Latest news with #BehindtheStory
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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.
RTÉ News
14-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Trump tariffs and the impact on Irish food and drink
In 2024, dairy exports to the US were worth €830m, while whiskey exports were worth €450m - the threat of a 30% tariff could have far reaching implications. Agri Business Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal Lorcan Roche Kelly told Behind the Story that Irish goods are seen as premium brands by American shoppers and could survive a smaller tariff like 10%. However, he believes that a tariff of 30% would mean that items like Irish butter and whiskey could be pushed out of people's price range. In a response to the latest threat of higher tariffs, the European Commission said it was putting forward a new list of US goods worth €72bn that could be targeted by EU levies if tariff talks with Washington fail. David and Katie also discuss President Trump's longer-than-expected appearance after Chelsea won the Club World Cup yesterday. And in the spirit of sport, the duo reignite the age-old debate: is it 'football' or 'soccer'?
RTÉ News
09-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: How water demand could hamper housing supply
RTÉ's Economics and Public Affairs Editor David Murphy explains on Behind the Story why a new wastewater facility in north Dublin is vital to new builds. It comes as a treatment plant in Ringsend is currently approaching maximum capacity. In addition, lower than average rainfall over the past 14 months has resulted in less water in the capital's reservoirs and a warning by Uisce Éireann for the public to conserve water in 12 counties. Uisce Éireann is hoping for a green light for a massive new drainage scheme in the capital. Katie and David also look at how a move towards greener energy could actually be hampering the grid's ability to deliver as more power is needed for new technologies like EV chargers.
