Latest news with #TodayWith
RTÉ News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Could emergency response systems save lives on gridlocked Irish roads?
Analysis: Conventional traffic management systems are often unable to adopt quickly if an ambulance, fire engine or garda car needs to get through It's a familiar scene: sirens blaring, lights flashing, but the emergency vehicle barely inches forward in traffic. Every second matters when an ambulance or fire truck is trying to navigate traffic. Yet even the fastest emergency vehicles often find themselves stuck in gridlock. Conventional traffic management systems are reactive at best and often incapable of adapting quickly when an ambulance, fire engine, or police car needs to get through. The delays aren't just frustrating—they can be deadly. But what if city traffic could think for itself? From RTÉ Radio 1 Liveline, listeners share stories of how traffic snarl-ups and bad drivers cause ambulance delays We may be familiar with the Internet of Things, which includes vehicles, but the Internet of Vehicles takes the same principle of connecting items to the broader internet to allow them to exchange data and information. This network represents an ecosystem where every participating vehicle communicates with other vehicles and roadside units, such as sensors and communication towers that detect when an emergency vehicle is coming. Within this framework, emerging technologies like connected autonomous vehicles, public key infrastructure for security and real-time vehicle-to-infrastructure communication could enable dynamic traffic responses when emergencies strike . How would this system work? When an emergency vehicle is on the move, its digital identity would be authenticated using public key infrastructure-based certificates, which operate like digital IDs for emergency vehicles to prevent other vehicles abusing the system. This ensures only verified emergency vehicle receive priority, protecting the system from spoofing or cyberattacks. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Sean O'Rourke Show in 2019, reporter Brian O'Connell goes out on call with the Dublin Fire Brigade Once verified, nearby roadside units instantly alert surrounding connected and autonomous vehicles to make way. But rather than just pulling over randomly, these vehicles respond in a coordinated way. They shift lanes, form platoons and create a clear, structured path for the emergency responder. The beating heart of this system would be an algorithm that quickly identifies which vehicle should lead the pack. The selection isn't random and is based on three key factors: (i) Proximity to the emergency vehicle (ii) Communication reliability (iii) Current lane alignment The system would be able to decipher which vehicle would be best 'leader' for the platoon. The chosen vehicle would guide others, ensuring a seamless and safe formation that clears the road and maintains flow. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, the hugh cost of traffic congestion in our cities This algorithm is what would allow for the wide range of considerations and manoeuvres: having received the signal from the emergency vehicles, other cars would calculate the best way to move out of its path based on far they are from other cars and which lane would be least disrupted. Could such a system work with human drivers on the road? Our research proposes an Enhanced Traffic Management System powered by data, connectivity, and collaboration. While this current model focuses on connected and autonomous vehicles, future iterations of this system will support hybrid environments where human-driven cars share space with connected vehicles. Roadside infrastructure will play a larger coordinating role in these mixed-traffic scenarios, acting as traffic conductors to guide all vehicles and not just the smart ones. Security and scalability remain paramount. Embedding public key infrastructure certificates into ambulances and fire engines ensures that only authorised entities get traffic priority. The system performs robustly even with multiple emergency vehicles navigating through four and six lane setups. From RTÉ News, National Ambulance Service figures show average response time has increased across the country What we found in our study We built high-fidelity simulations, integrated with 5G-enabled V2X communication models, to test our approach. We're not talking about virtual toy cars here: we recreated realistic traffic scenarios, from steady morning commutes to high-density rush hour chaos. The results were promising. In heavy traffic conditions (up to 100 vehicles per kilometre), the system increased the mean speed of traffic by nearly 28% compared to traditional Controllable Path Planning systems and by over 16% compared to existing Emergency Vehicle Priority systems Fuel usage dropped significantly as vehicles avoided unnecessary braking and idling. Most notably, travel times stayed stable, even during peak congestion. While traditional systems showed erratic delays, our system maintained consistency, thanks to its real-time adaptability. With connected and autonomous vehicles adoption accelerating and smart city infrastructure gaining momentum, systems like this could become vital tools in the urban planner's toolkit. From reducing emergency response times to easing congestion and eliminating emissions, our system shows how intelligent machines can work together to protect lives in the moments when every second counts.
