The Hard Shoulder

Kieran Cuddihy sits down with the former British Olympic javelin thrower, Fatima Whitbread to talk about her life and career

Day one of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy kicked off to a very eventful start in UCC today. Protesters were removed from the room after interrupting the Tánaiste’s address and continued to protest outside. Kieran was joined by Lorna Borgue, Cork City Councillor for An Rabharta Glas, Matt Carthy, TD and Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence, and Cathal Berr...

The hunt for the missing Titan submersible is still an active search and rescue mission, according to the head of the operation. There are few who know better what it might feel like down. Scientist, journalist and best selling author Dr Michael Guillen joined Kieran to discuss his harrowing experience on a sub trip to the Titanic wreckage...

Environmental campaigner John Gibbons told Newstalk Breakfast this morning that he would like to see flight quotas attached to individuals’ PPS number, with people being charged a levy if they pass the quota. Kieran was joined by Angela Deegan, from Extinction Rebellion and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine to discuss...

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the Government's International Security Forum, the war in Ukraine, his leadership of Fine Gael and Taylor Swift's return to Ireland...

It has been a week full of apologies! President Micheal D  Higgins was forced to apologise for comments he made relating to the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, and music journalist Dave Fanning apologised to Christy Dignams family after a tribute to the singer was deemed inappropriate.  So what makes a good apology? Stefanie Preissner, Writer and host of the podca...

RTÉ paid Ryan Tubridy hundreds of thousands of euro more than it declared to the public or the Oireachtas. In a statement this afternoon, the national broadcaster confirmed that it paid the former Late Late Show presenter €345,000 euro more than it declared between 2017 and 2022. Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Today was the first day of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in Cork. Tánaiste Micheál Martin had his opening speech to the Forum interrupted by six protesters sitting among those attending the event. The forum’s chair, Prof Louise Richardson, also had her opening speech interrupted by a heckler. Kieran was joined by Gabija Gateveckaite, Political Reporter with The Irish Inde...

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport and Kieran Cuddihy will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give his tips when travelling to the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence...

It may be best known for embarrassing dance challenges, but Tiktok is fast becoming the information app of a new generation. News is broken on twitter, journalists are filing on Instagram - but should we fear the tiktokification of news, or is social media creating a better-informed youth than ever before? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called for new regulations to protect workers from the impacts of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment today, ICTU said that they supported calls for an EU directive on AI in the workplace. To discuss this further Kieran was joined by Jessica Cecil, Former Chief of Staff at the...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for salt on the shelves...

Criticism has again been directed towards Dublin hotels and prices for a room for the nights of the Taylor Swift concert saw one room go from 359 to 999 euro in price. Fianna Fáil Tourism and Aviation Spokesperson Cathal Crowe joined Kieran to discuss. In other news relating to high costs, new figures from Euro Stat today show Ireland is now the most expensive country in the EU with prices over 46...

'Joan Is Awful' is the title of the first episode of the new series of Black Mirror on Netflix. The episode takes an interesting spin on why you should always read the terms and conditions. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss why this is important...

A massive search and rescue effort is continuing after a submersible exploring the wreck of the Titanic went missing deep under the North Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. There are five people on board. Kieran was joined by Enda Brady, London based journalist and commentator and Dik Barton, COO and founder of Armatrex, who has also been Vice President of Operations with RMS Titanic...

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder the launch of the Public Sector Performance Report, hotel price gouging for Taylor Swift gigs and Leo Varadkar's leadership of Fine Gael...

Dublin City Council may have a new way of solving the scourge of seagulls and rubbish on the streets of Dublin. Following the successful trial of Bagbin, a collapsible waste container which prevents birds from getting near the bags inside. Bagbins are set to be phased in to residential and commercial locations all over the city. Kieran was joined by Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor and Former Lor...

The Government has confirmed this evening that historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between men are to be disregarded. At least 941 Irish men were convicted of “homosexual acts” until it was decriminalised in 1993 by the European Court of Human Rights. Kieran was joined by archivist, activist and writer Tonie Walsh to discuss...

All this week there are events taking place around the world to mark World Refugee Week. Today in particular is a day when communities pay attention to the challenges those who are fleeing places of war are facing. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been meeting with some of the thousands who have come to Ireland in search of safety and he meets with those who have become hosts.

Kieran Cuddihy 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 series continued with a discussion around 'Is there a place for boarding schools in modern Ireland?'

An ongoing search is underway in the North Atlantic by the US coast guard for a missing submersible which is carrying five passengers. The Polar Prince research vessel was exploring the site of the Titanic when it lost contact with the Titan sub an hour and 45 minutes into its dive. The search and rescue team are under serious pressure to locate the sub, as it is believed there may only be around...

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today told Cabinet that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is set to begin the process of buying long-awaited bodycams for frontline gardai. Kieran was joined by Doireann Ansbro Head Of Legal and Policy at Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Garda Representative Association President Brendan O’Connor to discuss…

It’s been reported today that 11 operating theatres within the new National Children’s Hospital require additional work. This has led to concerns that it could mean additional costs and further delays. The board of the National Children’s Hospital has dismissed the warnings, claiming any alterations are “minor”. Kieran was joined by Paul Davis, procurement lecturer at the School of Business in DCU...

A standalone Bill allowing for the use of facial recognition technology by An Garda Síochána will be brought forward later in the year. It’s as Cabinet today approved legislation allowing body-worn cameras for gardaí, and the force will immediately begin procuring the devices, albeit without the ability to use facial recognition. Why the delay on that technology? Ossian Smyth, Minister of State fo...

Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has been urged to apologise after using an offensive term usually aimed at members of the Travelling community during a live interview with the Canadian music channel Much. The videos have since been deleted but the discussion rages on amongst concerned groups and online Senator Eileen Flynn, who is a member of the Travelling community, joined Kieran in studio to discus...