Behind the Story

How 'auction fever' is fuelling bidding wars on homes and Starmer's woes!

House buyers who bid on properties in open or online auctions are pushing prices up more than they can afford. Bidders in sealed auctions pay less and don't go beyond their budget. A new report by ESRI examines the behaviour of bidders in different house buying systems. Professor Pete Lunn joins Fran and Maggie to explain the research and the psychology at play when someone is bidding on a property. Later, Dr Kathryn Simpson of Keele University analyses the mounting pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following two resignations from his political staff in the last twenty hour hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter Olympics and the politics of sports bans

As the Winter Olympics gets underway in Italy, RTE Sport's Eamon Horan joins Fran and Laura to discuss the Irish hopefuls at the games and the controversy around penis injections in ski jumping! Later, Assistant Lecturer in Global Business at TUD, Richard Woodward, discusses the ongoing ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting competitions. FIFA and the IOC signalled this week they support lifting the ban on the two countries for future games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commuter hell for students and pressure grows on Starmer

A new survey from the University of Limerick Student Union found 60% of commuter students travelled more than one hour each way to campus during the last academic year. Commuting is having a substantial impact on students’ academic performance, financial security and wellbeing.Dervla Ryan, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at UL Students’ Union, discusses the survey – and what needs to be done to change things.Lucy Fisher of the Financial Times also joins Fran and Laura to outline the growing pressure on UK PM Keir Starmer over Peter Mandelson relationship with disgraced former financier Jeffrey Epstein. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are farmers fighting with Bord Bia? And danger here: US visa rules ahead of World Cup

A bitter row has broken out over the last week between farmer organisations and the Chair of Bord Bia, but what's it all about? Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fran to explain what's going on and why he believes both sides have become entrenched in their positions. Later, Editor of Travel Extra, Eoghan Corry discusses the proposed changes to the ESTA visa waiver scheme which could affect tourists and World Cup fans travelling to the US this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can nature help stop flooding and are you tipping too much?

The Slaney and Dodder rivers burst their banks and flooded surrounding areas following subtantial rainfall over the past few days. And while the clean up has begun, more rain in expected over the next 24 hours. Could the flooding have been predicted? and are there nature based solutions that could help prevent floods. Professor of Geography at TCD, Mary Bourke joins Fran and Karen to explain how nature could help prevent some of the worst flooding, she rules out the use of beavers, the aquatic animals being used in other countries! Later, Fran and Karen discuss the CCPC's new guidelines around tipping and technology! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.