The Hard Shoulder

A third tax band of 30% continues to be considered for Budget 2023. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has asked Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to examine whether a new rate could be introduced, in an effort to alleviate some pressure on middle-income earners. Karina Doorley, Research Area Coordinator for the Tax, Welfare and Pensions team at the ESRI spoke to Pat Kenny this morning and had this to say. Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

This week Diarmuid Gavin joined Kieran to discuss his life and gardening career.

There may or may not be a major celebrity in Kerry. Rumours of Tom Cruise holidaying in Kerry are spreading like wildfire around the nation after his plane touched down near Killarney. Jerry O'Sullivan, Presenter of the Kerry Today program on Radio Kerry, joined Kieran, Ger Kennedy,owner of The Moorings Hotel in Kerry and Owen McQuail, owner of Some Neck Guitars, to chat about where the star might be hiding.

Scientists at Yale University in the United States have managed to revive cells in dead pigs an hour after they had died using a custom-made solution which got the pigs heart beating again. Sean Duke, science journalist, joined Kieran to discuss if there could come a time when we could use this method to reverse human death.

Sinn Fein’s housing spokesperson Eoin O’Broin presented The Hard Shoulder on Tuesday, and following a piece around the housing crisis, listener Ruth was in touch with the show to share her own housing situation and how she is about to be homeless.

According to a new proposal made to the Department of Housing, gardens should be reduced in size in order to help combat the housing crisis. Glenveagh Properties found that the back part of gardens was commonly unused, and said smaller gardens for three-bedroom houses could make space for additional housing. Brendan O’Sullivan, Head of University College Cork’s Planning School, joined Kieran and Chartered psychologist, neuroscientist, author & host of the Super Brain podcast, Sabina Brennan, do discuss if this could be a solution to the housing crisis.

Late night LUAS services, for now, have been ruled out by the National Transport Authority. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has asked them a couple of months ago about the prospect of making these services available. Kieran was joined by Brian Caufield, associate Professor at the School of Engineering at Trinity College, and Hazel Chu is Green Dublin City Councilor, to discuss how much of a need there is for better late night transport.

Alive and Kicking’ Clare McKenna joined Eoin to discuss the benefits of heat therapy.

An Cailín Ciúin is an Irish Language film which is based on the short story ‘Foster’ by Claire Keegan. The film which translates to the Quite Girl has been selected by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) to represent Ireland at next year’s Oscars. Colm Bairéad, Writer and Director of An Cailín Ciúin, joined Regina to discuss his delight at being recognized for the award.

Gardai today issued a warning about fake €2 coins after they seized coins to the value of almost €3,000 at the end of July. They say it’s the first large seizure of counterfeit coins in this jurisdiction. Colin Baker is a retailer from Back From The Future, joined Regina to discuss how big of an issue counterfeit money is.

A group of climate change activists have set up camp in a field in Kerry. They’re protesting against plans to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Shannon estuary. The proposal for the terminal, and a power station at the estuary at Ballylongford is currently before An Bord Pleanála. William Hederman from Climate Camp Ireland, joined Regina to explain the reasons behind the protest.

According to figures from the Society of the Motor Industry electric vehicle use continues to grow. There is an 80% year on year growth and a market share of 13%. Paddy Comyn, who is Director of Communications with AA Ireland, Emma Mitchell, the Operations Director with the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, and Lunchtime Live presenter, Andrea Gilligan, joined Regina to discuss if Ireland has the infrastructure to deal with increasing numbers of EV owners.

Demand for electric heating, driven by an increased use of heat pumps, will see generation costs rise by as much as 46%, a new study by the ESRI has found. Daragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie and Dr. Cara Augustenborg, Member of the Climate Change Advisory Council, joined Regina to discuss how to decarbonize the grid.

The US killed the leader of al-Qaeda overnight in a drone strike in Afghanistan. President Joe Biden said Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a counter-terrorism operation carried out by the CIA in Kabul on. Eoin was joined by author of ‘The New Threat: The Past, Present, and Future of Islamic Militancy’ Jason Burke, who is also the Africa Correspondent for The Guardian.

TV Chef and Mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin, joined Eoin to take a closer look at paella.

It’s World Breastfeeding Week this week. Ireland’s figures are amongst the lowest in the world for breastfeeding. Eoin was joined by Katie Mugan, Lactation Consultant and Journalist and Mother of 7 Jen Hogan, to discuss if more could be done to encourage mothers to breastfeed.

Figures released show nearly 10,500 people homeless o that’s nearly 2,500 more than compared to the same period last year Mike Allen from Focus Ireland. Juha Kaakinen, Former CEO of the Y-Foundation in Finland, joined Eoin to discuss what can be done to address the situation.

The climate deal’s been done, but Eoin was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU, Sinead Mercuir, lecturer in Planning and Environment Law at the UCD Sutherland School of Law, And Saoi O’Connor climate activist to discuss is anything can be done to get to our net zero.

After 37 years and 8,903 episodes, Neighbours has come to an end, the emotional final episodes having aired in Australia ahead of the UK broadcast. Actress Jackie Woodburne joined Kieran to look back at some of the biggest moments of her time on the beloved soap.

A report published today into defective apartments has not recommended that the construction sector should face a levy to help the State pay the repair bills. The cost of the remedial work required on up to 100,000 apartments built during the Celtic Tiger may cost the taxpayer up to €2.5 billion. Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, joined Kieran and Mark Fitzmaurice, a resident of a defective apartment in Ratoath to discuss the consequences for those living in defected properties.

A report on defective apartments built during the boom years has not recommended a levy on the construction sector to help the State meet the bill for repairs. Minister for housing Darragh O'Brien, joined Kieran to discuss how families can be supported to get their lives back on track.

The Road Safety Authority have said that over the past couple of years the NCT has struggled to retain staff. It’s as there are reports of up to six month waiting times for NCT tests in some areas of the country. Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan, joined Kieran and Michelle Hall, Lord Mayor of Drogheda and Labour councillor, to discuss what can be done to combat the long delays.

After 37 years (started in Australia on 18 March 1985) and 8903 episodes, Neighbours is finally coming to an end (Thursday night in Australia, Wednesday 3rd August on RTE). So today we’re looking back at some of the best bits and people to come out of Ramsay Street. Sarina Bellissimo, Host of the Bellissimo Files on Spin 103.8 joined Kieran Cuddihy live from the Killeshin hotel Portlaoise.

Cabinet have approved a bill to strengthen laws around consent in rape. The bill will see laws around consent, knowledge and belief in rape cases strengthened. It will also see a change to the current system where an accused person can be found not guilty of rape if they believed that they had received consent. Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice and TD for Meath East and joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Electric Picnic along with the National Ploughing Championships are both set to return in September after a two-year absence. Two of the biggest events in Ireland are to be held here in County Laois later this year. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show live from the Killeshin hotel in Portlaoise by Anna Marie McHugh of the National Ploughing Association, Thomas Cosby of the Electric Picnic Festival, and by Hugo Jellett who is the organiser of Electric Picnic's Salty Dog, Trailer Park, BerlinHaus, Spike Island, Providencia areas and is a local to Laois.

Supermacs CEO Pat McDonagh joined Kieran on Wednesday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to talk about why Portlaoise is a great place to do business, and why he's worried about food supplies this Christmas.

A legal case on behalf of rugby players has been issued against World Rugby, RFU and Welsh Rugby Union. The case now destined for the courts involves a group of rugby players diagnosed with early onset dementia and irreversible neurological impairments. Lisa Ryan, Head of the Department of Sport Exercise and Nutrition in the school of science and computing at Atlantic Technological University, joined Kieran to discuss the full impact concussion can have on people.

With the marking of the centenary of the Free State, Newstalk want to find out who just who is Ireland’s Greatest Hero. The final results will be revealed on a special programme on Newstalk this coming bank holiday Monday. Simon Tierney is presenter of Irelands Greatest Hero and he joined Kieran to share with listeners all they need to know about getting their votes in.

A Taxback.com survey has found that 4 in 10 workers in Ireland say they suffer from imposter Syndrome, with 45% of women feeling this way at some point in their career, and 37% of men. 17% of women say they experience it all the time. Kieran was joined by Aimee Connolly, Founder of Sculpted by Aimee Cosmetics, to discuss her experience of imposter syndrome.

Talks continue with the agriculture sector to try reach an agreement on carbon emission reductions. Jackie Cahill Chair of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee joined Kieran, Sadhbh O’Neill Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU to debate how much more needs to be done by the All sectors also need to be used to solve this -not just very strong focus on the agriculture sector.

