The Hard Shoulder

Nearly one in five homeowners with solar panels or home battery systems have experienced weather-related issues. That's according to new research by Aviva Insurance. Joining Shane to discuss this and give advice for homeowners is Gillian Devereux, Senior Loss Adjustor at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.

At least 88 people died during the recent mass influx of migrants into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco with an estimated 70,000 people making the crossing, but what role did social media play in the mass influx? Joining Shane to discuss is David Robert Grimes, Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Disinformation Expert and author of ‘The Irrational Ape’.

Dublin takes centre stage in this week's issue of the comic ‘Beano’, as Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx and the Bash Street Kids arrive in the capital. Joining Shane for more on this is David O'Callaghan from the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast. Image: Beano

Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan is due to be extradited from the United Arab Emirates in the coming days as details of a major security operation are being finalised for his return. Conor Lally, Security & Crime Editor with The Irish Times, has the details, and joins Shane to discuss.

This morning we heard Iran said it had reached an agreement with Oman on a route for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. With foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei not giving any further details on the agreement, which he said was "in the final stages". Joining Shane to discuss the latest in the Middle East is Middle East Journalist and Analyst, Borzou Daragahi.

In June, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke published ‘The Value of Data Centres to Ireland’, an independent report prepared by KPMG which assesses the economic contribution and strategic importance of the data centre sector in Ireland. Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, through FOI, says vital information was removed from the report to benefit the Government agenda on data centres, including...

Engagement with RIP.ie has grown significantly in recent years, with the site seeing over 20,000 condolences per day, with the average number of users on the site so far this year being 3.4 million per month. But, how is that impacting the way we acknowledge bereavements? Joining Shane to discuss this is Colm Kieran, owner of My Farewell Wishes…

The Simon Communities of Ireland’s quarterly Locked Out of the Market report, shows that just 20 properties were available to rent within any of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme limits in June… Joining Shane for more on this is Ber Grogan, Executive Director of Simon Communities Ireland.

A new survey says 40% of consumers who saw the new alcohol health warning labels on alcoholic products made them think about alcohol’s impact on health and were influenced to buy less or no alcohol. While they have not been fully implemented just yet, and wont until 2028, will they have the desired effect over all on our drinking habits? Bobby Smyth is Professor at the Department of Public Health...

Writing in today’s Irish Independent, Columnist Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh states that “while speeding is dangerous, not driving at an appropriate speed or allowing long traffic jams to build up can lead to dangerous behaviour…” For more on this and other dangerous driving habits, Shane is joined by the owner of the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny, Brenda Bolger.

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 Shane to discuss how to go on a multi-generational family holiday!

US blogger Perez Hilton is recovering in hospital after members of the public reported that he had appeared to self-harm during a TikTok livestream. Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, was home alone during the time of the live stream, police confirmed, and had his TikTok account suspended soon after. But, when distressing content like this ends up online, what impact does it have for you...

There have been calls made this week for a sexual assault treatment unit in the Mid-West. The issue was highlighted last week during a sentencing hearing in a County Clare rape case, where the court heard the victim had to travel to Galway's Sexual Assault Treatment Unit after the attack. The case has renewed calls for a dedicated 24-hour sexual assault treatment service covering Limerick, Clare,...

Andy Burnham’s first two weeks as Prime Minister have been marked by a flurry of policy announcements, as the former Mayor has looked to mark a clear departure from his predecessor. Joining Shane to discuss this and the upcoming Clacton By-Election is Iain Dale, LBC News & Radio Presenter, Royal Commentator and author.

The age-old question dividing households and causing domestic arguments: what should be stored in the fridge vs the cupboard? Some of the most common food items causing division of opinion ranked by a recent survey were bananas, honey, butter, and jam. Joining Shane to discuss this and give some expert advice is Darina Allen, Chef, author and Founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane to discuss the cost of technology facing parents around back to school time.

Gianni Infantino has called an emergency meeting of FIFA staff in Rabat, Morocco today as pressure on the president continues to ramp up. Joining Shane to discuss this is Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer at the UK Independent.

Eirebus, a coach operator of the Swords Express in Dublin, has applied to Fingal County Council seeking to temporarily retain 19 modular accommodation units and six mobile home units at its depot in Dublin 15 for three years. It comes after new regulations surrounding modular homes and planning come into effect across the country. Joining Shane to discuss this is Brendan O’Sullivan, Head of Univer...

Do you pay your kids to do household chores, or are you of the opinion that if you live under my roof you live by my rules? An idea that you then find yourself throwing out the window as you bribe your child with a fiver in exchange for picking up the hoover... Joining Shane to discuss this is Jen Hogan, Journalist with the Irish times and host of the 'Conversations with Parents' podcast and Aidee...

A Wexford GAA club and the wider community have been left devastated after a talented 16-year-old athlete died after collapsing on the pitch during a football shield final on Tuesday evening in Wexford… Joining Shane with more on this is Pádraig Byrne, Wexford People and Independent.ie Reporter and Robert McGuire, Parish Priest for Caroreigh in Wexford.

For the first time, Ireland has become an ‘EV-first’ market, with drivers choosing EVs over hybrid or fuel engines. So, if you are in the market for a new EV, what should you be  asking the dealer and looking out for? Shane O'Donoghue, Editor of CompleteCar.ie has all the answers, and joins Shane to discuss.

Met Éireann has said that July was among “hottest, driest and sunniest months on record”. In its Climate Statement for last month, the forecaster said it was the second-hottest July since 1900 and the driest on record, with many stations seeing records broken. For more on this, Shane is joined by Climatologist and Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University, John Sweeney…

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 Seán Defoe to give his ultimate guide to the city of Naples in Italy!

With All Together Now behind us and Electric Picnic only a few weeks away, one topic always springs up around these festivals: litter. Whether it be abandoned tents or just rubbish, the aftermath of a festival is usually never pretty... So, what steps should be taken to avoid the littering problem around these events? Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Tad Kirakowski, Chief Executive of Voice Irelan...

Ireland's beef trade could be at risk as the EU is set to remove Brazil from the list of approved exporters for products including beef and poultry, effective from September 3, less than five weeks away. Joining Seán Defoe for more on this is the Irish Farmers Journal Editor, Adam Woods…