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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>A small vessel transiting in front of the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush as it transits the Strait of Hormuz in 2014. Picture: AP Photo/US Navy, Specialist 3rd Class Abe McNatt</p>

world

ieExplains: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for oil?

Iran has in the past threatened to close the strait but has never followed through on the move, which would restrict trade and impact global oil prices

<p>The Human Tissue Act 2024 is a composite piece of legislation that includes provisions around 'donation and transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells, post-mortem practice and procedures, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death'. File picture</p>

news

ieExplains: The organ donation system is changing. Here's what you need to know

<p>President Donald Trump observes rocket launches and other military demonstrations at Fort Bragg, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Fort Bragg, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</p>

world

ieExpains: How can Trump use the national guard on US soil?

Person working with microscope in lab

news

ieExplains: What is the new covid variant and is it in Ireland?

Trump

spotlight

ieExplains: What is Trump’s new travel ban, and which countries are affected?

7/6/2009. Leaving certificate Exams Begins Signs Notices State Examinations Commisson

news

ieExplains: Key dates for Leaving Cert students, teachers and parents

US Economy Is Set to Lose Billions as Foreign Tourists Stay Away

ieExplains: Trump is pausing new student visa appointments. What does this mean for the J1?

It is believed those who have already received their J1 visas for the US this summer are unlikely to be impacted

Wed, 28 May, 2025

VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-MASS

ieExplains: How does the conclave work and when will a new pope be chosen?

Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the process of electing a pontiff

Wed, 07 May, 2025

ieExplains: How would a 100% tariff on foreign-made films impact Ireland's economy?

ieExplains: How would a 100% tariff on foreign-made films impact Ireland's economy?

US President Donald Trump has threatened levies of 100% on foreign-made films in a bid to combat what he called a 'dying' American film industry

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Vatican Pope

ieExplains: When is Pope Francis’s funeral, who will be there and what happens next

The late pontiff’s funeral, due to take place on Saturday, will attract dignitaries and worshippers from around the world

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

The Conclave Of Cardinals Have Elected A New Pope To Lead The World's Catholics

ieExplains: How conclave will elect a new pope and who are the favourites?

The election itself is shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals forbidden from communicating with the outside world

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

The Funeral Of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Takes Place In St Peter's Basilica

ieExplains: What happens after a pope dies? The rites, rituals and funeral plans for Pope Francis

Pope Francis simplified the rites of papal death, funeral and burial — here’s what changes and traditions remain

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: No more tax discs? Here’s what motorists need to know

ieExplains: No more tax discs? Here’s what motorists need to know

We answer all your questions as Ireland moves to scrap physical motor tax discs and adopt smarter road tech

Thu, 17 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: Will the new national planning framework really help resolve the housing crisis?

ieExplains: Will the new national planning framework really help resolve the housing crisis?

More land for housing developments is likely to be provided, with a direct order from James Browne under new the new Planning and Development Act

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Limerick v Tipperary - Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship Final

ieExplains: Why the GAA is planning to regulate faceguards and hurleys

Due to the ash dieback crisis, which has nearly wiped out timber suitable for hurley-making, the GAA is going to strengthen its oversight of the hurley-making market as alternative materials are sought.

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: What happened the last time Donald Trump put tariffs on Europe?

ieExplains: What happened the last time Donald Trump put tariffs on Europe?

While Mr Trump implemented tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in his last term in office, the scale this time is just so much bigger and the potentially downside risks are so much higher

Tue, 08 Apr, 2025

glass of whiskey on the terrace

ieExplains: How Trump’s tariffs put Ireland in the firing line

Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs could shake global trade—here’s what they mean for Ireland, key industries, and consumers

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: What is Meta AI?

The tech giant has began the process of rolling out Meta AI across WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger in 41 European Countries

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

US Europe Trade War

ieExplains: What are tariffs and how do they affect me?

In the past few months, it’s become a word associated with the United States, but tariffs are not just limited to the vagaries of the Trump administration.

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

ieExplains: When are the clocks going forward?

ieExplains: When are the clocks going forward?

In 2019, the European Parliament voted that daylight saving time should be abolished by April 2021, but a final decision on it has yet to take place

Sat, 29 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: What Ryanair's new subscriber model is all about

ieExplains: What Ryanair's new subscriber model is all about

Jackie Sheehan, sales director with travel management company Frosch Ireland thinks Ryanair wouldn’t be making such a move unless it 'had its research done'

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

ieExplains: Why has the speaking rights row been going on for so long?

The speaker rights row continues to overshadow Dáil proceedings. Elaine Loughlin recaps what's happened over the last few months

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Could your painful periods be endometriosis?

ieExplains: The facts about endometriosis you shouldn’t ignore

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, causing chronic pain and fertility issues. Learn about symptoms, stages, and treatments

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: Who can run for president and when is the next presidential election?

ieExplains: Who can run for president and when is the next presidential election?

Here, we explain what it takes to run for president and what the job entails

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: As Siofra Shamrock arrives in Ireland — what are Jellycats?

ieExplains: As Siofra Shamrock arrives in Ireland — what are Jellycats?

It's the toy we're seeing all over TikTok and as a new limited-edition shamrock arrives in Ireland, here's everything you need to know about Jellycats

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Mark Carney

ieExplains: Who is Canada's new PM Mark Carney and why is he giving up his Irish citizenship?

