investment plan of €4.7 billion across a range of sectors. Political Correspondent Mícheál Lehane joined Evelyn and Karen to outline what's in the plan and looks at the changing political mood around climate targets. Later, teacher and researcher Eoghan Cleary explains the growing concern around Grok AI's feature that 'undresses' people and the rise of so called 'nudification apps'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ousted President Maduro was brought to court in New York this afternoon to face drugs and weapons charges. Meanwhile, it remains unclear who is really running Venezuela amidst claims by President Trump that the US is in charge. The UN Security Council is meeting in an emergency session as the American administration continues to threaten other countries including Greenland saying it needs to annex the country for 'national security' reasons. Host Karen Creed is joined by Assistant Professor in the History of War at UCD, Ed Burke to discuss the unprecedented situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With less than six months to the kick off of the World Cup, Fran is joined by sports reporter, Miguel Delaney for a deep dive into how FIFA operates and asks who is Gianni Infantino. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kneecap, Traitors, Adolescence and the Eurovision, just some of the big entertainment stories that hit the headlines this year. Streaming continues to grow and threatens to upend how we watch and enjoy movies. Actors unions and the big studios are concern about the future. Despite this, it was a good year for Irish musicians, actors and production companies.Fran talks to Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O’Rourke and Entertainment Journalist Alan Corr as they pick out their highs and lows of 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Concerns around US tariffs dominated the first half of the year in 2025. While on the domestic front, the debate around working from home continued as many businesses insisted their employees return to the workplace. The school secretaries strike was one of the year's big industrial actions and the challenges of meeting housing targets were never far from the headlines. RTÉ's Brian O’Donovan and David Murphy sit down with Fran McNulty to tease out the stories that shaped the economic and business this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the year comes to an end, Fran takes a look back at some of the stories on artificial intelligence that were covered on the podcast. From new guidelines, AI music, technology in schools and AI therapy chatbots, the technology continues to challenge and upend many industries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dáil rows, Trump's tariff threats and a Presidential campaign: Professor Gary Murphy of DCU and political reporter Sandra Hurley join Fran to dissect and analyse the year in politics. The trio discuss the emergence of Michael Lowry TD as a power broker in government formation and the decision by Sinn Féin to back Independent TD Catherine Connolly for the run at the Áras which she ultimately won. The trio also take a look into the new year and the prospect to two by-elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Twenty four hours on from the publication of the Fianna Fáil report into their Presidential campaign, Fran and Barry dissect the reaction to the report and examine the pressure on Party leader Michéal Martin. Later, reporter Kate Varley joins the duo and chats about her recent trip to Bangladesh. Kate visited Cox's Bazaar, home to 1.3million Rohinyga refugees and explains how recent aid cuts are beginning to take effect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pressure is mounting on Fianna Fáil to release the report into the Jim Gavin Presidential campaign. Three senior party members said today that the report must come out this week. Joe Mag Raollaigh joins Fran to tease out the timeframe around the report and explain why the pressure is building inside the party. Later, Fran is joined by Europe reporter for Euronews, Shona Murray to discuss the ongoing talks around the Ukraine war and the positive noise coming from the Ukraine side in Berlin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Uisce Éireann announced that it will submit plans for the country's largest ever water project next week. The plan involves building a 170km underground pipe to take water from the Shannon and bring it to Dublin and surrounding counties. Environment correspondent, George Lee joins Fran to explain the project, why it's necessary and why there is opposition to it. Later, Fran is joined by reporter, Catherine Eillis who discusses what's happening in Venezuela and outlines some of the detail of the opposition leader María Corina Machado daring escape to collect the Nobel Peace Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
RTÉ's Director General, Kevin Bakhurst and the leadership team appeared at the Oireachtas media committee today to give an update on developments at the broadcaster. Fran and Barry Lenihan discuss the issues politicians were keen to get answers on including whether Mr Bakhurst was invited to Ryan Tubridy's wedding! Later, Adam Maguire joins Fran and Barry to explain the other big media story of the past few days; Netflix's attempt to buy Warner Brothers and whether the deal could impact the price of subscriptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gardaí have described the fatal attack on a family home in Edenderry as 'callous, reckless and murderous'. Mary Holt and her four year old grand nephew died in a fire that was started deliberately on Saturday night. Investigating Gardaí are saying one line of inquiry is that an organised drug gang may have targeted the house in a case of drug debt intimidation. Limerick based Addiction counsellor, Michael Guerin joins Fran and Maggie to discuss the wider issue of drug use and the impact drug debt and intimidation can have on people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US military and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth are under pressure over the killing of 11 people during a boat strike on Sept. 2nd. Louise Byrne and Cian McCormack are joined by Niall Stanage of The Hill who explains the controversy and why the administration is standing firm on it's policy of attacking so-called 'narco-terrorists. Later, Cian and Louise reveal their listening age on Spotify Wrapped. John Meagher of the Irish Independent discuss 'Wrapped' and why we like to appear 'cool' with our listening age! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The country's most famous road is officially at capacity but can anything be done to improve journey times on the M50? Reporter Conor McMorrow joins Fran and Maggie to outline the issues with the M50 and reveal a few interesting facts such as why there is no junction 8! Later, Assistant Professor and Architect Orla Hegarty of UCD joins the duo to explain the government new report - 'Acclerating Infrastructure' which outlines actions to speed up the delivery of critical projects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the weekend, the government confirmed President Zelensky will visit Dublin on Tuesday. Political editor, Joe Mag Raollaigh joins Jackie Fox to outline the visit and explains the security operation that has swung into place. Later, Jackie speaks to Christopher Miller of the Financial Times who is in Kyiv, he explains how the leaked details of the peace talks are being received by the Ukranian public and outlines the corruption scandal that is dominating the headlines in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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