The Hard Shoulder

For this week's Common Ground, Kieran was joined by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty and Socialist TD for Cork North Central, and member of the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment Committee, Mick Barry. We asked: is war ever justified?

It’s the first Tuesday of November, and this time next year, on the first Tuesday of November 2024, we will see one of the most anticipated US elections in recent times. Who are the likely frontrunners, and what are the issues dearest to US voters?Kieran spoke to Bob Mulholland, a Democratic Party Strategist based in California, and Jerry McDermott, Executive Director of the Irish Cultural Centre and former Norfolk County Sheriff. 

Minister for Education Norma Foley spoke to Kieran about the government's new guidelines encouraging parents to hold off on buying smartphones for children.

There is no end in sight to the four-month Hollywood Strike, as there is still no agreement between the actors’ union and studios. Negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild say they couldn’t agree to the studios’ “last, best and final offer”.    Joining Kieran to discuss was Natalie Britton, Actress and Member of SAG AFTRA and Tim Gray, Executive Vice President of the Golden Globes.

It is one month today since the Hamas attacks that sparked the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine.Is there any prospect of peace? Kieran spoke to John O’Brennan, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University. 

The cabinet has approved new guidelines that will encourage parents not to purchase smartphones for their children in primary school. To discuss, Kieran was joined by Alex Cooney, CyberSafeKids CEO & Co-Founder, Brian Barron, Portlaw National School principal, and Aodhan O’Riordan, Labour Party’s Education spokesperson.

Times are changing, and the Simpsons is still on air, but classic jokes on the hit cartoon such as Homer strangling Bart haven't exactly aged well.Movie reviewer and editor of Geek Ireland Olivia Fahy spoke to Anton about the show's attempts to stay relevant.

Eight hundred teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment. Principal of Rathcoole Educate Together Gemma Maher joined Anton to speak about difficulties the education sector faces due to this shortage.

The government's approach to Ukraine, Sinn Féin's new housing plan, and an Irish Covid inquiry in the works.Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, joined Anton to discuss the coming week in politics.

800 teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment. This is because of a shortage of school teachers, as set out by a survey carried out by primary teacher union the INTO. General Secretary of the INTO joined Anton to discuss.

Motions are being put forward through the council to fly the Palestinian Flag over City Hall in an act of solidarity with people in Gaza.  Should public buildings be used as way to show solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians or it necessary to remain neutral?Cllr Noeleen Reilly and Cllr David McManus joined Anton to discuss.

Dublin Marathon could be forced to get a new route further outside the city. Reports in the Sunday Independent said Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority were unhappy about the “disproportionate adverse impact” the race has on public transport services. Anton spoke to Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne about the future of the Marathon.

An architectural firm in the UK has mocked up plans to build hundreds of homes at a north London golf club.The proposals are for 650 homes to be built on Enfield Golf Club's 18-hole course. Here in Ireland, should we be looking to rezone some golf courses for the purpose of housing? To discuss, Anton was joined by Feljin Jose, chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, and Off The Ball’s Nathan Murphy. 

This week for the latest edition of Winners and Sinners Kieran was joined by Comedian, Jim Elliott and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Its National Sandwich Day! Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat us through the magic of the lunchbox staple.

What gets on your nerves when you got out for a meal? Maybe it’s a complex Menu, where you spend 10 minutes of your meal googling what your dinner actually is?Well, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie took the time to chat with restaurateurs, chefs and menu makers on why nenus are sometimes complicated. He also took to the streets to hear what the public had to say on menu illiteracy.

