The Hard Shoulder

The reaction to 150 Ukranian refugees have been placed in direct provision has been described as ‘shocking’. Bulelani Mfaco, spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, joined Kieran to discuss if this reaction is different to how people have previously reacted to the other groups who are currently living in direct provision, and dealing with the challenges that presents.

Extinction Rebellion made a surprise appearance at the National Biodiversity Conference whose slogan is 'Act Now for Nature.' But The Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion feel it's been 20 years of action plans and very little done to deal with the wildlife and biodiversity crisis. They want a biodiversity act to legally require the government to take action on their own plans. Henry McKe...

Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of the Bellissimo Files on Spin joined Kieran to mark the 40 year anniversary of the release of classic eighties movie ET.

According to reports people will be ordered to work from home in the event of a major fuel crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, under secret Government emergency plans. Michael McNamara Independent TD and Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss if workers would be equip to spend another period of time working from home and how it could impact the workforce.

Just two weeks ago, the Department for Housing released figures that indicated that just over 10,000 people were in emergency accommodation. One of those who is experiencing the housing crisis for herself is Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne, she joined Kieran tp share her story.

Sinead Kennedy joined Kieran to talk all things ‘Zoo Live’, RTE One’s new show hitting screens this week live from a purpose built studio in Dublin Zoo’s African Savanna.

Irish young adults have the second highest rate of cocaine use in Europe. That’s according to stats released today by the Health Research Board. They also found that nearly 20% of of 15- to 24-year-olds had used illegal drugs in the last year. Michael Guerin, senior addiction therapist at the charity organization Cuan Mhuire joined Kieran to discuss some of the reasons why we are seeing such a hig...

Record numbers of new AIB bank accounts have been opened this week as people make the move from KCB and Ulster Bank. Daragh Cassidy Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie and David McWeeney KCB Customer joined Kieran to discuss how easy it is to switch banks and if banks are trying to make it easier for consumers.

Claire McKenna, Presenter, Alive and Kicking, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder for her weekly look into the world of wellness. This week she discussed cancer clinical trials.

The Junior Cert is set to begin tomorrow, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Jen Hogan, journalist, author and columnist with The Irish Times thinks It shouldn’t be going ahead after the level of disruption these young students have had to their education, she joined Kieran to explain the focus should be on getting kids familiar with school and socializing again.

According to new research if you’re aged over 40, training for a marathon could age your body by a decade. Dominic Munnelly, Sports Scientist & Personal Trainer joined Kieran to explain the science behind this and share his tips for anyone who is thinking about or currently training for a marathon.

Apple products and other smartphone manufacturers will have to use the same charger under a landmark deal provisionally approved by European lawmakers. Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss how chargers for just iphones could soon be a thing of the past.

Last week saw Health Minister Stephen Donnelly say that an upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction bill was “not originally envisaged to include international surrogacy”. He also said: “And it would be law by now if we hadn’t stopped it.” Campaigners took exception, and after an overwhelming response, Kieran was joined by Dora and Amy, who have been directly affected by the current status quo.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has clung to power after successfully winning a no-confidence vote. Lord Robert Hayward, A Conservative Peer, former MP and political analyst joined Kieran to discuss what state his leadership been left in and, where it leaves his party.

Roscommon, Clare, Mayo and Kildare are all heading to Croke Park on Saturday for Round 2 of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship. It’ll be part of a double header that will be shown on Sky Sports. Former Mayo player Austin O’Malley joined Kieran to discuss why we are seeing so many empty seats in Croke Park and if the GAA needs to address inflation and a younger generation of fans.

A video has gone viral today of a group of people mocking the death of Michaela McAreavey. The PSNI and Orange Order are investigating, with the video being condemned from all sides. Joe Brolly, columnist with the Sunday Independent, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The Assisted Human Reproduction Coalition has described a comments by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about legislating for International Surrogacy as "extremely disappointing." Cathy Wheatley from Irish Families Through Surrogacy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the comments and the future of surrogacy in Ireland...

For the Thursday Interview, Kieran was joined in studio this week by author Sinead Gleeson.

Time now for ‘The Pod Couple’. Sarah Madden from Newstalk Breakfast and Darren Cleary from GoLoud Selects joined Kieran on the show as ever, and this week focused on ‘Phoning It In’

The number of cases of an unknown mystery form of hepatitis has risen to 12, with a second child needing a liver transplant. GPs and pediatric consultants are aware of the increase in cases. Dr. Phil Kieran from Cork joined Kieran on the show.

An article in the Irish Times caught my eye - ‘Is the United States headed for Civil War’? It’s a pertinent question as the US heads towards midterm elections, halfway through a Joe Biden presidency, that has just come off the back of the presidency of Donald Trump. A book that delves into the question of America’s division is ‘This Will Not Pass’, co-authored by, Alex Burns of the New York Times...

Following on from Sean Moncrieff and Henry Mckean's report about peeing in the shower Kieran was joined by Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist to discuss if women should pee in the shower.

Tax cuts are to be made a priority in the budget later this year for the 'squeezed middle' which will also include reduced childcare costs according to Tánasite Leo Varadkar. Regina Doherty, Fine Gael Senator and Colette Bennett, Economic and Social Analyst with Social Justice Ireland discussed what exactly needs to be done to help those who are struggling.

Top Gun: Maverick, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 Tom Cruise classic starring has smashed Memorial Day records to take $156 million dollars at the U.S. box office over the holiday weekend. Tom Cruise’s first-ever $100 million opening weekend – but what are the other movies that have topped the box office down through the years and were actually they any good? Film Reviewer, Deirdre Molumby jo...

Jim Healy, Chair of the Meadowbrook Residence Association in Glanmire, and Ger Keohane, Independent councillor in Cork City both joined Kieran to discuss the soaring construction costs that could put Corks flood defense scheme in doubt.