The Hard Shoulder

A tourist tax is being explored by the Government as a method to raise tax for local councils.Venice and Lisbon are just a few of the European cities which already impose such a levy.Should we do the same here?Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael Pigeon, Green Party Councillor for Dublin's South West Inner City and Gina Murphy, Hugos Restaurant Owner and Chairperson of Tourist SOS.

Today, renovating a home is a difficult task, and even more so bringing vacant homes into action. One person knows that well, and he joins Kieran to discuss the difficulties of navigating that market - from grants to finance.Shay Lally of @houses_to_restore on Instagram joins the show!

You will have heard that two men have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of an asylum seeker in Dublin at the weekend.The incident happened on South Anne Street in Dublin City Centre in the early hours of Saturday morning.After a couple of incidents last week too, is Dublin at risk of a perception problem? Could this stop people from coming to the city?Ray O’Donoghue is Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, and joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check we are exploring how to talk to your children if they are having issues with their body image, and how to spot any early signs of eating disorders.Joining Kieran to discuss is Harriet Parsons, Psychotherapist and Training and Development at BodyWhys.

Pope Francis will stay in hospital for as long as is necessary – it's after he entered hospital on Friday to tackle a respiratory infection that has now become more “complex”...For more on this, Kieran is joined by Colm Flynn, Broadcaster with EWTN and BBC World Service.

The Cabinet met today to discuss new measures to get our housing market moving and increase supply. One option on the table is incentives for developers to build apartments and houses, possibly in the form of tax breaks...Joining Kieran to discuss if this is the right direction to go in is Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates, Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture and Planning in UCD and Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson and TD for Dublin Mid-West.

According to recent UK research, the tidiness of the home is the most common debate households have.Why is that? One of the reasons might be that our households simply have so much stuff – how on earth can we keep on top of keeping things tidy?Broadcaster and Writer Barbara Scully and Hazel Burton of Home Reset join Kieran to discuss.

‘Georgia Harrison: Porn, Power, Profit’ is a new documentary that follows the Reality TV Star as she investigates the world of revenge porn and image-based sexual abuse, which is an issue she knows herself having been a victim in 2023…Georgia Harrison joins Kieran to discuss.

Legal notices have been served to 13 operators of “dodgy box” streamers which could spell doom for those who use them.What is the effect on production companies of these boxes and would a more streamline service of all the streamers be an option to combat the popularity of the boxes?Larry Bass, CEO of ShinAwiL Production Company and Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist join Kieran to discuss.

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

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow Edward Timmins has proposed an ‘American Presidents Trail’ to boost US tourism to our island. But, what is the exact plan – and would it work?Kieran has him in the studio to discuss!

It is the day for it - Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to go through some of the best options when making a Valentine’s dinner for that special someone!

It's time for a Valentine's Kidstalk! The kids from South City Community National School, Dublin, talk to Henry McKean about Valentine's Day…

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

The introduction of a dedicated public transport police unit is a priority, that’s according to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, in an effort to respond to growing concerns over safety on buses, trains, and trams.He has also said that could have the power to arrest.To discuss if we should have transport police, Kieran is joined by Thomas O’Connor, Assistant General Secretary for the NBRU, and Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County.

Research from the Times suggests that Generation Z, those aged 18-27, are more pro-marriage than previous generations. So, why is this the case, and is marriage back in fashion?Joining Kieran to discuss is Jane Cowan, Student and Irish Examiner Columnist, Tara Fay, International Destination Wedding Planner and Francis Kelleher, Dating Expert and Life Coach.

Earlier today, local man Vikat Bhagat was found guilty in India of the 2017 rape and murder of Donegal backpacker, Danielle McLaughlin.Danielle had been backpacking there for two weeks...Danielle’s mother Andrea and sister Jolene join Kieran to discuss following the verdict.

There is a brand new Irish comedy drama on Sky called ‘Small Town, Big Story’ created by Chris O’Dowd. Henry McKean was at the premiere at the IFI, and sent in this chat he had with some of the cast!

US President Donald Trump has announced “reciprocal tariffs” to be enacted soon, but what exactly does that mean for Ireland - and what are the other developments stateside?Jerry McDermott, Executive Director at the Irish Cultural Centre, and former Sheriff of Norfolk County in Massachusetts joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

Today marks a very prestigious day for everyone in Newstalk towers, as it is World Radio Day!To honour the day and speak about the power of radio, Pat Kenny, Newstalk Presenter and radio royalty, joined Kieran!

The Government has ordered an external review to be carried out into yet another controversial spending of taxpayer's money.It has emerged that almost €7 million was spent on a failed IT system for the Arts Council…Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú and TD for Meath East and Christina Finn, Political Editor at TheJournal join Kieran to discuss.

The 2034 World Cup has been confirmed for Saudi Arabia - and alcohol is planned to be prohibited then.Would this ban be an overall benefit? Or just put fans off going?Former Ireland International, Stephen Hunt and Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O’Shea join Kieran to discuss.

Hamas has today said that they will release more hostages as planned by the deadline.This comes on the heels of the news of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he said they had "agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately…"Are the current movements a sign that Trump’s tactics are getting things done?Daniel Levy is President of the U.S./Middle East Project and former Israeli Peace Negotiator, he joins Kieran to discuss.

With another weightless drug set to come to Irish pharmacies in March - Kieran is joined by two people who have experience with prescription drugs…Belinda Hogan From GLP-1 Insights on Instagram and co-host of The Dose podcast and Paddy Cunningham, other host and content creator join to discuss.Image: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has announced that he has had “lengthy and highly productive phone call” with Vladimir Putin and agreed to work “closely” to possibly see a diplomatic end to the war. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also announced that he has had a similar call with Trump.Jason Corcoran, Journalist and Russia Analyst joins Kieran to discuss and give the latest updates.

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 give advice on blowing your nose properly!

Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden brought in a report earlier around the ethics of surrogacy – a debate that has re-ignited after actress Lily Phillips welcomed her first baby through surrogacy.So, where is Ireland at with it, and is the practice ethical?Joining Kieran to discuss is Annette Hickey, Solicitor specialising in surrogacy and Sandra Adams, advocate for women's sex based rights who recently ran as an Independent Seanad Candidate on the NUI panel.

Cyclone is the first Irish gladiator to be on the long-running BBC show Gladiators, which has had a recent revival.Cyclone joins Kieran to talk about what the process was like to join the show - and discuss her experience so far!Image: BBC

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with US President Donald Trump - and the controversy about what work is being done.Image: Reuters

Today, the DPP confirmed they will appeal the six-and-a-half-year concurrent sentence imposed on Kieran Fogarty for the murder of student journalist Joe Drennan, who was killed in a hit and run.The family of Joe have been protesting against the sentence, and Sarah, Joe’s sister, joins Kieran to discuss.

According to a City Council Chief, some inner-city Dubliners have no sense of pride, and dump their waste daily in the street.Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A lot of Ireland’s economic success over the past few decades has been down to American multinationals.But, with Trump in office, is our stance over Gaza threatening the country's economic future?Micheal Murphy, Journalist at the Telegraph joins Kieran to discuss.

Lily Collins announced last week that she had welcomed the arrival of her first child through surrogacy.The actress was met with backlash when she didn’t explain why she used a surrogate, with many speculating online that the Emily in Paris star didn’t want to miss out on career opportunities, others said Lily was reluctant to lose her figure.The controversy has reignited the debate around the ethics of surrogacy – just as legislation is about to be enacted that would legalize it here.Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports.