People Before Profit have called for the nationalisation of childcare free for whoever wants to use the service.The proposed System would see childcares become public servants and would be funded via the budget surplus.The proposal comes as the Childcare system in the state has been facing a multitude of problems, often leaving parents with no access to essential childcare.Joining Kieran to discuss the potential and practicality of such a system was Hazel de Nortúin,  People Before Profit Councillor for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh ward and founder of  Teanga Beo  and Rowena Fisher , Pre-school childcare provider and Owner at Phylls preschool 

The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate day by day despite calls for a humanitarian pause from major world leaders.With no end to hostilities in sight, Kieran was joined again by Ibrahim Alagha an Irish Citizen on the ground in Gaza to give us an update on the situation. He was also by joined Prof. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. A Palestinian Canadian physician, born and raised in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip and author of ‘I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity’ 

This week on the Thursday interview Kieran was joined by James O'Brien, LBC Radio Presenter to talk about his new book, "How They Broke Britain" As well as delving into his 20-year-plus career as one of the UK's top broadcasters and journalists.

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 and Kieran try the cheapest beers in the supermarkets. To find out whether they can compete with the big brands of the beer world

The Fifa World Cup looks to be heading to Saudi Arabia in 2034 after Australia confirmed they would not be bidding for the tournament. Fifa had ruled that only Asia or Oceania could host the tournament due 2030 edition being spread across several continents. Philippe Auclair, France Football Correspondent and investigative reporter for Josimar...

Anton Savage was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a debate on 'Do we care about the North'...

The Oireachtas Social Protection Committee is calling for the pension deferral age to be raised from 70 to 75. This would mean you would have the option to work for longer, should you feel fit enough to do so, and access an enhanced rate of the pension when it’s eventually drawn down.Anton Savage was joined by Celine Clark, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action, Michael McMahon, Acting Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Journalist and Author Valerie Cox to discuss...

Bruce Springsteen is on the way back to Ireland already! 'The Boss' will play at Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park, Cork’s Páirc Uí Caoimh and Dublin’s Croke Park on May 12th, 16th and 19th next year. Anton Savage was joined by Tom McCormack who also serves Organiser of fans for Springsteen Concerts and James Coughlan aka Jimi the Barber from Clare... 

Rain warnings are in place ahead of Storm Ciarán which is set to hit tomorrow night. Anton Savage was joined by Brandon Creagh Meteorologist with Met Eireann, John Sweeney, Climatologist and Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University and Siobhan McGuigan, Owner of the Carlingford Arms Pub and Restaurant in Louth…

Has Halloween become too Americanised? Anton Savage was joined by Brenda Power, columnist with The Irish Daily Mail and Alison Curtis, Presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM to discuss...

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...

This weekend is a big weekend as it’s the Dublin Marathon. Jarlath Regan, comedian who is currently on tour with his show ‘Yer Man on Tour’ and is running the Dublin Marathon and he joined fellow marathon runner Kieran Cuddihy to look towards the race on Sunday...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through how to make the most of the spices in your cupboard...

James Blunt is a fantastic musician and has been in the industry for around 20 years, receiving over 5 grammy nominations for his work. His new album ‘Who We Used to Be’ is out now and he joined Kieran Cuddihy in studio to chat about this and his life and career thus far...

Tomorrow night is the night - the night many thought Ireland may be competing for the Rugby World Cup, but alas the two Southern Hemisphere giants of South Africa and New Zealand will fight it out at 8pm in the Stade de France. John Robbie, former Irish international and radio host in South Africa and rugby analyst Brent Pope joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

Bacon and eggs, bread and butter, Tom and Jerry are just some of the more iconic duos in the world. A new poll as fish and chips as the world most iconic duo. Our very own dynamic duo, Newstalk Breakfast’s Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly joined Kieran to discuss this on The Hard Shoulder...

Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan says Irish roads are not safe for experienced cyclists, let alone school children. He made the remark during a debate that came after the 155th death on Irish roads in 2023. The same number of people have died in 10 months of this year as in the 12 months of 2022.Henry McKean has been out and about speaking to parents and children who try and cycle to school…

It’s the Weekend Takeover here on Newstalk with Irish Life, and we’re asking how you might get your financial house in order? Laura Duffy, Wealth Management Consultant with Irish Life joined Kieran to discuss..

Over half of Ireland’s wastewater discharges are not meeting EU standards. That’s according to the latest EPA Urban Waste Water Treatment report.  Kieran was joined by Michael Tinsley, Uisce Eireann’s wastewater spokesperson... 

