The Hard Shoulder Highlights

The Government last week authorised the purchase of the CityWest hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin, to become a state-owned International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre for asylum-seekers.According to Eoin O’Malley, Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, the CityWest hotel can be described as “a monument to Irish policy failure”.Eoin joins Jonathan Healy to discuss.

Comedian and actress Catherine Lynch joins guest host Jonathan Healy to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Today, Sinn Féin brought a Private Member’s Bill on extending voting rights to Irish Citizens outside the state for the Presidential Election.This has been hotly debated for years, with the Constitutional Convention first recommending this extension in 2013.Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

An agreement has been reached between the HSE and health unions on the introduction of an extended working day and week. This agreement is an attempt to free up beds, and have extended care to patients outside of 9 to 5 office hours.The agreement would see staff such as consultants, social workers, therapists and administrative staff rostered over seven days, as opposed to five.To discuss this, guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Kevin Figgis, Divisional Head of SIPTU Health Division and Matthew Sadlier, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the IMO’s Consultants Committee.

Today is the first of a two-day summit of NATO members, being held in the Hague.The summit has one main item on the agenda: defense spending. The aim is to increase spending to 5% of member’s GDP by 2035, in line with President Trump’s demands.Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.Image: Reuters

Two explosions were heard in the Iranian capital on Tuesday, the judiciary news outlet Mizan and the Shargh newspaper reported, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Israel not to bomb Iran following a ceasefire reached early on Tuesday.What’s next? And what might Iran do?Ali Ansari is the Founding Director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at St Andrews University and joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

From a favourite mug to the one spot on the couch you won’t let anyone else sit, what are the small, seemingly trivial things that bring you joy? Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Comedian Julie Jay and Joe McGuken, Writer, actor and Producer.

The Dublin City Taskforce has been given the go-ahead by government in a bid to clean up the capital.A number of measures are set to be introduced over a 10-year plan. These include revitalising O’Connell Street, turning the GPO into a cultural destination and bringing derelict buildings back into use.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been following the developments today and has spoken with those who are working, living and visiting Dublin.

Last Thursday, Cork Airport was announced as this year's Air Council International Best Airport in Europe award winner.This is the third time the airport has won this prestigious award.Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss the achievement, and why Cork Airport continues to receive it is Airport Chief Executive, Niall McCarthy.

Iran is responding to US strikes with attacks on American military bases in Qatar and Iraq.Alistair Bunkall, Middle East Correspondent with Sky News joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss as the situation develops.