Louise Byrne

Policy & Analysis Correspondent

Prime Time Reporter

Why are shortages of a 'miracle' drug worrying obesity patients?

Obesity patients and their doctors are expressing concern at shortages of a drug which is having a dramatic impact on weight loss, writes Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 02 Jun 23

Patients struggle to source 'miracle' weight loss drug

Ozempic was originally designed and is licensed for type 2 diabetes in Ireland, but its active ingredient, semaglutide, is also being widely prescribed by doctors to treat obesity.

Prime Time • 31 May 23

Kerrie Hope Patterson on being the first baby born in Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

Meet the Good Friday Agreement baby, 25 years on

As politicians were labouring through the negotiations of the Good Friday Agreement, Anne Patterson was experiencing a different kind of labour. She and husband Clive were preparing to welcome their first child at Belfast's Royal Maternity Hospital.

Prime Time • 07 Apr 23

One night, one viewing - A snapshot of the rental crisis

While the winter eviction ban is to be lifted, the personal stories of those attending a viewing in Tallaght, Co Dublin suggest the storm is far from over.

Prime Time • 08 Mar 23

According to the prospective tenants who spoke to Prime Time there are not enough homes, even for the most persistent

One night, one viewing - A snapshot of the rental crisis

While the winter eviction ban is to be lifted, the personal stories of those attending a viewing in Tallaght, Co Dublin suggest the storm is far from over.

Prime Time • 08 Mar 23

Housing association Tuath has converted empty office blocks to apartments

Could empty offices help solve the housing crisis?

Living at the office used to mean working long hours but what if you could literally live in an office? Louise Byrne finds out.

Prime Time • 03 Mar 23

Jimmy Crosbie's mortgage was sold to an investment fund in 2019

'It's a cage' - Mortgage prisoners fear more rate hikes

After the crash, thousands of people with split mortgages had their loans sold to investment funds. As interest rates rise, many of them feel like mortgage prisoners, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 03 Feb 23

All 69 houses and apartments in Sarsfield Heights in Cork City will be social housing

'It's almost impossible to build homes at scale'

Every unit in a new housing scheme in Cork will be social housing – dashing the hopes of first-time buyers in the area, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 09 Dec 22

The Derrybrien wind farm was completed and opened in 2006

Energy crisis – Why are these wind turbines not turning?

With Ireland facing a potential energy crisis this winter, why are these wind turbines not turning?

Prime Time • 10 Mar 23

The Construction Industry Federation is 'concerned' about housing output

Construction body concerned fewer homes may be built

Citing rising interest rates and increasing material costs, the Construction Industry Federation said there is some concern that there could be a fall-off in the number of homes built next year.

Prime Time • 07 Oct 22