The Hard Shoulder

As energy companies enjoy soaring profits, and people’s energy bills continue to be high, the question continues to be asked, what can be done? One of the solutions that has been floated is to nationalise the energy companies. Kieran was joined by Paul Murphy is People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West and David Horgan, Managing Director of Petrel Resources…

Michael Doyle Journalist with The Irish Sun joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to share a recent experience he had with a dentist. He was offered an expensive procedure for what turned out to be a routine infection when consulted by another dentist…

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at some of the best Hollywood comeback stories...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran again 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 took a look a the different options of jaffa cakes on the shelves...

Following US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last night, Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Sean Spicer, former White House Press Secretary for Donald Trump...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Paul Howard, creator of the number one bestselling Ross O’Carroll-Kelly. Paul was in studio to chat about his new children's book ‘Aldrin Adams and the Legend of Nemeswiss’...

Comedian, Katherine Lynch joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the news of a Fawlty Towers return...

Overnight at the state of the Union Address First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff were captured on camera kissing on the lips when they greeted each other. Was it awkward? Is it an issue? Do you greet people by kissing them on the lips? Henry McKean went out and about speaking to the public, etiquette experts and even a priest to see what they thought... Image: TMZ

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Kenny Jacobs, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Airport Authority (daa) to discuss illegal drones, airport delays and his relationship with airlines...

With Dublin Airport reportedly understaffed at the moment, it seems as though it’s caused a bit of chaos for French rugby fans on their way over this week for the 6 Nations. Gregory Sevault, CEO of MyComm joined Kieran to discuss...

Every week, Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder with thanks to Emirates, will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations Emirates fly to around the world. This week, Kieran was joined by Fionn Davenport, travel writer and broadcaster to look at the Seychelles...

Kieran was joined in studio 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 religion a force for good? '

Ryanair says it's "very disappointed" that nothing has been done about drone activity at Dublin Airport. Thousands of passengers were affected after drones were spotted on the airfield over the long weekend. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Eoghan Corry, travel and aviation journalist, Graeme McQueen, spokesperson for the DAA and Colm Brophy, Fine Gael TD…

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has today published findings of a survey that found 90 per cent of primary teachers are struggling with excessive workload and principals work an additional 600 hours a year outside school time. Kieran was joined by teachers Fearghal, Peter and Alice to discuss...

Isabel Gleeson, owner and founder of Rebride.ie joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her business of bringing brides together by helping brides sell their dresses rather than have them sitting in your closest gathering dust...

A video circulating on social media showing a young girl being abused on an empty bus has led to an outpouring of women sharing stories about feeling unsafe on public transport. Niamh Maher Creative Director with Journal Media and influencer, Holly Carpenter joined Kieran to discuss their own experiences …

It’s Internet Safety Day today, so we’re taking a look at how we interact with technology and the Internet. Broadcaster and mother Rebecca Horan joined Kieran to discuss the role of tablets and phones and how they’re used by diners at restaurants. Anthony Gray, owner of Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo also joined the discussion on The Hard Shoulder…

EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union Mairead McGuinness joined the show today to discuss if the new sanctions could be on the way for Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to discuss on how much garlic we should eat.

A somewhat infamous anniversary this week, marking 90 years since Adolf Hitler’s ascension to the position of German chancellor. At this juncture, is it any more clear why democracy fell apart so utterly across Germany in the 1930s? How did a democratic government allow Hitler to seize power? And are there still lessons to be learned in the context of the modern political sphere? Benjamin Carter Hett answers those questions and more in his book: The Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic.

Arthur Holland Michel, Funder of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College at Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs joined Kieran today to discuss the story of the Chinese spy balloons intercepted over Us territory.

Confirmations shouldn't be on weekdays - so says Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast. In her opinion weekday ceremonies make it even harder both for children and their parents to give enough time and focus with a milestone ceremony.

Only one in three people know their neighbours names. A new survey also found one in every ten say they speak to their neighbours no more than once a month. Why do we feel less and less connected to the people who live near us? To discuss Kieran was joined by Síona Cahill, account director with DHR communications, public affairs commentator and regular on ‘The Final Furlong and Ali Ryan, CEO and Founder of Goss.ie

Johnny Rotten now Johnny Lydon performs Hawaii with his band Public Image Limited. Tonight that song is one of six competing for Eurosong, a Late Late Show special to pick who Ireland sends to Eurovision, in Liverpool in May. Henry McKean has been back stage and to meet legendary punk rock star, and he gave us his report.

We have seen anti-immigration protests across the country over the last couple of weeks. Just yesterday, protesters gathered outside Columb Barracks at 7pm and marched to Market Square in the centre of Mullingar. With protests becoming more frequent, what can be done about it? Trade unionist Brendan Ogle and security analyst, Declan Power joined Kieran to discuss.

The UK government has today announced an independent inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the Real IRA bombing, took the legal challenge that resulted in the judge directing the British state to act and he joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Pete Lunn, founder and head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to chat through the idea of human's ability to mind read...

