The Hard Shoulder

Tomorrow night is the night - the night many thought Ireland may be competing for the Rugby World Cup, but alas the two Southern Hemisphere giants of South Africa and New Zealand will fight it out at 8pm in the Stade de France. John Robbie, former Irish international and radio host in South Africa and rugby analyst Brent Pope joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

Bacon and eggs, bread and butter, Tom and Jerry are just some of the more iconic duos in the world. A new poll as fish and chips as the world most iconic duo. Our very own dynamic duo, Newstalk Breakfast’s Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly joined Kieran to discuss this on The Hard Shoulder...

Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan says Irish roads are not safe for experienced cyclists, let alone school children. He made the remark during a debate that came after the 155th death on Irish roads in 2023. The same number of people have died in 10 months of this year as in the 12 months of 2022.Henry McKean has been out and about speaking to parents and children who try and cycle to school…

It’s the Weekend Takeover here on Newstalk with Irish Life, and we’re asking how you might get your financial house in order? Laura Duffy, Wealth Management Consultant with Irish Life joined Kieran to discuss..

Over half of Ireland’s wastewater discharges are not meeting EU standards. That’s according to the latest EPA Urban Waste Water Treatment report.  Kieran was joined by Michael Tinsley, Uisce Eireann’s wastewater spokesperson... 

Reports in the Irish Mirror suggest that senior Government ministers are eager to combat the excessive use of phones - particularly smartphones – and there may be plans to ban them. Kieran was joined by Karl Hegarty, Career Guidance Counselor at St. Kevins, Dunlavin and founder of PhoneAwayBox.com, and Rachel Harper, who is the principal at St Patrick’s National School in Greystones...

Diagnoses of serious abnormalities in cervical screening have fallen by almost 60 per cent. That’s according to a new study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. Kieran was joined by Dr Lucy Jessop HSE Immunisation Lead and Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the National Immunisation Office... 

Bus Éireann has been marking the 70th anniversary of Busáras. The bus station is an iconic building that has transported millions of passengers since services began in October 1953. So is the building truly iconic? Kieran was joined by architect, Róisin Murphy and Sinn Féin TD, Eoin Ó Broin, the author of ‘The Dignity of Everyday Life: Celebrating Michael Scott’s Busáras’...

Across the country many parents are fighting to help their children get assessed and access help for dyslexia, but many come up against barriers with waiting lists, financial issues or with no access to supports systems and technologies that are very much needed. Kieran was joined by Aisling, who is the mother to 11-year-old Charlie and Heather, who is the mother to 13 and 12-year-old dyslexic daughters... 

There have been reports of Cabinet disagreement over Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s proposals to limit the offer of state-provided accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to 90 days. Kieran was joined by John Lannon, CEO of Doras and Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare...

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, with Halloween around the corner, Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for barmbrack on the shelves...

The United Nations’ secretary general Antonio Gutterres has called for an immediate ceasefire to end “epic suffering” in the Gaza Strip. In an address yesterday Mr Gutterres criticised the Israeli response to the Hamas attacks earlier this month. In response Israel’s Ambassador to the UN called on Mr Gutterres to step down from his position. Kieran was joined by Alistair Bunkall, Middle East Correspondent for Sky News and Lior Haiat, Spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... 

Dating App Tinder have announced users can give access to up to 15 people over  24 hours, who can view profiles and suggest possible matches even without an account.Tinder is now letting family members suggest potential partners on the dating app. Kieran was joined by Henry McKean to discuss...

Reports of Cabinet disagreement over Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s proposals to limit the offer of state-provided accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to 90 days. Some are saying that doing so would only pass the issue on to another department. What is our strategy moving forward on housing Ukrainians? Kieran was joined by Tom McEneaney, media Consultant and Founder of Effective Aid Ukraine and Teresa Buckowska, formerly with the Immigration Council of Ireland and migrants rights expert...

The EU Tax Observatory has suggested a minimum 2% tax rate on billionaires' global wealth. They have said that it would raise well over €200 billion a year. Kieran was joined by Neasa Hourigan, Green Party TD for Dublin Central and spokesperson on Finance and Health and Seamus Coffey, the former Chair of the Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC...

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. Ahead of Halloween, Fionn joined Kieran to tell him about Ireland's spookiest locations...

