#IEexplains

Sign in

#IEexplains

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Finance minister Paschal Donohoe (right) and public expenditure minister Jack Chambers (left) outside Government Buildings, Dublin, ahead of the budget. </p>

spotlight

What Budget 2026 means for you — welfare boosts, new housing funds, and tax changes

Budget 2026 delivers major spending boosts for welfare, housing, and health, alongside new taxes on fuel, vapes, and cigarettes

<p>Former candidate Jim Gavin will still be on the ballot paper. Picture: Conor O’Mearain/PA</p>

politics

ieExplains: Will Jim Gavin's name stay on the presidential election ballot paper?

<p>
<span lang="EN-US">Jim Gavin had initially said he had no recollection of the tenant and, at an RTÉ debate on Sunday, he said: '</span>If it happened, I’m sorry it happened.'</p>

politics

ieExplains: What does the Jim Gavin scandal mean for the presidential election?

Donald Trump,Benjamin Netanyahu

world

ieExplains: What’s in Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza?

Race for the Áras: Three candidates confirmed for 2025 presidential election

politics

Race for the Áras: Three candidates confirmed for 2025 presidential election

flu medicine at DrugSmart pharmacy at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., on Monday Feb. 1, 2016.

health and wellbeing

ieExplains: Is Tylenol the same as paracetamol and does it have links to autism?

Donald Trump

ieExplains: What did Donald Trump say about autism and paracetamol?

Donald Trump’s unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism is rejected by Irish doctors, scientists, and autism advocates

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel

ieExplains: What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk’s killing to get taken off air?

In his Monday evening monologue, Jimmy Kimmel had suggested Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, might have been a pro-Trump Republican

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

TOPSHOT-BELGIUM-NATO-FINLAND-DEFENCE-DIPLOMACY

ieExplains: What is Nato, and is Ireland a member?

Nato faces fresh scrutiny after Poland’s airspace was breached by Russian drones, raising questions about security, neutrality, and Ireland’s role

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Conceptual image of a person voting during elections

ieExplains: What will happen in the run-up to the presidential election?

Polling day will take place on Friday, October 24. The latest date for receipt of an application to register is 15 days before polling day, excluding Sundays

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

ieExplains: How does the CAO's random selection process work?

ieExplains: How does the CAO's random selection process work?

Admission for the vast amount of college courses is based on exam results and CAO points that are awarded for different Leaving Cert grades.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

This week, the Government is to take the first step in dismantling Ireland's triple lock system that governs the deployment of peacekeepers abroad

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Leaving Cert 2025: Everything you need to know about this year's results

Leaving Cert 2025: Everything you need to know about this year's results

Schools have been asked to make arrangements to support the students receiving results today

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

Food distributed to Palestinians battling hunger in Gaza

ieExplains: What is the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict?

Britain, France and Canada plan to recognise Palestine — but deep divisions still threaten the viability of a two-state solution

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Man watching TV, lying on sofa, legs on table

ieExplains: What is a 'dodgy box'? Is it illegal, and what's happening with them now?

We ask a legal expert all about them...

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025

ieExplains: Why does every infrastructure project in Ireland take so long?

ieExplains: Why does every infrastructure project in Ireland take so long?

New report show timeline of key infrastructure projects has doubled in 20 years

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

New Garda Commissioner

ieExplains: Who is new Garda commissioner Justin Kelly?

Mr Kelly first joined the gardaí in 1992

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

ieExplains: What is listeriosis, the infection linked to the recall of ready-made meals

ieExplains: What is listeriosis, the infection linked to the recall of ready-made meals

An adult has died with a confirmed case of the rare bacterial infection listeriosis as health officials continue to investigate an 'extensive outbreak'

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Government press conference

ieExplains: What are the summer economic statement and the National Development Plan?

Budget 2026 will be unveiled on October 7 with an overall package worth €9.4bn

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

ieExplains: Who can vote in a presidential election?

ieExplains: Who can vote in a presidential election?

There are fewer than four months until the polls open to decide the resident of Áras an Uachataráin for the next seven years

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Stock - Car Maintenance

ieExplains: The CCPC is cracking down on the motor industry. What does it mean for me?

While it has yet to take formal proceedings against any particular firm, the CCPC has said it stands ready to do so on foot of customer complaints to its helpline

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Greece Wildfire

ieExplains: The 'silent killer' — what you need to know about heatwaves

How spells of hot weather put us in danger and what measures we can take to protect ourselves

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

USS George H.W. Bush

ieExplains: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for oil?

Iran has in the past threatened to close the strait but has never followed through on the move, which would restrict trade and impact global oil prices

Mon, 23 Jun, 2025

Generic health pics

ieExplains: The organ donation system is changing. Here's what you need to know

Everybody will now be considered an organ donor unless they choose to add their name to a consent opt-out register, or are among a so-called excluded group

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Donald Trump

ieExpains: How can Trump use the national guard on US soil?

Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 national guard and 700 marines to LA amid Ice protests – here’s what to know

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Person working with microscope in lab

ieExplains: What is the new covid variant and is it in Ireland?

