The Hard Shoulder

The cost of living is affecting everyone and Caz Mooney’s new book ‘Budgeting Planner’ has plenty of tips to help you save some money. Caz Mooney joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

The three-year review of Ireland’s abortion regime found the service to be 'untenable'. The review, which has yet to be published, warns that just a 'handful of providers' in primary care and hospitals are carrying out terminations. It also found the three-day ‘pause period’ before getting an abortion is not necessary. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Visitors of a nudist beach in Austria are upset as plans for a new rail line above the beach have been approved. In Ireland, there is a nudist beach in South County Dublin, along which the Dart line runs. Newstalk’s Henry McKean went to meet some of Ireland’s naturists at said beach…

Every week, Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport and Kieran Cuddihy will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn and Kieran cast their eyes on London, the home of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Covent Garden...

Gardaí are looking at the use of AI traffic cameras which could detect whether drivers are breaking the rules of the road by not wearing seatbelts or using a mobile phone at the wheel. Former Transport Minister Shane Ross told Kieran the use of AI cameras to catch drivers using phones and those not wearing a seatbelt was ‘a no brainer’. Brian Caufield, Associate Professor of Engineering at Trinity...

Kieran Cuddihy 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 series continued with a discussion around 'Should all healthcare be public?'

The Government has announced new 1 billion euro housing plan aims to increase stock and drive down the cost of construction. Kieran was joined by Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post to discuss...

Last night Paul Murphy tweeted that his family home was targeted by protestors while he and his wife were about to bathe their newborn baby. This is one of many protests that have taken place at the homes of TDs and is a recurring issue. Kieran was joined by Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne and Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte to discuss…

The Government has announced new 1 billion euro housing plan aims to increase stock and drive down the cost of construction. Kieran was joined by Housing Minister, Darragh O'Brien to discuss...

Gardaí are looking at the use of AI traffic cameras which could detect whether drivers are breaking the rules of the road by not wearing seatbelts or using a mobile phone at the wheel. Is this a good idea? Kieran was joined by Blake Boland is Communications Officer for AA Ireland and former Minister for Transport, Shane Ross to discuss...

After a busy weekend of championship action in the GAA, the conversation that occurs year on year has begun to emerge around the quality of hurling in Munster versus Leinster. It begs the question, should the provincial structure of championship be abandoned in favour of something new? Kieran was joined by former Tipperary hurler, Patrick Stapleton and former Clare hurler, Jamesie O’Connor to disc...

The Labour whip has been suspended from Diane Abbott pending an investigation into a letter the MP wrote about racism to The Observer.  LBC Broadcaster James O’Brien joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

It will take a number of days before every Irish citizen is evacuated from Sudan. 150 Irish citizens are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs as living in Sudan, with 50 have been already evacuated with the help of Spanish and French authorities. Tánaiste says we need to revisit the 'Triple Lock' on overseas peace missions. Kieran was joined by Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell a...

Social media users have been taking to TikTok and YouTube to share the results of their '30 Day Gallon Challenge'. The idea is to drink a gallon of water every day for 30 consecutive days, and many users claim that it has resulted in everything from weight loss to clearer skin. Is this dangerous, or an encouragement to be more healthy? Dietitian Orla Walsh joined Kieran to discuss...

Dianne Abbott MP has been suspended as a Labour MP after she wrote to a letter to The Observer claiming Jewish, Irish, and red heads have not been subject to racism "all their lives" like that of people of colour. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by comedian Tadhg Hickey to discuss...

On Sunday morning, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina confirmed their dog Bród passed away at the age of 11 years. The death of the much-loved Bernese Mountain Dog immediately made headlines and their was sympathetic messages posted across social media. Newstalk reporter Henry McKean has been getting the public's reaction…

As the coronation of King Charles draws closer Newstalk Simon Tierney and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward discuss if President Michael D Higgins should attend.

Chief sports writer and current affairs columnist for the Irish Daily Star Kieran Cunningham joined Kieran to talk about the fallout from the Gerry Hutch verdict this week, and Daniel Kinahan's subsequent move to Iran.

The three day wait for an abortion and the limit at 12 weeks could be about to change. A new review into the States abortion laws is recommending the changes, as well as the decriminalisation of doctors. Kieran was joined by Eilís Mulroy Spokesperson for Pro Life campaign and Karen Sugrue, from Together for access to debate the changes.

People who suffer from hay fever are being warned of high pollen levels across the country. Met Éireann says there are high levels of tree pollen at present, which can be a trigger for those who are symptomatic. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting with those who suffer from hay fever and those working to provide treatment.

TDs and senators will be able to claim up to €5,000 towards the cost of CCTV and alarms if they want to increase their security. The Department of Public Expenditure has sanctioned the spending following consultations with TDs and senators. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny was the victim to online abuse and intimidation and joined Kieran to discuss his experience.

How much should you give for a communion? According to Ulster Bank the average amount a child gets for their First Holy Communion is €600. But how much should you put in the envelope? Henry McKean reports.

Kieran was joined by Brett Christophers author of Our Lives in Their Portfolios to discuss large global groups like vulture funds buying up properties in Ireland and if it is inherently wrong to be a landlord.

As we heard earlier the lifting of the mask mandate in healthcare is welcome news for many who remember the tough restrictions of the pandemic. But the decision has caused concern for some of our most vulnerable members of society. Trudie Gorman, Writer and Disability Activist, joined Kieran to discuss the fears she has for her health if the mask mandate was lifted.

The universal mandatory wearing of masks in hospitals and other healthcare areas by patients, visitors and staff has come to an end this week. It follows recent advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. It will now be a matter for each hospital to decide on how this should apply in practice. Sam McConkey is an infectious Disease Specialist at the RCSI University of Medicine and Jack L...