Channel 4 have now placed a trigger warning on an episode of ‘Father Ted’, where the late Dermot Morgan does a racist impersonation of a Chinese person. The warning says that this episode was “...made in 1998 and contains language and racial impersonation which some viewers may find offensive.”So, is the trigger warning justified? Or are we just over-sensitive when it comes to older content?Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with The Irish Independent and Ciara Lawless, Singer and Songwriter join Kieran to discuss.Image: Channel 4

Getting kids to eat the greens is a daily struggle for most parents at the dinner table, but would getting them to grow their own produce help?For more on this, guest host Anton Savage is joined by Lilly Higgins, Chef for SuperValu’s ‘Let’s Grow’ initiative.

Worried parents across the country have had routine, and necessary developmental checks for their children with public health nurses suspended, with some parts of Ireland without a public health nurse due to staffing shortages...Catherine Stocker, Social Democrats Councillor for Clontarf has been directly affected by this and joins guest host Anton Savage along with Dr Kieran Moore, Medical Pediatric Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry U.C.D.

Former Professional Cyclist Nicolas Roche joined guest host Anton Savage this week to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

US President Donald Trump warned that "all hell" would break loose if every Israeli hostage is not released from Gaza within days.It’s after Hamas threatened to postpone further exchanges under a ceasefire deal it said Israel was violating.Will this sort of rhetoric work?Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Alistair Bunkall Sky News Middle East Correspondent and Sean Bell retired Fighter Pilot, current Defence Consultant and co-host of the ‘Red Matrix’ Podcast.Image: Reuters

There is still uproar over a stabbing incident in Stoneybatter on Sunday afternoon…Should we be taking knife crime more seriously, and has there been an increase of knife crime in Ireland?Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Columnist and retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr Chris Luke.

Today is Safer Internet Day, and new research has revealed that a third of young people are addicted to social media…Joining Anton to discuss when children should be introduced to the internet and phones is Fiona Jennings Head of Policy and Public Affairs at ISPCC and Stella O'Malley, Psychotherapist and author.

Valentine's Day is around the corner, but would you be willing to scrap big gifts for something homemade as prices go up?Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Meghann Scully, Freelance Journalist, Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor at the Irish Examiner and John Lowe from moneydoctors.ie.

A newly discovered asteroid called 2024 YR4 could collide with Earth in the year 2032...With the asteroid having the damage potential to destroy a city, what are the chances this will happen? And is there reason to worry ?Kieran is joined by David Moore from Astronomy Ireland to discuss.

The knife attack in Stoneybatter has shocked many people, and has also resulted in some interesting reactions – particularly online.Has social media changed the way people interact with news?Commentator Brendan Ogle joins Kieran to discuss.

The Ferryman play is running in the Gaiety Theatre until March, and it is a gripping tale about the effects of the troubles on a family farm in 1980’s Armagh…Kieran is joined by one of the main cast in the studio today to discuss: Charlene McKenna!

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie to discuss the best way to introduce phones to your children, and how to manage phone use around the house.

A man in his late 20’s remains in custody after three men were injured in a suspected knife attack in Stoneybatter in North Dublin.The incident has been described by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan as a "random attack", but has led to fears about a growing culture of violence.Criminologist, Triona O’Connor and Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times join Kieran to discuss.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that he will look at the rent pressure zone system with intent to change it, or indeed remove these zones by the end of this year.But, what impact would that have on the market?Karl Deeter, Founder of onlineapplication.com or (Director of Irish Mortgage Brokers) joins me now...

Last week, speaking at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump unveiled his own plans to take over the Gaza strip…After these comments, the group Arab Americans for Trump changed their name to Arab Americans for Peace, and in Dearborn, Michigan, it is reported there is a sense of regret among Arab Trump voters.Joining Kieran to discuss is Amer Zahr, comedian and activist and Arab Americans for Peace Chairman, Dr. Bishara Bahbah.

Samantha Mumba has said that criticism given by RTÉ’s Eurosong panel on Friday nights Late Late Show was “unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists”...Was she right? To discuss, Kieran is joined by one of the contestants, Reylta, Russel Alford, 98FM producer and Eurovision geek and Mickey Joe Harte, Eurovision contestant in 2003.Image: Andres Poveda

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