The Hard Shoulder

Henry's Front Bench is back! Henry McKean meets the Presidential election candidates on a park bench and tries to get to know them behind the politics.Today, Henry meets independent candidate Catherine Connolly, and sends in this report…

There has been a lot of talk over the proposed speed reduction in urban areas from 50km/hr down to 30km/hr. What was originally going to be a directive from the government implemented nationwide, now looks to be left to each county and city council to decide upon.To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fine Gael Cllr for Galway City Council, Shane Forde, and Labour Cllr for Cork City Council, Peter Horgan.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Jonathan to discuss how you can quit smoking!

Henry's Front Bench is back! Henry McKean meets the Presidential election candidates on a park bench and tries to get to know them behind the politics.Today, Henry meets Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys, and sends in this report…

Israel says one of four bodies handed over by Hamas overnight "does not match any of the hostages". Hamas was required to return all 48 remaining hostages as part of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.For more on this and the opening of the Rafah crossing, Jonathan is joined by Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent with Independent.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Jonathan to discuss how OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, will be relaxing restrictions on its AI chatbot, allowing adult users to engage in more graphic or erotic feautres…

From sleeping with your pets in the bed, to having your shoes on the coffee table and generally leaving your phone on any surface in between: what causes the most household germs?Joining Jonathan to discuss is Dr Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester.

A public consultation on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services has been launched by the Mental Health Commission.The move is an effort to implement "robust, evidence-based standards" for service users within the system.John Joe McGinley, parent and Founder of autismdad.ie joins Jonathan to discuss his experience with two sons who have been in the CAMHS system.

You may have seen a recent trend circulating online, of people sending their parents AI generated images which make it look like there is an unknown person in their house, to get their reaction. While this is a seemingly harmless joke, it’s one of many instances of AI generated deepfakes circulating online.So, how can you tell an AI deepfake from a real image?Joining Jonatahn to discuss is Professor Barry O’Sullivan of the School of Computer Science & IT at University College Cork.

The Dáil today voted a motion of confidence for Simon Harris.The motion was put forward by the Government after Aontú said yesterday they would be bringing a motion of no confidence against the Tánaiste over his failure to deliver promises for scoliosis care during his time as Minister for Health.Joining Jonathan with the latest is Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, Louise Burne.

Bucket lists - are they something we still use to measure our success and to monitor the goals we unattainable things we are still reaching for, or have we scrapped them for a more day to day mindset?Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo and Stephaine Regan, Clinical Psychologist.

This morning, the Oireachtas Transport Committee met to discuss the provision of buses in rural areas.Representatives from Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority appeared before the committee to discuss the biggest challenges facing public transport on these rural routes.Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Sinn Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly and the National Transport Authority’s Director of Public Transport, Jeremy Ryan.Image: TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Jonathan Healy to give his recommendations for Halloween festivals in Ireland!

Irish Olympic Swimmer Shane Ryan has announced he will take part in the controversial Enhances Games which next year will permit competitors to use performance enhancing drugs, like steroids, to gain advantage.Since his announcement, the Irish sporting world has criticised the decision including Swim Ireland who said they’re “disappointed” by the three-time Olympian’s decision.Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Chief Sport Writer at the Irish Daily Star Kieran Cunningham and David Nolan, who is an Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at DCU.

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín joins Jonathan Healy to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

The ceasefire in Gaza is under strain today, as Israeli Defence Force members have shot multiple civilians dead in Northern Gaza.Shows of intra-Palestinian violence also reign as Hamas have carried out public executions of suspected collaborators.So, will the ceasefire hold?Paul Kearns, Freelance Journalist in Tel Aviv joins Jonathan Healy to discuss.

Protein is not just a macronutrient, but now a buzz word in diet and health culture. You will have seen many foods focusing on being ‘high protein’ or ‘protein enhanced’. Is it simply the latest diet trend, or should you be stocking up on your protein powder?Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Shelly Gray, Today FM Presenter and Registered Dietitian.

Defective concrete blocks have resulted in many homeowners being forced out of their homes as it crumbles around them. The issue has persisted for a number of years, with many still fighting for appropriate support.Jonathan is joined by a homeowner impacted by defective concrete blocks, Marti McElhinney, and TD for the 100% Redress Party, Charles Ward to discuss.

Limerick City and County Councils are set to list all pet-friendly businesses and establishments.Which begs the question, should more spaces be dog-friendly, and is there a point in which we should draw the line on this?Freelance Journalist Andrea Smith joins Jonathan Healy to discuss.

Many of the big energy providers have hiked their prices in recent months. With many people already squeezed by the cost of living, some have suggested that a price cap should be implemented to stop what they see as price gouging… but would a price cap be a feasible or effective solution?Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss is Economist and former Political Analyst David Higgins and Sinn Féin MEP, Lynn Boylan.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Audrey Buckley has said that hospital staff and Gardaí need to take greater action in incidents of suspected spiking, following an incident involving a family member of the local politician.But, what are the protocols currently in place if a person presents to an emergency department?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Dr Chris Luke, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Columnist with the Irish Medical Times and Faye Ní Dhomhnaill, Vice President for Campaigns - Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn.