Dublin Live
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Joe Duffy's Liveline replacement for first week off air confirmed by RTE
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info RTÉ has announced who'll take over Liveline duties next week in the wake of Joe Duffy's departure. After an iconic 27-year tenure, the broadcasting legend bid farewell to his Radio 1 show on Friday. RTE is now on the hunt for Joe's replacement, with the big reveal expected to be announced in the autumn. Ahead of his final show on Friday, Joe, age 69, assured fans that Liveline would continue without interruption, airing as usual come Monday. Philip Boucher-Hayes is set to step into the presenter's shoes for the upcoming week. Philip, the voice behind Radio 1's Countrywide and a seasoned stand-in for Liveline, is no stranger to RTÉ listeners. He's also a regular substitute on Today With Claire Byrne. While rumours swirl about the next permanent voice of Liveline, listeners will likely be on tenterhooks until the official word drops this autumn. (Image: RTE) Whispers suggested Katie Hannon was poised to succeed Joe after her TV venture, Upfront with Katie Hannon, was cancelled post three series, not returning this September. However, Katie will continue at the helm of RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast and is lined up to present a new TV project in the lead-up to the Presidential election later this year, reports RSVP Live. Katie stated: "I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. We managed to buck the international trend and actually grew our audience on linear television and our digital footprint." Meanwhile, Joe kept his final sign off from Liveline on Friday short and sweet, and even revived his iconic pandemic sign-off 'wash your hands'. He told listeners: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. "Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
Irish Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE Liveline replacement confirmed for Joe Duffy's first week off air
RTÉ has disclosed the presenter who will cover Liveline next week as Joe Duffy steps back into retirement. After 27 years steering the show, the much-admired broadcaster bade farewell to his renowned Radio 1 programme this Friday. The national broadcaster is set to begin the search for Duffy's replacement, with an official announcement expected come autumn. Prior to his last broadcast on Friday, Joe, at the age of 69, assured listeners there would be no break in the Liveline schedule, confirming it would air as usual on Monday. Philip Boucher-Hayes is the chosen stand-in for hosting the esteemed talk show next week, reports RSVP Live. A known voice on RTÉ, Philip presents Countrywide on Radio 1 and has previous experience filling in on Liveline. He has regularly been the relief host for Today With Claire Byrne too. While the radio landscape buzzes with guesses about who will permanently take over Liveline, the reveal is slated for later in the year, with audiences expecting the news by autumn. Amidst rising conjecture, there is talk of Katie Hannon stepping into Duffy's shoes, particularly after her current affairs TV show, Upfront with Katie Hannon, was cancelled after three seasons, not to return this September. Nonetheless, Hannon continues as the voice behind the RTÉ podcast Behind the Story and is also set to front a new television programme ahead of 2025's Presidential election. Commenting on her programme's termination, Katie said: "I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. We managed to buck the international trend and actually grew our audience on linear television and our digital footprint. "It was a privilege to work with our small team of talented and hardworking colleagues led by our editor Janet Traynor. "I also want to thank all of those who came into our studio and trusted us with their stories and contributed to the national conversation on the issues that matter to all of us. "I'm disappointed that we won't be able to keep that conversation going." In his final moments on Friday's Liveline, Joe kept things succinct but memorable, even reviving his famous pandemic message, 'wash your hands'. To his audience, he said: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. "Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege."
RTÉ News
04-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Are you being ripped off by the 'loyalty penalty'?
