The Hard Shoulder

Ryanair has today called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to fast-track legislation to scrap Dublin Airport’s passenger cap before the end of 2025. Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Anglesey, which is just across the ocean from us here in Dublin, has been chosen as the site for the UK’s first small nuclear power station, with work on the site due to start in 2026. To discuss the risks associated with this and the importance of it, Ciara Doherty is joined by Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at UCC, John Sodeau.

The Health Insurance Authority is increasing the stamp duty levy on private health insurance policies by 10% from April 2026, to fund a subsidy scheme for older and higher risk people with health insurance. Is this putting too much pressure on families? Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

A new Lancet report has found that eating excessive ultra processed foods is leading to increased risk of chronic diseases. They are calling for a global response to put pressure on the production of processed foods, and improve access to healthier alternatives. How bad are these foods for us, and what can we do to avoid the worst of them? Joining me now to discuss is Consultant Endocrinologist an...

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has resigned from Irish public life and is taking a job at the World Bank. Newstalk’s Henry McKean chatted to people in Cork about changing their careers in middle age, and sends in this report.

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it. So, where else to start but at the beginning of the year, where the country faced the devastation brought by Storm Eowyn? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, and Independent Cllr for Kerry County Council, Jackie Healy Rae.

In the latest development of the Enoch Burke case, the High Court has ordered his immediate imprisonment. To chat through this and more, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney.

Author Sinead Moriarty joins Ciara Doherty to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Fine Gael Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has stepped away from his role in Government to take up a position at the World Bank. To chat about the significance of this decision, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fine Gael Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

As pressure mounts in the US for the release of the Epstein files, there are many wondering what exactly these files are, and information they contain. To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by the Lawyer who represented victims of Jeffrey Epstein, Yasmine Meyer.

It’s that time of year again where dictionaries begin naming their words of the year. Cambridge Dictionary has gone with ‘parasocial’ while Collins has chosen ‘vibe coding’. With previous words of the year including ‘brat’ in 2024 and even ‘austerity’ in 2015. How well do these words capture the years they’re chosen, and why are we so obsessed with the words of the year? Joining Ciara Doherty to d...

Temperatures will dip close to zero for the remainder of the week; however, the wind chill factor could make it feel more like minus 10! So, how can you keep your house warm and your bills down this winter? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with The Irish Examiner.

Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects people emotionally, mentally, and physically. Sufferers usually show symptoms in their thirties and forties. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the condition.   Joining Ciara to reflect on the impact the disease can have and how to manage it was Dr. Niall Pender, Professor of Psychology at the RSCI, along with...

This week on our kids Clinic Ciara was joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author to discuss How to support your kids through major life changes - divorce, house and school moves.    

All day today, the nation has been looking back on Ireland’s win against Hungary yesterday, but now we’re going to look ahead as to what could be awaiting us in the World Cup playoffs, and what our chances will be? To chat, Ciara was joined by joined by former Irish international, Ray Houghton, who was at the game on commentary duty yesterday. And Mick McCarthy from Off the Ball

A new law setting a 6km/h speed limit for cyclists, skaters, scooter and e-scooter riders on pavements in Slovakia has received parliamentary approval.   The new measure aimed at improving safety means pavement users who exceed the limit could be fined up to 100 euros. Just how problematic are cyclists who cycle on pavements? Should we do the same?   Joining Ciara to discuss this is Colu...

Ireland’s World Cup hopes are still alive, after the most remarkable game against Hungary in Budapest yesterday. Ireland needed a win, and that’s exactly what they got in the 96th minute when Troy Parrott poked home the winner after a Liam Scales flick on. To chat about the game, I’m now joined by Former Irish International, Jason McAteer, and former coach of Liam Scales at Arklow Town FC, Lar Mah...

The deaths of five young friends, all under the age of 25, in a road crash in Co Louth at the weekend have left communities in Louth and Monaghan devastated.   The friends have been named as: Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hipson.     Joining Ciara to reflect on the terrible tragedy was  Monaghan Councillor, Peter Conlon and Psychologist, Richa...

Now, Donald Trump has urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to back a vote to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump, who has previously dismissed calls to release the files, says he has nothing to hide. But what does this mean and what might happen now?   Joining Ciara was Harriet Alexander, a Features writer with the Daily Mail based in the US

According to a new  CCPC survey  30% of people are influenced by influencers when making purchases. So, how big a role can influencers play in marketing ? And should there be more regulation when it comes to online advertising ? Newstalk's Josh Crosbie report s

Now, despite all of us learning to sneeze and cough into our elbow during the pandemic, new research has emerged with different advice. A study from the University of Utah has shown that coughing into your shirt or jumper actually prevents more germ molecules from escaping. Joining Ciara to  discuss the findings is Brendan O’Shea, a GP, Adjunct Assistant professor of Public Health and Primary...

The deaths of five young friends, all under the age of 25, in a road crash in Co Louth at the weekend have left communities in Louth and Monaghan devastated.   The friends have been named as: Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hipson.     Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief reporter, joined Ciara from Louth.  

This week, Jonathan Healy was joined by Ralph Riegel, author and Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Jennifer Horgan, Irish Examiner Columnist to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Jonathan Healy to discuss dried fruit - their benefits, and how you can use them!

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Jonathan Healy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…