A new variant has led to a return of covid in headlines. Here's what we know about it

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Trump

ieExplains: What is Trump’s new travel ban, and which countries are affected?

US president’s sweeping proclamation targets citizens of many countries and would dramatically reshape US border policy

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

7/6/2009. Leaving certificate Exams Begins Signs Notices State Examinations Commisson

ieExplains: Key dates for Leaving Cert students, teachers and parents

Leaving Cert exams start on Wednesday morning and run until Tuesday, June 24

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

US Economy Is Set to Lose Billions as Foreign Tourists Stay Away

ieExplains: Trump is pausing new student visa appointments. What does this mean for the J1?

It is believed those who have already received their J1 visas for the US this summer are unlikely to be impacted

Wed, 28 May, 2025

VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-MASS

ieExplains: How does the conclave work and when will a new pope be chosen?

Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the process of electing a pontiff

Wed, 07 May, 2025

ieExplains: How would a 100% tariff on foreign-made films impact Ireland's economy?

ieExplains: How would a 100% tariff on foreign-made films impact Ireland's economy?

US President Donald Trump has threatened levies of 100% on foreign-made films in a bid to combat what he called a 'dying' American film industry

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Vatican Pope

ieExplains: When is Pope Francis’s funeral, who will be there and what happens next

The late pontiff’s funeral, due to take place on Saturday, will attract dignitaries and worshippers from around the world

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

The Conclave Of Cardinals Have Elected A New Pope To Lead The World's Catholics

ieExplains: How conclave will elect a new pope and who are the favourites?

The election itself is shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals forbidden from communicating with the outside world

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

The Funeral Of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Takes Place In St Peter's Basilica

ieExplains: What happens after a pope dies? The rites, rituals and funeral plans for Pope Francis

Pope Francis simplified the rites of papal death, funeral and burial — here’s what changes and traditions remain

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: No more tax discs? Here’s what motorists need to know

ieExplains: No more tax discs? Here’s what motorists need to know

We answer all your questions as Ireland moves to scrap physical motor tax discs and adopt smarter road tech

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: Will the new national planning framework really help resolve the housing crisis?

ieExplains: Will the new national planning framework really help resolve the housing crisis?

More land for housing developments is likely to be provided, with a direct order from James Browne under new the new Planning and Development Act

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Limerick v Tipperary - Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship Final

ieExplains: Why the GAA is planning to regulate faceguards and hurleys

Due to the ash dieback crisis, which has nearly wiped out timber suitable for hurley-making, the GAA is going to strengthen its oversight of the hurley-making market as alternative materials are sought.

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: What happened the last time Donald Trump put tariffs on Europe?

ieExplains: What happened the last time Donald Trump put tariffs on Europe?

While Mr Trump implemented tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in his last term in office, the scale this time is just so much bigger and the potentially downside risks are so much higher

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

glass of whiskey on the terrace

ieExplains: How Trump’s tariffs put Ireland in the firing line

Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs could shake global trade—here’s what they mean for Ireland, key industries, and consumers

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: What is Meta AI?

The tech giant has began the process of rolling out Meta AI across WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger in 41 European Countries

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

US Europe Trade War

ieExplains: What are tariffs and how do they affect me?

In the past few months, it’s become a word associated with the United States, but tariffs are not just limited to the vagaries of the Trump administration.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: When are the clocks going forward?

ieExplains: When are the clocks going forward?

In 2019, the European Parliament voted that daylight saving time should be abolished by April 2021, but a final decision on it has yet to take place

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: What Ryanair's new subscriber model is all about

ieExplains: What Ryanair's new subscriber model is all about

Jackie Sheehan, sales director with travel management company Frosch Ireland thinks Ryanair wouldn’t be making such a move unless it 'had its research done'

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

The speaker rights row continues to overshadow Dáil proceedings. Elaine Loughlin recaps what's happened over the last few months

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Could your painful periods be endometriosis?

ieExplains: The facts about endometriosis you shouldn’t ignore

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, causing chronic pain and fertility issues. Learn about symptoms, stages, and treatments

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: Who can run for president and when is the next presidential election?

ieExplains: Who can run for president and when is the next presidential election?

Here, we explain what it takes to run for president and what the job entails

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: As Siofra Shamrock arrives in Ireland — what are Jellycats?

ieExplains: As Siofra Shamrock arrives in Ireland — what are Jellycats?

It's the toy we're seeing all over TikTok and as a new limited-edition shamrock arrives in Ireland, here's everything you need to know about Jellycats

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Mark Carney

ieExplains: Who is Canada's new PM Mark Carney and why is he giving up his Irish citizenship?

Mark Carney, a former central banker, has family who hailed from Co Mayo

Mon, 10 Mar, 2025

Pope Francis Celebrates Immaculate Conception at Spanish Steps

ieExplains: When a pope is ill or can’t fulfill his duties, who steps in?

Who else helps lead the Holy See? Daniel Speed Thompson, a theologian at the University of Dayton, offers some insight into Vatican City.

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

China US Tariffs

ieExplains: What are tariffs and how do they work?

Mainstream economists are generally sceptical about tariffs, considering them an inefficient way for governments to raise revenue

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025