The Hard Shoulder

The people of Ghent in Belgium are having an issue with beer bikes – huge vehicles where stag parties of up to 20  drink 50 liters of beer while pedaling around and listening to deafening music.  The city is now considering a ban on stag groups. This follows Amsterdam who in March launched an online advertising campaign designed to keep rowdy packs of stag parties away. Freek Wallagh is the Night...

A new bill updating Ireland's laws on hate crime and hate speech has been approved by the government and is currently with the Seanad. Many have been critical of the bill and it has certainly divided opinion Minister for Justice and Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Helen McEntee who introduced this bill last year joined Anton in studio...

Anton Savage was honored to have been joined by Vera Twomey, who as many of you will know is a medical cannabis campaigner, and mother of Ava, who died recently.

Speaking fluently and clearly should be given the same status as literacy and numeracy on a school curriculum. That is the vow from UK Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer who has been discussing the future of education across the Irish Sea. Anton was joined by Brenda Hyland Beirne Founder and Managing Director of The Irish School of Etiquette.

A survey by LV General Insurance showed one-third of people are unsure where the fusebox is in their home, and a quarter admit they don't know where their boiler is. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean investigates why DIY has not been passed down through generations...

It’s time once again for the shopping trolley hotline where we review the same product from various stores and as ever Anton was guided by expert shopper Simon Tierney...

The Special Criminal Court has dealt with some of the biggest trials of the state under the offenses against the state act most recently the Trail of Gerry “The Monk” Hutch. But is the court's structure fundamentally flawed? Cian O'Concubhair Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Criminology at Maynooth University joined Anton on the show.

Current and former RTE executives are currently appearing before Oireachtas Media Committee. With details emerging that RTE spent hundreds of thousands on corporate events for clients through now multiple barter accounts. Including 5000 euro worth of Havaiananian flip flops. Anton was joined by Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty and Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe who is...

The latest poll from the Sunday Independent and Ireland Thinks shows that 41% of the country wants the Government to be led by Sinn Fein, and not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Can that be a reality?  And if so, surely Sinn Fein would need the support of those who are further left on the political divide? Trade Unionist Brendan Ogle joined Anton on the show.

The amount of parents who say back-to-school costs are a financial burden has risen to almost 80 percent as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit homes across the country. Louise Bayliss, Spokesperson for SPARK ( Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) joined Anton in studio to discuss the burden felt by parents… 

RTE representatives are in front of the Oireachtas Media Committee today, and one of those who is glued to it is Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan who joined Anton Savage on the show.

Every week for Tuesday Travel 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 Anton to give him tips for a location a bit closer to home... Galway!

An appeal by Enoch Burke against his suspension and dismissal from his position at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath will take place this Friday. Newstalk's Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney joined Anton with the details.

An extensive review of RTE’s governance and culture has been signed off on, following on from revelations of non-disclosed payments by RTÉ to presenter Ryan Tubridy totaling €345,000 over several years. Anton was joined by Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil Spokeperson on Arts and Culture. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the...

The Summer Economic Statement confirmed 2.25 billion euro extra will be put towards new capital building between next year and 2026. The figures were revealed alongside a budget package which will include 2 billion euro in extra spending and 1.1 billion in tax cuts. Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform spoke to Anton.

Anton Savage 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 conclusion of talks with the Irish Medical Organisation in recent days has paved the way for the long-delayed roll-out of the additional GP visit cards.  More than 78,000 children aged six and seven are to be give free GP care in the coming weeks, while another 400,000 people will qualify through an easier means test. Kildare GP and assistant professor for public health and primary care at Tri...

 The Bill for the Metrolink has hit €300m before construction has started. Professor of Transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Caulfield joined Anton to discuss.

The cost of hotels has been in the spotlight recently but it has caused one tour operator to say a tour he is offering in Ireland will be his last. Paul Byrom is a renowned tenor but in recent years he has been providing Irish tours to visitors from the US, Canada and Australia. Paul told Anton how hospitality prices in Ireland have impacted his business.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin has announced two separate external reviews into RTÉ will take place, one into Governance and Culture , the other will focus on Contractor Fees and HR issues. Separately, Minister Catherine Martin says she wants to hear the actions being considered by RTE's new Director General to deal with those who were aware of th...

It’s the 4th of July and today Newstalk's Henry McKean has been asking if America is at a crossroads? Ireland right now is in peak tourism with thousands of Americans on every street corner. Henry has been out chatting to them.

Wimbledon has begun today! Conor Niland, former professional tennis player, spoke to Anton about his predictions for the tournament.

Australia has become the first country to legalise medical psychedelics. Dr. David Erritzoe runs the world’s first psychedelic research centre in London and he spoke to Anton.

London Based Journalist, Enda Brady gave Anton the latest on Kevin Spacey’s trial in London…

A wave of protests have broken out in France after a 17-year-old youth was shot by police near Paris on Tuesday, CBS News Correspondent in Paris, Elaine Cobb gave Anton the latest.