The Hard Shoulder

The saga surrounding RTÉ secret payments to Ryan Tubridy took its latest twist today as the station’s new director general Kevin Bakhurst was the latest to go before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, alongside Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch. Sean Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent joined Kieran with the latest...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by John Crumlish, Chief Executive, Galway Arts Festival and Eibh Collins, Short Films Programmer with Galway Film Fleadh...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by JP McMahon, chef, author and restauranteur...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by Ray Silke, Former All Ireland winning captain with Galway and Business and Economics teacher and coach at Coláiste Iognáid Eddie Hoare, Mayor of Galway, and former Galway GAA footballer to discuss the GAA Championships, the future of GAAGO and who will win the All-Ireland....

The European Parliament has voted in favour of the Nature Restoration Law after months of discord among farmers. The controversial legislation will set specific targets for the first time on restoring nature through measures such as rewetting some drained peatlands, increasing green spaces in urban areas, and improving biodiversity in land used for agriculture and forestry. A highly anticipated vote in Strasbourg this morning received 336 votes in favour, 300 against and 13 abstentions. Kieran was joined by Vincent Roddy, President of Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association and Green Party Councilor Alastair McKinstry to discuss...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by Galway man and Supermacs CEO, Pat McDonagh...

Now as we broadcast to you live from Galway we have been taking a look at some of the beautiful attractions of the West. From the Spanish Arch to Salthill, the City of the Tribes is not just full of culture and arts but also breathtaking scenery. Some of the most popular destinations off the coast of Ireland are not far from here either, the Aran Islands. We sent Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie to Inis Oírr to meet with tourists and locals about the magic of island life.

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Galway Bay Hotel as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by impersonator Aidan Tierney and Galway Beo News Reporter Jess Mercer to talk about what it’s like living and working in a city with such a unique and cherished culture...

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 the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia...

For more reaction to Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly's appearance before two Oireachtas Committees today, Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoudler by Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats TD and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil Senator and Member of the Media Committee and Willie O'Reilly, Columnist at the Business Post and Former Group Commercial Director of RTÉ

The Government have announced details of a €150 million fund to address long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities across the State. The funding was announced on Tuesday as part of the quarterly Housing for All progress update. It’s as just over 6,700 new homes were completed in the first three months of 2023 - an increase of almost 20 per cent on the same period in 2023. Is the plan starting to work or not? Eoin O’Broin, TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson for Housing joined Kieran to discuss...

Limerick boss John Kiely has thrown his support behind the ladies footballers and camogie players, saying that a players’ charter needs to be established right away. It’s as protests are ongoing over demands for basic medical, gym, nutrition and expense arrangements around their intercounty regimes. Fiona McHale, Mayo ladies footballer joined Kieran to discuss...

RTÉ's new Director General Kevin Bakhurst joined Kieran Cuddihy live in studio to discuss the ongoing RTÉ payments scandal and the appearance of Ryan Tubridy before the Oireachtas Committee today...

Today is World Population Day! Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Robin Maynard, Executive Director of Population Matters to discuss the future of the world's population...

Ryan Tubridy has finally been able to break his silence as he has addressed the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee and he is now currently before the Media Committee. The broadcaster has accused the station of 7 untruths over the payment scandal which has engulfed the station. Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe and Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Columnist with the Irish Examiner to discuss... Image: Oireachtas TV

It was Kevin Bakhurst’s first day as Director General at RTÉ and he has hit the ground running, in one of his first acts he confirmed that the RTÉ Executive Board would be disbanded. So what are the challenges facing RTÉ’s New Director General? Tomorrow it is the turn of Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly to go before the Oireachtas – they will face both the Media and the Public Accounts committees. Kieran was joined by Kieran Mulvey, Former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission and TD Niamh Smyth, Chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee...