Mark Carney, a former central banker, has family who hailed from Co Mayo

Mon, 10 Mar, 2025

Pope Francis Celebrates Immaculate Conception at Spanish Steps

ieExplains: When a pope is ill or can’t fulfill his duties, who steps in?

Who else helps lead the Holy See? Daniel Speed Thompson, a theologian at the University of Dayton, offers some insight into Vatican City.

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

China US Tariffs

ieExplains: What are tariffs and how do they work?

Mainstream economists are generally sceptical about tariffs, considering them an inefficient way for governments to raise revenue

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: What will removing the UN mandate mean for the triple lock?

ieExplains: What will removing the UN mandate mean for the triple lock?

Tánaiste Simon Harris is due to bring proposals to Cabinet that would increase the number of troops Ireland can send abroad without triggering the lock from 12 to 50

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

This week, the Government is to take the first step in dismantling Ireland's triple lock system that governs the deployment of peacekeepers abroad

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

US President Donald J. Trump meets with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Washington, DC, USA

ieExplains: What is the big deal about the Taoiseach's St Patrick’s Day visit to US?

While having a guaranteed sit-down with the US president is important for all sorts of reasons, the real value of the week is in jetstream of that meeting

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

ieExplains: What we learned from the German election

ieExplains: What we learned from the German election

After the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s three-party government in November, it is now up to Friedrich Merz to restore stability to the European Union’s most populous country and traditional political heavyweight, which also has the continent’s biggest economy

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Skin care using cosmetic skin cream Woman with black skin

ieExplains: Why is everyone on TikTok putting beef tallow on their skin?

Is beef tallow really a cure for acne, fine lines and nature’s answer to Botox? Kate Demolder investigates the latest skincare trend doing the rounds

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

ieExplains: What can and can't be said in the Dáil?

ieExplains: What can and can't be said in the Dáil?

Because Dáil debates can become fairly rowdy, there's been plenty of occasion for chairs to rule a word out of order

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

ieExplains: Who's going where? St Patrick's Day trips for ministers revealed

ieExplains: Who's going where? St Patrick's Day trips for ministers revealed

This year, 38 representatives of the State will travel to more than 90 cities in 40 countries

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

ieExplains: Here's what you need to know about the changes to speed limits

ieExplains: Here's what you need to know about the changes to speed limits

Speed limits are being reduced on hundreds of Irish roads in a bid to tackle road deaths across the country.

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

ieExplains: How do you get elected to the Seanad?

ieExplains: How do you get elected to the Seanad?

The election to the upper house of the Oireachtas is taking place, with all seats to be filled by January 30

Thu, 30 Jan, 2025

ieExplains: What is Lunar New Year and how do people celebrate?

ieExplains: What is Lunar New Year and how do people celebrate?

With roots tracing back some 3,500 years to ancient China, the Lunar New Year signifies the end of winter and the arrival of a new year

Wed, 29 Jan, 2025

Fianna Fail ard fheis conference

ieExplains: Who’s who? Here are the ministers in the new Cabinet

Here's who the new ministers are

Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

ieExplains: What is the Ceann Comhairle and what do they do?

ieExplains: What is the Ceann Comhairle and what do they do?

Ceann Comhairle, meaning Head of Council, acts as speaker or presiding officer for the Dáil

Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

New Taoiseach appointed

ieExplains: What are Dáil speaking rights and what is the current row about?

We take a deeper look at what is causing the division

Wed, 22 Jan, 2025

President's Reception And Fireworks Show Held At Trump National Golf Club

ieExplains: What is Trump's new meme coin and what does this mean for the crypto market?

The president-elect's newly created cryptocurrency soared on Monday to nearly $12bn, but the launch of the digital asset raises several ethical questions about political influence

Mon, 20 Jan, 2025

Donald Trump Is Sworn In As 45th President Of The United States

ieExplains: Everything you need to know about Donald Trump's inauguration

Donald Trump will officially become the 47th president of the United States at 5pm (Irish time) on Monday, January 20

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025

ieExplains: What is a junior minister?

ieExplains: What is a junior minister?

Here's everything you need to know

Thu, 16 Jan, 2025

Woman blowing in a tissue in a cold winter with a snowy mountain in the background

ieExplains: What do we need to know about HMPV?

Like other respiratory conditions, HMPV can lead to more serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia — particularly among the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

Coronavirus

What is HMPV, are cases surging in China, and should we be worried?

Surging HMPV cases in northern China have prompted some online alarm but experts say the risk of another Covid-like pandemic is low

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

Here's everything you need to know about the new TDs for Cork

Here's everything you need to know about the new TDs for Cork

All 20 seats in Cork city and county have been filled. Here's what you need to know about the news TDs for Cork

Wed, 18 Dec, 2024

ieExplains: How much do TDs get paid?

ieExplains: How much do TDs get paid?

The Oireachtas has published an online guide to the salary and allowances of TDs and senators

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

ieExplains: The election is over. What happens next?

ieExplains: The election is over. What happens next?

With none of the main parties having secured enough seats to form a government, negotiations will take place over the coming days and weeks on forming a coalition

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

ieExplains: What is PR-STV and how does the Irish voting system work?

ieExplains: What is PR-STV and how does the Irish voting system work?

Why are second, third and fourth preferences so important in the election? It has to do with the Irish voting system — a process called proportional representation – single transferable vote or PR-STV.

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024