The Hard Shoulder

Next month the special 9 percent VAT rate for tourism and hospitality, introduced as a COVID support, is due to be scrapped. But is this yet another blow to the tourism and hospitality sector and should we look to extend the 9 percent rate? Kieran was joined by Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Chairperson Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Barra Roantree, Economist at the ESRI to discuss...

With constant delays, cost overruns reaching billions and now a lawsuit launched against the main contractor - most people have left in otter bewilderment at the current state of the National Children’s Hospital. So how far along is the construction and is there an end in sight? Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement joined Kieran to discuss...

Is it acceptable to wear sports jerseys outside the home or a match? This was part of a discussion that was had on OTBAM where some arguments were made around grown adults wearing jerseys as everyday wear. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Off The Ball's Colm Boohig and Journalist and Celebrity Stylist Laura Mullett to discuss...

Diageo confirmed today that the price of a pint of Guinness is going up by four cents in August. They have been citing higher input costs as a reason for the increase. Kieran was joined by Michael O’Donovan, owner of The Castle Inn in Cork, and Chair of the Cork City and Cork County Branch Vintners Federation of Ireland and Adrienne McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Bar in Castletown Bere in West Cork to discuss...

Ireland are opening the Women's World Cup with a fixture against tournament hosts Australia in Sydney tomorrow, with a record crowd of 82,500 people expected. Kieran was joined by Off The Ball’s Kathleen McNamee, Presenter of COYGIG Podcast and Neil O’Riordan, Chief Sports Writer with The Irish Sun to discuss…

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a debate on 'Should we still be building data centres?'

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give him tips for a trip to beautiful Boston...

This Thursday Aslan will release their first single since the passing of the great Christy Dignam. Their cover of 'The Fields of Athenry' will be released on Thursday, their last single featuring Christy. Aslan’s Billy McGuiness joined Kieran to discuss...

There was a notable drop in the number of TV licences issued in the first week in July compared to the same time last year. Just over 11 thousand licences were issued compared to just over 15 thoudand in 2022. The fall in TV licence numbers comes as the controversy continues over with RTE over Ryan Tubridy’s earnings. Kieran was joined by Economist Colm McCarthy and Independent TD for Clare, Michael McNamara to discuss...

Today, Met Éireann have published a summary of Ireland's latest climate averages, from 1991-2020. The key findings have revealed that Ireland is warmer and wetter now than 30 years ago. Met Éireann said the average yearly air temperature in Ireland stands at 9.8 degrees, an increase of 0.7 degrees from the previous 30-year time frame. Kieran was jonied by Mary Curly, Climatologist and the project lead of this new report from Met Eireann to discuss...

Yesterday on The Hard Shoulder, Johnny Healy Rae joined Kieran to respond to the changes being made to the King Puck tradition at the Puck Fair. Instead of remaining up in the tower for the duration of the three-day festival, the King Puck goat will only be hoisted up for one hour the first day and one hour the last day. Healy-Rae thinks these changes are disappointing and believes the goat comes down from the festival better than it goes up. Gerry Boland, founder of Animals Behind Closed Doors joined Kieran to discuss...

Is it time to increase Ireland’s sugar tax? In 2018, the sugar tax was introduced to make high-sugar drinks more expensive in an attempt to tackle obesity. But with the lack of price difference with and without the tax, is this goal possible? Irish Independent Columnist Mary McCarthy joined Kieran to discuss...

There was a notable drop in the number of TV licences issued in the first week in July compared to the same time last year. Just over 11 thousand licences were issued compared to just over 15 thoudand in 2022. The fall in TV licence numbers comes as the controversy continues over with RTE over Ryan Tubridy’s earnings. Kieran was joined by John McGuirk, Editor of Gript.ie and Dr Eileen Culloty, assistant Professor at the DCU FuJo Institute and School of Communications...

A new drug has been found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, with experts hailing it as a "turning point". Donanemab was shown to reduce cognitive decline by up to 35 percent, if the disease is detected early. Roger Highfield, Science Director at the London Science Museum joined Kieran to discuss...

