The Hard Shoulder

Claire Byrne, Dublin City Councillor for the Green Party, and Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fail Senator joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss the decision to ban private cars from Dublin's College Green from today and if Ireland is anti-car.

As temperatures reach 24 degrees this week in Ireland. Our attention turns to 99 cones. Ice Cream vendors are saying the Cadbury Flakes are too crumbly, with one ice cream seller saying over 40% of flakes crumble before they are served in whipped 99s. Henry McKean took to Dun Laoghaire Pier and sent us this report from Teddy's...

Phillip Schofield has hit back today at claims there was “no toxicity” on the ITV show and he appears to blame his departure on a “handful of people with a grudge”. Schofield left This Morning with immediate effect last week, and was dropped by his talent agency, as he admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague – which he described as “unwise, but not illegal” – while married. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by Deirdre Molumby, Pop culture and Entertainment expert.

According to the latest Business Post-Red C poll, three in four people believe that Ireland is taking in too many refugees. It’s after the arrival of almost 100,000 people in the space of a year. So we’re asking … does this mean that Ireland simply can’t handle the number of people that are coming to the country? Editor of gript.ie John McGuirk and Tom McEneaney, Media Consultant and Founder of Effective Aid Ukraine joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Insurance costs could be one of the reasons why Ireland isn’t hosting Beyonce this week. She’s gigging in the UK as part of her world tour, but won’t be coming here. Various arts and sporting festivals around the country have been cancelled for the same reason. Insurance reform campaigners say it is damaging the very fabric of society. So how bad is it really? Lucy Medleycott From Irish Street Arts, Circus And Spectacle Network joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Today is World Redhead Day. New research says Redheads only finally start to love their hair by the age of 20. Over half experienced bullying and battled with their hair colour and tried to dye it. Henry McKean took to the streets of Drogheda to meet people with the red haired gene.

Fine Gael Senator John Cummins and Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers joined Kieran to debate the notion that a tax break for the middle class has already been publicly floated for Budget 2024. Is it foolish or not?

A video showing a teenager being bullied and beaten has resulted in a national outpouring of solidarity for the 14 year old. The teenager suffered concussion, broken teeth, extensive bruising in the attack which left him with a shoe print on his forehead. His family have said they hoped no other child “suffers like this.” Author and Broadcaster Chris Sherlock joined Anton to discuss the lasting impacts bullying can have on a child.

The sunshine here has made us all very excited for the good weather over the weekend. And what can be better in the sunshine than a BBQ? Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments and Oisin Kelly from The Westbury joined Kieran with food and drink BBQ tips for anyone looking to make the most our of the sunshine.

Following the death of music icon Tina Turner at the age of 83, actor Rory Cowan joined Kieran to talk about that unique occasion when he met the icon.

100 years ago today saw the end of the Irish civil war that had divided counties, communities and indeed households across treaty and anti treaty lines. This anniversary will be marked by events up and down the country, many of which are funded by the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ programme. But just how effective has this programme been in enticing people into the annals of Irish history, especially younger generations? Dr Mary McAuliffe Director of gender studies UCD and Conor Mulvagh Associate Professor of Modern Irish history in UCD joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

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 are looking at the household favourite, Chocolate Spread...

Stella O'Malley Psychotherapist and author of ‘What your teen is trying to tell you’, Rory Hickey Former GAA Referee and Former Meath footballer Anthony Moyles all joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss competitiveness in kids sports.

Like similar scenes across the country, protesters in Santry North Dublin preventing hundreds of refugees being moved into a commercial unit in Santry They are not far from the office here so I called out myself to talk to the protestors.... Dessie Ellies, Sinn Fein TD for Dublin North West joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

A new study by researchers at the University of Sussex has found that Seagulls choose their meals based on what people nearby are eating. With the study finding that given a choice between two crisp packets, herring gulls pick the same colour as one a nearby human is eating from 95 per cent of the time. With that in mind we decided to ask just how smart are seagulls and are they friend or foe? Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland and Salvatore Donzi from Beshoff Bros in Howth.

A ban on short-haul domestic flights has come into effect in France, in a bid to curb carbon emissions. The new rule means flights between cities where the same journey could be made by train within two-and-a-half hours are prohibited. One of the short haul routes we use here in Ireland is Dublin to Kerry. Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Fingal and Liam Sinclair, An Rabharta Glas Councillor, Tallaght Central joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

The HSE will re-introduce their drug safety scheme at Irish Festivals this year as part of their safer night programme. This will be the 2nd year of it running. The UK have been doing this for the past 10 years and Harry Shapiro, Director of Drugwise, joined Anton to discuss how effective is it and does it led to better safety measure around drug taking.

