Oonagh Smyth

Prime Time

Govt warned of rising household bills as data centres strain grid

Senior officials have warned ministers that Ireland's rapid growth in data centres is using up electricity capacity and adding to the risks around energy costs and climate targets.

Prime Time • 21 Aug

Mother of wounded Gaza child pleads to reunite family in Ireland

A Palestinian woman whose child was brought to Ireland for medical treatment as doctors tell us about their concerns that the impact visa delays could have on other children due to be brought here.

Prime Time • 11 Jul

Trócaire's CEO Caoimhe de Barra says Ireland "can do better" in terms of aid spending

Trócaire calls on govt to set timeline on meeting aid target

Trócaire's CEO has called on the Irish government to set a timeline of 2030 for meeting commitments previously agreed on overseas aid spending amid mounting pressure on governments' humanitarian spending across the developed world

Prime Time • 27 Mar

Mark Mellett served as head of the Defence Forces from 2015 to 2021.

Former Defence Forces chief says Irish 'neutrality is a myth'

A former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has told Prime Time that "neutrality as a statement in a globalised world is a myth."

Prime Time • 06 Mar

Prime Time spoke to residents of Cork experiencing water problems.

Repeated breaches in water quality in Cork shown in test data

Investigative tests carried out for Uisce Éireann (UÉ) on the water supply from the Lee Road drinking water treatment plant, which serves 70% of Cork city's households, found around a third of samples tested showed excessive manganese levels last year.

Prime Time • 30 Jan

The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has released its first annual report into the operation of whistleblowing legislation (file image)

€3m recouped for public purse after whistleblower report

An estimated €3.7 million was recovered for the public purse in 2023 following reports by whistleblowers, according to the first annual report into the operation of whistleblowing legislation by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

Ireland • 10 Jan

Homeless at Christmas: Family and rough sleepers share struggles

As Christmas approaches, Prime Time went out to hear the stories of one family in emergency accommodation as well as rough sleepers in Dublin city.

Prime Time • 10 Feb

The latest CSO data shows that almost 80,000 migrants were added to the population in the twelve months before April 2024

Migration: What are the facts, and what are parties promising?

Pollsters say people are concerned about the effect of immigration on housing and their ability to access services, such as GPs. So, what is the reality of inward migration and what are the parties promising to do about it?

Prime Time • 24 Nov 24

An Garda Síochána has an 'available strength' of 13,916.

Election promises: Will parties be able to boost Garda numbers?

Every time a general election comes around – and many times in between - political parties make pledges to recruit more gardai and increase overall numbers.

Prime Time • 14 Nov 24

The Uisce Éireann timeframe is contained in a document seen by Prime Time

Uisce Éireann document: 'Wastewater fixes will take 40 years'

An internal Uisce Éireann document says it will take "in excess of 40 years" to complete capital works on wastewater treatment infrastructure which are required to meet its statutory obligations, under Irish and EU law

Prime Time • 18 Oct 24