Earlier, Kieran spoke with Dr Catherine Day, chair of the Advisory Group on Direct Provision, and former Secretary General of the European Commission. She spoke about the shortfalls of the current Direct Provision system, and what can be done to address some of the issues. One of those suggestions was around engagement with communities, and how much planning might be done before asylum seekers arrive. Kieran was joined by Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD for Clare to discuss… Image: Facebook via Cathal Crowe TD

Willie O’Dea, in an article he wrote for the Irish Independent, criticised the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee of “playing to the woke gallery” instead of doing what the public want and to “focus more on delivering safe streets.” Is the Minster neglecting one area for another as she deals with the Hate speech legislation? Kieran was joined by Dr Pat Leahy, Former Garda Assistant Commissioner and Adam Long, Board Director at the National LGBT Federation…

Simon Tierney joined Kieran earlier on the show to discuss the severe lack of streets and memorials in Dublin that are named after women. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Diarmuid O'Cadhla, former Cork County Councillor, Frank McDonald, Dublin author and journalist and Ruth Coppinger, former Socialist TD to discuss...

Europe is in the midst of a heat wave today – Rome has hit 40 degrees, Athens has closed the Acropolis for a portion of the day with temperatures also over 40 while Sicily could break the continent's temperature record of 48 degrees this week. However – Ireland is not in the midst of this heatwave. Many parts of the country saw more than 50mm of rain this weekend while temperatures have remained consistently below 20. Kieran was joined by John Sweeney Climatologist and Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University...

Has the Direct Provision system reached its limits? Dr Catherine Day, chair of the Advisory Group on Direct Provision and former Secretary General of the European Commission joined Kieran to discuss some recommendations for what should happen moving forward...

Simon Tierney has wrote a piece for the Irish Examiner, where he notices a particular failing when it comes to Dublin’s historical bridges, parks, buildings, streets and statues. Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Simon Tierney and Green Party Councillor for Dublin City Janet Horner to discuss…

Comedian Michael Fry joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his viral Indie song inspired by this week's Oireachtas Committee meetings... Image: Twitter via Michael Fry @BigDirtyFry

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to learn about the delicious cuisine of Portugal...

Dr Ali Raza Ansari, Trainee GP at the Midland Regional Hospital joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the impact the housing crisis is having on himself and his colleagues...

Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 1.9% last year, a new report has found. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the drop was driven by higher fuel prices, increased renewable energy, behavioural change and regulation. Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Coordinator of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and Lecturer in Climate and Energy Law in TU Dublin to discuss...

Two-thirds of people on Tinder are either married or already in a relationship, a new study has found. The study also found that just half the app’s users are interested in actually meeting up with people offline. Newstalk's Roisin Davis and Simon Tierney joined Kieran to discuss...

It’s a huge weekend in the football championship as we reach the semi final stage. Monaghan take on the might of Dublin at the 'neutral' venue of Croke Park tomorrow at 5.30pm, while on Sunday at 4pm Derry and Kerry also meet at GAA HQ. Kieran was joined by former Kerry Footballer Darran O’Sullivan and former Monaghan Footballer Dick Clerkin to discuss...

Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos. In a statement issued on his behalf, Mr Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, said: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.” The young person at the centre of the controversy said the allegations, first printed in The Sun newspaper, were “rubbish”. Kieran was joined by BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson to discuss…

The saga surrounding RTÉ secret payments to Ryan Tubridy took its latest twist today as the station’s new director general Kevin Bakhurst was the latest to go before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee. Mr Bakhurst told the committee that the station would not be paying Mr Tubridy this week while he reiterated his call for the former director general Dee Forbes to go before the committee. Kieran was joined by Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin TD and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Mandy Johnston, Presenter of Taking Stock on Newstalk...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Joey O'Callaghan, who is the subject of the popular podcast ‘The Witness: In His Own Words with Nicola Tallant’ His testimony helped convict gangsters Brian Kenny, 50, and Thomas Hinchon, 40, for the murder of Jonathan O’Reilly outside Dublin’s Cloverhill Prison back in 2005 . Joey O Callaghan today joins me in the studio to discuss his story and theCriminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill, which he hopes will protect young people from entering a life of crime.

Environment, Climate and Communications Minister Eamon Ryan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the launch of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, new EU Nature Restoration Laws, renewable energy and the ongoing RTÉ payment scandal...

As Irish fans prepare to battle tooth and nail for tickets to the Dublin dates of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, it begs the question, if she is one of the greats, why do people still sneer at her? Claire Beck DJ and Presenter of Today FM joined Kieran to discuss...

