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. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 7, 2025 • 11min
Budget 2026: Reactions to Hospitality VAT cut
Budget 2026 has been fully revealed today, and with it, the Government’s decision to drop VAT rates to 9% in the Hospitality sector.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Paul Gallagher Chief Executive of the Irish Hotel Federation and Michael Taft, Researcher at SIPTU.
Oct 7, 2025 • 7min
Budget 2026: The impact on carers
Carer and advocate for education & inclusion Tracy Carroll joins Kieran to discuss the impact Budget 2026 has had on carers, and what more needs to be done.
Oct 7, 2025 • 12min
Budget 2026: Interview with Minister Paschal Donohoe
With Budget 2026 revealed today, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe joins Kieran to discuss the changes made, and the reasoning behind some of the Government’s decisions.
Oct 7, 2025 • 26min
Budget 2026: What do you think?
With Budget 2026 revealed, what are your thoughts? Does it do enough, or does it miss the mark in key areas?Joining Kieran to discuss is Susan Hayes Culleton The Positive Economist & Presenter of Taking Stock, Danny McCoy CEO of IBEC, Tom McDonnell from the Neven Economic Research Institute and later Carly Bailey, One Family Policy Manager.
Oct 7, 2025 • 14min
Budget 2026: What you need to know
All has been revealed today for Budget 2026. So, what’s new, and what should you look out for?Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, joins Kieran to go through the highlights of what has changed. Newstalk's Henry McKean also sends in thoughts from the public.
Oct 6, 2025 • 11min
Voter registration closes tomorrow - what you need to know
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential election is tomorrow, Tuesday October 7th.To tell more, Kieran is joined by Art O’Leary, Chief Executive, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Irish Electoral Commission
Oct 6, 2025 • 6min
Irish Flotilla participants finally returning home
Big news today is that the Irish members of the Global Sumud Flotilla are en route home after some reports suggested they were subject to violence and aggressive treatment. They are being flown to Greece, where they make plans to come back to Ireland.Joining Kieran to discuss and give the latest updates is Caoimhe Butterly, Human Rights Activist.Image: Reuters
Oct 6, 2025 • 9min
Kids Health Check: Eye Health
For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Optometrist John Weldon to discuss the importance of minding your child’s eyes, and general eye health.
Oct 6, 2025 • 28min
Jim Gavin is done - what’s next for Fianna Fáil?
As you will have heard, Jim Gavin has stepped down from the Presidential race.But, what now for Fianna Fáil, and what now for the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin?Joining Kieran to discuss and give their reactions is Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Minister of State Niall Collins, Paidi O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central and Michael Regan, Fianna Fáil Councillor on the Galway County Council. Also joining later to give their thoughts is Conor Lenihan, former Fianna Fail Minister and David W Higgins, Independent Economist.
Oct 6, 2025 • 9min
How does life in Australia compare to Ireland?
Why do so many young Irish people move to Australia?Reporter Brianna Parkins is visiting from Australia, and joins Kieran in studio to discuss what life is like over there.