Robert Watt, Secretary General of HSE was today discussing the increased costs of running in the Irish health sector.  He was before the Oireachtas Health Committee who met this morning to examine the funding allocated in the health Budget. Mr Watt also claimed that Ireland’s hospitals have a ‘weak productivity’ due to lack of funding into physical infrastructure and a lack on IT investment including digitalisation.  Tony O’Brien, former Director General of the HSE joined Kieran to discuss...

Businesses and organisations worst hit by flooding during Storm Babet could get up to €100,000 in financial aid under new plans brought to cabinet today. The scheme will allow for quick payments of €10,000 and audited and assessed payments of up to €100,000. Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment joined Kieran to discuss this and also calls for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland and the ongoing conflict in Gaza...

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 the Israeli Ambassador be expelled?'...

Sinn Fein are calling for the Government to increase funding in the health budget stating that it is underfunded and will have an adverse effect on our health services. The party will speak on this motion tonight in Dáil Eireann with members from the Department of Health already meeting in front of the Oireachtas Health Committee to discuss this issue around funding. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

Sports clubs, radio personalities and TV programmes are among the most common passwords amongst internet users, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. That’s according to Cyber Skills who has urged people to reconsider their security choices. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined Kieran to discuss...

Here in Ireland, we love to criticise landmarks, statues and monuments.Many have caused controversy and have gained their own nicknames but others have drawn crowds from around the world.Last week, the statue of Michael Collins was unveiled in Cork and it got us thinking about our relationships with statues and public art.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, sent us this report on our fascination with statues.

In the Irish Times today, Simon Tierney is writing about vasectomies and says they should be free to all men to take away the contraceptive responsibility from women and narrow the gender gap on this issue. Simon and Dr. Emmet Kiran, from Gentle Procedures Ireland who performs vasectomies on a daily basis joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Over the next few weeks, Kieran Cuddihy will be taking Irish classes as part of a 'Couch to Comhrá in 6 Weeks' challenge and each Monday he will be sharing his journey alongside some Irish speakers.  Éamonn Ó Domhnaill, Co-Founder and Director of Education of Gaelteanga joined Kieran to kickstart the challenge...

As the Israel-Hamas war continues into its third week, Israeli forces have continued to strike Hamas positions across the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said it struck some 320 targets belonging to the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups in the Gaza Strip over the past day. Kieran was joined by Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland and Ibrahim Alagha, who is an Irish Palestinian in Gaza...

Brian Lloyd , Movies Editor with Entertainment.ie joined Kieran to discuss what to do with your old dvds...

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs has recommended the ending of the current prosecution of individuals caught with illegal substances for personal use, following the last meeting of the assembly yesterday Chair of The Citizens Assembly On Drugs, Paul Reid  joined Kieran to discuss...

There were chaotic scenes in Offaly yesterday after referee Barry Tiernan was pushed to the ground by a spectator after Tullamore exited the Leinster club Senior Football Championship against Summerhill.  Is this treatment of a GAA official acceptable and do we have an issue in our game regarding respect for those who referee our matches? Rory Hickey, Former GAA Referee and Aisling Maher, Dublin Camogie Captain joined Kieran to discuss...

Pub group Wetherspoons is putting its regional pubs in Ireland up for sale.The British chain is to sell properties in Cork, Waterford, Galway and Carlow for a guide price of over €10 million.It got us thinking about the Irish pub and even though owners face many challenges, punters generally prefer the old-style pubs to the large franchise.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been in and out of hospitality businesses around West Cork meeting with locals and tourists to hear what makes the best public house.

Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinty College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital and Dr Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and Early Childhood Education joined Kieran to discuss how to talk to children about the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel...

Burt Young, who played Paulie in the ‘Rocky’ films has died aged 83. John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Kieran to pay tribute and look back at the movie franchise...

Many parts of Cork have been damaged by extreme flooding. What was only meant to be a status orange alert, has turned into much more than that, with my homes and businesses destroyed by torrential rainfall. What needs to be done going forward to prevent further damage?  Kieran was joined by Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, Padraig O'Sullivan, Cork City Cllr, Joe Kavanagh and Qualified Climate Scientist, Cathal Naol. 

Technology has taken over the majority of what we do in our daily lives. With some schools wanting to implement technology into exam settings, students will no longer use handwriting at all. What does that mean for the future of handwriting.  To give us their thoughts on the topic, I am joined by Letter collector and curator, Lis Maguire and Today FM Presenter Louise Cantillon.  