The saga surrounding RTÉ secret payments to Ryan Tubridy took its latest twist today as the station’s new director general Kevin Bakhurst was the latest to go before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, alongside Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch. Sean Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent joined Kieran with the latest...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by John Crumlish, Chief Executive, Galway Arts Festival and Eibh Collins, Short Films Programmer with Galway Film Fleadh...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by JP McMahon, chef, author and restauranteur...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by Ray Silke, Former All Ireland winning captain with Galway and Business and Economics teacher and coach at Coláiste Iognáid Eddie Hoare, Mayor of Galway, and former Galway GAA footballer to discuss the GAA Championships, the future of GAAGO and who will win the All-Ireland....

The European Parliament has voted in favour of the Nature Restoration Law after months of discord among farmers. The controversial legislation will set specific targets for the first time on restoring nature through measures such as rewetting some drained peatlands, increasing green spaces in urban areas, and improving biodiversity in land used for agriculture and forestry. A highly anticipated vote in Strasbourg this morning received 336 votes in favour, 300 against and 13 abstentions. Kieran was joined by Vincent Roddy, President of Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association and Green Party Councilor Alastair McKinstry to discuss...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by Galway man and Supermacs CEO, Pat McDonagh...

Now as we broadcast to you live from Galway we have been taking a look at some of the beautiful attractions of the West. From the Spanish Arch to Salthill, the City of the Tribes is not just full of culture and arts but also breathtaking scenery. Some of the most popular destinations off the coast of Ireland are not far from here either, the Aran Islands. We sent Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie to Inis Oírr to meet with tourists and locals about the magic of island life.

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by impersonator Aidan Tierney and Galway Beo News Reporter Jess Mercer to talk about what it’s like living and working in a city with such a unique and cherished culture...

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give him tips for a trip to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia...

For more reaction to Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly's appearance before two Oireachtas Committees today, Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoudler by Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats TD and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil Senator and Member of the Media Committee and Willie O'Reilly, Columnist at the Business Post and Former Group Commercial Director of RTÉ

The Government have announced details of a €150 million fund to address long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities across the State. The funding was announced on Tuesday as part of the quarterly Housing for All progress update. It’s as just over 6,700 new homes were completed in the first three months of 2023 - an increase of almost 20 per cent on the same period in 2023. Is the plan starting to work or not? Eoin O’Broin, TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson for Housing joined Kieran to discuss...

Limerick boss John Kiely has thrown his support behind the ladies footballers and camogie players, saying that a players’ charter needs to be established right away. It’s as protests are ongoing over demands for basic medical, gym, nutrition and expense arrangements around their intercounty regimes. Fiona McHale, Mayo ladies footballer joined Kieran to discuss...

RTÉ's new Director General Kevin Bakhurst joined Kieran Cuddihy live in studio to discuss the ongoing RTÉ payments scandal and the appearance of Ryan Tubridy before the Oireachtas Committee today...

Today is World Population Day! Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Robin Maynard, Executive Director of Population Matters to discuss the future of the world's population...

Ryan Tubridy has finally been able to break his silence as he has addressed the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee and he is now currently before the Media Committee. The broadcaster has accused the station of 7 untruths over the payment scandal which has engulfed the station. Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe and Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Columnist with the Irish Examiner to discuss... Image: Oireachtas TV

It was Kevin Bakhurst’s first day as Director General at RTÉ and he has hit the ground running, in one of his first acts he confirmed that the RTÉ Executive Board would be disbanded. So what are the challenges facing RTÉ’s New Director General? Tomorrow it is the turn of Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly to go before the Oireachtas – they will face both the Media and the Public Accounts committees. Kieran was joined by Kieran Mulvey, Former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission and TD Niamh Smyth, Chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee...

A decline in tourism this tourist season is hurting many businesses in rural Ireland. On July 8, proprietor of Treyvaud’s Restaurant Paul Treyvaud tweeted: “Rural Ireland is in serious trouble” and "it’s all down to a lack of accommodation." With many hotel spaces allocated to refugees and asylum seekers, others are forced to up their prices. Come winter, businesses may be in real trouble as a result. Paul Treyvaud joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended for paying a teenager £35,000 in exchange for sexual images back in 2020. The Sun reported last week that the presenter involved made panicked phone calls to the individual involved. Other presenters have taken to social media to state their innocence while the presenter at the center remains unnamed. The BBC met with the Metropolitan Police today. Kieran was joined by London based journalist, Enda Brady to discuss...

Kevin Bakhurst is standing down the entire RTÉ executive board in his first major decision as Director General. In an email to RTÉ staff sent this morning, Mr Bakhurst said the board will be replaced by an interim leadership team until a permanent executive is created. Barry Whyte, Newstalk's Chief Reporter was at a press conference with the new Director General this afternoon...