The Hard Shoulder

Enda Brady, Journalist and commentator joined Anton with an update on the Kevin Spacey case.

There were 12,441 people in emergency accommodation in Ireland in the last week of May, new figures show, as homelessness in Ireland reached a new record level. CEO of the Simon Community Catherine Kenny joined Anton Savage on the show.

Newstalk’s transport survey conducted by Amarach was released earlier this week, with interesting insights into people’s attitudes towards private and public transport being recorded Anton Savage was joined to discuss the survey’s findings by Anne Graham CEO of the National Transport Authority.

It’s a good day for all you music lovers out there! Yes, HMV have dropped the dial on their first bricks and mortar store in Ireland in over a decade. The iconic brand re-opened on Henry Street today and Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden went down to have a snoop. Sarah Madden and Dave Hanratty Host of the No Encore Music Podcast joined Anton Savage on the show.

Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies to discuss her new book 'Unfair Play'.

RTÉ have today appeared before a second Oireachtas Committee. The Public Accounts Committee were taking a forensic look at the accounts of the broadcaster in the wake of hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy. Newstalk's Political Correspondent Seán Defoe and Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty joined Anton Savage to discuss...

Niall Breslin, aka Bressie will tomorrow embark on ‘The Rising’ challenge, which will see him kayak the length of the River Shannon, which is more than 330km, to raise money for the youth mental health charity he co-founded, A Lust for Life. Bressie joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder ahead of the big day tomorrow...

'Is your name Wi-Fi, because I'm feeling a connection' has officially been ranked as the best chat-up line of all time. According to a new poll chat up lines are seeing a resurgence in popularity with younger generations but they do actually work?  Niamh Maher Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media and Comedian Jim Elliott have joined Anton Savage to discuss...

AIB will be increasing its fixed and variable mortgage rates by an average of 0.46%. The increase will be across its AIB, EBS and Haven fixed and variable rates. The bank said the new fixed mortgage rates are effective from 30 June. Anton Savage was joined by David Hall, co-founder of The Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation...

Author, playwright and columnist with the New European Bonnie Greer joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss some of her own research into the Irish Civil War. She says she spent a few days learning about it, and found things out that she never knew before...

RTÉ representatives today were questioned at an Oireachtas hearing over the scandal of hidden payments paid to Ryan Tubridy. Anton was joined by Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill Broadcast and Legal Historian at the School of History, UCC and a former member of the Future of Media Commission...

There are a number of events taking place this month to mark the 60th anniversary of John F Kennedy's trip to Ireland. A panel discussion has taken place at EPIC with Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey; US Ambassador to Ireland Claire D. Cronin; Stephen Kennedy Smith who is a son of former US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and nephew of President Kennedy. Newstalk reporte...

New Zealand, rats are seen as a harmful pest and a significant threat to natural biodiversity. That is why they have decided to exterminate rats and eradicate them from the area of Miramar and then for all of New Zealand. The government expects the task to be completed by 2050. How important rats were to the ecosystem and should we do the same here in Ireland? Anton Savage was joined by Wildlife e...

RTÉ representatives were questioned today at the Oireachtas Media Committee surrounding the ongoing controversy surrounding secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy. It also emerged today that Ryan Tubridy is out of contract at RTE, a fact which he refutes. Interim deputy director-general Adrian Lynch stated today that for editorial reasons he would not be on air in the current moment. Anton Savage wa...

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ the latest instalment in the tale is out this week. Screentime presenter John Fardy joined Anton Savage to discuss…

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey stood trial today in Southwark Crown Court accused of sex offences against four men. The Hollywood star, 63, previously denied 12 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault. Anton Savage was joined by London Based Journalist, Enda Brady to discuss…

Anton Savage was joined by Independent Senator Michael McDowell, who has been considering the Hate Speech Bill that has been making its way through the Seanad. The Dáil recently passed the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.

Wales has recently published plans to crack down on unhealthy options in supermarkets in efforts to tackle obesity. By removing unhealthy options from supermarket meal deals, they hope to lessen the appeal of unhealthy foods and promote healthier choices. Could Ireland follow suit? Anton Savage was joined by Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy...

Former RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes was “directly involved” in negotiating aspects of Ryan Tubridy’s contract, RTÉ has confirmed. In a statement detailing why Mr Tubridy’s salary was published incorrectly, RTÉ set out how Mr Tubridy’s contract differed from other broadcasters. Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Emma O’Kelly, Chair...

The final day of the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security Policy has been taking place in Dublin Castle today. Some of the questions being discussed surrounded how to define Ireland's neutrality. MEP for Dublin, Clare Daly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

More than 60% of people would give up their car in exchange for 'reliable and frequent' public transport, according to a new Newstalk poll. Nearly eight-in-ten people want to see more road upgrades and 60% want more motorways. The survey found that 72% of people do not want the next two increases on fuel excise duty to happen, with women more likely than men to be against the plan. To discuss thes...

The government has approved new laws for abortion "safe access zones" which will make it illegal to protest outside locations offering abortion services. The proposals will see a 100-metre buffer zone imposed outside clinics while anyone in breach of the law could face a €2,500 fine or six months in prison. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss safe a...

It’s been another busy day at RTÉ as the Media Minister Catherine Martin has announced a review into Governance and Culture at RTÉ. RTÉ staff held a protest outside the station’s campus and Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was there...

Newstalk commissioned a survey carried out by Amárach Research to look at a variety of issues relating to transport. If you’re in the car, bus, train, we have been getting the pulse of the nation on all modes of transport. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie runs through the findings in the first in a series of surveys.

There wasn't a dry eye at Dublin Airport this afternoon. The Special Olympics Irish team had a homecoming with crowds 10 deep. Team Ireland brought back 75 medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze. Henry McKean was there at Dublin Airport to soak up the atmosphere and met the athletes, coaches and volunteers...