The Hard Shoulder

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Presenter of Weekend Breakfast, Alison Curtis and Elaine Burke, Presenter of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

The 4th of October marks the start of Space Week and the Explorium in Sandyford is hosting a range of special events this week in celebration.And someone who is taking part and is no stranger to space is former astronaut Daniel Tani, who joins Kieran to discuss.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at the inspirations you can have to make the perfect lunch!

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

Lebanese families living in Ireland are waiting on as the Israeli bombings escalate in their country…Israel bombed Beirut early again yesterday, killing at least six people and wounding seven, after its forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah.Kieran is joined by Roland Mansour and Rachad Merashli, who have both been in Ireland for about 10 years, but have family living in Lebanon, to discuss.

You might think that the young generation are better at recycling - not so, according to a new survey. Just 19% recycle all their paper and plastic compared to over 54% for the older generation.Henry McKean has been digging through all of this and sent in this report!

Declan Cregan, a former gambling addict and Officer at Gambling with Lives spoke to Ellen Butler on Breakfast Briefing this morning about this new report from Maynooth and Belfast that suggests that sports programmers are heavily saturated with gambling adverts.Does more need to be done to challenge this, and are some people vulnerable to harm here?Oisin McConville, Gambling Care Ambassador and Conor Hoey, former Chairperson of Drogheda United join Kieran to discuss.

As of Monday, e-scooters will be prohibited on public transport. The move has been made by the NTA as they claim it will be better for safety and ‘help prevent the risk of combustion on board buses and trains’.Joining Kieran to discuss whether or not this is fair is Colin Baker of Back from the Future IT Support and e-scooter user David Maloney.

Former minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke has sadly passed away at the age of 87.Joining Kieran to discuss her legacy is Mandy Johnston, Presenter of Taking Stock on Newstalk, Mary Hanafin, former Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Boris Johnson's memoir ‘Unleashed’ is set to be released next week, but Kieran’s guest has gotten his hands on an early copy.Joining Kieran to discuss what it contains is London Correspondent for The Irish Times, Mark Paul.

The 4th of October marks the 20 year anniversary of the murder of Rachel Callaly, who was killed by her husband Joe O’Reilly.As possible parole hearings are on the horizon, Rose Callaly, Rachel’s mother joins Kieran to discuss.

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that train services in Dublin will go back to the previous timetable from the 14th of October.While the new timetables had increased some intercity services, it ultimately led to congestion and knock-on delays on routes.Iarnród Éireann has acknowledged the disruption, apologised to customers and spokesperson Barry Kenny has said they "got it wrong".Joining Kieran to discuss if this was the right move is Mark Gleeson from Rail Users Ireland and Jason Cullen of the Dublin Commuter Coalition.

On Tuesday, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers announced the government's budget and went against the advice of the budgetary watchdog The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.Seamus Coffey, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC, joins Kieran to discuss the decisions made.

The government has come into criticism over the past 48 hours for its decision to allocate €9 million in the Budget for equipment to store students’ phones during the school day.Minister for Education Norma Foley joins Kieran Cuddihy to respond and discuss. She also discusses the passing of former minister Mary O’Rourke, and the controversy surrounding the SPHE course in schools following a ‘whistleblower’ story.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to compare different kinds of meat! Well, ones you don’t put in the fridge…

Following news of an earthquake off the coast of Donegal, Kieran is joined by James Grannell from the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, who is a Seismic Network Data Analyst to tell more about it, as well as other earthquakes in Ireland.

Yesterday in the budget, the government announced that the free IVF scheme is to be expanded to include donor-assisted IVF and to assist couples experiencing “secondary infertility”.But, do these measures go far enough for couples seeking IVF treatment?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility and IVF patient Leslie Buchanan.

Well known Cork chip shop Jackie Lennox's is closing its doors after 73 years. Established in 1951 on the southside of the city, it fed generations of families.Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited and met owner Brian Lennox, who says it's like a death in the family. He sent in this report.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the phone pouches being used in schools, as well as Free Now’s ridiculous new ‘technology fee’...

While Budget 2025 took up most of the news yesterday, multiple Israeli missiles hit Beirut overnight... Joining Kieran with the latest news is Freelance Journalist in Beirut, Clotilde Bigot.Image: Reuters

With Budget 2025 making all the headlines, a lot of the stories are being favourable to the Government. However, joining Kieran is Alan Shatter, the former Minister of Defence and Justice & Equality, who is now the Chairperson for the Inheritance Tax reform Campaign. He discusses his issues with this budget.

Most people would admit to scrolling on their phone around their family or their partner. But, a recent article in the Guardian highlights how it can cause tension between people – possibly affecting those relationships.Comedian Jim Elliott and Columnist and Audience Editor at the independent, Saoirse Hanley join Kieran to discuss.

Darragh Higgins is almost 13 yrs old and has been left in limbo regarding his scoliosis treatment. His spine is currently at a 120 degree curve…His mother Keara is speaking out to give a voice to Darragh and get him the help he deserves, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The government has come into criticism for its decision to allocate €9 million in the Budget for equipment to store students’ phones during the school day. Is this really the best use of education funding?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Conor Murphy, English Teacher in Skibbereen and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies.

