The Hard Shoulder

A bill which will recognise the loss of pregnancy under road traffic legislation has been submitted to the Dáil, following a campaign by Saoirse Aylward who was thirty one weeks pregnant with her son when she was involved in a car crash. Her son Jax was subsequently stillborn following an emergency c-section. The bill going to the Dáil will be named ‘Jax’s Law’ in memory of Jax, and Saoirse joins...

As the price of oil continues to soar, could travel firms demand additional payments for packages for breaks that holiday makers have already purchased? Joining Ciara to discuss this is Clare Dunne, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association.

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has announced a new direct flight from Dublin to Shanghai. Is this poor timing, and what is the current impact the war in Iran has on tourism? He joins Shane to discuss this and more.

A Limerick county Councillor has sparked frustration after suggesting some of the region’s potholes be given “heritage status”. Independent Councillor Patsy Clancy says the idea of “Pothole Protection Zones” is aimed at highlighting what he calls the ongoing neglect of rural roads. He joins Ciara to discuss.

With rising fuel prices, despite Government subsidies, still impacting pockets - it might be time to rethink how you get around. If public transport was free, would you be more likely to take it over the car? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Shane to discuss.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide 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 Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide to cruise holidays!

The Government is being urged to provide free sanitary products across all secondary schools in an aim to combat period poverty… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Labour’s Spokesperson on Health, Marie Sherlock.

The Government has defended its decision to increase school bus charges from next September. This increase will see transport fees double for primary school children and increase by a third for post primary, bringing them both up to a cost of €100 per child. We are also seeing the reintroduction of exam fees for Junior and Leaving Cert students... Joining Shane to discuss is Darren O’Rourke, Sinn...

Columnist and Broadcaster Brenda Power joins Ciara and Shane to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Martina and Ammi Burke have been arrested on foot of a court order at Castlerea Prison this afternoon. An immediate order to arrest them was made 4 weeks ago after they had been found in contempt of court. Joining Ciara with the latest updates is Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times.

Yesterday the Israeli parliament passed new legislation making the death penalty legal for Palestinians convicted by Israeli military and criminal courts of deadly terror attacks. The new law was spearheaded by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who celebrated the passage of the law with champagne. Felix Tamsut is a Journalist with Deutsche Welle who is in Israel at the moment an...

Earlier today, the COVID-19 Evaluation Roundtable convened, where global health experts assessed Ireland’s management and experience of the pandemic to learn for the future. The evaluation is headed by Professor Anne Scott, with former World Health Organization deputy director Dr Mike Ryan in attendance, as well as experts from Sweden and the UK. One of those in attendance was Professor Mark Woolh...

We don’t need to ban e-scooters. We need to start planning for them. So writes Sadhbh O’Neill, Climate and Environmental Researcher, who joins Shane to discuss.

A national analysis of GP shortages shows concerning patterns of workforce pressures on the Dublin commuter belt, and on the western seaboard, according to the Irish College of GPs. It is an issue that many of you may have come across in your own localities… Joining Ciara to discuss what GPs would like to see done to combat this increased pressure is Ciarán Ó Fearraigh, Donegal-based GP and member...

Farmers are warning that there will be a shortage of eggs if the price they sell them for does not increase. The IFA has said that demand has outstripped supply, and that farmers should be paid more for eggs. Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss.

An independent review of Ireland’s handling of the Covid pandemic was broadcast live for the first time this morning. Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte went along to the roundtable discussion, and joins Ciara to discuss.

The annual Ireland Gateway To Europe trip to the US has announced it will return in 2026. Now in its 15th year, it comprises an annual mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to the US, including Newstalk! Adie McGinnis is Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and one of the Founders of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Deborah Kelly, Partner and Head of Corporate at Addleshaw Goddard join C...

Iran described US proposals to end a month of war in the Middle East as "unrealistic, illogical and excessive", and unleashed more missiles on Israel. This is now in the backdrop of the news just coming in that two UNIFIL peacekeepers have been killed in Southern Lebanon with the Defence Forces here saying that no Irish were involved, and that all members are safe and accounted...

On Wednesday, NASA is aiming to return astronauts to lunar orbit for the first time since 1972. The Artemis II mission is aiming to pave the way for the first lunar landing in over fifty years – a feat which is planned for 2028. But, why are NASA returning to the moon, and what is there for them? Space Commentator Leo Enright joins Shane to discuss. Image: NASA

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin to discuss routines for your children, and the impact changing them can have.

The BBC has sacked the Radio 2 Presenter Scott Mills after allegations about his personal conduct. The corporation announced the departure of the Radio 2 star, who took over the breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025. This follows a number of other dismissals in the BBC in recent months, such as Gregg Wallace and Huw Edwards. Joining Ciara to discuss the latest is Enda Brady, London-based TRT World...

The rate of inflation in Ireland jumped this month to 3.6% due to the surge in energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East, according to the CSO. For more on this, Shane is joined by Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, and Columnist at The Currency.

A study published in the journal of Evolutionary Psychology has found that becoming a parent provides no significant increase in positive emotions and found hardly any difference in reported happiness levels or life satisfaction between parents and non–parents. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Richard Hogan, Family Therapist & author and Journalist Andrea Smith.

Monthly €50 fees for blister packs will come into effect from tomorrow, this comes after changes to a pub­lic agree­ment with chem­ists were post­poned last year after the fees sparked days of back­lash. Joining Shane to discuss this is Sheena Mitchell, Community Pharmacist and Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone.

Ahead of Minister for Finance Simon Harris’ meeting tomorrow to discuss details of the new Savings and Investment scheme with relevant industry and policy stakeholders, many questions are still unanswered as to what this will mean for people's pockets when this is rolled out? Joining Ciara to discuss this is Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Finance.