The Hard Shoulder

Should young teenagers have a say at the ballot box? Today, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly is bringing forward a bill that could shake up Irish democracy, proposing the voting age be lowered to 16.Is this a good cause to increase political engagement in our system, or is this too much responsibility, too soon?Social Democrat TD for the Kildare North, Aidan Farrelly, and James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for the Dublin Bay South join Kieran to discuss.

Theatre Maker and Television Presenter Martin Beanz Warde joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Schools across the country will be wrapping up their final classes and exams ahead of the summer break, but some 6th class students will be finishing up in the coming weeks not knowing what secondary school they will be attending in September…This is particularly a problem in areas which have seen high population growth in recent years.Rachel Harper, Principal of Saint Patrick's National School Greystones joins Kieran to discuss.

Disability Rights Campaigner Cara Darmody is staging a 50 hour protest over the long waiting lists for special needs assessments.Cara has been fighting for these issues for her two brothers, Neil and John, who have autism.Kieran spoke with Cara outside the Dáil, as well as Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality and TD for Roscommon–Galway.

We have had our new government now for a few months, but given the controversy surrounding the speaking rights row, it took a while for the 34th Dáil to get up to speed.But, Kieran’s guest believes that our current government is turning the Dáil into a 'do-nothing' parliament.Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner, joins to discuss.

People aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged over 18, but are “unjustly restricted”, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.Today, they will table a bill seeking to reduce the voting age in Ireland from 18 to 16.Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public for their thoughts, and joins Kieran to discuss.

New figures from the Injury’s Resolution Board show that motor accident claims over the past 6 years are down 30%, and the value of those awards paid for claims are down over 40%.Yet, insurance premiums remain stubbornly high…So, what’s the best way to get the best deal on your motor insurance?Shane O’Donohue, Editor of CompleteCar.ie, joins Kieran to discuss.

Would you let your four-year-old go for a walk alone?Are we protecting them from danger, or are we hindering their development by not allowing them to be independent?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Clare Moriarty, Postdoctoral Researcher working at Trinity Research in Social Sciences in Trinity College Dublin and Jen Hogan, Journalist with the Irish Times.

In 2015, Ireland made history becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. A decision that sent waves across the world.As we look back on its 10th anniversary, we want to look at the ripple effects of the vote and how it influenced another nation, Australia, to get its people to vote for marriage equality...Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion and Clifford Chance and the Director of the Australian Yes Campaign, joins Kieran to discuss.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting European Union chiefs today for a landmark summit to usher in a closer relationship, in the first meeting of its kind since the UK formally left the European Union more than five years ago…But, what will this mean for Ireland?Joining Kieran to discuss is Britain's Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston…