Latest news with #BehindtheStory
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Trump tariffs at Turnberry and what happens next?
A trade deal between the European Union and the US could see certain Irish exporters "at the same position" as they are now, an economist has said. The transatlantic deal, that includes a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US and significant EU purchases of US energy and military equipment, is seen as bringing welcome clarity for European companies. However, the baseline tariff of 15% has been criticised by others as a poor outcome compared to the initial European ambition of a zero-for-zero tariff deal. The deal came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Scotland for talks with US President Donald Trump to push the hard-fought agreement over the line. Deloitte Ireland Chief Economist Kate English told RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast that a zero-for-zero deal was unlikely to happen. "I think a zero-for-zero tariff deal was a pipe dream for the EU – we weren't going to get that," she told Fran McNulty and Evelyn O'Rourke. "What was the alternative if a deal wasn't reached by August 1st? "It was tariffs of 30% or more coming from the US - and at that stage, the EU would have had to retaliate". Ms English said she believes retaliatory tariffs by the EU would have been "catastrophic" for the Irish economy and consumers. "We would have had a lot more pain from this", she said. Ms English said while 15% is not where we want to be, there needed to be some form of agreement that allowed businesses to plan. The Kerrygold example Ms English said there is also scope to expand the zero-for-zero tariff list, which currently includes things like aircraft, semiconductor equipment and certain agricultural products. "That [list] is not nailed down, so that is still being discussed," she explained. "It is also important to remember that we entered into where the average tariff rate between the EU and the US was 4.8% but different sectors would have been experiencing it quite differently. "I know the common example over the last few days and today is that example of Kerrygold – in place already was a tariff of 16% into the United States." Ms English said the new 15% rate is not on top of any existing rates. "What we were understanding from two weeks ago, on July 9th, was if that 10% was agreed it would have been in addition to… whatever rate was your sector," she said. "So, we've kind of ended up - in one respect - at the same position potentially today than what we were looking at two weeks [ago]. "And if some of those negotiations around those zero-for-zero goods that have been picked out as strategic areas for both the US and Europe play true, is it as negative as what we're saying?" Ms English added that pharmaceuticals are "still a real concern for Ireland".
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: 'Level of suffering unbelievable' amid starvation in Gaza
The deteriorating situation in Gaza has taken centre stage this week amid continued warnings of starvation in the Palestinian enclave. Irish Times International Correspondent Sally Hayden has spent the last three weeks in the West Bank and travelled close to the border with Gaza. "The devastation was so evident - destroyed buildings, there was smoke rising I think from four or five places, multiple explosions happened when I was there - and it was only a few minutes." She told Behind the Story she was shocked by what she witnessed and surprised to also see tour groups coming to see what was happening. "They were just going to have a look at what was going on. "It was very surreal because you can have these declarations of famine or starvation, but a kilometre away people have food. "At this viewing point there was a vending machine with people getting fizzy drinks and afterwards I drive by cafés and restaurants. "It's so close - you can see this devastation with your eyes from Israel". 'Starvation is unbelievable' Ms Hayden also detailed the widespread misery being experienced by people in the West Bank. "I met a lot of Palestinians [who] are not eating anymore themselves, even though they're in the West Bank and there's food there, because they can't bear that there are people who are so close who are just going without anything". She also met families who have been separated from their families in Gaza since 7 October. They were forced to go to the West Bank and now there's no way for them to get into Gaza. "They've spent almost two years separated from their families, watching their families go through this. "Two of them men were married, they have a wife and children in Gaza who call them every day. "They were saying [that] the starvation is unbelievable." For more than 21 months, Israeli bombardment and a lack of food have pushed nearly two million people of Gaza to the brink. The health ministry there has said more than 100 people have died from starvation since Israel cut off supplies to the territory in March. Over 100 aid and human rights groups warned this week that "mass starvation" was spreading in Gaza. It comes as France says it will recognise a Palestinian state in September - becoming the first G7 country to do so. It is also the only European Union member which sits on the influential United Nations Security Council. French President Emmanuel Macron said he believes "peace is possible" while also calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
RTÉ News
21-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Will Dublin's Metrolink ever be built?
Metrolink consists of a new fully segregated 18.8km railway line, most of which will be underground, from Charlemont near Dublin city centre to out beyond the Swords area of the capital. RTÉ's Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri told Behind the Story that she recently spoke to Metrolink Programme Director Sean Sweeney who said he wants to make it easier for firms to bid on the project. The price tag and the route map have fluctuated over the years. However, it is thought that a Railway Procurement Order - which would see it move into the construction phase - could be granted in the coming weeks. Samantha told Fran and David in comparison to similar international transport projects, Metrolink is seen as important. "The Ireland project is seen as a big one, it will be over the €10bn mark, but exactly what it will cost we won't know until those various people tender," she said. "One of the difficulties that they're having getting people to tender is because of all the stopping and starting over the years, the last time this was pulled was after the financial crisis". Companies that tender for Dublin's proposed Metrolink may be able to claim some of their money back if they are not successful in the bid under plans being considered by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien. "So, what [Sean Sweeney] has asked the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to do - and this Government are considering this at the moment - is consider a scheme where the bidders can recover some of the costs of the tendering process." Samantha explained there can be big costs involved just to be in the running. "It can cost millions just to tender for these projects," she said. "It takes over a year and a half in planning, design and that kind of thing. "So, he wants to be able to go to the different construction companies and say, 'You can bid for this but if you're unsuccessful you can claim back a portion of that' and it'll be capped at a certain amount. "A spokesperson for Darragh O'Brien told me that he is considering such a scheme". Samantha said the Metrolink is something that Minister O'Brien wants to drive forward. "They really want to get this project up and running and, of course, it is in his constituency as well".
RTÉ News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: The Epstein files and trouble for Trump
The recent decision by the US Department of Justice and FBI to issue a memo concluding there was no evidence of a client list and that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide has resulted in some of President Trump's most ardent supporters being very angry with him. Caitríona Perry, BBC News Chief Presenter and host of The President's Path podcast, told Behind the Story some of the loudest voices calling for the publication of the files have gone quiet since they entered the White House. "[FBI director and deputy director] Kash Patel and Dan Bongino were two of the biggest cheerleaders for publishing the Epstein files before they all got into office," she explained. "[Bongino] is now in the administration and is now saying, 'No, there's nothing to see here and you have everything that you've seen'. "That's led to a sort of other conspiracy theory of, 'Well what are they covering up now? Is the President involved here? What have they seen?'" Caitríona said this scenario opens itself up to a number of options. "They've either come into power, and they've seen these files and realised there is no cover up and there is no hoax and truly there is nothing to see here," she said. "Option two is they've seen the files and, there is something to cover up here and 'we better cover it up because it affects all of us'. "Or the other option is they never believed what they were pedalling in the first place and that they were using it to rile up their base - part of all that heat that we saw in the campaign last year. "Obviously none of those three options are very good for any of the people involved." Some of President Trump's supporters have demanded the release of more information on Epstein, causing a fracture within his Republican support base. Mr Trump has pushed back, telling reporters in the Oval Office this week: "It's all been a big hoax." "All the podcasters, the influencers, the high-profile supporters [are] really not satisfied with what they're hearing from the President, what they're hearing from the Attorney General, the FBI director and the deputy director," Caitríona said. "President Trump has kind of given in a little bit to this pressure… He's asked the Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent grand jury testimony relating to this, subject to court approval." Caitríona said the wording in itself is interesting. "He's saying 'produce', he's not saying publish: what does he mean by that? "Is it that he wants her to give him these files and then he will say, 'I've looked at them and there's nothing to see there folks, you can take my word for it'. "Until now he's been asking his supporters to take the word of Pam Bondi and to take the word of Kash Patel for this." You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Russia, Ukraine and why Putin 'won't retreat'
Donnacha Ó Beacháin is Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, he has just returned from Ukraine, and joins Fran and David on Behind the Story to discuss his trip and his recently published book 'Unfinished Empire'. Professor Ó Beacháin debunks Russian President Vladimir Putin's justification for invading Ukraine in 2022. He explains why Russia has always had a desire to control and rule over neighbouring countries. Prof Ó Beacháin also believes Russia feels exposed as its larger geographic size does not match its economic output. "Russia today is not a great power; the Chinese economy is ten-times the size of Russia's, the American economy is 14-times the size of Russia's," he said. "Russia's economy is smaller than Italy's [and] we don't defer to Italy on many geopolitical things. "We sometimes, because of its sheer geographical size, lose sight of its economic minustatus," he added. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said Washington will arm Ukraine by having European nations purchase American weapons, then transfer them to Kyiv. President Trump has also threatened Russia with steep trading restrictions unless a peace deal with Ukraine is reached within 50 days. However, Prof Ó Beacháin told David and Fran that Mr Putin is unlikely to retreat at this stage. "Why would he retreat now? All the signs are in his favour," he said. "Donald Trump is very ambivalent, to put it mildly, about supporting Ukraine. "The European Union may have the intent or desire, but it doesn't have the means. "From his perspective, this is not the time to retreat – certainly as summer approaches," he added. Prof Ó Beacháin also believes "paranoia" from Mr Putin about internal or external threat to his leadership leaves unanswered questions. "We don't know what will replace Putin; there's no number two ore number three," he said. "If you allow a number two to develop, they will develop ambitions and that will, of course, jeopardise your own position," he added.
