The Hard Shoulder

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.

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

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?'

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...

The Special Olympics World Games has started in Berlin after much fanfare at the Opening ceremony. Team Ireland have already got their name on the medal table... Henry McKean joined Kieran LIVE from Berlin...

The death of a man last month, who was undergoing a dental procedure, has brought the total number of Irish deaths from medical procedures in Turkey within the last two years to seven. With the rising trend in ‘Turkey teeth’ and the high costs of cosmetic procedures in Ireland, medical tourism is more popular than ever. Kieran was joined by Helen Heneghan, consultant surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital and professor of surgery and Dr. Will Rymer, chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association to discuss…

The Republic of Ireland will face Gibraltar in their Euro 2024 qualifier tonight at the Aviva Stadium. Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy and former Ireland international David Connolly joined Kieran to discuss...

President Michael D Higgins has apologised to Professor Louise Richardson for questioning her role as chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. It’s as he says that Ireland, generally, is playing with fire with its foreign policy - remarks in an interview in the Business Post that have divided the nation. Kieran was joined by Michael Ring, Fine Gael TD for Mayo and John O’Brennan, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University to discuss..

The residents of Balbriggan have been gathering together and campaigning to bring attention to the poor water and pollution in the sea water surrounding the town. On Saturday, a peaceful protest, spear headed by local groups, including the sea swimming group, Balbriggan Swimming Socks, attracted a crowd of over 200 people, who are calling on local authorities to address the situation, before access to local beaches is lost completely. Kieran was joined by Andrea Porter, Balbriggan resident, sea swimmer and volunteer with Kildare Wildlife Rescue

President Michael D Higgins has apologised to Professor Louise Richardson for questioning her role as chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. It’s as he says that Ireland, generally, is playing with fire with its foreign policy - remarks in an interview in the Business Post that have divided the nation. Kieran was joined by Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League, Mark Price to discuss...

Irish people are well known around the world for our nonchalant attitude to cursing. But is our habit of swearing a cause for concern? Kieran was joined by Claudia Carroll, author and actress and comedian and professional swearer Steve Cummins

The new Irish Wake Museum opened today in Waterford. But, what makes Irish attitudes and customs around death so unique? Kieran was joined by Clare Ann Irwin, Current Rose of Galway and Funeral Director at Irwin Funeral Directors...

Proposed hate speech legislation is currently being debated in the Seanad, with some saying it doesn’t go far enough; others say it goes too far. Do we need this legislation? Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly and current affairs commentator Keith Mills joined Kieran to discuss...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to learn about the delicious elderflower and how to incorporate it into food and drink...

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

This Sunday is Father’s day, and while some are planning their gifts and are having meals out, there are some who are still trying to remember what their father sounded like. Saoirse Hanley’s father passed away when she was 12 and has spent her life since wondering about who he was, how he would react to situations and trying to remember his voice...

New figures released by Tusla show that the number of parents pulling kids out of school for holidays is increasing. Absences for holidays jumped from 60,000-65,000 in 2019 to 350,000 in 2021. Kieran was joined by Sinead O’Moore, parent and Host of the Stretchmarks Podcast and Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence’s Senior boys National School in North Dock Dublin to discuss...

The Irish Wake Museum opened in Waterford today. Visitors will explore the history of Irish traditions related to death and funerals. We sent Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie to get a tour of the Museum.

Today, June 16th, is commonly referred to as Bloomsday, named after the fictional character Leopold Bloom, from James Joyce’s Ulysses, voted the greatest novel of the 20th century. Each year on this day, Dublin City can be seen full of tourists and locals alike, taking part in tours, re-enactments and celebrations dedicated to the iconic book, but should we be taking our appreciation for this story one step further by making Bloomsday a public holiday? Kieran was joined by Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD and John Barry, Managing Director MSS The HR People and Member of ISME National Councils to discuss...

It was reported this week that Ukrainians are now to be offered modular homes worth €145,000 for at least 12 months. This is part of an effort to house the Ukrainians that are arriving here over the next month. Brendan Ogle, trade unionist and housing activist and Paul Treyvaud, owner of Treyvaud's Restaurant in Killarney...

Cork County Council have written to bin collection companies in the county on the issue of bins being collected 'too early', causing unrest among people in the early hours of the morning... Henry McKean reports...

Shelbourne have agreed to release goalkeeper Scott van der Sluis so he can take part in ITV reality show Love Island. The club said the 22-year-old had requested early release from his contract so he could take part in the show. Kieran was joined by former Love Island contestant, Shannen Reilly McGrath to discuss life after the show... Image: ITV

The Government are set to hold a number of consultative forums on neutrality next week in Cork. Today, in Leinster House there was a spat or two in the Dail that involved Tánaiste Micheal Martin and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy on the topic of neutrality. Kieran was joined by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fáil Senator, leader of the Seanad, and spokesperson on Foreign and European Affairs