The Hard Shoulder

The health insurance market is still growing, according to a new report by the Health Insurance Authority, despite the average annual premium sitting at €1,740 which is a 300 euro increase to the average two years ago. Dermot Goode, of Totalhealthcover.ie , part of the Lockton Group, joins Kieran to discuss why this is the case, and offer some top tips for keeping an eye out for a good deal…

Yesterday, Kieran spoke with Gareth Noble, who specialises in child law. They spoke about delays that families face when it comes to getting care for their children with disabilities… Brenda Kenny is a retired Speech and Language Therapy Manager at the HSE, and she joins to discuss how things are in her sector.

With the Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching, the Road Safety Authority is reminding drivers across the country to never, ever drink and drive. Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the Road Safety Authority, joins Kieran to discuss if attitudes to drink driving have disappeared, and how to take extra precautions to stay safe this weekend.

It’s one of the most popular games in the world, but is Roblox really as safe as it looks? New research from the UK says what kids are really finding there is "deeply disturbing”. From sexualized content to chats with adult strangers, the risks seem to go way beyond the screen, so it begs the question, should your children be playing it? Emmet Ryan, Tech and Business Journalist and Ollwyn Moran, N...

Remember when Good Friday meant no pints and a whole lot of confused tourists wandering Temple Bar looking for a pub that wasn’t open? Well, those days are gone, and with pubs and off-licences back in business, has the meaning of Good Friday gone out the window with the empty kegs? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Comedian Jim Elliot as well as writer and commentator Michael Kelly.

Netflix have just announced that they will be launching a special documentary looking into the killing of Irishman Jason Corbett by Molly Mertens and her father, Tom Martens, which will be released on May 8th. Ralph Riegal, Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent, joins Kieran to discuss. Image: Netflix

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 Kieran to discuss how you can resist temptations in your life - especially around Lent!

US President Donald Trump, since his inauguration, has seen the cutting of jobs and funding in certain departments as part of his wider process to cut government spending. One of the victims of these cuts is America's weather departments, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides data for forecasting, sparking fears that the US might be unprepared for future weather ev...

Property prices rose 8% in February compared to last year – in yet more worrisome news for those trying to navigate the housing market. All of this while Dubliners are being asked to have their say on plans to transform an industrial estate on the city’s northside into a “brand-new community”. So, what role can property developers play in solving the housing crisis? Cork Property Developer Michael...

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss the build up to the next Ireland Gateway to Europe trip for the show, as well as a return to her AI 101 series - all about hallucinations with AI!

The UK Supreme Court has made a landmark ruling this morning, backing the biological definition of women in the UK’s Equality Act. This means that the term “woman” in the legal aspect will not include transgender women - which might have a wider implication on policy decisions down the road. Joining Kieran to react to this ruling is Laoise de Brún BL, CEO and Founder of The Countess and Karen Sugr...

A Cork Pub Owner thought it was a late April Fools when he found out his pub would be demolished to make way for the Cork Luas. The 2 Billion infrastructure project caught some by surprise. Henry McKean went to Cork to find out more, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With April being Autism Awareness on the program, we have heard from parents who have been battling to get adequate services for their children. But, from a legal perspective, how much has the state infringed on the rights of children and their families by failing to provide care? To discuss this, Kieran is joined by Gareth Noble, Partner at KOD/Lyons and Solicitor specialising in child law.

Tucker Carlson, the American media personality, was in Ireland yesterday – he interviewed Conor McGregor, while also visiting his pub in Crumlin. It was reported that approximately 40 people showed up at the Black Forge Inn. But, why did this happen? Joining Kieran to discuss is one of those who attended: Conor Lenihan, former Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, and former Fianna Fá...

A study has found that we love it when plans suddenly get cancelled and consider it a tiny triumph. We love 'jomo' or the joy of missing out. Finding money in your coat pocket or getting the last parking space are the small wins that cheer us up. Henry McKean asked these people what 'pick me ups' put a smile on their face!

Irish Singer and Musician Brian Kennedy joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Dublin City Council met yesterday to discuss the aftermath of the chaos over the weekend by the Grand Canal in Portobello which saw people littering, urinating and defecating in the area. Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey joins Kieran to discuss… Image: Damien Storan

Earlier today, the ‘Grace’ Report was published. This is the final report of the first phase of the Farrelly Commission, which examines the 'Grace' case allegations and why she was placed in the home and not removed until 2009. Speaking at the publication of the report today Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality said that “It goes without saying that what Grace experienced wa...

Home is where the heart is, but what if your home was the heart of the cultural revival? Well, that’s what Diarmuid Lyng, Owner of Wild Irish Retreats and former Wexford Hurler is offering with his new fundraiser to buy a space in Kilkenny. Diarmuid Lyng joins Kieran to tell more.

Kieran has left Newstalk headquarters and is in Buswells as the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group and Scoliosis Advocacy Network are holding a press conference calling on action in continued failures on paediatric care. Una Keightley, Co-Lead Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group, and Claire Cahill Co-Founder of Scoliosis Advocacy Network join to discuss....

Research from the ESRI today has shown that workers in the Republic of Ireland pay over twice as much as those in the North, with the quality of life still better in the Republic. Whether that’s surprising for you or not, we did want to ask the bigger question today: can we afford Irish unity? Or would the financial responsibility of the North be too much? Joining Kieran to discuss is TalkTV Prese...

Should there be a register for convicted domestic abusers? Jason Poole believes so, as his sister Jennie Poole was killed by an ex-partner in 2021… He has since been campaigning for it since, and launched a petition two weeks ago, urging the Minister for Justice to implement it. Jason joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie to discuss how you can support your teenagers while they are doing their Junior and Leaving Cert exams.

There was a big reveal today for Cork’s long-awaited Luas line: an 18km light rail, stretching from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, is officially on the table. With public consultation now open, some are calling it a transformational step for the city, but many in Cork are meeting it with scepticism, pointing to years of promises that went nowhere. Joining Kieran to discuss is KC from RedFM and Today...

The day has finally come for Rory McIlroy after he achieved the career grand slam with a win at the Masters. Who better to talk to now than another Irish golfing legend: Padraig Harrington! He joins Kieran to discuss the historic moment. Also joining to discuss is Nathan Murphy from Off the Ball. Image: Reuters