Shocking scenes over the weekend of passengers disembarking the Dart on to the tracks, because of the high temperatures. A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said a Dart was awaiting a clear platform at Bray before proceeding into the station just before 3pm when a number of people forced open the doors and walked on the track. Kieran was joined by Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, to discuss the incident.

According to Linda Doyle Provost at Trinity College ‘Ireland’s housing crisis is eroding university life’. This year there is unprecedented demand for student accommodation which is going to leave many students up and down the country with no other option but to commute to college campuses. Kieran was joined by Molly Greenough, President of the Students Union at UCD, Mairead Maguire, Trinity college student from Donegal and Rebecca Johnson, NUIG student from Kildare, to discuss how lack of accommodation is impacting students college experience.

All eyes are once again on Croke Park this weekend where Galway take on Kerry in the All-Ireland Football Final. It is Galway’s first time in an All-Ireland in 21 years while Kerry’s last All-Ireland success came eight years ago back in 2014. But who will be bringing Sam Maguire home? Ray Silke, Former Galway Footballer and Former Kerry Footballer, Billy O’Shea both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to preview the All-Ireland football final between Galway and Kerry on Sunday.

Aisling Larkin, TV Chef and Mindful eating coach on how to build the ultimate burger.

Shane Burgen, Physicist from UCD School of Education and Contributor to FutureProof joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss a study about the risks communal lavatories pose to public health if any.

Joe Molloy an Off The Ball presenter joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to preview the weekends sporting action.

A government authority has endorsed plans to allow flights take of from Dublin Airport’s second runway from 6am until midnight. The runway under current planning rules has flights curtailed from 11pm to 7am. Ian Carey Green Party Councillor for Swords and Pat Byrne CEO of Cityjet joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Louise Cooney, Fashion and lifestyle blogger, and host of the new ‘Open Book’ Podcast on GoLoud joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss her new podcast.

The Kingdom and the Tribesmen will be going head to head in Croke Park this Sunday with hopes of winning the Sam Maguire." Galway have been waiting 21 years to win the All-Ireland while Kerry haven't won since 2014. We sent our reporter Josh Crosbie to his home county of Kerry to give us a taste of the hype leading up to the game.

The Government is once again looking to hotels to solve the problem of housing for Ukrainians. They’ve made an urgent appeal to hotels and guest houses are offering them €135 a night for single adults. But how is filling up our hotels impacting the tourist industry here? Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

AIB has reversed its decision to end cash services at 70 branches around the country. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by Danny Healy Rae Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Somers Former board member of AIB and the former CEO of the National Treasury Management Agency and James O’Connor Fianna Fail TD

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett joined Kieran for this week's Thursday interview.

According to new statistics, five nurses a day were assaulted in the last month. Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghadh joined Kieran to discuss what can be done to make work safer for health care workers.

The European Central Bank has increased interest rates by 0.5%. It’s the first rate hike in eleven years. It means the borrowing rate going from 0 to 0.5%. Which means mortgage costs are going to go up. Kieran was joined by Shane Quinlan, Economist and Managing Director of SherryFitzGerald Financial Services and Brendan Burgess, Founder of Askaboutmoney.com and Fair Mortgage Rates campaigner.

The domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has now revealed that it is in talks with ITV bosses after viewers expressed concern over the “misogyny and controlling behaviour being shown on screen.” Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister specialising in violence against women, joined Kieran to discuss the damage that reality TV can do to younger viewer's.

The Taoiseach has told AIB to reconsider their decision to turn 70 of their branches cashless. Seamus Boland CEO, Irish Rural Link and Tara Buckley RGDATA Director General joined Kieran to discuss who will be hardest hit by this decision.

New research out today is questioning the need for antidepressants, saying they may not actually help with mental illness. Patricia Casey, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Hermitage Clinic and Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry in UCD, joined Kieran to explain how the research might not be all that it seam's.

Almost 500,000 workers across the country have overpaid the taxman by €600 meaning you could be entitled to a share of the €620 million overpaid to Revenue. Sinead Ryan presenter of the home show joined Kieran to discuss the best way of getting back what you are owed.

According to officials from Massachusetts Institute of Technology they have detected a mysterious radio signal from a distant galaxy which lasted three seconds. Dr Niamh Shaw Scientist Engineer and Communicator specialising in outer space, joined Kieran to discuss what these waves could mean.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have tied the knot after a long on again, off again relationship. Sarina Bellisimo joined Kieran to discuss the best 'Bennifer' movies.