The Hard Shoulder

Phillip Schofield has hit back today at claims there was “no toxicity” on the ITV show and he appears to blame his departure on a “handful of people with a grudge”. Schofield left This Morning with immediate effect last week, and was dropped by his talent agency, as he admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague – which he described as “unwise, but not illegal” – while married. Kieran Cudd...

According to the latest Business Post-Red C poll, three in four people believe that Ireland is taking in too many refugees. It’s after the arrival of almost 100,000 people in the space of a year. So we’re asking … does this mean that Ireland simply can’t handle the number of people that are coming to the country? Editor of gript.ie John McGuirk and Tom McEneaney, Media Consultant and Founder of Ef...

Insurance costs could be one of the reasons why Ireland isn’t hosting Beyonce this week. She’s gigging in the UK as part of her world tour, but won’t be coming here. Various arts and sporting festivals around the country have been cancelled for the same reason. Insurance reform campaigners say it is damaging the very fabric of society. So how bad is it really? Lucy Medleycott From Irish Street Art...

Today is World Redhead Day. New research says Redheads only finally start to love their hair by the age of 20. Over half experienced bullying and battled with their hair colour and tried to dye it. Henry McKean took to the streets of Drogheda to meet people with the red haired gene.

Fine Gael Senator John Cummins and Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers joined Kieran to debate the notion that a tax break for the middle class has already been publicly floated for Budget 2024. Is it foolish or not?

The sunshine here has made us all very excited for the good weather over the weekend. And what can be better in the sunshine than a BBQ? Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments and Oisin Kelly from The Westbury joined Kieran with food and drink BBQ tips for anyone looking to make the most our of the sunshine.

Following the death of music icon Tina Turner at the age of 83, actor Rory Cowan joined Kieran to talk about that unique occasion when he met the icon.

A video showing a teenager being bullied and beaten has resulted in a national outpouring of solidarity for the 14 year old. The teenager suffered concussion, broken teeth, extensive bruising in the attack which left him with a shoe print on his forehead. His family have said they hoped no other child “suffers like this.” Author and Broadcaster Chris Sherlock joined Anton to discuss the lasting im...

100 years ago today saw the end of the Irish civil war that had divided counties, communities and indeed households across treaty and anti treaty lines. This anniversary will be marked by events up and down the country, many of which are funded by the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ programme. But just how effective has this programme been in enticing people into the annals of Irish history, especially yo...

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 are looking at the household favourite, Chocolate Spread...

Stella O'Malley Psychotherapist and author of ‘What your teen is trying to tell you’, Rory Hickey Former GAA Referee and Former Meath footballer Anthony Moyles all joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss competitiveness in kids sports.

Like similar scenes across the country, protesters in Santry North Dublin preventing hundreds of refugees being moved into a commercial unit in Santry They are not far from the office here so I called out myself to talk to the protestors.... Dessie Ellies, Sinn Fein TD for Dublin North West joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

A new study by researchers at the University of Sussex has found that Seagulls choose their meals based on what people nearby are eating. With the study finding that given a choice between two crisp packets, herring gulls pick the same colour as one a nearby human is eating from 95 per cent of the time. With that in mind we decided to ask just how smart are seagulls and are they friend or foe? Kie...

A ban on short-haul domestic flights has come into effect in France, in a bid to curb carbon emissions. The new rule means flights between cities where the same journey could be made by train within two-and-a-half hours are prohibited. One of the short haul routes we use here in Ireland is Dublin to Kerry. Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Fingal and Liam Sinclair, An Rabharta Glas Councillor, Tallag...

There was been celebrations in Sinn Fein over the last couple of days after their success in the council elections up north. They upped their representation by 39 over the weekend, meaning they’re the biggest party at national and local level. Joe Brolly commentator and part of the Free State podcast, joined Anton to discuss if this could be down to an increasing number of Catholics being born ove...

The HSE will re-introduce their drug safety scheme at Irish Festivals this year as part of their safer night programme. This will be the 2nd year of it running. The UK have been doing this for the past 10 years and Harry Shapiro, Director of Drugwise, joined Anton to discuss how effective is it and does it led to better safety measure around drug taking.

The Irish Mail on Sunday reported that the new National Children’s Hospital will not open until March 2025. Concern’s have been raised as to the funding of the hospital. Kieran was joined by Catherine Murphy, Social Democrat TD for Kildare North.

It’s summer holiday season, but a big thing that can put people off flying is crying babies! Should child free zones be an option on planes? Kieran was joined by comedian, Karl Spain and Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signed legislation for warning labels to be put on alcohol in Ireland, and Ireland will be the first nation to do this. Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae and Alcohol Action Ireland's Frank Murray debated its merits.

Leinster against La Rochelle tomorrow afternoon, and French fans have already started arriving in Dublin ahead of that Heineken Cup Final. Vincent Guerand is the French Ambassador to Ireland, and he joined Kieran today. We also talked to Munster coach, Mike Prendergast, who is a man who knows Ronan O’Gara very well. O’Gara is the head coach of La Rochelle, looking for his second straight European...

Should obesity be renamed to Chronic Appetite Dysregulation? That’s what research out of UCC is calling for. They’re claiming the illness should be renamed to encourage those who have symptoms of obesity to seek treatment. Would it help?

The 26,000 residents of Balbriggan North County Dublin have been advised not to swim on Balbriggan Beach this summer because of poor water quality. According to the EPA the beach has sewage discharge, faeces from dogs, birds and other animals and contaminated streams flowing from the town. Henry McKean visited Balbriggan Beach and sent us this report.

Communion Season is upon us! According to the Irish Independent, some families are willing to spend €2,700 on their child’s special day. Joining Kieran was Edelle Mellot, Co-Owner of Darcy Bow, a childrens occasion ware shop and Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times .

A video showing a teenager being bullied and beaten has resulted in a national outpouring of solidarity for the 14-year-old. The teenager suffered a concussion, broken teeth, and extensive bruising in the attack which left him with a shoe print on his forehead. Darren Kennedy TV presenter and Columnist, joined Anton to discuss his own experiences of bullying. This podcast does contain language tha...

The Irish Times reported this week that Sinn Fein has dropped its pledge to withdraw immediately from NATO and Defence agreements, should they get into Government. Is this backtracking, or is it sensible politics? Matt Carthy is Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence and Mark Price is Co-Chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement.