Location:
Ireland
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Description:
Claire Byrne explores the big stories through the lens of real life. This podcast brings context, consequences and clarity to the issues shaping Ireland today. Covering politics and current affairs alongside the human stories behind them, Claire asks the questions people are thinking, but don’t always hear answered. From housing and health to work, family life, well-being and culture, you’ll hear smart, engaging discussion and moments of light relief - connecting the dots between what’s happening and what it means for you.
Language:
English
Email:
digital@newstalk.com
What to put in your bin
5/14/2026
If you had to bet your house on it, would you know for sure what should and should not be going in your bin?
Conor Walsh, Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association, joins Claire to tell us what goes where...
Duration:00:06:51
Conor Pope on the airport ‘Golden Hour’ and holiday traps
5/14/2026
As many listeners may be packing up and jetting off in the coming weeks, it’s time to chat about the airport ‘golden hour’ - the 60 minutes spent between checking in and heading to your flight.
This time is tactically used by the airport to make sure you spend your money while you wait for your gate.
Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times joined Claire this morning.
Duration:00:11:47
Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and orders new trial
5/14/2026
In a shocking development yesterday, disgraced US attorney Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for the 2021 double murders of his son and wife has been overturned.
In a unanimous decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court, the justice agreed that the jury at Murdaugh’s 2023 trial was improperly influenced by the actions of County Clerk Rebecca Hill.
US Journalist Sarah Firth joined Claire to discuss.
Duration:00:09:00
Author Carissa Véliz speaks to Claire on her new book ‘Prophecy’
5/14/2026
We are constantly being told that AI will change the way we live, work and play. We are also told that we need to adapt to AI and use it or we will miss the boat.
But philosopher, author and Oxford Professor Carissa Véliz says that before we buy into ANY predictions, we need to stop and ask - who is telling us this? And what are they selling?
Duration:00:11:18
Ask the Expert: Planning Permission
5/14/2026
President of the Irish Planning Institute, Gavin Lawlor joined Claire in studio to discuss planning permission, what you need it for, how to do it, and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Duration:00:14:02
Trump in China
5/14/2026
President Xi Jinping has called for China and the US to be "partners not rivals" in talks with President Trump that lasted for two hours
Amy Hawkins, the Guardian's senior China correspondent in Beijing joined Claire Byrne.
Duration:00:04:49
Why is it that objects can ‘disappear’ even when they are in front of us?
5/14/2026
Have you ever not been able to see something that's right in front of you?
Maybe it's your keys, your phone or a pair of shoes – or all three when you are desperately trying to get out the door.
So why does it happen – why do things remain hidden in plain sight?
Dr Anne Kehoe, Principal Clinical Psychologist joins Claire Byrne
Duration:00:07:42
Will he stay or will he go – Starmer!
5/14/2026
Allies of Wes Streeting have said he is preparing to stand down as health secretary amid deep frustration with Keir Starmer’s leadership, and could mount a formal challenge for the leadership as early as today
Claire was joined by LBC Reporter Henry Riley and Mike Lynch, trade unionist
Duration:00:15:49
The best Goodbye songs
5/14/2026
To mix music and politics...We’ve been hearing all week how the political end is nigh for Britain’s Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
So just to make sure we’re ready, Ed Smith from Go Loud joins Claire to bring us through the best ‘Goodbye’ songs...
Duration:00:13:23
The story gripping the footballing world right now is Spygate, but what happened?
5/14/2026
Last Thursday, Championship-side Middlesbrough spotted a SPY recording their training session from afar, ahead of the two legs of the play-off semi-final against Southampton.
Despite being subsequently knocked out by Southampton on Tuesday night, Middlesbrough are pursuing a case with the English Football League, to have their opponents expelled from the Play-Off Final next weekend.
As of yesterday, the spy at the centre of this storm was identified. To chat through all of this Claire was joined by John Brewin of The Guardian.
Duration:00:08:31
Michael McGrath
5/14/2026
Michael McGrath EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection joined Claire Byrne to discuss home agenda, tech, Ireland's EU presidency and more.
Duration:00:21:50
What Made Me? Mary Coughlan
5/13/2026
Jazz, blues and soul singer Mary Coughlan for What Made Me? Claire heard about Mary's long career of song writing, singing and touring.
Duration:00:10:44
Living with Friedreich's Ataxia
5/13/2026
Emily Felix was on the programme a few weeks ago talking about the decision by the National Centre for Pharma-coeconomics not to finance medication for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Emily spoke to Claire again to explain what it is like to live with the condition.
Duration:00:16:58
Author and former Irish Children's Laureate Patricia Forde
5/13/2026
Children’s Books Ireland this week warned that children are missing out on a lifetime of reading because the government doesn’t fund school libraries properly. Someone who is passionate about encouraging children to read is children’s author Patricia Forde who was previously the former Irish Children’s Laureate.
Duration:00:13:23
The importance for people to become organ donors
5/13/2026
This week is Organ Donation Week. Joining Claire to talk about the importance of it along with the advancement in the field of transplants was Consultant Transplant Surgeon at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Professor Emir Ho-ti.
Duration:00:10:41
Where you can see basking sharks and whales in Ireland!
5/13/2026
Basking sharks have returned to Irish waters. Where can you to catch a glimpse of not just basking sharks, but dolphins and whales too?
Padraig Whooley, Sightings Coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group explained the best places you can see these wonderful sightings.
Duration:00:08:41
Is our tax money being spent well?
5/13/2026
The Irish state collected 106 billion euro in taxes last year and a half-a-billion euro earned in fuel taxes that had yet to be spent. Is our tax money being well spent?
Claire asked Albert Dolan, Fianna Fail TD for Galway East and Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist with the Institute of International and European affairs and columnist with The Currency.
Duration:00:16:00
Are lifts unsafe due to obesity?
5/13/2026
A new study has shown that many lifts are now becoming unsafe, due to the rise in obesity. The report by University College London states that lift capacities have not changed over the past two decades, and that they’ve failed to take into account the weight increase of the population.
We discuss further with Dr Mick Crotty is the Clinical Lead for Obesity with the Irish College of GPs, Dr Mick Crotty.
Duration:00:07:39
Are prize bonds worth the investment?
5/13/2026
Prize bonds feel like something from a bygone era but people spent €365m buying the bonds last year. Are they worth the investment? Claire asked Leah McMahon is Senior Financial Planner with Fairstone.
Duration:00:08:42
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer fights on!
5/13/2026
Keir Starmer is still fighting to stay on as British prime minister, as he meets Health Secretary Wes Streeting, his likely leadership rival, this morning. Claire gets the latest from Channel 4 presenter Matt Frei, who has been watching this unfold all week.
Duration:00:11:26