The Hard Shoulder

The reaction to 150 Ukranian refugees have been placed in direct provision has been described as ‘shocking’. Bulelani Mfaco, spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, joined Kieran to discuss if this reaction is different to how people have previously reacted to the other groups who are currently living in direct provision, and dealing with the challenges that presents.

Extinction Rebellion made a surprise appearance at the National Biodiversity Conference whose slogan is 'Act Now for Nature.' But The Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion feel it's been 20 years of action plans and very little done to deal with the wildlife and biodiversity crisis. They want a biodiversity act to legally require the government to take action on their own plans. Henry McKean went to Dublin Castle to report on the days events.

Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of the Bellissimo Files on Spin joined Kieran to mark the 40 year anniversary of the release of classic eighties movie ET.

According to reports people will be ordered to work from home in the event of a major fuel crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, under secret Government emergency plans. Michael McNamara Independent TD and Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss if workers would be equip to spend another period of time working from home and how it could impact the workforce.

Just two weeks ago, the Department for Housing released figures that indicated that just over 10,000 people were in emergency accommodation. One of those who is experiencing the housing crisis for herself is Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne, she joined Kieran tp share her story.

Sinead Kennedy joined Kieran to talk all things ‘Zoo Live’, RTE One’s new show hitting screens this week live from a purpose built studio in Dublin Zoo’s African Savanna.

Irish young adults have the second highest rate of cocaine use in Europe. That’s according to stats released today by the Health Research Board. They also found that nearly 20% of of 15- to 24-year-olds had used illegal drugs in the last year. Michael Guerin, senior addiction therapist at the charity organization Cuan Mhuire joined Kieran to discuss some of the reasons why we are seeing such a high amount of drug use.

Record numbers of new AIB bank accounts have been opened this week as people make the move from KCB and Ulster Bank. Daragh Cassidy Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie and David McWeeney KCB Customer joined Kieran to discuss how easy it is to switch banks and if banks are trying to make it easier for consumers.

Claire McKenna, Presenter, Alive and Kicking, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder for her weekly look into the world of wellness. This week she discussed cancer clinical trials.

The Junior Cert is set to begin tomorrow, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Jen Hogan, journalist, author and columnist with The Irish Times thinks It shouldn’t be going ahead after the level of disruption these young students have had to their education, she joined Kieran to explain the focus should be on getting kids familiar with school and socializing again.

According to new research if you’re aged over 40, training for a marathon could age your body by a decade. Dominic Munnelly, Sports Scientist & Personal Trainer joined Kieran to explain the science behind this and share his tips for anyone who is thinking about or currently training for a marathon.

Apple products and other smartphone manufacturers will have to use the same charger under a landmark deal provisionally approved by European lawmakers. Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss how chargers for just iphones could soon be a thing of the past.

Last week saw Health Minister Stephen Donnelly say that an upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction bill was “not originally envisaged to include international surrogacy”. He also said: “And it would be law by now if we hadn’t stopped it.” Campaigners took exception, and after an overwhelming response, Kieran was joined by Dora and Amy, who have been directly affected by the current status quo.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has clung to power after successfully winning a no-confidence vote. Lord Robert Hayward, A Conservative Peer, former MP and political analyst joined Kieran to discuss what state his leadership been left in and, where it leaves his party.

Roscommon, Clare, Mayo and Kildare are all heading to Croke Park on Saturday for Round 2 of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship. It’ll be part of a double header that will be shown on Sky Sports. Former Mayo player Austin O’Malley joined Kieran to discuss why we are seeing so many empty seats in Croke Park and if the GAA needs to address inflation and a younger generation of fans.

A video has gone viral today of a group of people mocking the death of Michaela McAreavey. The PSNI and Orange Order are investigating, with the video being condemned from all sides. Joe Brolly, columnist with the Sunday Independent, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The Assisted Human Reproduction Coalition has described a comments by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about legislating for International Surrogacy as "extremely disappointing." Cathy Wheatley from Irish Families Through Surrogacy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the comments and the future of surrogacy in Ireland...

For the Thursday Interview, Kieran was joined in studio this week by author Sinead Gleeson.

