The Hard Shoulder

There are a number of events taking place this month to mark the 60th anniversary of John F Kennedy's trip to Ireland. A panel discussion has taken place at EPIC with Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey; US Ambassador to Ireland Claire D. Cronin; Stephen Kennedy Smith who is a son of former US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and nephew of President Kennedy. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie went to the Homecoming: JFK in Ireland exhibition to meet with those in attendance.

RTÉ representatives today were questioned at an Oireachtas hearing over the scandal of hidden payments paid to Ryan Tubridy. Anton was joined by Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill Broadcast and Legal Historian at the School of History, UCC and a former member of the Future of Media Commission...

New Zealand, rats are seen as a harmful pest and a significant threat to natural biodiversity. That is why they have decided to exterminate rats and eradicate them from the area of Miramar and then for all of New Zealand. The government expects the task to be completed by 2050. How important rats were to the ecosystem and should we do the same here in Ireland? Anton Savage was joined by Wildlife expert, Eanna Ní Lamhna to discuss…

RTÉ representatives were questioned today at the Oireachtas Media Committee surrounding the ongoing controversy surrounding secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy. It also emerged today that Ryan Tubridy is out of contract at RTE, a fact which he refutes. Interim deputy director-general Adrian Lynch stated today that for editorial reasons he would not be on air in the current moment. Anton Savage was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe and Trevor Keegan, Chair of the RTE Sub Branch of the National Union of Journalists…

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ the latest instalment in the tale is out this week. Screentime presenter John Fardy joined Anton Savage to discuss…

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey stood trial today in Southwark Crown Court accused of sex offences against four men. The Hollywood star, 63, previously denied 12 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault. Anton Savage was joined by London Based Journalist, Enda Brady to discuss…

Anton Savage was joined by Independent Senator Michael McDowell, who has been considering the Hate Speech Bill that has been making its way through the Seanad. The Dáil recently passed the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.

Wales has recently published plans to crack down on unhealthy options in supermarkets in efforts to tackle obesity. By removing unhealthy options from supermarket meal deals, they hope to lessen the appeal of unhealthy foods and promote healthier choices. Could Ireland follow suit? Anton Savage was joined by Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy...

Former RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes was “directly involved” in negotiating aspects of Ryan Tubridy’s contract, RTÉ has confirmed. In a statement detailing why Mr Tubridy’s salary was published incorrectly, RTÉ set out how Mr Tubridy’s contract differed from other broadcasters. Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the NUJ and RTE’s Education Correspondent...

The final day of the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security Policy has been taking place in Dublin Castle today. Some of the questions being discussed surrounded how to define Ireland's neutrality. MEP for Dublin, Clare Daly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

More than 60% of people would give up their car in exchange for 'reliable and frequent' public transport, according to a new Newstalk poll. Nearly eight-in-ten people want to see more road upgrades and 60% want more motorways. The survey found that 72% of people do not want the next two increases on fuel excise duty to happen, with women more likely than men to be against the plan. To discuss these findings and more, Anton Savage was joined by a panel including; Brian Caufield, Associate Professor at the School of Engineering at Trinity College, Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Journalist and Michael Healy Rae Independent TD for County Kerry…

The government has approved new laws for abortion "safe access zones" which will make it illegal to protest outside locations offering abortion services. The proposals will see a 100-metre buffer zone imposed outside clinics while anyone in breach of the law could face a €2,500 fine or six months in prison. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss safe access zones, the National Children's Hospital and the ongoing RTÉ pay scandal...

It’s been another busy day at RTÉ as the Media Minister Catherine Martin has announced a review into Governance and Culture at RTÉ. RTÉ staff held a protest outside the station’s campus and Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was there...

Newstalk commissioned a survey carried out by Amárach Research to look at a variety of issues relating to transport. If you’re in the car, bus, train, we have been getting the pulse of the nation on all modes of transport. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie runs through the findings in the first in a series of surveys.

There wasn't a dry eye at Dublin Airport this afternoon. The Special Olympics Irish team had a homecoming with crowds 10 deep. Team Ireland brought back 75 medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze. Henry McKean was there at Dublin Airport to soak up the atmosphere and met the athletes, coaches and volunteers...

