The Hard Shoulder

A second energy credit is likely to be arriving before Christmas. It comes after cabinet met today to discuss how to tackle the energy crisis. Kieran was joined on the show by Pat Leahy is the Irish Times Political Editor and Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP to discuss...

Comedian, Jack Dee joined Kieran on the show today. He played the Olympia in Dublin this past weekend, and will be in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast this coming Saturday. You’ll have seen him on your screens on the likes of 'Have I Got News For You', and all manner of other panel shows. He’s also had a glittering comedy career.

Trypophobia or a fear of holes, specifically small holes clustered together, has topped the list of the phobia that terrifies Irish people the most. A study by Psychic World, based on Google searches, has found that fears about open spaces, spiders, heights and confined spaces completed the top 5 things we Irish are afraid of. Patricia Casey, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Hermitage Clinic and Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry in UCD joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss phobias...

According to data from the Department of Integration, 85% of properties pledged for Ukrainian refugees has not yet been activated. Of 9,708 accommodation pledges sent to local authorities, only 1,440 pledges have been activated. Kieran was joined by Tom McEnaney, Media Consultant and Founder of Effective Aid Ukraine, who has helped over 1,000 refugees get into Ireland to discuss this...

Dublin has been named as the fourth most expensive city break in Europe. The research was done by Post Office Travel Money in the UK, who incidentally found Athens to offer the best value on the continent. But is Dublin value for money? Kieran was joined by Martin Harte is CEO of the Temple Bar Company and Stefanie Preissner is a broadcaster and presenter of the ‘Basically’ podcast to discuss...

Today kicked off a three part series on the best TV nobody's watching with Cuán Ó Flatharta, Presenter of Splanc on Newstalk. Cuán joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder with his first pick, 'The Offer'..

Tova Friedman was just 5 years old when she was sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Her book, ‘The Daughter of Auschwitz’, is her account of being a survivor from the camp. Tova joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her time there...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss the skill of active listening...

Liz Truss has today officially become the prime minister of the United Kingdom after meeting with The Queen and being asked to form a new government. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Lauren McEvatt Former Conservative Government Special Advisor to discuss...

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look at the humble apple...

One year on from the introduction of the Government's 'Housing for All' plan, Housing Minister, Darragh O'Brien joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the delivery of the plan and future projections...

You might have noticed more eight legged visitors to your home in recent weeks, this is because it is officially spider season. Kieran was joined by Collie Ennis, Zoology research associate at Trinity College Dublin to discuss…

The Nord Stream pipeline between Russia and Germany has been a bone of contention for the last 20 years. And in an energy crisis, more focus than ever is being put on the relationship between the Kremlin and Europe. All the while, Governments are working out how to deal with the crisis. Declan Ganely, businessman and entrepreneur and Lorcan Allen, Business Editor with the Business Post joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Many families across the country are still yet to receive their school bus tickets, two weeks after going back to school. An Oireachtas Committee has written to the Education Minister, Norma Foley requesting that she attends a meeting. Kieran was joined by Donnchadh Ó Laoighre, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central and Party Education Spokesperson and Joanne Geraghty, Mother and full-time carer in Galway to discuss the situation...

UCD's Colman Gallagher joins Kieran to talk about the International Space Station - what it is, what it's for, and whether it is worth the money spent on it.

The deaths of three siblings in Tallaght have caused great mourning, but how do you talk to children about these incidents? Child psychologist Colman Noctor joined Kieran to explain.

According to a Sunday Independent poll, 55% of respondents supported having a right to housing inserted into the Constitution. Tom Phillips is managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Rhona McCord is a researcher and developer at Unite. They joined Kieran to debate whether this is a good idea.

In today's episode of "What Do We Really Believe?" Kieran was joined by Yanky Fachler, Founder and chair of the Jewish Historical Society of Ireland to discuss the origins, beliefs, and traditions of Judaism.

Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway has labelled Environment Minister Eamon Ryan a “total crackpot” over his plans to ban oil and gas boilers from new and existing homes. This latest climate action scheme would apply to newly built homes from next year and to installations in existing houses from as early as 2025. Michael Fitzmaurice joined Kieran today along with Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe.

As Leaving Cert results are announced today, the plight for students finding suitable accommodation has intensified. Chaplain for the Technological University of the Shannon, Father Shay Casey, says things have never been so bad. So desperate is the situation that this week, the priest who has 37 years experience of working with students, considered calling the army for help in sourcing tents. Father Shay Casey joined Kieran on the show.

Former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona joined Kieran for this week's Thursday interview. She spoke about fame, bankruptcy and over coming addiction.

Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte T.D, joined Kieran to discuss the announcement the HSE has commenced a process to re-instate the health and social care supports in special schools where previously they had been provided.

As electric Ireland get ready to raise prices once again, Kieran was joined by Denis Naughten, Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, to discuss what can be done to ensure there are not outages this winter.

Roscommon county board are investigating an incident in a minor football fixture last night. The game between St Aidans and St Dominics was abandone after the referee was attacked and left needing medical attention. Former GAA referee, Rory Hickey joined Kieran to give his reaction to the incident.

It’s back to school season and schools across primary and second level are struggling with teacher shortages. Kieran was joined by Clodagh Farrell, Principal of Stapolin Educate Together National School and Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, to discuss what can be done to draw more into the profession.

It's been exactly 25 years since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The "people's princess" was beloved by the public and there is still much affection for her. Kieran was joined by Lee Sansum, author and security specialist, who was Princess Diana's bodyguard.

Myozan Kodo, a Zen Buddhism priest, living in Dublin, joined Kieran to take a closer look at Buddhism.

Offenders convicted of the most serious crimes, including murder, could face a minimum term of up to 30 years without parole under proposed reforms by the Department of Justice. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joined Kieran to discuss the proposals.

Younger workers face paying an extra €2,500 in taxes so state pension age will stay at 66 years of age. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council have said people no in their 20s, 30s and 40s will foot the bill for Ireland’s growing number of retirees, which is estimated to rise by 50pc by 2040. Kieran was joined by Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link and Caillum Hedderman, Environmentalist & Social Activist to discuss what this means for younger generations.

A report from the State’s Commission on tax and welfare has said that wealth, property and inheritance taxes should be raised. If these recommendations are followed, it could represent a clear shift in focus to taxing wealth, rather than income. Kieran was joined by Marie Sherlock, Labour Party Senator and spokesperson for Employment Affairs, Media, Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator to discuss if it is time to further tax the rich.

US President Ronald Reagan back in 1987, imploring Mikhail Gorbachev to ‘tear down the wall, and open up the USSR and that is what Gorbachev did, as the world remembers is legacy following his passing in Moscow at the age of 91. Jon Snow, the former presenter of Channel 4 News, joined Kieran to recall his time reporting on Gorbachev during his years as leader.

The government have proposed a 6.5% pay increase to public sector workers over two years. Kieran was joined by Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, to discuss his reaction to the proposed deal and where this leave those who work in the private sector.

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look at blackberries.

All this week on The Hard Shoulder is taking a deeper look into some of the religions that exist in Ireland. Today he was joined by Amanullah de Sondy, Lecturer in Contemporary Islam, UCC, to discuss the Islamic faith and what it means to him.

With the midterm elections coming soon, President Joe Biden putting a student debt forgiveness plan in place, and questions remaining over the raid on Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago home, Kieran was joined by Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to give his take on all the stories dominating the American headlines.

Change and Transformation coach, Niamh Ennis, calls herself a “recovering people pleaser”, she joined Kieran to share her tips on how to avoid people pleasing.

Public sector unions are considering the Government’s revised 6.5 per cent pay offer. It follows concerns over the cost of living crisis as we head into the winter months. Micheal McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform joined Kieran to discuss the proposed deal and comments made on yesterdays Hard Shoulder about the possibility of the country heading into recession.

As students go back to school this week, there are still many who are waiting to receive their school bus tickets. Teresa Mangan, a parent in Skryne, Co.Meath, joined Kieran to discuss the impacts of the long wait, on her daughter who is going into first year.

As the battle continues to try and reduce emissions, one proposals is to ban Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs. Michael Taft, researcher with SIPTU, joined Brian Cooke, Director General at the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, to discuss what makes these car's so damaging to the environment and what the impact would be if they were to be banned completely.

Recently the Synod in the Catholic Church promised to consider its teachings on issues like LGBT, women in leadership, and more besides. Dr John Murray, who is the Assistant Professor of Moral Theology and Christian Ethics at DCU, joined Kieran to kick off a week long series on religion in Ireland.

32 children in Ireland will be affected by the latest announcement of cancellations of all complex spinal surgery operations over the next three weeks at Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Kieran was joined by Amanda Coughlan, Co-Lead of the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group, to discuss the impacts of these cancellations.

With businesses struggling to fight against rising costs, IBEC are calling for specific measures to come in Budget 2023. Danny McCoy, IBEC CEO, joined Kieran to discuss the measures they are hoping will be brought in.

An Bord Pleanála were expected to have made a decision on planning today for Dublin’s first supervised injection facility on Merchant’s Quay, which has now been delayed. Kieran was joined byMichael Pidgeon, Green Party Councillor and Mannix Flynn, Independent Councillor to discuss the delay and what it could mean for crime in the area.

With energy costs at an all time high, retailers and restaurateurs are calling for more support as they start the run into Christmas. Kieran was joined by Duncan Graham, Managing Director, Retail Excellence Ireland, JP McMahon, Chef, author and restaurateur and Gina Murphy, Proprietor of Hugo’s Restaurant to discuss if more support should be made available.

Panda Recycling is to introduce double-digit price rises on households next month affecting over 360,000 customers. The company has blamed surging fuel costs. Emmet was joined by Mick Barry, People Before Profit TD for Cork North-Central and Conor Pope, Pricewatch Editor for the Irish Times.

The number of homeless people in the State has reached a record high of 10,568 people which includes 3,137 children. Emmet spoke to Peter McVerry of the Peter McVerry Trust about the issue.

€309 million was allocated last year for active travel projects however, only 180 million has been claimed so far. Minister Eamonn Ryan has ordered the local authorities to spend the unclaimed funds amounting to almost €129 million. Emmet was joined on the show by Transport Commentator Conor Faughnan and Green Party Senator Pauline O'Reilly.

SSE Airtricity has announced an increase in energy rices for consumers from October with gas bills expected to rise by 39% and electricity by 35.4%. Emmet was joined on the show by Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, Denis Naughten.

Concerns have been raised over the use of escooters, and the impact they have obesity, with people working or cycling less. It comes as more treatments and medicines become available to treat obesity. Carel Le Roux, Obesity specialist at St Vincent's Hospital, joined Emmet to discuss how best to treat a weight issue.

New CSO figure show that the employment rate in the second quarter of the year was 73.5%.It is the highest rate since the current series of records began in 1998. CEO of the ESRI, economist Alan Barrett joined Emmet to discuss his predictions for the economy in the upcoming months.