Analysis: From banks to insurance, companies punish loyal consumers with higher prices, while new customers are rewarded with better deals There's growing concern that many of us are being quietly overcharged by service providers. Consumers are urged to check their contracts and avoid overpaying, especially when better deals may be just a click away. In a market economy, we benefit from competition. We enjoy choice, innovation and, most of all, paying less. Price matters. But competition doesn't work unless we, as consumers, play our part. It takes two to tango. Without active engagement from consumers, the benefits of competition stall. We're used to shopping around when buying goods, but the economy has shifted. Many services now run on a subscription model. You sign up once and continue paying indefinitely. That's where the so-called 'loyalty penalty' creeps in. Companies quietly raise prices or reduce service quality - or, in the case of goods, shrink product sizes (have you heard of shrinkflation?) - relying on the assumption that we're not reviewing our contracts or comparing alternatives. It's easier than ever to be taken for granted—or taken for a ride. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, just how worthwhile are loyalty cards? The loyalty penalty is both costly and unfair. Those who stay loyal are often punished with higher prices, while new customers are rewarded with better deals. That's upside-down logic. In other walks of life, loyalty is valued. In many markets, it's penalised. A well-known example is car insurance. Letting a policy auto-renew without shopping around usually means overpaying. The same applies to mobile phone plans. If your contract includes paying off a handset, but you don't renegotiate once the term ends, you'll keep paying the same high price—even though your phone is already paid off. Another important example is health insurance. Recent research shows that consumers in Ireland have been facing very steep price increases. Effectively, if they stayed with their providers— they were paying a loyalty penalty. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, there are significant savings to be made on mortgage switching but is it worthwhile? In a cost-of-living crisis, every euro counts. Yet many of us still pay hundreds more each year than we need to. Making time to review your recurring bills might be one of the simplest ways to ease household pressure. Market regulators like the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) can do their bit by removing barriers and making switching easier, but they can't force us to act. If we accept poor deals or bad service, competition loses its power. Fortunately, tools for switching are improving. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)'s Open Banking reforms means switching current accounts can now be done swiftly without any hassle. All your payments and standing orders move automatically. Even transfers to your old account get redirected. I know, I've used it! In effect, UK banks are now offering over £150 to new customers, yet fewer than 3% of UK adults make the switch each year. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, what's the best current account for you? In Ireland, bank switching is not that straightforward, but it can be done. However, new research shows that over 60% of Irish customers have stayed with their main bank for over seven years. Inertia still wins. Of course, not everyone finds it easy to switch. Some people feel overwhelmed by digital tools or are unsure where to start. That's why making comparison websites more user-friendly and support more accessible matters. Ensuring all consumers can benefit from competition should be part of the policy agenda. We need to change that. We need to vote with our wallets. Think about your recurring expenses such as health, car and travel insurance; mobile and broadband contracts; bank services (both current account and mortgages; energy suppliers; streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify) and gym subscriptions. Now ask: are you getting a good deal? From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, are more Irish consumers looking to switch banks? What to do? Take action. Use free comparison tools to check your current deals and see what else is out there. Start with visiting the Money Tools pages of the CCPC. There, you'll find pages dedicated to comparisons of different service, from bank accounts to credit cards. Consider a website like Power to Switch for energy comparison. Both and offer useful comparisons across broadband, mobile services, insurance products and more. (I have no connection with these sites and this isn't an endorsement, just a suggestion.) For competition to work, consumers must take an active role. We cannot afford to be passive. If we fail to challenge rising prices or deteriorating service, we weaken the very forces that should be working in our favour. Markets respond to signals, and consumer behaviour is one of the most powerful signals there is. The rewards for engaging are real: better prices, improved quality, and fairer treatment. In short, when we act, competition delivers. Final tip: Get empowered, go shopping and shop around. If consumers start switching more often, businesses will need to treat their customers better to keep them. So next time your policy auto-renews or your bill creeps up, pause and take control. A better deal might be just a few clicks away.
