The Hard Shoulder

There are calls for more enforcement around the use of illegally modified e-scooters.Fine Gael’s Barry Ward told Newstalk that there have been no prosecutions since laws came into effect last year.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been meeting with scooter users and those who have seen what can happen when things go wrong.

Six months on from the opening of Ireland's first medically supervised injection centre, Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland joins Kieran to discuss the importance of it and other services provided by Merchants Quay.Image: Merchants Quay Ireland

Recent research finds that almost nine in ten 18–34 year olds know someone still living at home because they can’t afford to buy.For those who managed to move out young, many return home to save money.Such was the case for Sarah Finnan, Freelance Journalist, who joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Patricia Byrne, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, to discuss why anxiety causes the most difficulties in children under 12 years old, and how parents have a massive impact in how a child experiences such anxieties.

Trump’s ‘tariff letters’ have arrived to governments worldwide ahead of the US President's blanket increase of tariffs globally.So, what did these letters include, and what should we expect on the tariff deadline on the 9th of July?Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent joins us now for an update.

Fine Gael is the first party to get its official presidential election process underway by opening nominations today, with former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness expected to be a strong candidate for that nomination, and MEP Sean Kelly also potentially in the running.Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule herself out of the running today.Joining Kieran to discuss the latest is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe and Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy, who is also the Co-Founder of Tig Linn.

Matcha is all the rage as a coffee alternative that offers a gentler caffeine boost and antioxidants. The finely ground green tea powder has inspired two dedicated matcha distributors in Dublin: the Matcha Bar in Powerscourt Townhouse and OMMA on Clarendon Street.Matcha aficionado Grainne Daily, the Digital Content Creator behind @heyitsgra on Instagram, joins Kieran to discuss the boost in popularity, and to share her matcha recommendations.

New guidelines to allow for smaller apartments with fewer features are to be introduced in an attempt to tackle the housing crisis. While smaller apartments are accepted by people in cities like New York or London, will it have any impact here?Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist.

How much time do you spend with your pets? A proposed Australian law would mandate that dog owners must spend a minimum of three hours per day with their dog.Should we do the same here?Dog trainer and behavior expert Samantha Rawson joins Kieran to weigh in.

Irish people are bracing themselves for more health insurance hikes in the coming weeks and months.Irish Life Health has its fourth hike of the year on the way, while Laya and VHI are also altering their plans, resulting in more expense for the customer.Dermot Goode is a Health Insurance Expert, and joins Kieran to discuss and give advice.