There was been celebrations in Sinn Fein over the last couple of days after their success in the council elections up north. They upped their representation by 39 over the weekend, meaning they’re the biggest party at national and local level. Joe Brolly commentator and part of the Free State podcast, joined Anton to discuss if this could be down to an increasing number of Catholics being born over the past few years. But what is this down to? And why the move away from Unionism? Some have suggested it might be to do with more Catholics being born in recent years…

The Irish Mail on Sunday reported that the new National Children’s Hospital will not open until March 2025. Concern’s have been raised as to the funding of the hospital. Kieran was joined by Catherine Murphy, Social Democrat TD for Kildare North.

It’s summer holiday season, but a big thing that can put people off flying is crying babies! Should child free zones be an option on planes? Kieran was joined by comedian, Karl Spain and Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signed legislation for warning labels to be put on alcohol in Ireland, and Ireland will be the first nation to do this. Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae and Alcohol Action Ireland's Frank Murray debated its merits.

The 26,000 residents of Balbriggan North County Dublin have been advised not to swim on Balbriggan Beach this summer because of poor water quality. According to the EPA the beach has sewage discharge, faeces from dogs, birds and other animals and contaminated streams flowing from the town. Henry McKean visited Balbriggan Beach and sent us this report.

Leinster against La Rochelle tomorrow afternoon, and French fans have already started arriving in Dublin ahead of that Heineken Cup Final. Vincent Guerand is the French Ambassador to Ireland, and he joined Kieran today. We also talked to Munster coach, Mike Prendergast, who is a man who knows Ronan O’Gara very well. O’Gara is the head coach of La Rochelle, looking for his second straight European Cup as coach.

Communion Season is upon us! According to the Irish Independent, some families are willing to spend €2,700 on their child’s special day. Joining Kieran was Edelle Mellot, Co-Owner of Darcy Bow, a childrens occasion ware shop and Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times .

Should obesity be renamed to Chronic Appetite Dysregulation? That’s what research out of UCC is calling for. They’re claiming the illness should be renamed to encourage those who have symptoms of obesity to seek treatment. Would it help?

A video showing a teenager being bullied and beaten has resulted in a national outpouring of solidarity for the 14-year-old. The teenager suffered a concussion, broken teeth, and extensive bruising in the attack which left him with a shoe print on his forehead. Darren Kennedy TV presenter and Columnist, joined Anton to discuss his own experiences of bullying. This podcast does contain language that some listeners might find offensive and is not suitable for children.

The Irish Times reported this week that Sinn Fein has dropped its pledge to withdraw immediately from NATO and Defence agreements, should they get into Government. Is this backtracking, or is it sensible politics? Matt Carthy is Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence and Mark Price is Co-Chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement.

According to new research the average age we start to feel old is the early 40s, specifically 42 when we start to notice physical signs of ageing, including achy joints and grey hair. They say age is but a number, but does it really not matter?

How do you know if someone is flirting with you in person or online? And could sending a cheeky emoji like “💦🍆 👹” put off a potential soulmate forever?

Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were apparently involved in a "near catastrophic" car chase with paparazzi. Joining Kieran with more was Gersh Kuntzman, Breaking News editor for Newsweek in New York.

A distressing video has been circulating online of a vicious attack on a Navan schoolboy. Katherine Donnelly Education Editor at Irish Independent, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Children Senator Mary Seery-Kearney and Anjelica Foley, welfare officer with the Irish Second-Level Students' Union all joined the conversation.

Ireland’s Katie Taylor squares off against Chantelle Cameron this Saturday at the 3Arena with Cameron's Light-Welterweight World titles on the line. The event has been co-sponsored by one Conor McGregor. Is this a good look for Taylor, and for the sport of boxing? Kieran Cunningham, The Irish Daily Star’s Chief Sports Writer, joined Kieran.

Travel journalist Fionn Davenport joined us again this week to tell us all about cruises!

In 2016, the Canadian government legalized medical assistance in dying. The Canadian Supreme Court concluded that laws preventing assisted suicide stifled individual rights. Since then the range of who qualifies for assisted suicide was expanded. In 2021, the criteria that natural death must be ‘reasonably foreseeable’ was removed. But that expansion has been delayed. Dr Derryck Smith from Dying With Dignity Canada was speaking with Kieran.

