The Hard Shoulder

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 'Should we scrap the Leaving Cert?'

The Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have confirmed that tolls on the country’s national road network are to increase from July 1st. Tolls on M50 will increase by 30c for cars without tag or video accounts, bringing the charge to €3.50. Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and Shane O’Donoughe, Editor of CompleteCar.ie joined Kieran to discuss…

The PGA Tour has agreed to merge with rival circuit LIV Golf in a deal that will end the split in the sport. The announcement comes as somewhat of a surprise, after a year of disruption in the men's game. It means pending litigation between the tours will now be halted and they will move forward as a larger enterprise. Kieran was joined by Chief Sports Writer for the Irish Daily Star, Kieran Cunningham to discuss

Kinahan Cartel leader Liam Byrne has been arrested on the holiday island of Majorca, as he visited home from Dubai to meet his family. He is wanted in the UK on serious firearms and organised crime offences - he looks set for extradition to the courts there. Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor with the Sunday World joined Kieran to discuss... Image: National Crime Agency

Kieran Cuddihy sat down with comedian, Emma Doran. They discussed botox, beards and more!

Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter of the 98 fm weekly Breakfast Show, is flying solo this week in The Pod Couple. This week Rebecca told Kieran about a true crime podcast called 'Betrayal' IMAGE: Twitter @RebShek

The medical council have warned doctors against using diabetes drug ozempic for weight loss. Susie Birney from the Irish coalition for people living with obesity joined Kieran to discuss the stigma that people are facing when asking for the drug.

Amazon has agreed to pay $25 million to the Federal Trade Commission to settle charges over privacy violations linked to its digital assistant, Alexa. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, spoke to Kieran.

Boyzone star Ronan Keating has revealed that he will be getting a vasectomy in the coming weeks. Speaking on the BBC’s Chris and Rosie Ramsey’s show over the weekend, Ronan said he has the date locked in for the snip but will be put under for it as he’s so nervous. Is it as scary as it once was or are more and more men seeing it as the best option for their later years? Dr. Emmet Kerin, Founding Partner of Gentle Procedures Ireland, spoke to Kieran.

British Triathlete Emma Pallant-Browne has received great support online after sharing a picture of herself running the race with her period visibly showing in the image. Kieran was joined by broadcaster, performance coach and former All Ireland winning captain, Anna Geary and Dr Lisa Ryan, head of the Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition in the School of Science and Computing at Atlantic Technological University.

An auctioneer in Belfast has been urged to stop the sale of a pencil that apparently once belonged to Hitler. The ornate silver-plated pencil is set to go under the hammer at Bloomfield Auctions in east Belfast next week. The pencil is believed to have been given to Hitler by his long-term partner Eva Braun as a gift for his 52nd birthday on April 20, 1941. It is inscribed with ‘Eva’ in German and the initials “AH”. Oliver Sears, Founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland joined Kieran.

A landmark review was published on Tuesday that looked into instances of domestic homicide and familicide in Ireland. The report made various wide-ranging recommendations on how families could be better supported by the State. However many have been critical of the recommendations of the report including Andrew McGinley. Andrew McGinley spoke to Kieran about his critique of the report.

Ozempic, the specialist diabetes medicine that has been taken over by a Hollywood craze. As shortages of the drug create issues, the HSE has warned that using it for weight loss puts the population at risk. GP who specialises in obesity medicine, Dr Michael Crotty spoke to Kieran.

As the government looks to make one of the most significant changes to pub licensing in decades - the Vintners Federation of Ireland says more needs to be done to protect older Irish pubs. Newstalk reporter Aoife Kearns looks at how licensing and laws dating as far back as the 1840s, still shape how pubs operate today.

The Garda Ombudsman has said they don’t have the resources to investigate complaints against them. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission were before the Oireachtas today they saying the need more staff to investigate Gardai. Crime Writer and Special Correspondent, Paul Williams, with the Irish Independent.

Ireland is among the countries in the EU who have the biggest increase in young adults living with their parents. Ireland’s home ownership rate decreased from 69.6% in 2012 to 69.3% in 2020 - this is compared to In 1990s and early 2000s, it had been ahead of the EU average. Senior lecturer in housing at Technological University Dublin, Lorcan Sirr, and journalist and author, Suzanne Harrington spoke to Kieran

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien spoke to Kieran about homelessness, census figures on renting and whether the Government is starting to get a grip of the housing crisis.

"The digital stamp has been a winner for An Post". So say executives at the postal service who will launch the international version later this year. Both hope to encourage notes, cards and letters to be sent out on a whim, but who's even writing letters anymore and do pen and paper still have a place in our digital age? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Travel journalist Fionn Davenport joined us again this week to tell us all about San Antonio, Texas!

According to executives, the digital stamp has been a winner for An Post. The postal service will launch the international version later this year. Both hope to encourage notes, cards and letters to be sent out on a whim, but who's still writing letters and do pen and paper still have a place in our digital age? Newstalk's Sarah Madden spoke to those still writing letters.

One of the findings of the Census is that the proportion of the population who reported themselves to be Roman Catholic fell by 4 per cent to 69 percent between 2016 and 2022. The number of people with no religion also increased by 62 per cent to nearly three-quarters of a million (736,210), which represented approximately 14 percent of the population. Newstalks' Chief Reporter, Barry Whyte has been digging into the findings of today's census and joined Kieran to chat through some of the points that he has found interesting. Kieran was also joined by Parish Priest in Fethard, County Tipperary, Father Iggy O'Donovan and CEO of Humanist Association of Ireland, Jillian Brennan.

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist TD for Cork North Central, and member of the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment Committee, Mick Barry. This week they debated if the government should introduce price controls.

According to the Irish Independent 65,000 dairy cows a year could be culled as the Government moves to bring the agriculture sector in line with climate targets. Independent TD for Tipperary Mattie McGrath joined Kieran .

According to the census figures, approximately a third of all workers work from home for at least some part of their week. Is this a sign that remote working is here to stay? Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME and Caroline Reidy, human resources expert from the HR Suite joined Kieran.

The population of Ireland is over 5 million for the first time in over 170 years, but how should this impact public policy and particularly when it comes to housing? Dan O’Brien is chief economist with the Institute of International and European affairs and columnist with The Business Post and he spoke to Kieran.

As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful everyday some experts are warning that it could lead to human extinction. How much credence should we give these warnings? Kieran was joined by Aidan Connolly, CEO of Idiro Analytics and Conor McGinn, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College.

Last night was the finale of Succession. Kieran was joined by Newstalk's Succession super fans, Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly, Lunchtime Live's Andrea Gilligan and Off The Ball's Joe Molloy to discuss their thoughts on the episode..

Figures published from the Central Statistics Office today from last year's Census shows Ireland's population has reached over five million people. It is the first time in 171 years that Ireland's population exceeded the five million threshold. There’s also been a decline in the number of those calling themselves Catholic, while there’s been a sharp rise in those working from home. To go through some of the numbers, Kieran was joined by Conor Halpin, senior statistician with the CSO and Jill O’Mahony, sociology lecturer at Southeast Technological University.

Today marks seventy years since New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first humans to summit Everest on May 29, 1953. Two Irish men who have made the climb are Explorer Pat Falvey and Jonathan Ruane from Sligo who climbed Everest last year and they both spoke to Kieran Cuddihy on the show…

The finale we’ve all been waiting for. Some of you may have seen it already, I’m watching it as soon as I get home tonight... Succession! Don’t worry, we won’t be giving spoilers – mostly cause I don’t want to hear them. What is it about this show that has made it so successful? And why are we all so hooked? Brian Lloyd, Movies editor at Entertainment.ie and Anna Bogutskaya, host of The Successionistas: A Succession Podcast both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

It's that time on a Monday when we cast our eyes over the political week ahead and Philip Ryan Political Editor with the Irish Independent joined Kieran Cuddihy in the studio...

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…

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.