The Hard Shoulder
7,955 episodes — Page 141 of 160
‘It’s a good idea to have rules’ for phones at Christmas
Christmas is around the corner and Santa will be bringing the boys and girls all over the country gadgets, phones and videogames. Columnist for The Irish Times and mother of 7, Jen Hogan joined Jonathan to discuss managing young peoples screen time around the Christmas holidays...
Wellness: Christmas Survival Guide
Jonathan Healy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss her Christmas survival guide...
'None of us expected it to be as horrible as it turned out to be'
Violence broke out in the town of Rathkeale last night, rival gangs have left the town in disarray. Fianna Fáil Councillor, Kevin Sheahan joined Jonathon Healy on the show to discuss...
New universal basic income 'would be giving people money who do not need it'
Workers could have their wages taxed at 40pc to pay for a new universal basic income. This would be under proposals examined in a new ESRI report today. But, is it feasible? Senator Regina Doherty and Colette Bennett, Economic and Social Analyst for Social Justice Ireland joined Jonathon Healy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...
‘Bus Connects needs to be rolled out’ to help reduce emissions
The ending of free workplace parking along with a minimum parking charge in all urban areas are among the measures Government could look at to cut transport carbon emissions. Jonathan Healy was joined by John Fitzgerald Former chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council to discuss…
O'Rourke: Golfgate 'was a traumatic thing at the time'
My next guest has a two-part series coming to your screens over the next couple of nights exploring the relationship between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and Civil War politics. Two Tribes will air tomorrow night and Thursday night on RTE 1, and the spearhead of it all is none other than broadcaster Sean O’Rourke. Sean O’Rourke joined Jonathon Healy on The Hard Shoulder…
December trolley figures 'up 47 per cent' on last year
693 patients are waiting for a bed at Irish hospitals today. University Hospital Limerick is the worst affected with 94 people on trolleys, followed by 71 in Cork. Jonathan Healy was joined by Stephen McMahon Spokesperson with the Irish Patient Association and David Cullinane Sinn Fein’s Health spokesperson to discuss…
Buying Christmas presents for your pets
There are only five more sleeps until the big day arrives, for those who are fortunate, there will be presents left under the tree. But have we reached peak consumerism when the animals in our lives are receiving toys? Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with those who will be spoiling their furry friends.
Elon Musk has 'no intention of giving up' on Twitter
Twitter users have voted for Elon Musk to step aside as the company's CEO. The eccentric billionaire posted a poll on the social media site last night giving two options. Over 17.5 million users voted with 57.5 percent saying he should stand down as head of Twitter. Emmet Oliver was joined by Adrian Weckler, the Irish Independent’s Technology editor…
'It was pretty spectacular' - Irish actor Jason Barry on Titanic role
It’s been 25 years since the release of James Cameron’s Titanic. Emmet Oliver was joined by Irish actor Jason Barry who starred in the film as Tommy Ryan...
Trolley Crisis: INMO call for 'urgent action' from HSE
Today there are 760 patients in the country without a hospital bed. The INMO is calling for URGENT action on this issue. Emmet Oliver was joined by Dr Fergal Hickey, Communications Officer for the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine and Tony Fitzpatrick, Director of Services with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation…
Qatar World Cup final is 'something we'll neve forget'
Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to review the World Cup final and the tournament as a whole...
Lack of public transport causing 'forced car ownership' in rural areas
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan hopes to reduce by 20% the number of cars on Irish roads by the year 2030. The target is part of the Climate Action Plan that has but yet to be approved by the Cabinet. Emmet Oliver was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, researcher at UCD and a climate activist and Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry...
Fee charging school wants to be included in energy subsidy
IBEC had a warning today that firms are going to expect lower profits going into 2023 due to rising energy costs. Are more energy supports needed? Emmet Oliver was joined by Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME and Barbara Ennis, principal of Alexandra College, because private schools are having to raise their prices by up to 15%...
A visit to Ireland's first toy library
We're approaching the last weekend before the big day for shoppers to pick up presents. With such a focus on the environment, there are now options for families to rent toys through a toy library. There are a handful of these community projects across the country and our reporter Josh Crosbie took a visit to Ireland's first toy Library in Co Monaghan.
You Are What You Eat: Christmas Side Dishes
Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look how to make the best side dishes for Christmas dinner...
Sport with Nathan Murphy
Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...
Mícheál Martin 'grew into the job' as Taoiseach
Today marks the final full day as Taoiseach for Mícheál Martin as he gets set to hand the reigns over to Leo Varadkar tomorrow. Emmer Oliver was joined by John Drennan, political correspondent with The Mail Group to discuss Micheál Martin's time in charge..
