The News 2 day begins for me at 2 p.m. - but it actually starts a lot earlier than that. To begin with, I listen to the morning radio shows; they quite often provide interesting items which we can follow up later.
It can get quite hectic in the afternoon, so I try to get out for a brisk morning walk or run. I'd much rather pound the pavement in the fresh air than be a slave to a sterile gym.
I get into RTE at 1.30 p.m., listening to the news along the way and scanning the papers when I get to the office. Our editorial meeting in RTE at 2 p.m. is when the team of five journalists on the programme debate the various issues of the day. There's an editor, another presenter/reporter, Sharon Ni Bheolain, two reporters and a producer. Sharon and I present on alternate weeks.
We agree by 2.30 p.m. on the items to be covered that day. Then the stressful bit begins - we hit the phones to seek interviewees and compete with other reporters for a camera crew.
Quite often we have to go on location in rush-hour traffic. On my presenting weeks, I have to be back at RTE, changed and made-up, by 8 p.m. to record the promo that goes out at 9.30 p.m. on RTE 1 and then also present the News 2 headlines at 8.30 p.m. The scripting and editing of my report takes place between 8 p.m. and 10.30 pm - then there's just enough time to top up the make-up and go on air with the programme at 10.45 p.m.
Reporting and presenting is a great challenge. I suppose to the outsider it seems a strange thing - sitting in a room talking to a camera. I imagine I'm speaking to just one person - no one in particular - and hope I'm delivering the news to that person in a clear manner.
News 2 was introduced nearly three years ago as part of a revamp of Network 2. It was designed to attract the 15-to-35-year-old age group - younger than the usual viewers of news on RTE 1. I had been with 2FM News before making the move to News 2. I was interested in being part of a TV programme that moved away from the traditional news format and examined stories in a different manner.
Among the specific areas we set out to hit were technology, social issues like the changing face of our society, pop culture and entertainment. We also try to present each day's main news stories in a different manner.
On News 2 we use the latest editing technology to enhance our reports and push the boundaries as far as we can. We used a 3D animated snakes-and-ladders game to portray a history of the Northern peace talks, for example. A feature I use frequently is what we call the "walkie": I stand in front of a graphic presentation as part of my report - it was used to maximum effect in our Budget coverage last December. These projects are hard work, but I get a great sense of achievement when I see them being broadcast.
Being on later means we can deliver well-produced packages - it also means we get the first bite at a lot of late-breaking stories. Among the memorable moments was the US bombing of Iraq back in 1998m when we threw the scripts aside and stayed on air until after midnight. We've also covered Microsoft's continuing battle with the US government. In fact, US stories often break around our broadcast time, because of the time difference. We've also done a whole programme from Belfast, where we took a side-ways look at life in the city - the growth of nightclubs, how comedians deal with the troubles, etc.
The working day finishes when the programme comes off air - any time between 11.15 p.m. and 11.45 p.m. We generally hang around a bit to chat about how the show went. By the time I get home I have absolutely no problems climbing into bed and falling asleep, though occasionally I'll stay up and watch CBS News and maybe have a late night snack. It's usually cake or biscuits - not the best of food before going to bed. Tomorrow is another day!