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
How Irish classrooms can deal with warmer weather and higher temperatures
Analysis: Parents, educators and policymakers must treat classroom heat not as a seasonal inconvenience, but as a pressing public health issue Ireland is known for its mild and wet summers, but classrooms across the country are experiencing something different this May. The current sustained spell of warmth and dryness is anything but typical. Temperatures are regularly reaching and surpassing 17°C, well above the long-term May average temperature of 10.5 °C. At the same time, we have been having weather since March that is warmer and drier than usual and the lower rainfall inhibits natural cooling. This unseasonal warmth is part of a longer-term trend. Last May was Ireland's warmest on record with an average temperature of 13.08 °C. This is testing schools built for a cooler climate. For children, whose bodies cannot regulate heat as efficiently as adults, such conditions are not just uncomfortable, but they can become a health risk. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, should more schools consider outdoor classrooms? Why heat hits children harder Children face unique vulnerabilities in overheated classrooms. Their developing thermoregulatory system and higher surface-area-to-body-mass ratio make them prone to dehydration and heat stress, even at moderate temperatures. Classrooms are much more densely occupied than, say, an office space, which means they trap more heat. Prolonged exposure to warm conditions can lead to nausea, headaches and dizziness. Poor ventilation in classrooms, which can be a reason for warmer classroom temperatures, also worsens respiratory issues that a child may have. In addition to health and discomfort risks, there is also the matter of a suitable learning space. A summary of research evidence shows that when classroom temperatures rise from 20 to 30 °C, children's performance in learning related tasks decline by about 2% for every degree Celsius. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, how extreme heat affects the brain A climate shift our schools were not built for Met Éireann's data paints a stark picture of changing norms. This May, forecasts predict averages could reach 14.9° C. The warmer temperature is also being accompanied by longer warm spells, meaning buildings and surroundings do not get a chance to cool down, further enhancing the risk for students. Irish schools are built for cold winters, so most do not have mechanical cooling systems. Like many schools in the EU, they rely on natural ventilation. With the warming climate, the effectiveness of natural ventilation is impacted. Retrofitted insulation, intended to combat winter cold, traps summer heat as well. With the school years ending in June, the months of May and June can be especially challenging. How schools can adapt In the short term, schools can take low-cost steps to mitigate risks. Opening windows overnight to flush out heat can be useful. Using cross ventilation – opening doors and windows – during cooler mornings is also effective. Installing temporary window reflectors (like cardboard coated in foil) can reduce the incoming solar radiation, reducing daytime temperatures. Using indoor air quality monitors to keep track of indoor temperature in real time can help us plan and minimize heat exposure risks. From RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O'Connor Show, dealing with classroom temperatures Scheduling outdoor activities before 11am or after 3pm avoids peak heat and UV exposure. Dehydration is a significant risk for children, as they may not recognize the need to drink water regularly, especially in dry weather, so providing chilled water stations is a useful measure. Architectural changes are critical for futureproofing the classrooms. External shades and high-performance glazing can cut down solar heat gains. Replacing asphalt playgrounds with grass or cool pavements helps lower surface temperatures. These spaces are safer for outdoor breaks taken by the children. What parents can do Parents can help by sending children to school with insulated water bottles and frozen fruit, and by choosing light-coloured, loose-fitting uniforms made from breathable fabrics. Schools can also provide more flexibility in uniform requirements. Another important aspect is supporting school boards' efforts to secure funding for classroom retrofits. By integrating Met Éireann's climate projections into school design, policymakers can future-proof classrooms against rising temperatures To prepare for future scenarios, schools and parents can co-create heat action plans and gradually adopt measures. Designated staff and parents can check on progress and ensure that measures are maintained. Some actions can be conducted with children's cooperation as STEM-related activities, helping them understand climate change and building design. Awareness activities, conducted with researchers, can benefit both children and teachers. A need for systemic change Ireland's climate is changing, and so must its classroom infrastructure. While individual actions help, systemic solutions are urgent. Met Éireann's projections indicate that May temperatures could rise by an additional 1.5°C by the middle of this century (2041–2060), making passive cooling systems and revised building codes essential. While immediate measures like hydration and schedule changes can mitigate risks, systemic investment in resilient classroom infrastructure is important. By integrating Met Éireann's climate projections into school design standards, policymakers can move further to future-proof classrooms against escalating temperatures. Parents, educators and policymakers must treat classroom heat not as a seasonal inconvenience, but as a pressing public health issue. The goal is to adapt classroom design so that they can be safe havens for learning, no matter what the weather brings.
