The Hard Shoulder

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is continuing with the regions sole power plant now being forced to close down.  Israel cut all supplies off to Gaza in retaliation for Hamas attacks on Israel which erupted last weekend.  Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the formation of an emergency coalition with the country’s main opposition.  Kieran was joined by Bel Tr...

Petrol and diesel cars are set to be banned by 2025 in Stockholm’s City centre.   The move is aimed at reducing noise and traffic congestion as well as improving air quality for its citizens. This begs the question, should we do something similar for our city centres?  Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O'Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU and John Mitchell...

Environment Minister and Leader of the Green Party joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the measures announced under the Budget 2024 package today…

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion. Sarah Meredith, Tax Director at Grant Thornton, Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post and Danny McCoy, CEO with IBEC joined Kieran to discuss personal finance measures announced today, with thanks to Grant Thornton...

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the measures announced under the Budget 2024 package today…

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion. Kevin Devenney, Tax Director at Grant Thornton joined Kieran to discuss personal finance measures announced today, with thanks to Grant Thornton...

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion.  This is split between expenditure measures of €5.3 billion, €1.1 billion worth of tax measures and a €6.4 billion core package.  A reduction in childcare fees, an increase in carbon tax and an increase to the rent tax credit are among the biggest measures.  Kieran Cu...

The last 3 days have seen an escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas.   Earlier today Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' of Gaza, saying authorities will cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. Kieran was joined by Dana Erlich, Israel's Ambassador to Ireland.

Tomorrow, Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe will unveil Budget 2024.   Kieran spoke to some of the interest groups ahead of the Budget including Elaine Dunne, Federation of Early Childhood Providers, Neil McDonnell CEO of ISME  and Mike McMahon, who co-owns the award-winning Mother Mac’s pub on High Street in Limerick City. 

According to the Association of Catholic priests it will become more likely to see lay members rather than priests officiating funeral masses due to lack of vocational numbers in the priesthood.  Fr. Tim Hazelwood, Parish priest at Killeagh, Cork and Ruth Scott, Radio Presenter and Humanist celebrant spoke to Kieran.

Ireland's next Rugby World Cup match will see them take on the All Blacks. Rugby Commentator, Ryle Nugent, spoke to Kieran ahead of the match.

Ahead of budget 2024 founder and head of ESRI's behavioural research unit, Pete Lunn spoke to Kieran about managing personal finances.

In response to the attacks by Hamas militants, Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' of the Gaza Strip and the cutting off of food, fuel, electricity and water supplies to the area.  Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid spoke with Kieran.

Newstalk reporter spoke to Israelis and Palestinians who have made Ireland their home, and an Irishman, John Costello, living in Tel Aviv. Image: Irish Citizen Kim Dante missing after festival massacre.

The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support for Israel online saying that Israel has the right to defend itself, and that the EU stands with them.  Ruth Eglash, Freelance reporter in Jerusalem and Clare Daly, Independent MEP for Dublin.

Plans have been announced by the Labour party in the UK that if they got into government that they would make kids brush their teeth in school.   Under this plan, kids would be supervised when brushing their teeth to help prevent tooth decay which is apparently a leading cause of hospitalization of children Is this a solid plan and should we look to do something similar here in Ireland?&...

Ahead of Ireland's 4th game in the Rugby World Cup tomorrow and off the back of a heroic win against the Springboks. Anton Savage was joined by Andy Nicol, Former Scottish international, and Mike Prendergast, Munster Rugby coach to preview the game in Paris.

Now we are kicking off this week's Final Furlong, where we look back at some of the stories that have caught our eye over the past week!     Joining Anton Savage for this edition of The Furlong was:     Presenter on 98FM Suzanne Kane, Comedian Jim Elliot and commercial director with Journal Media Niamh Maher  

After 5 years off our screens Big Brother is returning. The first episode airing on Sunday the 8th of October on ITV. But what was it like to be on the show? What impact did it have on the lives of contestants? And how has society changed since the show's heyday? Anton Savage was joined by Craig Phillips, Big Brother Winner Season One , Hughie Maughan , Big Brother runner up Season Seven...

Former Labour Leader and TD Brendan Howlin has announced his retirement from politics and will not contest the next general election. He was first elected to the Dáil for Wexford in 1987 a seat he held for three and a half decades.  Brendan took the time to chat with Anton Savage on why now, his and labours time and legacy in government and what he will miss most about political life.

Comedian Legend JimEoin is touring the country playing in Vicar Street Dublin on October 12th and 15th and Galway for the Galway Comedy festival on October 24th Jim took the time to sit down with Anton Savage on the show ahead of his tour where they chatted about his jobs over the years, emigrating to Australia, and the odd way his comedy career started.

1 in every 30 adults has a gambling problem.  That is the rather stark finding in a new ESRI report which has been released today.  Oisin McConville Counsellor and Former Armagh Footballer joined Anton Savage to discuss his own experience with gambling addiction... 

Tánaiste, Micheál Martin , Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense, Uachtaráin Fhianna Fáil and TD for Cork South Central joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his recent visit to Ukraine, attitudes towards asylum seekers and security of politicians in Ireland…

If all the world’s dogs went vegan it would save more greenhouse gas emissions than those produced by the UK.   That is according to research advocating the environmental benefits of plant-based pets.  So is this true, and is it healthy for your pet to go vegan?  Pete Wedderburn AKA Pete The Vet joined Anton to discuss...

European Union countries reached a breakthrough this week in years-long negotiations over reforming migration rules.  The agreement, when finalised, would allow countries more flexibility in migration and asylum rules when the number of people arriving is exceptionally high.  Former Integration Manager with the Immigrant Council of Ireland Teresa Buczkowska told Newstalk Breakfast this m...