The Hard Shoulder

A ban on short-haul domestic flights has come into effect in France, in a bid to curb carbon emissions. The new rule means flights between cities where the same journey could be made by train within two-and-a-half hours are prohibited. One of the short haul routes we use here in Ireland is Dublin to Kerry. Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Fingal and Liam Sinclair, An Rabharta Glas Councillor, Tallag...

There was been celebrations in Sinn Fein over the last couple of days after their success in the council elections up north. They upped their representation by 39 over the weekend, meaning they’re the biggest party at national and local level. Joe Brolly commentator and part of the Free State podcast, joined Anton to discuss if this could be down to an increasing number of Catholics being born ove...

The HSE will re-introduce their drug safety scheme at Irish Festivals this year as part of their safer night programme. This will be the 2nd year of it running. The UK have been doing this for the past 10 years and Harry Shapiro, Director of Drugwise, joined Anton to discuss how effective is it and does it led to better safety measure around drug taking.

The Irish Mail on Sunday reported that the new National Children’s Hospital will not open until March 2025. Concern’s have been raised as to the funding of the hospital. Kieran was joined by Catherine Murphy, Social Democrat TD for Kildare North.

It’s summer holiday season, but a big thing that can put people off flying is crying babies! Should child free zones be an option on planes? Kieran was joined by comedian, Karl Spain and Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signed legislation for warning labels to be put on alcohol in Ireland, and Ireland will be the first nation to do this. Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae and Alcohol Action Ireland's Frank Murray debated its merits.

Leinster against La Rochelle tomorrow afternoon, and French fans have already started arriving in Dublin ahead of that Heineken Cup Final. Vincent Guerand is the French Ambassador to Ireland, and he joined Kieran today. We also talked to Munster coach, Mike Prendergast, who is a man who knows Ronan O’Gara very well. O’Gara is the head coach of La Rochelle, looking for his second straight European...

Should obesity be renamed to Chronic Appetite Dysregulation? That’s what research out of UCC is calling for. They’re claiming the illness should be renamed to encourage those who have symptoms of obesity to seek treatment. Would it help?

The 26,000 residents of Balbriggan North County Dublin have been advised not to swim on Balbriggan Beach this summer because of poor water quality. According to the EPA the beach has sewage discharge, faeces from dogs, birds and other animals and contaminated streams flowing from the town. Henry McKean visited Balbriggan Beach and sent us this report.

Communion Season is upon us! According to the Irish Independent, some families are willing to spend €2,700 on their child’s special day. Joining Kieran was Edelle Mellot, Co-Owner of Darcy Bow, a childrens occasion ware shop and Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times .

A video showing a teenager being bullied and beaten has resulted in a national outpouring of solidarity for the 14-year-old. The teenager suffered a concussion, broken teeth, and extensive bruising in the attack which left him with a shoe print on his forehead. Darren Kennedy TV presenter and Columnist, joined Anton to discuss his own experiences of bullying. This podcast does contain language tha...

The Irish Times reported this week that Sinn Fein has dropped its pledge to withdraw immediately from NATO and Defence agreements, should they get into Government. Is this backtracking, or is it sensible politics? Matt Carthy is Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence and Mark Price is Co-Chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement.

According to new research the average age we start to feel old is the early 40s, specifically 42 when we start to notice physical signs of ageing, including achy joints and grey hair.  They say age is but a number, but does it really not matter? 

A distressing video has been circulating online of a vicious attack on a Navan schoolboy. Katherine Donnelly Education Editor at Irish Independent, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Children Senator Mary Seery-Kearney and Anjelica Foley, welfare officer with the Irish Second-Level Students' Union all joined the conversation.

Ireland’s Katie Taylor squares off against Chantelle Cameron this Saturday at the 3Arena with Cameron's Light-Welterweight World titles on the line. The event has been co-sponsored by one Conor McGregor. Is this a good look for Taylor, and for the sport of boxing? Kieran Cunningham, The Irish Daily Star’s Chief Sports Writer, joined Kieran.

How do you know if someone is flirting with you in person or online? And could sending a cheeky emoji like “💦🍆 👹” put off a potential soulmate forever?

Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were apparently involved in a "near catastrophic" car chase with paparazzi. Joining Kieran with more was Gersh Kuntzman, Breaking News editor for Newsweek in New York.

Travel journalist Fionn Davenport joined us again this week to tell us all about cruises!

In 2016, the Canadian government legalized medical assistance in dying. The Canadian Supreme Court concluded that laws preventing assisted suicide stifled individual rights. Since then the range of who qualifies for assisted suicide was expanded. In 2021, the criteria that natural death must be ‘reasonably foreseeable’ was removed. But that expansion has been delayed. Dr Derryck Smith from Dying W...

The Climate and Health Alliance claims our current food system is “like a slow motion disaster” - they say it fuels premature death and disability due to diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and obesity. Holly White, vegan chef and lifestyle blogger was chatting to Kieran.

On this week’s Common Ground, Socialist TD Mick Barry and Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail Senator and leader of the Seanad argue whether the Government has done all it can for asylum seekers.

Writing in today's Irish Times, Newstalk's Simon Tierney has put forward his reasons for declining invitations to become a god parent to friend's children. Simon spoke to Kieran about his decision and was also joined by Jillian Brennan, CEO of Humanist Association of Ireland.

The Climate and Health Alliance claims our current food system is “like a slow motion disaster” - they say it fuels premature death and disability due to diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and obesity. Kieran spoke to Gerry Boland, founder of and spokesperson for Animals Behind Closed Doors and Eddie Punch, General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Shee...

Could your home be more energy efficient? The SEAI's Director of National Retrofit Dr. Ciaran Byrne joined Kieran to answer all your retrofitting questions!

Lifestyle guru and businesswoman, Martha Stewart has made history by becoming the oldest person to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated's yearly swimsuit issue, at the age of 81. Does this prove that age is just a number and sexy is sexy no matter what stage of life you’re in? Kieran was joined by Celia Holman Lee, Irish model, TV fashion stylist and founder the longest running modelling age...