Reports in the Irish Mirror suggest that senior Government ministers are eager to combat the excessive use of phones - particularly smartphones – and there may be plans to ban them. Kieran was joined by Karl Hegarty, Career Guidance Counselor at St. Kevins, Dunlavin and founder of PhoneAwayBox.com, and Rachel Harper, who is the principal at St Patrick’s National School in Greystones...

Diagnoses of serious abnormalities in cervical screening have fallen by almost 60 per cent. That’s according to a new study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. Kieran was joined by Dr Lucy Jessop HSE Immunisation Lead and Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the National Immunisation Office... 

Bus Éireann has been marking the 70th anniversary of Busáras. The bus station is an iconic building that has transported millions of passengers since services began in October 1953. So is the building truly iconic? Kieran was joined by architect, Róisin Murphy and Sinn Féin TD, Eoin Ó Broin, the author of ‘The Dignity of Everyday Life: Celebrating Michael Scott’s Busáras’...

Across the country many parents are fighting to help their children get assessed and access help for dyslexia, but many come up against barriers with waiting lists, financial issues or with no access to supports systems and technologies that are very much needed. Kieran was joined by Aisling, who is the mother to 11-year-old Charlie and Heather, who is the mother to 13 and 12-year-old dyslexic daughters... 

There have been reports of Cabinet disagreement over Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s proposals to limit the offer of state-provided accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to 90 days. Kieran was joined by John Lannon, CEO of Doras and Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare...

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, with Halloween around the corner, Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for barmbrack on the shelves...

The United Nations’ secretary general Antonio Gutterres has called for an immediate ceasefire to end “epic suffering” in the Gaza Strip. In an address yesterday Mr Gutterres criticised the Israeli response to the Hamas attacks earlier this month. In response Israel’s Ambassador to the UN called on Mr Gutterres to step down from his position. Kieran was joined by Alistair Bunkall, Middle East Correspondent for Sky News and Lior Haiat, Spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... 

Dating App Tinder have announced users can give access to up to 15 people over  24 hours, who can view profiles and suggest possible matches even without an account.Tinder is now letting family members suggest potential partners on the dating app. Kieran was joined by Henry McKean to discuss...

Reports of Cabinet disagreement over Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s proposals to limit the offer of state-provided accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to 90 days. Some are saying that doing so would only pass the issue on to another department. What is our strategy moving forward on housing Ukrainians? Kieran was joined by Tom McEneaney, media Consultant and Founder of Effective Aid Ukraine and Teresa Buckowska, formerly with the Immigration Council of Ireland and migrants rights expert...

The EU Tax Observatory has suggested a minimum 2% tax rate on billionaires' global wealth. They have said that it would raise well over €200 billion a year. Kieran was joined by Neasa Hourigan, Green Party TD for Dublin Central and spokesperson on Finance and Health and Seamus Coffey, the former Chair of the Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC...

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. Ahead of Halloween, Fionn joined Kieran to tell him about Ireland's spookiest locations...

Robert Watt, Secretary General of HSE was today discussing the increased costs of running in the Irish health sector.  He was before the Oireachtas Health Committee who met this morning to examine the funding allocated in the health Budget. Mr Watt also claimed that Ireland’s hospitals have a ‘weak productivity’ due to lack of funding into physical infrastructure and a lack on IT investment including digitalisation.  Tony O’Brien, former Director General of the HSE joined Kieran to discuss...

Businesses and organisations worst hit by flooding during Storm Babet could get up to €100,000 in financial aid under new plans brought to cabinet today. The scheme will allow for quick payments of €10,000 and audited and assessed payments of up to €100,000. Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment joined Kieran to discuss this and also calls for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland and the ongoing conflict in Gaza...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a debate on 'Should the Israeli Ambassador be expelled?'...

Sinn Fein are calling for the Government to increase funding in the health budget stating that it is underfunded and will have an adverse effect on our health services. The party will speak on this motion tonight in Dáil Eireann with members from the Department of Health already meeting in front of the Oireachtas Health Committee to discuss this issue around funding. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...