A decline in tourism this tourist season is hurting many businesses in rural Ireland. On July 8, proprietor of Treyvaud’s Restaurant Paul Treyvaud tweeted: “Rural Ireland is in serious trouble” and "it’s all down to a lack of accommodation." With many hotel spaces allocated to refugees and asylum seekers, others are forced to up their prices. Come winter, businesses may be in real trouble as a result. Paul Treyvaud joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended for paying a teenager £35,000 in exchange for sexual images back in 2020. The Sun reported last week that the presenter involved made panicked phone calls to the individual involved. Other presenters have taken to social media to state their innocence while the presenter at the center remains unnamed. The BBC met with the Metropolitan Police today. Kieran was joined by London based journalist, Enda Brady to discuss...

Kevin Bakhurst is standing down the entire RTÉ executive board in his first major decision as Director General. In an email to RTÉ staff sent this morning, Mr Bakhurst said the board will be replaced by an interim leadership team until a permanent executive is created. Barry Whyte, Newstalk's Chief Reporter was at a press conference with the new Director General this afternoon...

A TD has made a call to make July 12th a public holiday in the south of Ireland. Green Party TD Patrick Costello thinks the government should legislate for a new holiday, and it would help bring the island together. St Patrick’s Day and July 12th are both celebrated in Northern Ireland, so would marking July 12th south of the border be a step towards uniting Ireland? Kieran was joined by Peadar Tóibín is the leader of Aontú and John O’Brennan is Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University to discuss...

Tomorrow at 12:30 pm, Forsa Trade Union and Cork City Library staff will hold a solidarity march to Cork City Hall in support of the library workers’ rights. This action comes in response to harassment from far-right activists attempting to ‘cleanse’ the library of LGBTQ+ materials and others they deem inappropriate. The library staff and those who stand with them are hoping this action results in the removal of harmful individuals from their workplace to ensure a healthy and safe working environment. The head of local government in Forsa Trade Union Richy Carrothers joined Anton to discuss.

The final Ford Fiesta will roll off the production line today, Friday 7 July, following the company's decision late last year to axe the popular supermini. It brings 47 years and eight generations of the Fiesta to an end. Anton was joined by two very sad Ford Fiesta enthusiasts, our own Newstalker, Eamonn Torsney and John Egan, Vintage Car Enthusiast...

Kevin Bakhurst may not officially be the Director General of RTE until Monday but it’s clear his work has started. Following his meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin yesterday – Bakhurst today met with union officials to discuss the crisis engulfing the state broadcaster. One of those present today is Emma O’Kelly Chair of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the NUJ who of course you will better know as RTE’s Education Correspondent joined Anton on the show...

Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist at the ESRI joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss energy prices...

Devices including mobile phones are set to be banned from classrooms to stop them from disrupting learning, the Dutch government has announced. The initiative is being introduced in collaboration with schools and is to take effect at the start of next year. Eric Nelligan Secondary School Teacher in St Munchins College, Corbally and Aontú Spokesperson on Education joined Anton on the show to discuss if we are in need of something similar here..

We’ve had more people in front of committees and news of Ryan Tubridy and Noel kelly due to appear next Tuesday before both PAC and Media Oireachtas committees. We’ve learned a lot more about the RTE corporate spending and the details fo the Toy Show the Musical. To go through this Anton was joined on the show by Alan Hughes, Panto Producer and Longest Running Panto Star and Willie O’Reilly, Columnist at the Business Post and Former Group Commercial Director of RTÉ...

The people of Ghent in Belgium are having an issue with beer bikes – huge vehicles where stag parties of up to 20 drink 50 liters of beer while pedaling around and listening to deafening music. The city is now considering a ban on stag groups. This follows Amsterdam who in March launched an online advertising campaign designed to keep rowdy packs of stag parties away. Freek Wallagh is the Night Mayor of Amsterdam and joined Anton on the show...

A new bill updating Ireland's laws on hate crime and hate speech has been approved by the government and is currently with the Seanad. Many have been critical of the bill and it has certainly divided opinion Minister for Justice and Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Helen McEntee who introduced this bill last year joined Anton in studio...

Anton Savage was honored to have been joined by Vera Twomey, who as many of you will know is a medical cannabis campaigner, and mother of Ava, who died recently.

