

The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Join us every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
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Feb 28, 2025 • 11min
Are you willing to pay for green policies?
A new survey by KPMG has found that the majority of people wouldn't want an increase in taxes to allow for reusable energy…Joining Kieran to discuss this is Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman.

Feb 28, 2025 • 12min
Electricity and gas prices to see significant hikes
More bad news for consumers as SSE Airtricity have announced that they are to hike their electricity and gas prices from April 2nd.It means that the typical electricity bill will go up by 10.5%, and by 8.4% for gas customers...Thiswill put an additional 47 cent per day on the average electricity bill and 31 cent per day on the average gas bill.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications with Bonkers.ie and Catriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

Feb 28, 2025 • 11min
Should the HSE embrace AI?
There have been calls by a citizen’s jury that the Government should form a regulator to oversee the use of AI in our healthcare system.Joining Kieran to discuss is Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and the HSE’s Chief Clinical Information Officer, Richard Greene and Professor of Computing at DCU, Alan Smeaton.

Feb 28, 2025 • 7min
Have you tried seeing every ‘must-see’ movie?
Forrest Gump is near the top of a list of movies that are considered ‘must-see’, but people haven’t seen, a new survey reveals.Someone who is actually trying to watch every ‘must-see’ movie is Newstalk’s Aidan McKelvey! He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Paramount Pictures

Feb 27, 2025 • 17min
Michael O’Leary on Dublin Airport, The Green Party and Trump
The UK Government today backed plans for a second runway at Gatwick airport, with the condition that environmental requirements are met.While Gatwick has this new runway coming, are we making the most of our own airports in this country?Michael O’Leary, the Group CEO of Ryanair, joins Kieran to give his thoughts on this, as well as the Government's upcoming visit to Trump.

Feb 27, 2025 • 6min
Remembering Gene Hackman
Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home earlier today...Newstalk's Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts on Gene's legacy, and Harriet Alexander, Reporter with The Times based in the United States join Kieran to discuss the investigation surrounding these two deaths.

Feb 27, 2025 • 11min
Should we have a public sex offenders registry?
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has revealed that a domestic violence register for those convicted of rape or serious sexual assault will be established in Ireland.He told the Dáil that the only way the public knows about such cases is if a journalist happens to be in court, or if a victim waives their anonymity.Is this a welcome move?Hazel Behan, sexual assault survivor and Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre join Kieran to discuss.

Feb 27, 2025 • 9min
What makes a great Bond?
The James Bond franchise has been sold to Amazon, but we are still no closer to knowing who that next Bond actor will be.Someone who might have a clue is the Casting Director of the last 13 Bond films, Debbie McWilliams. She joins Kieran to discuss what goes into picking the next superspy.Image: MGM

Feb 27, 2025 • 14min
Long dental waiting lists for special care patients - why?
Thousands of children and special care patients are being forced to wait months, even years for dental treatment under general anesthetic. Many patients are being forced to wait in pain and discomfort with no option to pay for treatment.Why is this happening?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr Gillian Smith, Dentist at the Fitzwilliam Clinic in Bray and Ned Carroll, whose 31-year-old daughter Maryann, who has autism and one of those patients struggling to access treatment…

Feb 27, 2025 • 13min
Should Communion celebrations only be on the weekend?
Should Communion preparation and celebrations happen outside of school hours and over the weekend? Kieran is joined by two people who believe it should…Fr Iggy O’ Donvan and David Quinn, Head of the Iona institute join to discuss.


