The Hard Shoulder

GAA President Jarlath Burns has said that a meeting will be held with representatives of the Australian Football League (AFL) shortly to try and find a more agreeable protocol to GAA player recruitment by that association. But, what protocols are currently in place? And, what do the GAA want to see changed? Joining Shane to discuss is Maurice Brosnan, Senior Sportswriter with the Irish Examiner.

Removing carbon tax from home heating oil would reduce the cost of a 1,000 litre fill by €183, Sinn Féin has said. The party's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the party will bring forward legislation demanding the Government takes this action. But, should it be scrapped? Joining Ciara to discuss is John Fitzgerald, Economist and former Chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council and J...

On Friday, the topic of Gen Z being boring was discussed on the show, and got an incredible amount of reactions from listeners. Fin Walsh, Dairy farmer and TikToker gave his own take online, and joins Shane to discuss!

Research by Economist Dr Seán Fearon has estimated that data centre growth has already added approximately €715 million to household electricity bills over the past decade, with costs expected to continue rising if expansion continues in its current trajectory. Friends of the Earth Ireland has called on the Government to use Budget 2027 to reform how the costs of Ireland’s energy system are shared...

(Spoilers for last night’s episode of The Traitors Ireland ahead!) Joining Shane in the studio is Kayleigh, who was murdered by the Traitors and Pete, who was banished at last night’s round table to discuss their experience and look ahead to the finale of this season!

Research out today has found that almost seven in ten young adults in Ireland are considering leaving the country for a better quality of life… Newstalk Reporter Baibre Holmes is one of those who has left the country in the past, and has been hearing from people for their thoughts. She joins Ciara to discuss.

New NTA report shows more people than ever before getting out of their cars and using public transport, with last year having the fewest number of cars ever entering Dublin city outside of the Covid years. This has led many campaigners to urge the Government to reconsider the fare hike, arguing that Dublin will become more congested under these changes.   Lochlann Gallagher, Public Relat...

Media outlets in the US have notified the Trump Administration that they intend to sue over a ban preventing their reporters from accessing the White House grounds.  CNN, Politico and MS NOW were barred from the White House on Friday after President Donald Trump accused the outlets of repeatedly reporting what he described as “fake news.”  White House columnist with The Hill, Niall Stana...

The British Government have announced that they’re introducing new specialist courts for rape cases to try “rebalance the scales of justice and put victims first.” The new plans will see court staff get special training, victims having a direct point-of-contact with the court, and a fixed trial date rather than it being placed on a rolling list. Rachel Morrogh, the CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Ce...

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane was joined by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Anne Keogh to discuss what to do if your child feels left out.

The Taoiseach has said October’s Budget will include an increase to the Rent Tax Credit, adding that the measure, which was introduced in 2022, has been positive for renters. With an increase on the cards, will the measure work, and is it welcomed?  Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick City and the party’s spokesperson on housing. 

The awkward feeling of watching the couple who are guilty of a bit too much PDA (public displays of affection) can cause not only you to feel uncomfortable, but also resentment, but how can you address it with your loved-up friends?   Ciara was joined by Frances Kelleher, Relationship Expert and Life Coach to discuss…

Changes are on the way to the Hot School Meals Programme, with the Minister in charge, Dara Calleary has indicted that changes are needed.  It comes after two Government-commissioned reviews identified shortcomings in the programme, including concerns around nutritional standards and portion sizes.  Ray Nagle, CEO of Fresh Today and The Lunch Bag, two suppliers to the programme joined Sh...

(Spoilers for last night’s episode of The Traitors Ireland ahead! You have been warned!) Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss his experience on The Traitors is banished Faithful Ian…

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter to the Irish soccer team, calling on them to boycott the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures with Israel. With fixtures set for September 27 and October 4, which are being contested in neutral countries of Hungary and Serbia.   Former Dublin Senior Footballer Philly McMahon who signed the open letter to the Irish soccer team...

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists... 

Special Olympics Collection Day, creates life-changing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities Over a thousand athletes took part in the Ireland Summer Games in June. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean went out and met athletes and bucket collectors on the street.

Russia is holding its first parliamentary elections since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.  They come after plummeting approval ratings for Vladimir Putin, mounting casualties on the front lines, and very little territorial gain in their war.  Shane and Ciara were joined by Defence Expert at the University of Bath and former NATO analyst Patrick Bury.  

Tighter citizenship rules may come into effect before the year's end, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy.   So how do Ireland's newest citizens feel about the incoming legislation?  Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports.  

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane and Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action… 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Manchester where the pair discussed ties between the UK and the European Union.  The Taoiseach was the first first world leader to be hosted at Number 10 North. Journalist and Broadcaster Vincent McAvinney joined Ciara to discuss the meeting.

Plans for data centre in Killala Co Mayo have been overturned by An Coimisiún Pleanála.   This decision was made partly because the operator was found to have failed to show there is “existing capacity” in the electricity grid to handle the added pressure of the system.    Colin Doyle is a Retired Scientist, and he lodged the appeal about the data centre, he joined Shane t...

From the death of the casual weeknight drinks to ditching the club for a run club are people in their 20s taking themselves too seriously?     Ciara and Shane were joined by Newstalk's own, Meghan O' Halloran and Freelance Journalist, Édaein O’Connell, to see if there is any craic left in Gen Z.  

Patrick Clancy will give his first television interview following the mistrial of his former wife, Lindsay Clancy, in the deaths of their three children on CBS's 60 minutes.  CBS have said that in the interview Patrick speaks of his grief, memories of his three children and the unsupported conspiracy theories that spread online after Lindsay’s trial.   Sky News US Correspondent...

More than half of Irish employees say hitting workplace targets takes priority over their wellbeing.   The findings come from Vhi’s latest Workplace Health Insights research, Making Wellbeing Work.  But do people sacrifice their wellbeing for their workplace? Ciara and Shane were joined by Louisa Meehan from Woodview HRM - HR and Dispute Resolution expert to discuss.