The Hard Shoulder

The latest poll from the Sunday Independent and Ireland Thinks shows that 41% of the country wants the Government to be led by Sinn Fein, and not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Can that be a reality?  And if so, surely Sinn Fein would need the support of those who are further left on the political divide? Trade Unionist Brendan Ogle joined Anton on the show.

The amount of parents who say back-to-school costs are a financial burden has risen to almost 80 percent as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit homes across the country. Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK ( Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) joined Anton in studio to discuss the burden felt by parents… 

RTE representatives are in front of the Oireachtas Media Committee today, and one of those who is glued to it is Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan who joined Anton Savage on the show.

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Anton to give him tips for a location a bit closer to home... Galway!

An appeal by Enoch Burke against his suspension and dismissal from his position at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath will take place this Friday. Newstalk's Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney joined Anton with the details.

An extensive review of RTE’s governance and culture has been signed off on, following on from revelations of non-disclosed payments by RTÉ to presenter Ryan Tubridy totaling €345,000 over several years. Anton was joined by Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil Spokeperson on Arts and Culture. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the...

The Summer Economic Statement confirmed 2.25 billion euro extra will be put towards new capital building between next year and 2026. The figures were revealed alongside a budget package which will include 2 billion euro in extra spending and 1.1 billion in tax cuts. Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform spoke to Anton.

Anton Savage was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around.

The conclusion of talks with the Irish Medical Organisation in recent days has paved the way for the long-delayed roll-out of the additional GP visit cards.  More than 78,000 children aged six and seven are to be give free GP care in the coming weeks, while another 400,000 people will qualify through an easier means test. Kildare GP and assistant professor for public health and primary care at Tri...

 The Bill for the Metrolink has hit €300m before construction has started. Professor of Transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Caulfield joined Anton to discuss.

The cost of hotels has been in the spotlight recently but it has caused one tour operator to say a tour he is offering in Ireland will be his last. Paul Byrom is a renowned tenor but in recent years he has been providing Irish tours to visitors from the US, Canada and Australia. Paul told Anton how hospitality prices in Ireland have impacted his business.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin has announced two separate external reviews into RTÉ will take place, one into Governance and Culture , the other will focus on Contractor Fees and HR issues. Separately, Minister Catherine Martin says she wants to hear the actions being considered by RTE's new Director General to deal with those who were aware of th...

It’s the 4th of July and today Newstalk's Henry McKean has been asking if America is at a crossroads? Ireland right now is in peak tourism with thousands of Americans on every street corner. Henry has been out chatting to them.

Wimbledon has begun today! Conor Niland, former professional tennis player, spoke to Anton about his predictions for the tournament.

Australia has become the first country to legalise medical psychedelics. Dr. David Erritzoe runs the world’s first psychedelic research centre in London and he spoke to Anton.

London Based Journalist, Enda Brady gave Anton the latest on Kevin Spacey’s trial in London…

A wave of protests have broken out in France after a 17-year-old youth was shot by police near Paris on Tuesday, CBS News Correspondent in Paris, Elaine Cobb gave Anton the latest.

“We are sleepwalking our way towards a deeply dysfunctional, inequitable and unbalanced Ireland” That is the assessment of former Environment Editor with The Irish Times, Frank McDonald on the imbalance forming in Ireland due to Dublin’s growth. Frank spoke to Anton about the impact of Dublin's growth on the rest of the country.

Summer is here for the near 550,000 primary school children in Ireland. Many parents will be dreading the extra time and effort required to entertain their children over the break. Co-host’s of the ‘Honey Your Ruining Our Kid’ podcast, Jarlath Regan and Tina Regan spoke to Anton about how to survive the summer holidays.

According to trade magazine ‘The Grocer’, more office workers are making sandwiches at home and bringing a packed lunch into the office. As the cost-of-living crisis continues is making at-home lunches much more appealing? TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer, Edward Hayden spoke to Anton about how to make the best packed lunch for the office.

Lidl will be dropping the price of their own brand milk by 10c and major supermarkets are set to follow suit. Farmers who are already stretched thin with poor profit returns on milk have raised concerns. Fein Gael TD and Minster for state with responsibility for Business, Employment & Retail, Neale Richmond spoke to Anton Savage.

Plans have been proposed to create a new town on the land at Jamestown Business Park, the proposed plans for the town can hold up to 8,000 people. Newstalk's Sarah Madden spoke to the people of Finglas to hear what they think about the plan.

The European Space Agency is set to launch a groundbreaking spacecraft from Florida tomorrow. The 1.4 billion Euclid mission aims to undercover one of the biggest mysteries of space that being dark matter. Anton was joined by the one and only Irish man involved in the mission, Peter Coles who is Professor in theoretical physics at Maynooth University and Chair of the Euclid Consortium Diversity Co...

June is Acne Awareness Month. And as we near the end of it, Founder and Senior Skin Therapist Eavanna Breen joined Anton to discuss the causes of acne and how to properly manage it.

What a week it’s been for RTE. Appearances in front of the Oireachtas Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. Statement after statement from those in charge, politicians, Tubridy and more. Anton was joined by Brian Stanley who is Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Sinn Fein TD for Laois Offaly