Children’s Ombudsman Niall Muldoon has warned the Government that history will not judge Ireland well for the way it has treated children in the Direct Provision system. Niall Muldoon joined Kieran on the show following the publishing of a special report on the safety and welfare of Children in Direct Provision...

How do you feel about marriage? Apparently one third of 25 to 34 year olds don't believe marriage is relevant anymore.Kieran was joined by Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Content Editor with Evoke.ie to discuss...

Limerick’s new female prison opened today.The facility is part of a €70 million project, including the newly opened B Division at Limerick Prison.The design focuses on rehabilitation, which includes en suite rooms, fitted with phones and a greater emphasis on education and health.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been there and he brings us this report.

In 1973, over 50 years ago, the little island of Ireland took the brave step to join the European Union or the EEC back then. To mark this achivement the CSO have released figures on what Ireland was like back then.Valerie Cox, journalist and author alongside John Kelleher, Producer and former Film Censor joined Kieran to discuss... 

Should Irish fans be supporting England in the Rugby World Cup now that Ireland have been knocked out?Kieran was joined by George Hamilton, Commentator and presenter with RTÉ and Craig Chalmers, Former Scottish Rugby International to discuss...

Today is day 12 of the conflict between Israel and Gaza and Kieran was joined by Jonathan Crickx, Spokesperson for UNICEF in Palestine to give us an update on efforts to get aid to people Thomas Pringle, Independent TD for Donegal also joined Kieran to discuss...

After sitting their state exams back in June, more than 70,000 students across the country received their Junior Cert results today. The new grading system for these exams was implemented two years ago, but how good is this system and is it putting students through unnecessary pressure?  Kieran was joined by Former Headmaster of St. Andrew College Dublin and Director of Godsil Education, Arthur Godsil and Columnist with The Irish Times, Jen Hogan to discuss...

The new National Children’s Hospital will not open until the late spring or early summer of 2025, it is estimated.For more on this, Kieran was joined by Paul Davis, procurement lecturer at the School of Business in DCU and Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats TD for Kildare North and Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee...

In 1973, over 50 years ago, the little island of Ireland took the brave step to join the European Union or the EEC back then. To mark this achivement the CSO have released figures on what Ireland was like back then and we have arranged a few guests to help paint a picture for you at home too... Terry Prone, Chair Of The Communications Clinic and Alice Leahy, From the Alice Leahy Trust joined Kieran to take a look down memory lane...

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 down south to beautiful West Cork...

European Union leaders are currently meeting to decide on a united message on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war after days of mixed messages. Series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation bloc’s intentions after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, triggering a new war in Gaza. Kieran was joined by Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party MEP and Ibrahim Alagha, and Irish-Palestinian in Gaza...

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 'Has the war on drugs failed?'

Yesterday, President Michael D Higgins described Ursula von der Leyen’s comments around the Israel-Hamas conflict as "thoughtless and even reckless".Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel last week, and did not include a call for Israel's retaliation to Hamas attacks to conform with international law. The Taoiseach says he told the European Commission President her response to the conflict in the Middle East "was not helpful".Kieran was joined by Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Fein TD for Donegal and Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell to discuss…

Smithfield in Dublin has been voted the 2nd coolest neighbourhood on the planet! This is according to a new article by Time Out in which the Dublin 7 area has taken silver out a list of forty locations across the world. For more on this Kieran was joined by Tomás Mulligan, Manager of Cobblestone Bar, Smithfield and Alice Black, Head of Cinema at Light House Group... 

Yesterday on The Hard Shoulder Kieran was was speaking about the fact that the number of alcohol breath tests carried out at Garda checkpoints has dropped by more than half compared with pre-pandemic levels.  For more on this, Kieran was joined by Jack Chambers, Minister of State in the Department of Transport...

The European Central Bank wants to ban 'no cash' policies in public areas for fear that we will reduce the value of the euro and make it harder for vulnerable people to do their shopping.  Kieran was joined by the CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, Vincent Jennings and Spokesperson for the National Private Hire & Taxi Association, Jim Waldron to discuss...

President Michael D Higgins has strongly criticised the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. It’s after she made comments on a visit to Israel last Friday, where she did not include a call for Israel's retaliation to conform with international law.John McGuirk, Editor of Gript and Labour Senator Marie Sherlock joined Kieran to discuss...