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss new care-leave entitlements for parents and carers that are to take effect next week, accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in hotels and the ongoing Ryan Tubridy pay scandal…

The fallout from RTÉ’s undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy is continuing with the broadcaster set to come before the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday followed by the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday. It was confirmed this morning that the broadcaster’s suspended Director General Dee Forbes resigned with immediate effect. Anton was joined by Melanie Finn, Senior News Correspondent for the Irish Independent and David W Duffy, CEO and co-founder The Corporate Governance Institute…

Could the rise in cancel culture potentially be undermining debate and free speech? Anton Savage was joined by Stella O Malley, psychotherapist and author of ‘What your teen is trying to tell you’...

House prices have fallen in year-on-year terms for the first time since mid-2020. According to Daft.ie’s latest report, it found that house prices in the second quarter of 2023 were 0.5% lower than the same period a year ago. Anton was joined by Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent columnist and former Chair of the Housing Agency and Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst for Social Justice Ireland...

Speaking today at the Government’s security forum, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Irish Flag is being weaponised by a small minority. Anton Savage was joined by Mark Daly, Fianna Fail Senator and Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann to discuss this further…

During Kieran's visit to Dublin Airport, he got a chance to sit down with Kenny Jacobs, the new boss at the airport as the CEO of Dublin Airport Authority...

On this day in 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. However seven years on, polls show that a majority of Brits now regret their decision. But how do the people in the town of Boston in South Lincolnshire feel? They voted 75% leave; the highest Brexit vote in the whole of the UK. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been to the town to find out…

Members of RTÉ staff and the National Union of Journalists met with RTÉ management today. It comes as RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes has been suspended, amid fallout from the payment of hundreds of thousands of euro more to Ryan Tubridy than it had declared to the public or the Oireachtas. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the National Union of Journalists Dublin Broadcasting Branch Emma O'Kelly Willie O Reilly, Former Group Commercial Director of RTÉ and media commentator and Damien Tiernan, WLR FM presenter and former RTE Correspondent...

Dee Forbes has been suspended as RTE’s Director General, with the announcement being made public today, after it happened on Wednesday. It also follows revelations that Ryan Tubridy received €345,000 in hidden payments between 2017 and the start of this year. Kieran was joined by presenter of Taking Stock, and former Government adviser, Mandy Johnston, writer and broadcaster Keith Walsh, and journalist David Davin Power.

Kieran was invited to visit Dublin Airport and meet with Kenny Jacobs, the CEO of DAA, to see the changes that are being made at Dublin Airport....

Kieran Cuddihy sits down with the former British Olympic javelin thrower, Fatima Whitbread to talk about her life and career

Day one of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy kicked off to a very eventful start in UCC today. Protesters were removed from the room after interrupting the Tánaiste’s address and continued to protest outside. Kieran was joined by Lorna Borgue, Cork City Councillor for An Rabharta Glas, Matt Carthy, TD and Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence, and Cathal Berry, Independent TD for South Kildare...

The hunt for the missing Titan submersible is still an active search and rescue mission, according to the head of the operation. There are few who know better what it might feel like down. Scientist, journalist and best selling author Dr Michael Guillen joined Kieran to discuss his harrowing experience on a sub trip to the Titanic wreckage...

Environmental campaigner John Gibbons told Newstalk Breakfast this morning that he would like to see flight quotas attached to individuals’ PPS number, with people being charged a levy if they pass the quota. Kieran was joined by Angela Deegan, from Extinction Rebellion and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine to discuss...

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the Government's International Security Forum, the war in Ukraine, his leadership of Fine Gael and Taylor Swift's return to Ireland...

It has been a week full of apologies! President Micheal D Higgins was forced to apologise for comments he made relating to the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, and music journalist Dave Fanning apologised to Christy Dignams family after a tribute to the singer was deemed inappropriate. So what makes a good apology? Stefanie Preissner, Writer and host of the podcast basically joined Kieran to discuss... Image: Twitter via @StefPreissner

RTÉ paid Ryan Tubridy hundreds of thousands of euro more than it declared to the public or the Oireachtas. In a statement this afternoon, the national broadcaster confirmed that it paid the former Late Late Show presenter €345,000 euro more than it declared between 2017 and 2022. Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Today was the first day of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in Cork. Tánaiste Micheál Martin had his opening speech to the Forum interrupted by six protesters sitting among those attending the event. The forum’s chair, Prof Louise Richardson, also had her opening speech interrupted by a heckler. Kieran was joined by Gabija Gateveckaite, Political Reporter with The Irish Independent and Ruark, National Chairperson with the Connolly Youth Movement who was protesting at the event…

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport and Kieran Cuddihy will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give his tips when travelling to the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence...