Time now for ‘The Pod Couple’. Sarah Madden from Newstalk Breakfast and Darren Cleary from GoLoud Selects joined Kieran on the show as ever, and this week focused on ‘Phoning It In’

The number of cases of an unknown mystery form of hepatitis has risen to 12, with a second child needing a liver transplant. GPs and pediatric consultants are aware of the increase in cases. Dr. Phil Kieran from Cork joined Kieran on the show.

An article in the Irish Times caught my eye - ‘Is the United States headed for Civil War’? It’s a pertinent question as the US heads towards midterm elections, halfway through a Joe Biden presidency, that has just come off the back of the presidency of Donald Trump. A book that delves into the question of America’s division is ‘This Will Not Pass’, co-authored by, Alex Burns of the New York Times who spoke to Kieran on the show.

Following on from Sean Moncrieff and Henry Mckean's report about peeing in the shower Kieran was joined by Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist to discuss if women should pee in the shower.

Tax cuts are to be made a priority in the budget later this year for the 'squeezed middle' which will also include reduced childcare costs according to Tánasite Leo Varadkar. Regina Doherty, Fine Gael Senator and Colette Bennett, Economic and Social Analyst with Social Justice Ireland discussed what exactly needs to be done to help those who are struggling.

Top Gun: Maverick, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 Tom Cruise classic starring has smashed Memorial Day records to take $156 million dollars at the U.S. box office over the holiday weekend. Tom Cruise’s first-ever $100 million opening weekend – but what are the other movies that have topped the box office down through the years and were actually they any good? Film Reviewer, Deirdre Molumby joined Kieran to chat through some of the top-grossing films of all time

Jim Healy, Chair of the Meadowbrook Residence Association in Glanmire, and Ger Keohane, Independent councillor in Cork City both joined Kieran to discuss the soaring construction costs that could put Corks flood defense scheme in doubt.

The Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial has been followed all around the world with opinions coming from everywhere. But while Johnny Depp was on trial, so was the way domestic abuse is spoken about in the media. What has global attention meant for the victims of domestic abuse that are watching? Ellen O'Malley Dunlop Former Chair of the National Women’s Council joined Kieran on the show to discuss.

Peter Feeney from West on Track and Dr. Ciara Murphy a rail user in the South East both joined Kieran to discuss Irelands train services.

We’re hearing daily about how things are become more of a struggle when it come to food prices and production. Marie Cronin, Food Bank Volunteer and President for the East Region of St Vincent de Paul joined Kieran to discuss how the need for food banks has increased and how cost of living has affected those who are really struggling.

A series of anti-monarchy billboards have been described erected in the UK ahead of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this weekend. The Reading-based campaign group Republic are responsible for the billboards and their spokesperson Graham Smyth, joined Kieran and former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond, to discuss if its time to abolish the monarchy.

'The Dublin 4 Ploughing' is back. Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland's largest garden festival is back in the Phoenix Park is opening tomorrow until Bank Holiday Monday. Over 100,000 people are expected over the next 5 days. Henry McKean got a sneak preview and visited some of the 19 show gardens.

Chief Executive of the daa Dalton Philips has issued a plan to minimise disruption to passengers over the June bank holiday weekend. Jerry Brennan, SIPTU organiser in the aviation sector and Eddie Molloy Independent Management Consultant, joined Kieran to debate if the plans that have been set out go far enough.

To celebrate global running day, Kieran was joined by Former Irish Olympian, David Gillick to chat about all the benefits of running and what you need to know if you are thinking of taking it up.

If you were watching the GAA on Sunday, you’ll have seen Derry see off Donegal to claim their first Ulster Football title since 1998,but the game has come under criticism from fans and pundits for having an unattractive style of football. Seán Kelly Fine Gael MEP for the South constituency and he joined Kieran with some suggestions as to what the GAA can do to retain and entertain crowds

As the bank holiday weekend approaches Dublin Airport is been asked to produce a plan of how they will deal with crowds, to avoid a similar scenes to the ones we say last weekend. Newstalk reporter Andrew Lowth joined Kieran and Eoghan Corry ,Travel and Aviation journalist, to discuss new guidelines to be brought in to deal with bank holiday crowds.

It looks like that to have children, you soon enough you won’t have to go through conception, childbirth, nappies, or any of the usual things associated with having a child. A new trend of virtual children, or Tamagotchi children, have been predicted by one expert to become commonplace in the next 50 years. Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology joined Anton to explain where they come from and how they work.

