The Hard Shoulder

Demand for parking at Dublin Airport has soared ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend. Spaces are now at a very limited capacity ahead of a surge in travel. The issue has frustrated both passengers and nearby Swords residents alike. Joining Kieran to discuss is Swords councillor Joe Newman, who says there is a dire need for a privately owned car park at Dublin Airport.

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Mick Barry, Socialist TD for Cork North Central to talk about why we should keep rent pressure zones.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of his favourite books…Favourite Book: Solar Bones by Mike McCormack  Honourable Mention : On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Currently Reading: Yellen by Jon Hilsenrath 

Tensions are still rumbling on today between the UK and Ireland on the number of asylum seekers coming to Ireland through the north Should the UK accept the return of asylum seekers?Kieran is joined by Former UK MP and minister, Edwina Currie to discuss.

If you can believe it, it’s been 30 years since Riverdance first debuted on the Eurovision stage in 1994. Kieran is joined by composer Bill Whelan to discuss the impact it has had.

In France it has been proposed that those missing GP appointments should be fined €5.  According to figures we have gotten from the HSE, 513,343 outpatient appointments went unattended last year. Joining Kieran to discuss is Consultant psychiatrist, Chair of the IMO’s Consultants Committee, Matthew Sadlier and former HSE Director of Digital Transformation, Professor Martin Curley. 

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Michael Kelly, Journalist and Former Editor of the Irish Catholic and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

Do you often forget where you last put your keys or wallet? Well, the good news is that you are not losing your memories! According to two scientists, it’s just how our brains work.  So how do memories work exactly?  Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Author of “Resilience: Lessons from Sir William Wilde on Life After Covid” joins Jonathan to discuss.

A study suggests that we inherit surprisingly little of our parents personality, and we are only slightly more likely to have the same temperament with our siblings than a stranger walking down the street. To discuss further, Jonathan is joined by Henry McKean, who was asking public if we truly are like our parents.

This is The Soapbox. Today, Jonathan was joined by the Artistic Director of Dublin Theatre Festival to talk about people illegally parking around Dublin City.

This week in our Kid's Health Check, Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Jonathan to chat about why helmets are important for children.

A “robust” age verification system for social media companies needs to be introduced and enforced. That is the call in a letter from Education Minister Norma Foley to the Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett. Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Jonathan to discuss.

It appears the row between Ireland and the UK over migration has deepened after a planned meeting over the issue today between Justice Minister Helen McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly was cancelled. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told ITV today he has no interest in any migrant return scheme with Ireland. To discuss Jonathan is joined by John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University and Dermot Murnaghan, Journalist and Broadcaster.

At Aontú’s Ard Fheis over the weekend Peadar Toibin made calls for Ireland to have an ‘...international city in Ireland beyond the M50’.  So, what would attract international companies to cities outside of Dublin ?  Joining Jonathan to discuss is Economist and Co-Director of the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre at Cork University Business School, Dr Frank Crowley.

The Department of Education has removed ‘Complex Needs’ from the criteria for the allocation of special education hours for schools. This has caused outrage among parents and school staff as students’ allocated hours have been cut.  Jonathan is joined by Primary school principal and host of the ‘If I Were The Minister for Education’ podcast, Simon Lewis and Director and Co-Chair of NeuroDiversity Ireland, Nessa Hill to discuss.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, guest host Jonathan Healy was joined by Senior Reporter with the Irish Examiner, Liz Dunphy and Presenter of The Neil Prendeville Show on Red FM, Neil Prendeville.

Today is Wish Day! Newstalk is partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland to celebrate Wish Week. Join us all week as we talk to some incredible children and their courageous families, and hear how Make-A-Wish Ireland have been beacons of light for children facing the toughest battles of their lives.  Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.  Kieran is joined by Catherine and her son Billy. Billy is a 15 year old Boxing fan whose wish to see Katie Taylor fight in person was made true.

Kieran Cuddihy is joined by comedian Steve Cummins and Features Writer with the Irish Independent Saoirse Hanley to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

The traditional catholic wedding is on the drop! That’s according to the CSO figures for weddings in 2023. But, why are people choosing alternative options for their big day? And what are the benefits of weddings outside the church? Ruth Scott, Radio Presenter and Humanist celebrant joins Kieran to discuss.

Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie joins Kieran from Newtownmountkennedy following the protest that occurred at a site earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants. He spoke with people in the town to hear their takes.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to chat about carrots and the benefits they bring.

Electric Picnic is back this Summer with its biggest lineup yet according to some. Kylie Minogue will be stealing the headlines this year after it was announced she would be appearing Sunday on the mainstage To talk through the lineup, Kieran is joined by Festival Director Melvin Benn and Presenter / Kylie superfan Mairead Ronan.Image: Kylie Minogue on Twitter/X

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

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Broadcaster Meghann Scully and Assistant News Editor of the Business Post, Sarah McGuinness.  

Praise has been given to Taylor Swift's new album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ by one of Ireland’s most renowned poets.  Speaking in the Telegraph, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Muldoon compared Taylor’s use of humour to that of her namesake Jonathan Swift. Paul Muldoon, legendary Irish poet, joins Kieran to discuss the album and the relationship poetry has with music.

