Oonagh Smyth

Prime Time

Food producers are experiencing difficulties watering their crops

Prolonged dry spell 'a code red' for many in horticulture

With the hottest July on record in several European countries, the European Commission confirmed yesterday that most of the continent is currently under a drought warning or in the most severe "alert" status.

Prime Time • 12 Aug 22

Key development checks for babies withdrawn by the HSE

A mother explains her shock on getting a letter from her local HSE Community Healthcare Organisation, telling her that her baby son will no longer get his standard development checks by a public health nurse in his early years.

Prime Time • 22 Jul 22

Without set legal definitions, it can be hard to assess environmental claims

Carbon neutral? Eco friendly? Firms and debatable claims

From clothes and cosmetics to household goods, "green" buzzwords are everywhere. But, without set legal definitions, it can be hard to assess the claims, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 15 Jun 22

Volunteers carry an old woman injured by the Russian shelling in Severodonetsk

Severodonetsk evacuees have 'chronic dehydration'

Evacuated residents from the besieged city of Severodonetsk in Ukraine are suffering from chronic dehydration after weeks living underground, according to a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières.

Prime Time • 01 Jun 22

An internal register in An Bord Pleanála is designed to avoid the perception of bias and conflicts of interest

Concerns over 'system failure' at An Bord Pleanála

A key procedure designed to avoid the conflicts of interest at An Bord Pleanála does not appear to have been followed in a number of recent cases, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 27 May 22

Two separate reviews are underway into the past decisions of the Deputy Chair of An Bord Pleanála

Why has a member of An Bord Pleanála stepped aside?

The stepping aside of the Deputy Chair of An Bord Pleanála comes after he admitted he did not make a disclosure in relation to a planning decision, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 11 May 22

Can Ireland drive its way out of carbon emissions?

Electric vehicles are key to the Government's plans to cut transport emissions, explains Oonagh Smyth. But can we really tackle climate change by putting more cars on the roads?

Prime Time • 25 Apr 22

In 2021, Ireland's carbon emissions fell by between 1.8% and 3.7%, according to early estimates

Ireland missed emissions targets in 2021 - early data

Early estimates of carbon emissions for 2021 indicate that Ireland is already off target on its 2030 climate goals, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 14 Apr 22

The Department of Environment said the crisis in Ukraine was helping to galvanise action on climate change

Will the Ukraine war be a catalyst for climate targets?

By complicating global cooperation, the war in Ukraine could set our climate targets back. But the spike in energy prices could see a faster shift to renewables, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 13 Apr 22

Many have fled the besieged city of Mariupol

'Militia out!' - Life in Russian-occupied Ukraine

In Russian-occupied towns, evacuees from the besieged city of Mariupol find near-empty streets, where locals search for increasingly scarce food and supplies, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 16 Mar 22