A second case of monkeypox was confirmed in Ireland in the last 24 hours. The HSE has said that public health teams are carrying out contact tracing for both cases. Cillian de Gascún is director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory and he joined Anton to explain the virus and what is being done to contain the spread.

The scene's over the weekend of people standing in queues that stretched far outside the terminal have thrown a spotlight onto Dublin Airport and how it is run. Timmy Dooley Fianna Fail senator and member of the Oireachtas Transport committee joined Anton to discuss if making profits has been put ahead of making sure basic operations are running smoothly.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA, the Animal Rights groups in the UK have called on LEGO to rebrand their ‘farmyard’ sets to ‘animal sanctuaries’ because they are misleading children about the 'horror and cruelty' of the farming industry. Sascha Camilli, is the Senior PR Coordinator with PETA UK and she joined argue why she thinks a rebrand is the right thing to do.

More than 1 in 10 travellers die by suicide. And they feel nothing is being done to help their community. So today they protested outside the Dail to call for more action by Government. Maggie McDonagh, Member of the National Traveller Mental Health Network, joined Anton to talk about the issues facing the community.

There has been a call from Sinn Fein for the Government to make more targeted efforts to alleviate the cost of living crisis for those on low incomes. The announcement comes amid rising costs of food and groceries, which have seen bills rise again for households. It would deliver a payment of €100-200 to provide crucial support for people hit by spiralling costs. Edgar Morgenroth, who is professor of economics at DCU and Claire Kerrane, who is the social protection spokesperson for Sinn Fein joined Anton to discuss what the impact of this bonus would be.

Brianna Parkins, who is Fact Checker with thejournal.ie, spoke to Anton about how she was unable to get a taxi on her way out over the weekend, and had to ask her boyfriend to walk her to a gig. She was joined by Dublin City Councillor for the Green Party, Janet Horner to discuss how a lack of taxis can impact on how safe women feel travelling home late at night.

Research from AsIAm has indicated that almost 270 children do not have appropriate places available to them for the new school year. Campaign groups are calling for the rights of these children to be upheld. Miriam Kenny is Chairperson of Involve Autism, and special needs teacher Audrey, joined Anton to discuss the lack of educational supports and the impact it can have on children.

Dublin Airport has "sincerely apologised" after passengers experienced massive queues for check-in, bag drop and security screening today, with a number of people missing scheduled flights as a result. Kieran O’Driscoll, Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee spoke to Anton about what can be done to address the on going problems facing the airport and Gary O’Hanlon who travels through Dublin Airport regularly, spoke about how long delays are not the only issue that needs to be dealt with.

Long delays at Dublin Airport over the weekend have left many concerned about what the situation might look like over the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Ralph Curry Missed his flight yesterday, he joined Anton Savage and Jerry Brennan From SIPTU who represents workers at the Airport to discuss some of the reasons behind the extreme disruption.

Plans by the Government to impose a so-called “latte levy” of at least 20 cent on disposable paper coffee cups are facing a campaign of resistance from those in the industry. The levy is set to be 20 cent but the potential is there in the Circular Economy Bill to raise it to €1 if a lower levy has little effect. Martin McCaffrey, Owner of Dash Coffee Container in The Phoenix Park and Sadhbh O’Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU joined Anton to discuss how useful a latte levy would be.

Summer holidays are fast approaching, which presents problems for some parents. What are we supposed to do with children for two or three months? It can be quite expensive if you have more than one kid to entertain. Mary McCarthy Columnist with the Independent joined Kieran on the show. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

TV Chef, Mindful Eating Coach and Wellness Advocate, Aisling Larkin joined Kieran to discuss how to make that perfect picnic. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Freedom of Information figures released to Newstalk show the health service spent 363,000 euro on debt collectors in the first ten months of last year. They show that the HSE paid the agencies a total of €931,000 in the 22 months between January 2020 and October last year. Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West and Party Health Spokesperson joined Kieran on the show. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Fine Gael Councillor Derek Byrne this morning called for the Irish Hotels Federation to appear before an Oireachtas Committee to explain the inflated prices of hotel rooms in Dublin. Denyse Campbell, President of the Irish Hotels Federation joined Kieran to discuss hotel price inflation. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Ollie Gorman in Laois and Amelia joined Kieran on Bruce Springsteen ticket woes and issues they faced while trying to purchase tickets using the Bank of Ireland App. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.