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. He joins Kieran to discuss US politics and to chat about the explosion of protests in American Universities after a failed crackdown at Columbia University. Image: Reuters

This week The Journal revealed that Ireland has only 3 hospital beds for adults with eating disorders. Why is this the case, and how does this affect people with eating disorders currently?Joining Kieran to give her experience is Lauren in Dublin, who suffers from an eating disorder and has been through HSE services. Also joining Kieran to discuss why this might be happening is Dr Art Malone, Co-Chair of the Eating Disorder Special Interest Group in the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, and Consultant Psychiatrist with the HSE and Harriet Parsons, Psychotherapist and training & development manager at Bodywhys.ie.

People have been divided online after comedian Arj Barker kicked a breastfeeding mother out of a gig in Australia.  Was this the right thing to do and do mothers have fair rights to be allowed to go to gigs with their children?Kieran is joined by comedian Jim Elliot and Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie to discuss.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by John Lee, Executive Editor with Daily Mail Group Ireland and Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media. Harriet Alexander, Senior Features Reporter at The Times also calls in to discuss Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction being overturned.Image: Etienne Laurent, AP

Road safety is being highlighted as an area that needs to be seriously addressed as 69 people have died on Irish roads already this year. Campaign groups are calling for penalty points to be doubled and attention has also turned to enforcement by gardaí. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been asking people if they have ever been breathalysed and what they think deters dangerous driving.

Minister of Justice Helen McEntee has faced some criticism after being unable to give a clear answer to Independent Clare TD’s Michael McNamara’s question regarding the take back system for Asylum Seekers. Michael McNamara, Former Chair of the Oireachtas Covid Committee and Independent TD for Clare joins Kieran to discuss.

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon brought a selection of soda breads…

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Pat Carty from Hotpress to discuss what he’d cull from the internet.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews has said he would support a tax or levy on the purchase of fast fashion clothing.  Joining Kieran is Spokesperson for SPARK, Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids, Louise Bayliss to discuss.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Anton for the Tech Takeover. This week Jess looked at the US potentially banning TikTok if their parent company ByteDance don’t divest the company within a year.

The increasing road death stats were discussed before the Oireachtas, and Kieran’s guest has seen first-hand the impact drink driving can have. Stevo Timothy was the driver in a fatal motorbike crash killing his friend John Laffey back in 2005. The crash also left Stevo with two broken bones in his neck and seven in his back, leaving him in full paralysis from the upper chest down. He has also admitted alcohol played a role in the crash, and joins Kieran to share his story.

Newstalk is partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland to celebrate Wish Week. Join us all week as we talk to some incredible children and their courageous families, and hear how Make-A-Wish Ireland have been beacons of light for children facing the toughest battles of their lives.  Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.  One happy recipient of a wish was 15 year old Sam Dunne, who has Neuromuscular Scoliosis whose wish for a trip to Centre Parcs was made real.   His mother Ciara joined Kieran to talk about the experience and how important it was.

Classic Hits Broadcaster and Candidate for the European election in the Dublin constituency for Independent Ireland Niall Boylan joins Kieran to discuss why he decided to make the decision to run for political office.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Ellen Butler, Newstalk Reporter and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star.

The new pedestrian bridge in Galway is set to have a new name! Droichead an Dóchais or Bridge of Hope has been chosen, and a naming ceremony will take place in a few weeks. It seems a bit bland, doesn’t it? Do we need to have an honest question about how we name things here in Ireland? Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney joins Kieran to discuss how we as a country name things. Image: Galway City Council

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Sue Murphy to discuss the concept of ‘mom guilt’.

Over in Berlin a group of Irish Activists in Berlin have been told they are not allowed to speak Irish outside the Bundestag, even though it is recognised as an EU language...  Kieran joined by a member of the Irish Bloc in Berlin, Aodhán Donnelly, to discuss.

Dr Ciara Kelly, Newstalk Breakfast presenter, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books…

Should Bambie Thug boycott Eurovision?Over 400 Irish artists have written a letter to Ireland’s Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug asking the singer to boycott the competition. They say Bambie should stay “on the right side of history.” Joining Kieran is Musician and Singer, Mary Coughlan to discuss.Image: Andres Poveda Ltd

Taoiseach Simon Harris has extended the Governments apology to the families of the victims of the Stardust tragedy.  Joining Kieran to give their takes on the apology are Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan and Sinn Féin senator Lynn Boylan. Also joining Kieran to discuss is one of those affected, Lisa Lawlor, who was 17 months old and lost both her parents in the tragedy.

With increased emphasis on recycling recently, it’s important to know what waste goes into which bin. And, since Kieran isn’t a bin expert, Colin O’Byrne, coordinator at VOICE joins him to answer all of your recycling queries.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

David Beckham caused a stir this weekend when he posted a video of the spice girls singing Karaoke at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party…  Is this a sign of a reunion? Joining Kieran is Pop Culture and Entertainment expert AND Spice Girls fan, Deirdre Molumby to discuss.

Is chatting about finances causing a burden on your relationship? The Great British Bake Off’s Prue Leith has expressed concern over her husband's online shopping habits! So, what is the best way to go about having those awkward financial questions? Joining Kieran is Dating and Relationship Expert, Francis Kelleher to discuss the relationship side, with your financial questions being answered by Paul Merriman, Financial Adviser, founder of Fairstone Ireland and the one behind askpaul.ie. 

It’s Earth Day, which is a day for celebrating our planet and highlighting what needs to be done to protect it.This comes as the EU climate survey demonstrates that this year’s climate had more heat, flooding and wildfires than the average of any other year.  Patrick O’Connor from Extinction Rebellion Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss.