Claire Byrne, radio presenter
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ONLINE?
I use the internet constantly for work. Because we're on air for two and a half hours every weekday morning, we are constantly checking for breaking news and additional background to stories we're covering. It's also a great research tool throughout the day and spawns many a good idea for items on The Breakfast Show.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE NEWS-RELATED WEBSITES?
It's pretty hard to beat the BBC website (www.bbc.co.uk) for news and current affairs. I also use and for news from the US.
WHAT OTHER SITES DO YOU VISIT REGULARLY?
I like to check in on and . Some of it is incredibly odd, interesting and, because it's a public forum, quite scary. I also really enjoy for a daily swipe at everything Irish.
ARE THERE ANY BLOGS THAT YOU READ REGULARLY?
One of my favourites is Twenty Major (http://twentymajor.net). I only read writers who are really good. The rest are just venting their spleen because they can, and it ends up being a moanfest.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU USE THE INTERNET FOR?
I only ever book flights online. I also use it for hotels. is a fantastic site for honest hotel reviews written by people who have actually stayed there. In the run-up to a holiday I also use Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com).
HAS THE INTERNET IMPROVED YOUR LIFE?
I can't think how we managed to function before the internet became as mainstream as it is now. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, and it is incredibly easy to make contact with people. There is a downside, though. Like mobile phones, it has made us all much more accessible, all of the time and no matter where we are. In conversation with Fiona McCann
Claire Byrne presents The Breakfast Show with Ger Gilroy on Newstalk 106-108, Monday to Friday, 6.30am-9am