This year's Dublin City Marathon is only a week away, and joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Mary Nolan Hickey, the only woman to run every Dublin City Marathon since it started in 1980…

For this week’s Kids Health Check, guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Mairead O'Keeffe, CEO of the Children's Grief Centre to discuss how to help your child navigate grief…

Voting day in the Presidential election is less than two weeks away, and polls so far have indicated a lead for Independent Catherine Connolly. With Jim Gavin’s drop out, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys still trails in the polls, but how much can we take from these polls, and much change is likely before election day?Guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Politics Lecturer at TUD and Founder of Ireland Thinks, Kevin Cunningham, to discuss.

In the aftermath of a ceasefire deal being agreed by Israel and Hamas, US President Donald Trump said today that “...we are going to have hope, harmony, opportunity and happiness here”. Questions still remain over how the peace plan will be implemented, and whether the ceasefire will hold.Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss it all is Oliver McTernan from Forward Thinking and Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder.Image: Reuters

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has today announced the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, which includes a legal framework for both domestic and international surrogacy. It aims to protect the health and wellbeing of the child, surrogate, and the intended parents of the children born through surrogacy.Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Lawyer Annette Hickey.

In the current housing crisis, many people are house sharing much later in life than they may like to, but how can you house share well, and are our attitudes to it wrong?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer with The Irish Independent.

We are all well aware of the costs of our groceries and how much they have increased in recent years. However, the price of milk has fallen over the past few days, and now consumers are wondering: will more products be next?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into these reductions and he joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

This week, guest host Jonathan Healy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Irish international rugby player Jack Conan joins guest host Jonathan Healy to talk all things Leinster rugby ahead of their upcoming matches!

It's World Mental Health day today, and one thing to look at are the mental health supports available in schools.Newstalk's Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

MTV is withdrawing its music channel broadcasting outside of America, marking an end to its founding idea of broadcasting music 24/7…So, what made MTV such a cultural force?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to look back is Producer of the ‘Culture Pigs’ podcast, Dee Reddy.

Brendan Farrell’s father Liam died in suspicious circumstances in County Leitrim in 2020. This week, Brendan has met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in his pursuit of an investigation into the death.Brendan joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined guest host Jonathan Healy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

As energy prices continue to rise and questions are raised over energy supply, it’s being wondered if Ireland should explore nuclear power…To discuss this, guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Co-Founder of 18 for 0, Denis Duff, and Barrister and Environmental Campaigner, Neil McCann.

Today is World Egg Day, and to celebrate, guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Food Writer and Founder of Flavour.ie, Kate Ryan, to talk about why eggs are such a staple in the Irish diet!

The Israeli military confirmed today that a ceasefire began in Gaza at noon local time, as the “first phase” of a peace deal agreed by Israel and Hamas comes into effect.The agreement includes the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, and a withdrawal of Israel’s troops from Gaza to an agreed line, after more than two years of war.But, will it hold?Sean Bell is a former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast. He joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.Image: Reuters

Since 2022, two hundred million free bus journeys have been made by those under the age of 22 in Scotland since they made bus travel free there for them.And, following the budget this week, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien stated that he can't rule out public transport fee increases in the future.So, should we explore free public transport measures?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councilor for Ballymun Finglas and Sadbh O’Neill, part of Feminist Communities for Climate Justice.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Chris Wasser, Arts Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

They’ve joined Kieran on the show before, and the hosts of award-winning The Irish Stew podcast are with him again now.John Lee and Martin Nutty are currently on a tour of Ireland, and have popped into the studio to discuss how life has changed in the United States…

Drag Queen Davina Devine joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Luke Combs has been announced as the headliner at Slane Castle next summer as part of his ‘My Kinda Saturday Night’ Tour of Europe and North America, making him the first country music star to headline the iconic venue.Pat Carty, Entertainment Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: MBC PR

Minister for Education and Youth, and Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Helen McEntee, joins Kieran to discuss current SNA numbers, and the Presidential race as it stands.

Joining Kieran is Randall Plunkett, Barron of Dunsany and Founder of Dunsany Nature Reserve in county Meath to discuss his new book ‘Wild Thing’. He is a reluctant aristocrat who decided to dedicate a third of his County Meath estate to become Ireland’s first vegan rewilding project.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, which will see hostages returned from Gaza. As a result, Israel says a ceasefire is expected to begin within 24 hours. Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent with The Independent and Reham Mahdi Al Jarrah, Christian Aid Ireland’s local partner in Gaza & the Women’s Affairs Centre, whose whole family have been displaced because of this conflict, join Kieran to discuss.

Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly shared her experience of public transport on social media - criticising how overcrowded her train was, to the point of being dangerous.How widespread of a problem is this in public transport, and do we need to tackle overcrowding?Louise joins Kieran, as well as Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnród Éireann, to discuss.

Protein shakes for breakfast, flexing at lunch and barbells for dinner - more and more Irish teenagers are making getting ripped a goal.So, what are the positives for our growing number of pro-teens?And are those benefits out-wheyed by the cons?Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports

On January 4th there will be a special dedication concert to Phil Lynott in the 3Arena. Darren Wharton, who you may know as a member of Thin Lizzy, will be performing, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Kieran to discuss how you can get your kids to fall asleep at a normal time!

From midnight last night, the VAT rate applied to the sale of completed apartments was reduced from 13.5% to 9%, but will this kickstart the construction of apartments which we’re being told has all but stalled?Joining Kieran to dig into this is Ollie Lyons, Director and Head of Land Development at JLL and Orla Hegarty, Architect and Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy…