The Hard Shoulder

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara to discuss how you can avoid arguments around Christmas!

An effort to ban fox hunting in Ireland will be voted down in the Dáil later today, which is seen by some to be a step back in animal welfare. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin are all set to oppose the ban.To discuss this decision, Ciara Doherty is joined by Independent Minister of State, Michael Healy Rae.

How well are you aware of the threat posed by some of the toxic cleaning products in your home?To highlight some of the dangers, Ciara is joined by Consultant in Emergency Medicine in the West, Dr Lisa Cunningham.

Following on from Minister Norma Foley’s announcement of the new Action Plan for Childcare,Ciara is joined by Regina Bushell, Chair of Seas Suas, a representative group for independent childcare providers, to give her reaction to it.

It's time for a Christmas Kidstalk! Henry McKean met the boys and girls from South City Community National School Dublin to hear how excited they are for the festive season…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how the National Broadplan Plan is nearing completion, and how it impacts rural Ireland.

Minister for Children Norma Foley has launched the Action Plan on Childcare.Phase one of the plan includes increases to the income limit for the National Childcare Scheme, and a consultation aimed at reducing the cost of childcare to €200 per child per month in the lifetime of this Government.The Minister joins Ciara Doherty to discuss more…

Over the last twenty-five years, Ireland has changed. Our voices got louder. Our culture reached further, and some extraordinary people helped shape it all. From trailblazers in the arts and social change, to leaders in sport, music and on the big screen, we’re counting down the most influential Irish people of the last 25 years. You, the listener, have been voting for who you think are the most influential people that moved us and inspired us as part of Newstalk's 25 of 25. And you have picked your winner for best sportsperson!Joining Ciara to discuss the results is Kieran Cunningham, Sports Journalist, Cameron Hill from Off The Ball and Lisa Fallon UEFA Pro Licence Football Coach, currently working with FIFA in their Global Football Development Division.

As the Christmas season is well underway, hospitals and paramedics are already facing a serious demand on their services.To discuss the current outlook, Ciara is joined by Chairperson of the National Ambulance Service Representative Association branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, Brendan Flynn.

At the start of next year, Spain are to introduce a National Public Transport Pass, where for €60 a month, you can travel anywhere in the country by bus or train. So, would this be something that we’d like to see brought in here?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Social Democrats Spokesperson for Transport, Jennifer Whitmore TD, and Mark Gleeson, of Rail Users Ireland.