Do you understand how the war in Syria has developed into a global conflict? Or why Irish home-buyers pay some of the highest mortgage interest rates in the Eurozone?

Today RTÉ launches its new online series 'Explained by Prime Time' where journalists from across the station talk you through some of the major issues behind key news stories in Ireland, and beyond.

In the first of the series David McCullagh and Edel McAllister explain the difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

You can watch the seven other launch episodes in the series here, the latest update to the series will be available each week at RTE.ie, Youtube and Facebook.