The Hard Shoulder

RTÉ representatives today were questioned at an Oireachtas hearing over the scandal of hidden payments paid to Ryan Tubridy. Anton was joined by Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill Broadcast and Legal Historian at the School of History, UCC and a former member of the Future of Media Commission...

There are a number of events taking place this month to mark the 60th anniversary of John F Kennedy's trip to Ireland. A panel discussion has taken place at EPIC with Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey; US Ambassador to Ireland Claire D. Cronin; Stephen Kennedy Smith who is a son of former US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and nephew of President Kennedy. Newstalk reporte...

New Zealand, rats are seen as a harmful pest and a significant threat to natural biodiversity. That is why they have decided to exterminate rats and eradicate them from the area of Miramar and then for all of New Zealand. The government expects the task to be completed by 2050. How important rats were to the ecosystem and should we do the same here in Ireland? Anton Savage was joined by Wildlife e...

RTÉ representatives were questioned today at the Oireachtas Media Committee surrounding the ongoing controversy surrounding secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy. It also emerged today that Ryan Tubridy is out of contract at RTE, a fact which he refutes. Interim deputy director-general Adrian Lynch stated today that for editorial reasons he would not be on air in the current moment. Anton Savage wa...

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ the latest instalment in the tale is out this week. Screentime presenter John Fardy joined Anton Savage to discuss…

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey stood trial today in Southwark Crown Court accused of sex offences against four men. The Hollywood star, 63, previously denied 12 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault. Anton Savage was joined by London Based Journalist, Enda Brady to discuss…

Anton Savage was joined by Independent Senator Michael McDowell, who has been considering the Hate Speech Bill that has been making its way through the Seanad. The Dáil recently passed the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.

Wales has recently published plans to crack down on unhealthy options in supermarkets in efforts to tackle obesity. By removing unhealthy options from supermarket meal deals, they hope to lessen the appeal of unhealthy foods and promote healthier choices. Could Ireland follow suit? Anton Savage was joined by Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy...

Former RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes was “directly involved” in negotiating aspects of Ryan Tubridy’s contract, RTÉ has confirmed. In a statement detailing why Mr Tubridy’s salary was published incorrectly, RTÉ set out how Mr Tubridy’s contract differed from other broadcasters. Anton Savage was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Emma O’Kelly, Chair...

The final day of the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security Policy has been taking place in Dublin Castle today. Some of the questions being discussed surrounded how to define Ireland's neutrality. MEP for Dublin, Clare Daly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

More than 60% of people would give up their car in exchange for 'reliable and frequent' public transport, according to a new Newstalk poll. Nearly eight-in-ten people want to see more road upgrades and 60% want more motorways. The survey found that 72% of people do not want the next two increases on fuel excise duty to happen, with women more likely than men to be against the plan. To discuss thes...

The government has approved new laws for abortion "safe access zones" which will make it illegal to protest outside locations offering abortion services. The proposals will see a 100-metre buffer zone imposed outside clinics while anyone in breach of the law could face a €2,500 fine or six months in prison. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss safe a...

It’s been another busy day at RTÉ as the Media Minister Catherine Martin has announced a review into Governance and Culture at RTÉ. RTÉ staff held a protest outside the station’s campus and Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was there...

Newstalk commissioned a survey carried out by Amárach Research to look at a variety of issues relating to transport. If you’re in the car, bus, train, we have been getting the pulse of the nation on all modes of transport. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie runs through the findings in the first in a series of surveys.

There wasn't a dry eye at Dublin Airport this afternoon. The Special Olympics Irish team had a homecoming with crowds 10 deep. Team Ireland brought back 75 medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze. Henry McKean was there at Dublin Airport to soak up the atmosphere and met the athletes, coaches and volunteers...

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss new care-leave entitlements for parents and carers that are to take effect next week, accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in hotels and the ongoing Ryan Tubridy pay scandal…

The fallout from RTÉ’s undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy is continuing with the broadcaster set to come before the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday followed by the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday. It was confirmed this morning that the broadcaster’s suspended Director General Dee Forbes resigned with immediate effect. Anton was joined by Melanie Finn, Senior News Correspondent for...

Could the rise in cancel culture potentially be undermining debate and free speech? Anton Savage was joined by Stella O Malley, psychotherapist and author of ‘What your teen is trying to tell you’...

House prices have fallen in year-on-year terms for the first time since mid-2020. According to Daft.ie’s latest report, it found that house prices in the second quarter of 2023 were 0.5% lower than the same period a year ago. Anton was joined by Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent columnist and former Chair of the Housing Agency and Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst for Social Justice Irela...

Speaking today at the Government’s security forum, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the Irish Flag is being weaponised by a small minority. Anton Savage was joined by Mark Daly, Fianna Fail Senator and Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann to discuss this further…

During Kieran's visit to Dublin Airport, he got a chance to sit down with Kenny Jacobs, the new boss at the airport as the CEO of Dublin Airport Authority...

On this day in 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. However seven years on, polls show that a majority of Brits now regret their decision. But how do the people in the town of Boston in South Lincolnshire feel? They voted 75% leave; the highest Brexit vote in the whole of the UK. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been to the town to find out…

Members of RTÉ staff and the National Union of Journalists met with RTÉ management today. It comes as RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes has been suspended, amid fallout from the payment of hundreds of thousands of euro more to Ryan Tubridy than it had declared to the public or the Oireachtas. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Emma O’Kelly, Chair of the National Union of Journalists Dublin Br...

Dee Forbes has been suspended as RTE’s Director General, with the announcement being made public today, after it happened on Wednesday.  It also follows revelations that Ryan Tubridy received €345,000 in hidden payments between 2017 and the start of this year.  Kieran was joined by presenter of Taking Stock, and former Government adviser, Mandy Johnston, writer and broadcaster Keith Walsh, and jou...

Kieran was invited to visit Dublin Airport and meet with Kenny Jacobs, the CEO of DAA, to see the changes that are being made at Dublin Airport....