The Hard Shoulder

Today, the Irish Government published its latest tax returns and spending outline for the month of March. These are more significant given the news of President Trump’s 20% Tariffs last night for the EU… To discuss, Kieran is joined by Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform & Digitalisation in the Government of Ireland and Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin West.

News emerged this week that two Irish citizens living in Berlin have been issued with deportation orders, and told to leave Germany before April 21st. The two are facing charges over alleged actions at pro-Palestinian protests, but have yet to appear before any kind of court hearing. They say authorities in Germany have accused them of ‘antisemitism’ and ‘supporting terrorist organisations’. They...

Almost 24 hours on from Trump's big tariff tirade in the Rose Garden of the White House, and we’re still dissecting what it all means... What we do know is that Ireland is staring down the barrel of 20% tariffs. The Government here has warned that this is going to cause serious damage and disruption to the EU and the global economy, but we’re still waiting to hear how, or if, the EU will retaliate...

Legendary Kerry GAA Manager Mick O’Dwyer has sadly passed this morning… Colm O'Rourke, former Meath Player and Manager, joins Kieran to reflect on the legacy he leaves behind.

With this month being Autism Acceptance Month and yesterday being World Autism Awareness Day, Kieran is joined by Fiachna O’Broanan and Siona Ryan, who are here to highlight the challenges families face when it comes to autism support and education. From misconceptions about the spectrum to the overwhelming bureaucracy, there is still a long way to go where supports are concerned…

Many questions have been raised with the Hot School Meals scheme around its nutritional value, logistics and waste, but what is the perspective of these issues and what are operators seeing on their side? Cathal Connelly from Bradberry & Connelly, hotschoolmeals.ie , is one such operator and joins Kieran to discuss.

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 deal with bad breath!

On today, World Autism Day, parents are going on a 24 hour sleep-out at Leinster House to highlight the lack of suitable school places. Two of those parents: Rebecca Meehan and Danielle Cleary, join Kieran to discuss.

Intermittent fasting has been gaining popularity as a way to lose weight, but is it the right choice for everyone? While some swear by its benefits, others are cautious about its long-term effects. To help us make sense of it all, we’re joined by Sarah Keogh, a registered dietitian and founder of Eatwell.

In a continuation of her 'AI 101' series, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to discuss how AI generates art, and some of the controversy that surrounds it. Image: Fotor

Actor Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65. He starred in some big hits of the 90’s, including Top Gun, Heat and Batman. Brian Lloyd, Entertainment Journalist, joins Kieran to look back at his life and career…

US President Donald Trump is set to announce his sweeping Tariffs this evening as part of “Liberation Day”, but what exactly is Trump’s goal here, and are we entering a new era of ideology? Mark Little, Tech entrepreneur and broadcaster joins me now… Image: Reuters

Apparently, to enjoy a moderate retirement, you will need to have a kitty of nearly 500k, according to the Pensions Council… Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Financial Planning Advisors joins Kieran to discuss how realistic that is, as well as give his best tips for building a pension.

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish do in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Kieran is joined in studio by Ciara Dunne and her son Eli, who had his wish granted. If you would like to donate to Make-A-Wish, you can go to makeawish.ie/donate.

Trump’s trade tariffs will be revealed soon, and it could mean a lot for the Irish economy… What might it mean for the average consumer? To dig into this a little deeper, Kieran is joined by Catriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner and Aidan Regan, Professor of Political Economy at University College Dublin...

The free school meal scheme has been welcome by many, but does it need to pay more attention to certain areas?  Chef, Author and Founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School Darina Allen was on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, and gave her take on the reaction of those she’s spoken to, saying that children were bringing home “half-eaten” meals. To get the thoughts of farmers, Kieran is joined by Deni...

Online reviews are now part of our everyday shopping routine, but with the rise of bots and fabricated feedback, how can we know what's real? Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times and later Miriam Simon, Business Strategist at One Foot In The Future, join Kieran to unpack the growing issue of fake reviews, and the impact they’re having on consumers and businesses alike.

US President Donald Trump is set to announce a range of reciprocal tariffs tomorrow. What effect will they have? Joining Kieran to discuss is Economist and former Minister of Finance for Greece, Yanis Varoufakis. Also joining to discuss the impact it will have on Irish business is Stuart McNamara, Director of Portmagee Whiskey and Chair of the Irish Craft and Artisan Distilleries Association. Imag...

Noeline Blackwell, Human rights lawyer, Consultant and Online Safety Coordinator with the Children’s Rights Alliance joins Kieran to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

It’s the eve of Liberation Day – when US President Donald Trump is set to announce a range of reciprocal tariffs. What he has to say will likely impact Europe, and could have a profound effect on Ireland… Joining Kieran to discuss is Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC and Gerald Storch, the CEO of Storch Advisors in the US and former CEO of Toys R Us. Image: Reuters

It was announced today that there will be four new biopics about the Liverpool group starring Ireland’s own Paul Meskill as Paul McCartney and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Star. RTÉ Broadcaster and Beatles fan Dave Fanning joins Kieran to discuss! Image: Sony Pictures

The Cabinet met this morning, and Kieran’s guest brought a couple of measures in an effort to ease some of the pressure on household bills. Paschal Donohoe is the Minister for Finance, and joins to discuss.

The grand stretch in the evening has come with the fine weather right behind it! Adrian Barry from Off the Ball and Jen Hogan, the Irish Times Columnist join Kieran to discuss how we can make the most of the upturn, and how to keep the small ones entertained…

Donald Trump has said he is "not joking" when it comes to wanting to serve a third term as president of the United States… So, if he was to serve a third term, how would he go about that, and is it a remote possibility? Joining Kieran to discuss is Joseph M. Cosgrove, former Judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

Even though tattoos seem to be everywhere these days - there are inevitably some who regret theirs. Whether that be the result of a breakup, or a drunken choice they don’t even remember! So, how does the process of laser removal work? Kieran is joined by Aidan O’Connell from Fade Tattoo Removal on Grafton Street to discuss.