Louise Byrne

Policy & Analysis Correspondent

Prime Time Reporter

Modular housing for refugees in Germany, pictured in 2017

Modular homes 'not a solution' for refugees - developer

One of the country's leading property developers has criticised plans to house Ukrainian refugees in temporary modular homes on state land, Louise Byrne explains.

Prime Time • 27 Apr 22

Some 50 refugees are sleeping on temporary beds in the Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre

'We're safe' - Ukrainian refugees sleep in sports halls

While most Ukrainian refugees have been housed in hotels, B&Bs and with host families, some community halls are now being used as short-term rest centres, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 13 Apr 22

Thanks to the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, the price of building materials has surged in recent months (File pic)

'Impossible to budget' - Your views on building costs

This week, Prime Time asked a question on our social media channels: what impact is the rise in construction costs having on house building?

Prime Time • 01 Apr 22

Some builders are refusing to quote a price for a job until they are on site

'They'll stop working' - Inflation hits building firms

Just as the impact of the pandemic dissipated, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine have added a new layer of inflation for the construction industry, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 31 Mar 22

The embassy's expansion plans involved an underground subterranean complex (Visualisation: Digital Dimensions)

Why a Russian embassy expansion alarmed the Government

The Government's move to block the expansion of the Russian Embassy on Dublin's Orwell Road has come into sharp focus with the outbreak of war in Ukraine, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 15 Mar 22

Patrick Sean Cullen, 28, from Dublin, with his girlfriend Maria, who is from Ukraine

'Many have lost everything' - Irish man leaves Kyiv

Dublin man Patrick Sean Cullen, who only moved to Ukraine to be with his girlfriend last month, told Prime Time that they made the heart-rending decision to leave Kyiv on Wednesday.

Prime Time • 04 Mar 22

Property firm Monoma Ireland described the classroom as a 'fantastic studio-type room'

Nuns proceed with plan to offer classrooms to tenants

Last week, an ad appeared offering tenants an opportunity to live in St Joseph's School, in New Ross, Co Wexford, for €275 a month, Louise Byrne explains.

Prime Time • 18 Feb 22

Thursday marked the first TV debate between Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien and Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin

A first date for Housing Minister and Eoin Ó Broin

Thursday's Prime Time marked the first television debate between Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien and Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin, writes Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 04 Feb 22

Will a greater supply really lead to cheaper housing?

The Government's solution to Ireland's housing issues is to increase supply. But some believe that not all new homes will lead to cheaper prices more generally, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 03 Feb 22

Some experts believe the Government should be trying to bring property values down

Should the Government try to push home values down?

We all know we need a greater supply of housing in Ireland. But some experts believe the Government should also be trying to bring property values down, explains Louise Byrne.

Prime Time • 03 Feb 22