Oonagh Smyth

Prime Time

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 25

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 25

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 25

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

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

An internal Uisce Éireann document say 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 • 17 Oct 24

Inland Fisheries Ireland says drinking water plants are emerging as a key threat to waterways

EPA audits flag pollution concerns from drinking water plants

Almost all drinking water plants audited by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland this year "require action to be taken," and just one in five were "operating satisfactorily," according to an analysis by Prime Time.

Prime Time • 18 Oct 24

Margaret Best with her son Kenneth who was abused when he attended Lota school in Glanmire, Co Cork

Survivor's mother: Children with special needs were 'targeted'

The mother of a sexual abuse survivor has said that she believes children with special needs were specifically targeted "because they were more vulnerable" than children that didn't attend special schools

Prime Time • 05 Sep 24

Priced out: Concern rising land costs could alter face of farming

With land prices up 31% from 2020 to 2023 and continuing to rise this year, farming organisations are concerned that this could be a longer-term trend that will put land beyond the reach of ordinary farmers and change the face of agriculture.

Prime Time • 22 Aug 24