It may be best known for embarrassing dance challenges, but Tiktok is fast becoming the information app of a new generation. News is broken on twitter, journalists are filing on Instagram - but should we fear the tiktokification of news, or is social media creating a better-informed youth than ever before? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called for new regulations to protect workers from the impacts of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment today, ICTU said that they supported calls for an EU directive on AI in the workplace. To discuss this further Kieran was joined by Jessica Cecil, Former Chief of Staff at the BBC & Founder of the Trusted News Initiative and Laura Bambrick is ICTU’s Social Policy Officer...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for salt on the shelves...

Criticism has again been directed towards Dublin hotels and prices for a room for the nights of the Taylor Swift concert saw one room go from 359 to 999 euro in price. Fianna Fáil Tourism and Aviation Spokesperson Cathal Crowe joined Kieran to discuss. In other news relating to high costs, new figures from Euro Stat today show Ireland is now the most expensive country in the EU with prices over 46% above average. Darragh Cassidy Head of Communications at bonkers.ie joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

'Joan Is Awful' is the title of the first episode of the new series of Black Mirror on Netflix. The episode takes an interesting spin on why you should always read the terms and conditions. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss why this is important...

A massive search and rescue effort is continuing after a submersible exploring the wreck of the Titanic went missing deep under the North Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. There are five people on board. Kieran was joined by Enda Brady, London based journalist and commentator and Dik Barton, COO and founder of Armatrex, who has also been Vice President of Operations with RMS Titanic...

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder the launch of the Public Sector Performance Report, hotel price gouging for Taylor Swift gigs and Leo Varadkar's leadership of Fine Gael...

Dublin City Council may have a new way of solving the scourge of seagulls and rubbish on the streets of Dublin. Following the successful trial of Bagbin, a collapsible waste container which prevents birds from getting near the bags inside. Bagbins are set to be phased in to residential and commercial locations all over the city. Kieran was joined by Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Frank McDonald, author, journalist and former environment editor of The Irish Times…

The Government has confirmed this evening that historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between men are to be disregarded. At least 941 Irish men were convicted of “homosexual acts” until it was decriminalised in 1993 by the European Court of Human Rights. Kieran was joined by archivist, activist and writer Tonie Walsh to discuss...

All this week there are events taking place around the world to mark World Refugee Week. Today in particular is a day when communities pay attention to the challenges those who are fleeing places of war are facing. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been meeting with some of the thousands who have come to Ireland in search of safety and he meets with those who have become hosts.

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 discussion around 'Is there a place for boarding schools in modern Ireland?'

An ongoing search is underway in the North Atlantic by the US coast guard for a missing submersible which is carrying five passengers. The Polar Prince research vessel was exploring the site of the Titanic when it lost contact with the Titan sub an hour and 45 minutes into its dive. The search and rescue team are under serious pressure to locate the sub, as it is believed there may only be around 70 hours of oxygen on board for the passengers. Kieran was joined by former captain of the Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine HMS Turbulent, Ryan Ramsey to discuss... Image: OceanGate

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today told Cabinet that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is set to begin the process of buying long-awaited bodycams for frontline gardai. Kieran was joined by Doireann Ansbro Head Of Legal and Policy at Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Garda Representative Association President Brendan O’Connor to discuss…

It’s been reported today that 11 operating theatres within the new National Children’s Hospital require additional work. This has led to concerns that it could mean additional costs and further delays. The board of the National Children’s Hospital has dismissed the warnings, claiming any alterations are “minor”. Kieran was joined by Paul Davis, procurement lecturer at the School of Business in DCU...

A standalone Bill allowing for the use of facial recognition technology by An Garda Síochána will be brought forward later in the year. It’s as Cabinet today approved legislation allowing body-worn cameras for gardaí, and the force will immediately begin procuring the devices, albeit without the ability to use facial recognition. Why the delay on that technology? Ossian Smyth, Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment joined Kieran Cuddihy in studio to discuss…

Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has been urged to apologise after using an offensive term usually aimed at members of the Travelling community during a live interview with the Canadian music channel Much. The videos have since been deleted but the discussion rages on amongst concerned groups and online Senator Eileen Flynn, who is a member of the Travelling community, joined Kieran in studio to discuss...