Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Priests when delivering service often discuss political topics in a neutral tone. However, Kieran’s guest believes that the Church has a right wing bias.Father Michael Commane, Columnist with Mediahuis and Dominican priest joins the show to discuss.

President Micheal D Higgins is to meet with the council of state to deliberate and assess the constitutionality of Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024.Joining Kieran to explain what exactly the council of state is, why it's used and its legal structures is Dr. Laura Cahillane, Senior Lecturer in law at the University of Limerick.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Grace O’Malley, Clinical Lead for CHI Child and Adolescent Complex Obesity Service and Senior Lecturer in RCSI School of Physiotherapy to discuss the growing problem of teen and childhood obesity. 

Arrests have been made in Coolock, where protesters have clashed with Gardaí after a fire broke out at a site due to be developed to house asylum seekers.Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been getting reactions from locals, and Kieran Cuddihy is joined by John Lyons, Independent Councillor for Artane-Whitehall and later, Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD, Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and Spokesperson for Justice to discuss.

If dark and disturbing TV shows can negatively impact our mood, then why are we so attracted to them?Psychotherapist Maxine Walsh and Brian Lloyd, Movies Editor at Entertainment.ie join Kieran to discuss.Image: FX

This week guest host Joe Molloy is joined by writers and broadcasters Keith Walsh and Stefanie Preissner to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joe Biden maintains he will stay in the presidential race despite ever increasing calls to end his campaign.Biden at a NATO press conference last night made some two significant blunders: calling Ukrainian President Zelenskyy ‘President Putin’ and calling Camilla Harris ‘Vice President Trump’...Joining guest host Joe Molloy to discuss is Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent.

Wimbledon wraps up this weekend, and everyone has been focused on the big players Murray, Alcarez, Sinner...But what about the unsung heroes of the competition? Joining the show to tell us what it's like to work behind the scenes is Hebe Lawson, Today FM Producer and former Wimbledon Ball Girl.

Cathal Crotty was discharged from the Defence forces yesterday at one minute to midnight. He was given a three-year suspended sentence for beating Natasha O'Brien unconscious in an unprovoked attack in Limerick city on the 29th of May, 2022.Joining guest host Joe Molloy to give her reaction is Natasha O’Brien.

A viral tweet of a child cycling with the caption ‘No kid remembers their best day in front of the TV’ has received backlash on X with user’s responding with their favourite TV memories...Joining Joe Molloy to share their fond memories of watching television is Chef and Food Lecturer, Edward Hayden and Newstalk’s own, Caoimhe Harney. Image: Nickelodeon

Today is July the 12th, with tens of thousands partaking in the celebrations up north.The festivities have the potential to flare up tensions between the two communities in the north, but so far, today’s celebrations have been peaceful.Joining guest host Joe Molloy to explain the meaning of the twelfth, its history and its contemporary significance is Rev Mervyn Gibson, Grand Secretary of the Orange Lodge.

Brianna Parkins wrote in the Irish Times today that all 25 year olds should do a year in either hospitality or retail...Is this something we should introduce here? Will it make young people better equipped to deal with the world?Joining guest host Joe Molloy to discuss is JP McMahon, chef, author and restaurateur and Barry Duff from the Lock & Brew Café.

The National Apprenticeship Office is running a ‘One More Job initiative’ that provides supports for small businesses to employ apprentices...Joining Emmet Oliver to tell more is Stakeholder and Engagement Manager with the National Apprenticeship Office, Damian Walshe.

For a news update from the United States, Emmet Oliver is joined by Jeff Kuhner.The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.They discuss Democrat support for Biden, his speech at the NATO summit and more.

Does AI make us lazy? Well, guest host Emmet Oliver’s next guest was in front of The Oireachtas Committee on Education to discuss just this!Joining the show to discuss is Seán O’Sullivan, this year’s BT Young Scientist Winner. 

65% of Dubliners have witnessed anti-social behaviour in the city centre, while  over 90% feel the problem has worsened in the past 10 years.That’s according to a new Fianna Fáil survey published this morning.So is Dublin really safe? To discuss, Emmet Oliver is joined by Tony Gallagher, ex Garda inspector, Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for the North Inner City and Declan Keenan, Youth Worker with Just Ask. 

News broke last night that at long last the coveted role of Irish Football Manager has been filled! Heimir Hagrimmson has taken the job – but who is he?Off the Ball’s Mick McCarthy covered it on the show yesterday, but to learn more, Emmet Oliver is joined by Sports Editor for RUV Iceland, Einar Orn Jonsson.

World leaders have gathered in Washington DC this week for a summit marking 75 years since the formation of NATO.So, how did that summit go? Erin Baumann, Professor of International Relations and Politics at Boston College discusses with Emmet Oliver.And, joining to discuss if the military alliance has been a force for good are People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, and former Irish Army soldier and Defence Analyst, Declan Power.

There has been much discussion about President Joe Biden since his first election debate performance, with many questioning if he is fit to run for a second term in office.His age is a big point of discussion, and Newstalk’s Simon Tierney was writing about this in the Irish Independent saying how this shows how ageism is one of the last tolerated prejudices in society.To discuss, guest host Emmet Oliver is joined by Simon and Chairman of the Communications Clinic, Terry Prone.

Irish people have longed for land since time immemorial - but with a housing crisis and an aging population, many of us will have to rent into middle age. Newstalk's Sarah Madden talks to Ireland's lifelong renters, and those hoping to escape the fate.