Speaking fluently and clearly should be given the same status as literacy and numeracy on a school curriculum. That is the vow from UK Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer who has been discussing the future of education across the Irish Sea. Anton was joined by Brenda Hyland Beirne Founder and Managing Director of The Irish School of Etiquette.

A survey by LV General Insurance showed one-third of people are unsure where the fusebox is in their home, and a quarter admit they don't know where their boiler is. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean investigates why DIY has not been passed down through generations...

It’s time once again for the shopping trolley hotline where we review the same product from various stores and as ever Anton was guided by expert shopper Simon Tierney...

The Special Criminal Court has dealt with some of the biggest trials of the state under the offenses against the state act most recently the Trail of Gerry “The Monk” Hutch. But is the court's structure fundamentally flawed? Cian O'Concubhair Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Criminology at Maynooth University joined Anton on the show.

Current and former RTE executives are currently appearing before Oireachtas Media Committee. With details emerging that RTE spent hundreds of thousands on corporate events for clients through now multiple barter accounts. Including 5000 euro worth of Havaiananian flip flops. Anton was joined by Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty and Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe who is at the Oireachtas media committee.

The latest poll from the Sunday Independent and Ireland Thinks shows that 41% of the country wants the Government to be led by Sinn Fein, and not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Can that be a reality? And if so, surely Sinn Fein would need the support of those who are further left on the political divide? Trade Unionist Brendan Ogle joined Anton on the show.

The amount of parents who say back-to-school costs are a financial burden has risen to almost 80 percent as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit homes across the country. Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK ( Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) joined Anton in studio to discuss the burden felt by parents…

RTE representatives are in front of the Oireachtas Media Committee today, and one of those who is glued to it is Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan who joined Anton Savage on the show.

An appeal by Enoch Burke against his suspension and dismissal from his position at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath will take place this Friday. Newstalk's Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney joined Anton with the details.

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 Anton to give him tips for a location a bit closer to home... Galway!

An extensive review of RTE’s governance and culture has been signed off on, following on from revelations of non-disclosed payments by RTÉ to presenter Ryan Tubridy totaling €345,000 over several years. Anton was joined by Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil Spokeperson on Arts and Culture. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the NUJ, and RTE’s Education Correspondent.

The Summer Economic Statement confirmed 2.25 billion euro extra will be put towards new capital building between next year and 2026. The figures were revealed alongside a budget package which will include 2 billion euro in extra spending and 1.1 billion in tax cuts. Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform spoke to Anton.

Anton Savage 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 conclusion of talks with the Irish Medical Organisation in recent days has paved the way for the long-delayed roll-out of the additional GP visit cards. More than 78,000 children aged six and seven are to be give free GP care in the coming weeks, while another 400,000 people will qualify through an easier means test. Kildare GP and assistant professor for public health and primary care at Trinity college, Dr. Brendan O'Shea spoke to Anton.

The Bill for the Metrolink has hit €300m before construction has started. Professor of Transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Caulfield joined Anton to discuss.

The cost of hotels has been in the spotlight recently but it has caused one tour operator to say a tour he is offering in Ireland will be his last. Paul Byrom is a renowned tenor but in recent years he has been providing Irish tours to visitors from the US, Canada and Australia. Paul told Anton how hospitality prices in Ireland have impacted his business.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin has announced two separate external reviews into RTÉ will take place, one into Governance and Culture , the other will focus on Contractor Fees and HR issues. Separately, Minister Catherine Martin says she wants to hear the actions being considered by RTE's new Director General to deal with those who were aware of the controversial payments. The spoke to Anton about the terms of reference for the examination.

It’s the 4th of July and today Newstalk's Henry McKean has been asking if America is at a crossroads? Ireland right now is in peak tourism with thousands of Americans on every street corner. Henry has been out chatting to them.

Wimbledon has begun today! Conor Niland, former professional tennis player, spoke to Anton about his predictions for the tournament.

Australia has become the first country to legalise medical psychedelics. Dr. David Erritzoe runs the world’s first psychedelic research centre in London and he spoke to Anton.

London Based Journalist, Enda Brady gave Anton the latest on Kevin Spacey’s trial in London…