Twitter journalist ban 'a quickfire move done without thinking'
King of free speech, Elon Musk, has accused several high profile journalists from Twitter last night claiming they were ‘doxxing’ him. One of the journalists banned was CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, a Cahersiveen native. Jenny Darmody, Deputy Editor with Silicon Republic joined Emmet Oliver to discuss…
Christmas Tech with Jess Kelly
Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to chat through some of the best tech deals, tips for gifts and other tricks to look out for this Christmas...
Mortgages: 'We have an absolutely catastrophe ahead'
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar maintains there are no plans to reintroduce mortgage interest relief in light of the rising interest rates announced by the European Central Bank. With further rate hikes on the way from the ECB in 2023, is this the right stance? Emmet Oliver was joined by David Hall, CEO of the Irish Mortgage Holders Association and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward to discuss…
Planning the perfect Christmas Dinner
Stressing about preparing that Christmas dinner? Mark Moriarty’s Off-Duty Chef Christmas Special will be kicking off on RTÉ this weekend and he joined Emmet Oliver in studio to gives some tips and tricks on cracking Christmas dinner...
'Wildly boring' - 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Review
John Fardy, presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Emmet Oliver to review the new release 'Avatar: The Way of Water'...
Private Seán Rooney 'had a passion life and for his career'
A number of investigations will take place into an incident in which an Irish solider was killed and another was seriously injured in Lebanon. 23 year old Private Sean Rooney from County Donegal died after a convoy travelling to Beirut was attacked by what the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces says was an 'aggressive mob'. Emmet Oliver was joined by Mark Keane President of PDForra, the association representing soldiers, Damien McCrory principal of St Eunan's College in Letterkenny and Declan Power, security analyst…
Increase in retirement age to 68 'will save a lot of money'
The Government has been warned by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to increase the retirement age to 68 by 2028, in order to keep debt under control. Emmet Oliver was joined by Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland and Economist, Jim Power to discuss...
Ross: 'Cavalier culture' about the rights of cyclists on roads
Just 71 fines in three years – that’s the amount of fines Gardaí have issued for motorists dangerously overtaking cyclists. Emmet Oliver was joined by former Transport Minister, Shane Ross and Ciaran Cannon, Fine Gael TD for Galway East to discuss...
Cold weather 'damages you skin barrier' - Skin Specialist
Research from CeraVe has found that 77% of Irish people feel their skin is worse in winter, with approximately the same number saying they are self-conscious about it. Emmet Oliver was joined by Dr Laura Lenihan, GP and Specialist Skin Expert to discuss the root of these concerns, and what people can do to protect their skin amidst these freezing conditions...
January Travel Deals
Now, Christmas may be fast approached, but if you want a break after it all in January, where should you go? Emmet Oliver was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Ed Finn from Travel Talk...
Behind The Screens: Famous TV Interviews
Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at some of the best and worst famous TV interviews down the years...
Galway woman takes 'bad fall' on icy footpath
Our footpaths are turning into ice rinks this week and more weather warnings are coming into play this evening. How long will this cold spell last? Emmet Oliver was joined by meteorologist, Joanna Donnelly and Roisin Killroy, a journalist in Galway who slipped on the ice this morning...
'Planes were flying so low in all different directions - my kids screamed with fear'
The Dublin airport authority say they "sincerely apologise" to homeowners who have found themselves unexpectedly along the flight path of the new airport runway. Some homeowners who live along the flight path of the new North runway say the noise from low flying planes is "unbearable". Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been speaking to those impacted...
Regency Trial: Dowdall ‘went to lengths to dissociate’ from Sinn Féin
It’s been former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall’s third day in the witness box in the Special Criminal court. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. For details on what happened today, Emmet Oliver was joined by author of ‘The Monk: The Life and Crimes of Ireland's Most Enigmatic Gang Boss’, and crime journalist with the Irish Independent, Paul Williams.
Lockdown lift in China will impact 'global demand' for fuel
Fuel prices have fallen significantly at the pump over the last month, according to AA Ireland. The company’s latest Fuel Survey finds that diesel prices are down an average of 22c per litre on last month. Meanwhile, petrol prices are down 17c per litre. Emmet Oliver was joined by Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent and Kevin McPartland, Fuels for Ireland CEO to discuss…
ISME: "We want to see effectiveness in what we spend"
A new report from the OECD says that strides within Irish healthcare across recent decades mean life expectancy in this country is now amongst the best in Europe. The report also takes a somewhat favourable assessment of the Irish economy at large heading into 2023. And although it warns against increased spending, the OECD says Ireland is coping well with the impacts of Covid, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Emmet Oliver was joined by Brian Turner, Health Economist at UCC and Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME…
US Ambassador says Biden 'will be coming to Ireland' in 2023
US Ambassador Claire Cronin as part of her 'Open Doors' policy, invited the students from St Dominic's College Ballyfermot into Deerfield Residence, the home of the US Ambassador, in the Phoenix Park Dublin. Henry McKean got a tour with the students and met the US Ambassador in the run up to Christmas...
Proposed planning reform 'an attack on the Aarhus Convention'
Cabinet ministers have been raising concerns about Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien’s proposals for a major overhaul of Ireland’s planning laws. We heard overnight that things had been agreed, then we hear this morning that certain Green Ministers are concerned, and now the Taoiseach has this afternoon defended the proposed legislation. Craig Hughes is Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail and Robin Mandal, Chair of the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance and former President of the Royal Institute of Architects joined Emmet Oliver to discuss…
Wellness: Brain Health
Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss brain health...
Common Ground: Should chuggers be banned?
Anton Savage 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 'Should chuggers be banned?'...
Twins who went from being homeless to earning masters degrees
From sleeping rough in the Phoenix Park to earning a masters degrees, Croatian brothers Allen and Jay Bobinac last week received a special SETU achievement award from Minister Simon Harris and Croatian Ambassador to Ireland Davor Vidis. Allen and Jay joined Anton Savage in studio to discuss their remarkable story...
Regency Trial: Hutch's barrister 'went straight for the jugular'
Gerry Hutch’s barrister has accused Jonathan Dowdall of telling lies in court. The former Sinn Féin councillor is being cross-examined in Mr Hutch’s trial for the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in 2016. Paul Williams, Crime Journalist and Author of ‘The Monk - The life and times of Ireland's most enigmatic crime boss’ joined Anton Savage to discuss what happened in court today...
'A momentous day' for families created through surrogacy
Cabinet met this morning to approve a number of amendments that seek to recognise families that are created through international surrogacy. Anton Savage was joined by Cathy Wheatley, spokesperson for Irish Families Through Surrogacy...
'The future of Dublin City will rely on public transport' - Sinn Féin TD
The head of Dublin Bus will tell TDs and Senators later the 'vast, vast majority of services' operate on time and on schedule. However, Chief Executive Billy Hann will apologise to customers who have had a poor experience, when he appears before an Oireachtas committee this evening. Anton Savage was joined by Brian Caulfield, Associate Professor at the School Of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin and Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein TD for Dublin West to discuss...
'I was called faggot many times' - Brian Kennedy on singing Fairytale of New York
With twelve days until Christmas, singer Brian Kennedy joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his gigs over the festive period and other Christmas traditions... Image: briankennedy.co.uk
'In the region of 100 people sleeping rough' in Dublin every night
With the weather warnings extended through the weekend Joanna Donnelly joined Anton Savage to discuss what’s in store for the next couple of days. Focus Ireland’s Mike Allen also joined Anton to discuss what can be done to assist the homeless sleeping rough during this cold spell...
Colm Tóibín on overcoming cancer, Pope Francis and his new book
Anton Savage was joined by award-winning author Colm Tóibín, to discuss his new book: ‘A Guest At The Feast’…
Regency Trial 'could see other people arrested and charged and tried'
Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, has begun giving evidence against him at the Regency Hotel murder trial. Paul Williams, Crime Journalist and Author of ‘The Monk - The life and times of Ireland's most enigmatic crime boss’ joined Anton Savage to discuss what happened in court today...
'People think I'm off my rocker' - The first Irish person in space
Rhiannon Adam is set to become the first Irish person in space. She is a photographic artist originally from Co. Cork, who now lives in Hackney in London. The trip, called dearMoon, is expected to take place next year 2023 aboard Starship, a rocket being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Rhiannon joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Actor, Florence Pugh has recently opened up about the imposter syndrome she experienced on the set of the 2018 film King Lear. Aoife O’Brien, Founder of Happieratwork.ie and ImposterSyndrome.ie joined Anton Savage to discuss how imposter syndrome affects us and how to deal with it...
Higher level Irish requirement for teachers an 'unreasonable blockage'
Labour Party Education Spokerperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says that the Irish requirement for teaching training is a barrier to a diverse workforce. Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD and Simon Lewis, Principal at Carlow Educate Together to discuss...
'It's impossible!' - Henry looks into Dublin's taxi shortage
There are reports that getting a taxi over the weekend was pretty much impossible in Dublin City. Demand has trebled in the last month. The taxi apps had very few cabs available. Some people had to walk home and others even booked into hotels to stay out of the cold. This is the first Christmas in 3 years that the office party is back because of Covid. Henry McKean met some of those in the industry and those affected by the shortages…