The Climate and Health Alliance claims our current food system is “like a slow motion disaster” - they say it fuels premature death and disability due to diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and obesity. Holly White, vegan chef and lifestyle blogger was chatting to Kieran.

On this week’s Common Ground, Socialist TD Mick Barry and Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail Senator and leader of the Seanad argue whether the Government has done all it can for asylum seekers.

Writing in today's Irish Times, Newstalk's Simon Tierney has put forward his reasons for declining invitations to become a god parent to friend's children. Simon spoke to Kieran about his decision and was also joined by Jillian Brennan, CEO of Humanist Association of Ireland.

The Climate and Health Alliance claims our current food system is “like a slow motion disaster” - they say it fuels premature death and disability due to diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and obesity. Kieran spoke to Gerry Boland, founder of and spokesperson for Animals Behind Closed Doors and Eddie Punch, General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association.

Could your home be more energy efficient? The SEAI's Director of National Retrofit Dr. Ciaran Byrne joined Kieran to answer all your retrofitting questions!

Lifestyle guru and businesswoman, Martha Stewart has made history by becoming the oldest person to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated's yearly swimsuit issue, at the age of 81. Does this prove that age is just a number and sexy is sexy no matter what stage of life you’re in? Kieran was joined by Celia Holman Lee, Irish model, TV fashion stylist and founder the longest running modelling agency in Ireland.

An Oireachtas meeting on assisted dying is set to take place later this evening in wake of a committee that was established three weeks ago. Kieran was joined by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny and Dr Eric Kelleher, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Cork University Hospital and Member of faculty of Liaison Psychiatry, College of psychiatrists of Ireland.

A number of asylum seekers have left the accommodation which was provided for them in Co. Clare. They arrived at three holiday homes on the site of Magowna House Hotel in Inch yesterday evening. However, local protesters, some of them in tractors, blocked roads to the site. Newstalk’s Chief Reporter, Barry Whyte was in Clare and spoke to Kieran.

Are we having enough conversations with our children about pornography? And, are we having these conversations at a young enough age? A new study in the UK shows how porn can link to sexually harmful behaviour in children. Do we really know what our kids are accessing on their smartphones?

Over the weekend, The Irish Times had to take down an opinion article from its online site, credited to Adriana Acosta Cortez - an article which claimed Irish women's use of fake tan was "cultural appropriation". And it’s generated plenty of conversation around the role of AI in technology, journalism, and our lives in general. Elaine Burke is a tech journalist and host of the ‘For Tech Sake’ podcast … while Rosanna Cooney is Business Correspondent with The Currency. They both joined Kieran today to discuss.

Ikea has teamed up with Tesco to offer order collection points at locations across the country as part of plans to make shopping easier for customers. Ikea has long been hailed as the home of flatpack furniture, the perfect solution for those of us that DIY does not come naturally to. Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times Conor Pope and Stefanie Preissner writer and broadcaster both joined us to share their view.

New hate speech laws are set to expand the categories of person protected in Irish law from incitement to hatred. The bill is likely to become law later this year, as it is currently being steered through the Oireachtas. However some have raised concern about it - one of those people is Independent NUI Senator Ronan Mullan who joined Kieran today. Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward also joined us to share his view on the new bill. We were also joined by Adam Long, Board Director of the National LGBT Federation.

An Irishman has finally been released after being imprisoned in Iran for over 6 months. Bernard Phelan 64 years old and originally from Clonmel. He was arrested while travelling there last October. Kieran spoke to his cousin, Greg O'Corry-Crowe today.

The social media giant Tik Tok is fuelling a call for cheap meat. Irish butchers have seen a demand for chicken feet and neck bones as well as lambs liver and hearts. Henry McKean visited the Village Butchers in Ranelagh Dublin and sent us his report.

The Joint Committee on Autism meets tomorrow, as our politicians continue to try and work out how to best support those with autism. Vodafone has a new policy, geared towards supporting carers. Kieran was joined by one of those advocating for extra supports. Elaine Kelly is Large Business Propositions Manager at Vodafone Ireland. Catherine Cox of Family Carers Ireland was also there to discuss.

Gen Z has become synonymous with ethics, environmentalism and authenticity. So why are they so fixated with fake bags and replica shoes? Sarah Madden investigates the #dupes industry in Ireland and asks the genuine generation why counterfeits are now cool.