The Hard Shoulder

'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'.

The National Rifle Association is pressing ahead with its annual convention today, with the likes of Donald Trump set to attend. The event will be held in Texas just four hours from the site of the school shooting. Sarah Elliott, spokeswoman for Republicans Overseas UK joined Kieran to discuss what happened this week. 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'.

Kate Brennan Harding DJ and Broadcaster joined Kieran to discuss if Ireland is gay-friendly and her experiences in society. 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'.

An elderly man was on a hospital bed for 5 days in University Hospital Galway In Ireland. The man is 74 years old. What does that say about the Irish healthcare system? How did we get here? Elaine joined Kieran on the show to explain her father's story. 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'.

On this evenings Hard Shoulder Kieran spoke to listener Brian, who was in touch with the show after being upset by the way his daughters teacher spoke to her about the Texas school shooting. Brian described his daughters concern as she relayed what the teacher had said to her parents and how he worried some of her innocence had been taken from her.   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'.  

A man turned up at hospital A&E with short-term memory loss that was brought on by daytime sex with wife. Consultant neurologist at James’ Hospital and Professor at Trinity joined Kieran to discuss if short term memory loss really can be brought on by sex.   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'.  

The latest Labour Force Survey from the CSO has shown that the number of absences from work has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. It also shows that the number of people in employment increased by 12.3% to over two and a half million. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar joined Kieran to discuss Irish employment and issues with gun culture following this week's tragic school shooting in Texas.   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'.  

According to a new report from the ESRI, the percentage of households renting in Ireland rose from 18% to 29% over the past 20 years and just over half of those renting are in receipt of some form of State support. Seamus Coffey Economist at University College Cork and Former Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council joined Kieran to discuss the report and the on going issues facing renters. 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'.

Thousands more homes around Ireland could have the cancer-causing Radon gas than was first thought. Especially in the West of Ireland. There’s been such a huge concern around this that the website that was launched this morning on which you could check if your house was affected has crashed. And was down for hours. Senior Scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency David Fenton joined Kieran to explain what that could mean.   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'.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney is in front of the Dáil this afternoon, as a debate will take place over the passport controversy. Politicians across the country have been inundated with complaints from the public about delays in the system. Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway joined Kieran to discuss on going issues within the system.   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'.

The US President Joe Biden has questioned why anyone would need a gun like the one used in Texas yesterday - other than to kill someone. 19 children and two teachers were killed in a massacre at a school last night. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joined Kieran to discuss the situation.

As Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope celebrates it’s 45th Anniversary today, Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Anthony Daniels, the actor who played C3PO in all the Star Wars films...

Ron Barber was a former staff member in US Congress, and was shot twice in Tucson in 2011. He spoke to Kieran on Wednesday's edition of the Hard Shoulder to give his reaction to the school shooting in Texas.

19 children and two teachers were murdered by a gunman who opened fire at a primary school in Texas yesterday. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Ali Bradley, Independent Journalist in Texas at the scene and Frank Smyth, Author of ‘The NRA: The Unauthorized History’...

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he has taken full responsibility for the revelations that have come out of the Sue Gray Report today. Kieran spoke to journalist Enda Brady and former Conservative MP Edwina Currie about the details of the report, and whether this affect Johnson in any way.

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band will be playing the RDS in May 2023. Tickets are on sale this Friday and and one superfan who cant wait to get a ticket is superfan Anton Martin. He joined Kieran to explain why he thinks Bruce has stood the test of time and why even after seeing him 50 times he cant wait to make it 51.     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'.

Daithi O’Shea Presenter of The Today Show and the Rose of Tralee joined Kieran in the Republic Of Work studio in Cork to chat about everything from the show to his love of Cork city.   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'.

The passport office have said there’s no backlog in applications as long as you haven’t made any mistakes in your application. However lots of listener have been contacting the show to share stories of applications being rejected over what they believe are false errors. Kieran was joined by two listeners who spoke about the difficulties they have faced while applying for a passport.   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'.

This week hospitals will see tens of thousands of medical procedures and appointments cancelled due to strike action by medical scientists. The MLSA warned that if no progress was made they would continue Industrial action today and tomorrow. Newstalk reporter Mairead Cleary spoke to some of those striking today and, Stephen McMahon from the Irish Patients Association joined Kieran and Dr Fergal Hickey Consultant in emergency medicine at Sligo University Hospital about the pay discrepancies and career development issues.   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'.

New figures from the Courts Service, released under Freedom of Information here on Newstalk, show that nearly €2.6m was paid into court poor boxes over the last 2 years. Mick Barry, People Before Profit TD for Cork North-Central, and Catriona Twomey, co-ordinator with Cork Penny Dinners joined Kieran to debate if they are still useful part of the judiciary service, or whether they should be scrapped. 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'.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has said that the Government is planning to introduce a vacant property tax in Budget 2023 which could impact on an estimated 137,000 properties. A vacant designation would be based on data collated by the local property tax. Fergus O’Dowd Fine Gael TD for Louth joined Kieran to discuss what impact a tax would have and why so many houses lay vacant while the country battles through the housing crisis.   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'.    

A Fianna Fáil Senator has said he has been forced to sleep in his car because it is “impossible” to get a hotel room in Dublin. Roscommon Senator Eugene Murphy told Kieran he has slept in his car twice in the recent months and said he knows of a number of other Oireachtas politicians who have dealt with the same problem.   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'.  

Dublin Airport has faced criticism in recent weeks because of the long delays passengers are facing when travelling through the airport. Kieran spoke to listener Jenna Golden, who went through Dublin Airport this weekend about the delays she faced and Businessman Declan Ganley about how considering Shannon airport could help alleviate delays.     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'.

That was Matt Whelan and Phil Doran, two thatchers giving their view on the Thatched Cottage crisis. There are only 1,000 thatched cottages left in the country. Some owners can’t get cover or are being quoted up to €8,500 and can’t afford it so switch to a metal roof. There is now only one insurance company offering cover meaning some Irish owners could lose everything in a fire or storm. How important are thatched cottages for our history, heritage and tourism and what would it mean if they all disappeared? Henry McKean has been out and about for us visiting thatched cottage owners and he joins us now.

Menopause is something that all women will go through, and yet we know so little about it. Comedian Anne Gildea has based a whole new show around it and she joined Kieran to explain the best way to think about menopause is to think of it as 'reverse puberty'.   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'.

Arming all frontline guards with tasers is one of the issues being discusses at the Garda Representative Association Conference over the next few days. Tasers are currently available only to specialist units such as the emergency response unit, armed support units and the special detective unit. Dr Pat Leahy, Former Assistant Commissioner joined Kieran to discuss if all frontline Guards should be armed with tasers.   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'.  

Martina Lawless, Associate research professor at the ESRI joined Kieran to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol and what a trade war would look like. 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'.

Kieran was joined on the show by Anne Marie Boyhan, Holistic Sleep Expert, founder of the Sleep Care Company and Author of the 'Sleep Journal' to discuss how sleep apps can cure insomnia. 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'.

Lord David Puttnam TV Director joined Kieran to discuss why TV and Film should be a career for you to aim for. 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'.

A bicycle repair initiative that helps people recovering from addiction officially opened a new facility in Dublin today." Frontline Bikes is to receive more than half a million in funding to expand its services." Our reporter Josh Crosbie was at the new centre in Bluebell in Dublin today and spoke with those involved... 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'.