The Hard Shoulder

This morning, the Oireachtas Health Committee heard warnings that 80% of Ireland’s radiotherapy machines are in immediate need or imminent need of replacement, and that adequate plans are not in place to deal with this… One of those before the committee was Professor Gerry Hanna, Marie Curie Chair at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant at St Lukes Radiation Oncology Network. He joins Shane to go...

The Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced the Government’s €100 million Fuel Support Scheme and the €120 million Road Transporters Scheme this morning. So, what did it contain? Joining Ciara to discuss is Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, as well as James Geoghegan, fuel protest representative.

On Tuesday the 3rd of November, voters across the US will go to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections to re-elect the entire membership of the House of Representatives and thirty-five senate seats. But, even this far out from that date, there is a significant focus on the election that will have an impact on the remainder of the Trump presidency. Brett Bruen is President of the Global Situation...

Electric buses worth tens of millions of euros have been “sitting idle” for a year-and-a-half because charging infrastructure has been delayed. Joining Shane to discuss is John Brady, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Sinn Féin TD…

David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for The Guardian joins Ciara to look at the day’s news, including a fresh indictment for former FBI Director James Comey, and the Royal Visit, with King Charles’ addresses to congress and at a state dinner last night.

Just a short walk across the National Mall from the temporary Hard Shoulder studio at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre is the International Spy Museum… housing a James Bond Aston Martin DB5, but also many more artifacts from espionage history. Amanda Ohlke is Director of Adult Education at the International Spy Museum, and joins Shane to bring some spy stories from the museum!

Ireland: Gateway to Europe comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, The Hard Shoulder will be following the group to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Joining Shane to discuss her own experience in Ireland, the importance of this trade mission and the relationship between the United States and Ireland is former US Amba...

Shane speaks to John Bolton, former US National Security Advisor and former US Ambassador to the United Nations about the United States’ war in Iran, including steps towards peace and the ongoing risks posed by Iran’s future use of plutonium for nuclear weapons. He also discusses the potential path to peace in Ukraine, and the possible summer reckoning for the Kremlin… Image: Reuters

Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon has confirmed that he submitted a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, a former Government Adviser who was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy in 2017. This raises the question: should character references be abolished in sexual offence cases? Joining Shane to discuss this is Barrister Katherine McGillicuddy.

The Hard Shoulder is in the US all week thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe, and for the next few days the show is broadcasting in Washington D.C. Specifically, in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which is the largest structure (3.1 million square feet) in Washington, D.C. It’s the first and only federal building dedicated to both government and private use. Joining Shane...

Fianna Fáil’s Junior Minister Christopher O’Sullivan has said that the Government will "look at" lowering the rate of the Universal Social Charge on a phased basis over the forthcoming budgets. But, should it be abolished all together? For more on this, Shane is joined by Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist with The Sunday Times .

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Washington D.C. - with the D.C. standing for District of Colombia. Should the district become a state, Shadow Senator Paul Strauss would become a fully fledged voting member of the United States Senate. He joins Shane to discuss this, as well as his experience of the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Joining Shane at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre is David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for The Guardian, to go through the latest news after the weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, and some of the other stories here today… Image: Reuters

Ireland: Gateway to Europe comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, The Hard Shoulder will be following the group to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Joining Shane to discuss the importance of this trip are two founders of the group: Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and Matt Mohan Group Executiv...

Over the weekend, An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris floated the idea of one off payments towards environmentally friendly energy measures, such as heat pumps and efficient cars. The suggestion comes in the backdrop of a continuing global energy crisis that has seen oil prices rise to above one hundred dollars a barrel for much of the last two months. Lisa Ryan is a Professor in Ene...

While cost of living, inflation and fuel prices continue to dominate domestic politics, how is it being felt in the US? To get a sense of this, Shane went out to NBC studios in Washington DC to meet Susan Hogan, Consumer Investigative Reporter for NBC Washington and host of ‘Susan Makes Sense’.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is back! This is an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America. Shane and Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly are in Washington D.C. today, discussing the trip, getting a sense of the city following the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner and speaking with local residen...

This week, Shane was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Every year the Jack and Jill Foundation undertake their Incognito Art Sale, where some of the biggest names create art works on an anonymous basis to help raise money for families caring for children with complex medical needs… One man who over the years became synonymous with the annual campaign was the late and great Paul Costelloe. Shane is joined by Paul's son, William, who has recently become...

Smart watches are something that many of us are wearing, but are they really a good tool for our health and fitness, or just something we’re focusing on too much to our detriment? Joining Shane to discuss is Stephen O’Rourke, Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital, Dublin, with a specialist focus on spinal care and lower back pain.

Yesterday, the Public Accounts Committee heard about a surge in violence at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, with the Chief Executive telling the committee that anti-social behaviour had “increased exponentially” and, coupled with overcrowding in general, is becoming more of a factor in retention of staff within the health service. Dr Mick Molloy is Chair of the Consultants Committee of the IMO, and...

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

A proposed bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives will not become law, after the House of Lords ran out of time to debate the numerous amendments. Joining Shane to discuss is Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Journalist and Presenter Esther Rantzen and assisted dying campaigner. Image: Reuters

Cycling Ireland says that there is a “safety crisis” as more than half of cyclists say Irish roads have become more dangerous… Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss.

Taylor Swift has been crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist of all time, followed by Bad Bunny. The streaming service unveiled its first-ever all-time rankings to celebrate 20 years since its launch, but how has it changed the music industry? Joining Shane to discuss this is Pat Carty, Arts Journalist and Broadcaster.