The Hard Shoulder

A new and potent strain of flu is taking hold across the country, with the HSE urging people to get vaccinated before Christmas.The increase in cases means the health service could be under sustained pressure in the coming weeks.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor with the Medical Independent and Monaghan-based GP, Illona Duffy.

You won't be seeing or hearing the iconic ‘Holidays are Coming’ Coca-Cola ad on your screens this Christmas! The company has decided to make a new version with AI generation to replace the classic.But, why would a brand like Coca-Cola use AI for advertising, and is this a trend?Joining Ciara to discuss is Brand Strategist at Neworld, Kerry Matzelle.Image: Coca-Cola

The Petitions Committee is considering a petition to ban election posters in Ireland. Do you think it would be a good idea - whether for environmental reasons, or simply being an eyesore?Newstalk's Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Former US President Bill Clinton visited Dublin 30 years ago. What was the significance of this visit? Did this signal a peak in US and Irish relations still being felt today?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Mark Little, Broadcaster and Tech Entrepreneur, who was RTÉ’s Washington Correspondent in 1995 when Clinton was here and Northern Ireland Journalist Eamonn Mallie.

Advertisements have recently appeared on the New York subway, offering would-be parents the chance to “genetically optimise” their future babies. So, what would this genetic modification involve, and would it be ethical to do?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Professor of Medical Genetics at UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, and Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Andrew Green.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Elaine McCarthy, Senior Child and Educational Psychologist, to discuss what to do if your child has an emotional outburst after getting home from school…

Doctors have described the number of children presenting with brain injuries due to e-scooter accidents as “alarming”.There are ongoing calls for better implementation of regulations around the use of e-scooters and one of those looking for more restrictions is Dublin City Councillor for the South Inner-City Danny Byrne. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Tomorrow, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will make his first official visit to the state alongside his wife and first lady Olena.Elsewhere, protests are due to take place this evening over the controversy surrounding proposals to rename Herzog Park.Joining Ciara to discuss all is Christina Finn, Political Editor with the journal.ie and Donnacha O'Beachain, Professor of Politics at DCU.

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.On the 10th of September this year, the American conservative media personality Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck while addressing a crowd on the campus of Utah Valley University…Joining Ciara Doherty to look back is Eva Terry, a Reporter with Deseret News, who was in the crowd covering Charlie Kirk’s visit to Utah, and witnessed his killing.

The Government has announced a new plan to combat declining spend by visitors.Peter Burke is Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.