Figures obtained by Newstalk have revealed Irish Rail received 444 antisocial behaviour complaints last year - a 60% increase on the 277 it received in 2021. Those relating to the Dublin to Belfast and Dublin to Cork lines have been released under the Freedom of Information Act and many are linked to drunk and disorderly behaviour. Kieran was joined by John, a railway worker currently off work due to an incident. Jim O’Callaghan TD and Fianna Fáil Justice spokesperson also joined the discussion…

There were conversations on the station this week around the new ‘Learn Our Anthem’ campaign, aimed renewing efforts around teaching Amhrán na Bhfiann in schools. One man who has been centrally involved in penning another national anthem is Phil Coulter, whose song ‘Ireland’s Call’ makes its return to the Six Nations stage this weekend. Phil joined Kieran on the show to discuss the different considerations around national anthems, and what they entail...

Croke Park’s Stadium Director has denied Eddie Hearn’s claims that renting the stadium would cost almost three times the cost of renting Wembley. The Matchroom promoter made the claim last night, as he revealed a May date for Katie Taylor at GAA H-Q won’t be happening. Kieran was joined by Emmet Brennan, Irish Olympian and Chris Andrews, Sinn Féin TD to discuss...

A “process toward decriminalisation” of drugs for personal use should be “accelerated”, an Oireachtas committee has recommended. Kieran was joined by Aodhan O’Riordan, Labour Party TD and member of the Oireachtas Justice committee and Professor Mary Cannon, psychiatrist in the department of psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland... Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

A review of all the street names in Dublin could bring some of Ireland's forgotten heroes back to the city, Green Party councillor Janet Horner has said. Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times journalist and historian and Eilis O’Carroll, actress, writer and comedian...

Paul McKenna has sold more than 10 million self-help books and been published in 32 languages. Hypnotist, Paul McKenna is coming to Ireland in March and he joined Kieran on the show to discuss this and chat through some calming techniques...

The Department of Transport has today confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated funds to Ireland’s local authorities with a view to spending €290 million on walking and cycling infrastructure in 2023. Eamon Ryan, Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Environment, Climate and Communications joined Kieran to discuss this and the ongoing controversy about the Government’s role in awarding compensation to those who were overcharged for nursing homes...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran again 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 took a look a the different options of kitchen cleaning sprays on the shelves...

New figures from the company running Ireland’s NCT testing show there are now 375,000 vehicles on Irish roads without a valid NCT certificate. Newstalk reporter, Mairead Cleary joined Kieran to discuss the proceedings of a meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee this afternoon...

Reports at the weekend suggested successive Taoisigh and health ministers agreed a secret plan to hide the true scale of the State's liability for illegal nursing home charges to prevent massive payouts. Leo Varadkar says he assumes he was briefed on the state's policy towards settling claims in relation to families being overcharged for nursing homes. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Labour Party leader, Ivana Bacik and Independent Senator, Tom Clonan to discuss... Image: tomclonan.ie

Against the backdrop of 8.5% inflation across the Eurozone, the European Central Bank is set to raise rates by half a point tomorrow. This is as prices for goods and services continue to increase at a fast rate. Alan Barrett, CEO of the ESRI joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The organisers of the Women’s Mini Marathon were taken by surprise by a €21,000 bill for the Gardaí’s services last June. No such costs had come in previous years. Gerard McGrath, the chairman of the Women’s Mini Marathon joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

It’s St Brigid’s Day today - the changing of the seasons, and the honouring of St Brigid. Many children around the country will be making little crosses to commemorate the day, and my next guest is concerned that those from non religious backgrounds shouldn’t have to take part. Michael Nugent, the Chair of Atheist Ireland and writer and broadcaster Barbara Scully joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

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

Every week, Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder with thanks to Emirates, will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations Emirates fly to around the world. This week, Kieran was joined by Fionn Davenport, travel writer and broadcaster to look at the beautiful County Mayo...

The launch of the St Patrick’s Festival took place yesterday, and as with many things, many people loved what was on show, and many had issues with it. The theme for the festival is ‘We are ONE’. Kieran was joined by Eric Nelligan, who is an Aontu representative in Limerick and Ray Yeates, who is City Arts Officer with Dublin County Council to discuss… Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Kieran was joined in studio 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 socialism a force for good?'

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee has ordered a replay of the All-Ireland club football final. It comes following a hearing last night involving representatives from Glen and Kilmacud Crokes. Off The Ball's Will O’Callaghan and journalist, Conan Doherty joined Kieran on the show to discuss... Image: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Taoiseach says he assumes he was briefed on the state's policy towards settling claims in relation to families being overcharged for nursing homes. For more on this, Kieran was joined by John Lee, the Executive Editor of the Irish Daily Mail and Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland…

A Welsh branch of McDonald's has started playing classical music in a bid to deter anti-social behaviour. Kieran was joined by George Hamilton, commentator and presenter on Lyric FM to discuss...

Australia is to impose local quotas on their streaming platforms - like Netflix, Disney+ and the rest - as part of a national cultural policy. The Australian Government described it as ‘necessary action’ so that Australia stories don’t get drowned out. Larry Bass, the chief executive of ShinAWil, joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

According to a US psychologist, workers need to be able to brag more like an American to get ahead in the workplace. Meredith Fineman, author of Brag Better, said staff should find ways to communicate their brilliance, which does not always come naturally to us here in Ireland. Kieran was joined by American comedian, Jim Elliott and Orla Donagher. founder of Interview Tutor to discuss…

A record of nearly €170 million was collected in toll charges on the M50 last year. It is almost €30 million more than in 2021, and is also significantly above pre-pandemic levels. For more on this Kieran was joined by Eugene Drennan, from the Irish Road Hauliers Association.