You’ve heard today’s Budget 2025 from the government coalition, but what would the opposition do if they were in the hot seat?Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss his reaction to the announcements.

Normally, listeners send in their thoughts at home via texts, but on a special day like the reveal of next year’s budget, it seems right to hear from some listeners directly.Kieran is joined by listeners Barbara Taylor, Tracey Carroll and Matthew Murphy to discuss their thoughts on Budget 2025.

Following the detailing of Budget 2025 today, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers joined Kieran to discuss the plans of the budget further.

For budget day, Kieran is joined by a panel of experts to break down the most important aspects of Budget 2025, particularly, how the tourism industry has seemingly been ignored.He’s joined by Catherine Flanagan, IITIC Director and CEO of the Visitor Attraction Sector, Conor Skehan, Columnist with the Sunday Independent and Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC to discuss.

With today being the big reveal of Budget 2025, there’s a lot to dig into. For a breakdown of its content Kieran is joined by a panel of experts from across a wide field to discuss. Topics include benefits for families and tax.He’s joined by Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC, Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Rights Alliance and Emmet Oliver, The Hard Shoulder’s Business Correspondent.

Barry White, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter joins Kieran Cuddihy to talk through the most important parts of Budget 2025 announced today.

"Government must ban HHC!"That's the call from The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland who say presentations of Hexahydrocannabinol addiction have exploded In this report, Newstalk's Sarah Madden looks into the ‘semi-synthetic cannabinoid’, it's availability and potential side effects.

After spending 5 years on the board of the HSE, Fergus Finlay believes for the HSE to work, it needs to be broken into functions rather than regions.Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner joins Kieran to discuss.

Can you believe it’s been 40 years since the legendary Jessica Fletcher first graced our screens on Murder, She Wrote? That’s right, four decades of solving crimes in the cosy town of Cabot Cove, where no mystery was too tough for the iconic sleuth! And, while Jessica's charm and wit hooked millions back then, we’re seeing a modern-day resurgence of this fascination with crime and murder mysteries.Joining Kieran to discuss this phenomenon is Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Psychotherapist and author Iseult White to discuss health and death anxiety, commonly found in new parents.

The government has come into criticism from some quarters following its decision to drop plans to introduce hate speech laws.One voice of concern came from Alanna Quinn Idris, who lost an eye in an unprovoked assault nearly three years ago.She joins Kieran to discuss.

With Budget day tomorrow, Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe to look back on the biggest budget surprises from the past...

Comedian, playwright and author known for his work on Blackadder and Saturday Live, Ben Elton, joins the show!He joins Kieran to discuss his upcoming show ‘Authentic Stupidity’, and how comedy has changed over the years.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) have been plastered all over the news recently for an overspend for the Dáil bikeshed, and now their 1.4 million security hut. To add onto the pile, reports are emerging about a more than doubling in price for modular homes for Ukrainian refugees. Joining Kieran to talk through this controversy is Karl Deeter, Director of Irish Mortgage Brokers (https://www.mortgagebrokers.ie)

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Very special guest, author Jacqueline Wilson, known for the Tracy Beaker series, joins Kieran to discuss her upcoming book - which this time isn’t aimed at young readers.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at the different uses for the humble apple!

All week on the show, the unsung issue of loneliness across our society has been discussed. But, is there a role the government can play as soon as next week’s Budget?Sean Moynihan is CEO of Alone and a member of the Loneliness Taskforce, and joins Kieran to discuss.

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

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the level of immigration to Ireland has been too high in recent years. He made these comments on a visit to the US last week when speaking to the University of Notre Dame’s college newspaper The Observer.He joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live earlier and doubled down on his comments. Kieran is joined by David Quinn, Sunday Independent Columnist and People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith to discuss.

Actress Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey has died aged 89. Newstalk’s Henry McKean got reaction from her fans young and old, and Kieran is joined by actor Stephen Rea and television Producer Bill Hughes to discuss the legacy she leaves behind.

Newstalk’s Simon Tierney has been writing about the bike shed, but not for the reasons you would think. He believes that the outrage against the cost of the bike shed shows we do not tolerate spending on sustainable transport.He joins Kieran, as well as Brendan Ogle, Social Commentator, Trade Unionist and Activist to discuss.

For a news update from the United States, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Jeff Kuhner.The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.They discuss the rumour that Joe Biden could step down as President before the election takes place in November. Would this help or hurt Kamala Harris?Image: Reuters

There has been a rise in new Covid cases due to the new strain: XEC.Is this something to be concerned with? And how infectious is this strain?Jack Lambert, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at UCD School of Medicine, joins Kieran to discuss.

New legislation is being briefed to cabinet today regarding the banning of XL bullies.The proposed ban which will come into effect next Tuesday will ban the sale, breeding and importation of the breed and then on February 1st, 2025, it will be illegal to own a XL bully unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption.Joining Kieran to discuss the rationale of the ban further is the person heading the ban, Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development as well as Marie Hannon, founder of Dogs in Distress.

Many of us probably have fond memories of playing conkers when we were younger, but Chris Emmel, the organiser of Conkerthon, a UK conker tournament, and member of the ‘Active in Redbourn’ community group, decided that he wanted to continue playing conkers into adulthood. However, due to a bad harvest, many are accusing the tournament of tampering with the conkers!Chris joins Kieran to explain more.