The Hard Shoulder

Does Covid cast a long shadow over attendance in school 5 years on? This time in 2020, Ireland went into lockdown - with creches, primary and secondary schools shutting for long periods of time.What was the effect and impact on kids who were just starting out in school?Henry McKean spoke with kids from South City CNS Dublin 8 to get their memories, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil spoke on Newstalk Breakfast earlier about the drop in the number of people on trolleys over the St. Patrick’s weekend compared to the previous Bank Holiday, hailing the new rostering system.How are Consultants reacting to her comments?Kieran is joined by Professor Mattew Sadlier, Chairman of the Consultant Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation to discuss.

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, so you’ll start to think about getting the garden ready for summer...Joining Kieran to give his top tips is RTÉ Super Garden Judge  and Woodie's DIY and Garden Expert, Brian Burke!

A restaurant steak could set you back €50; the price of beef is set to go up as farmers warn that the costs of production cannot be absorbed anymore…Will we need to come to reality that things might get more expensive, and what are the hidden costs behind a meal in a restaurant?Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Remond, Cost of Living Expert with the Irish Examiner and Wade Murphy, Owner and Chef of Adare 1826.

Tensions in the Middle East were raised again yesterday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that hostage talks would take place “under fire”, leading to doubts that another ceasefire might be reached.Joining Kieran to discuss this conflict and her role within it is Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur to Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Brian Stack, a Senior Prison Officer in Portlaoise, was brutally shot by the IRA in 1983, leaving him paralysed and brain-damaged. He died 18 months later, and to this day, no one has been convicted of his murder. Now, his son Austin Stack, who was just 14 when his father passed away, has written a new book, ‘Justice For My Father’, detailing his ongoing quest for justice and his fight to uncover the truth behind the crime.Austin joins Kieran to discuss.

The Apprentice often has innovative ideas when it comes to businesses, but one has cropped up, and that is Doggie Discos!A few eyebrows have been raised: is this an example of younger people prioritizing pets over starting families?David Quinn, Head of the Iona Institute joins Kieran to discuss.

Following the release of Stanley Kubrick's' ‘A Clockwork Orange' in 1971, it was subsequently banned in Ireland; a ban which was only lifted in the year 2000.Movie Critic Brian Lloyd joins Kieran to talk about the other movies which have been banned in Ireland.

Amazon has today launched its new dedicated website for Ireland: Amazon.ie, which promises faster delivery times and even selling products from Irish businesses such as Barrys.What does the launch mean for consumers and for competing businesses?Joining Kieran to discuss is Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with The Irish Independent and Ruth Roberts of Cogs The Brain Shop.Image: Amazon

You will have probably seen in the news that controversial MMA fighter Conor McGregor was invited to The White House by President Trump on St. Patrick’s Day. His presence and his remarks do not represent the people of Ireland, according to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.Why was he there, and what comes next?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Susan Garraty, Washington-based Journalist and former MSNBC Writer and Producer.