Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the Government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.So how will the €200 billion be spent?Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform and Digitalisation, Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader and TD for Dublin City West, Jack Chambers, joins Kieran to discuss.

A new tower on Tara Street has drawn the ire of some, including Frank McDonald, writing in the Irish Times.It begs the question: are our city plans and planning structures fit for purpose?Joining Kieran to discuss is Róisín Murphy Architect, artist, conservation activist and Lecturer in Griffith College Dublin and Tony Reddy of Reddy Architecture and Urbanism.

In the past few months, it has been noted that Russian tankers are engaging in suspicious and sometimes bizarre behaviour off the coast of Ireland.Ireland’s extremely limited ability to monitor these vessels has led to environmental and national security concerns among many Irish officials, as these ships continue to sail through the country’s exclusive economic zone.Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Crime and Security Correspondent with The Irish Times, Conor Gallagher.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist & founder of Cogni Kids to discuss how you manage bathtime and hair washing if it tends to make your kids distressed.

Is all well between Ireland and the US?The US Ambassador to Israel has recently suggested that the Irish may have “fallen into a VAT of Guinness”, because of our stance on Israel and Palestine.This is all in the wake of the Occupied Territories Bill, which will be continuing to make its way through the Oireachtas.But, what are relations like? Is this souring things?Niall Stanage is White House Columnist for The Hill, and joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

From today, robust age verification checks must be strictly enforced on video-sharing platforms based in Ireland and the rest of Europe.The age verification requirements are part of a broader effort to create a safer online environment for children and address harmful content such as cyberbullying and the unwanted promotion of self-harm and eating disorders.So, how will they be enforced?Joining Kieran to discuss is Rena Maycock, Founder of Child Cybersafety company CHIRP and Rachel O’Connell, Technical Author of the soon-to-be International Age Verification Standards, and former Chief Security Officer at Bebo.

If you’re not washing your bath towel after every two uses, then you’re risking your personal hygiene and exposure to bacteria.Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology in the University of Leicester, joins Kieran to discuss.

A UK surgeon volunteering with Medical Aid for Palestinians’ Emergency Medical Team at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza has reported alarming levels of malnutrition, particularly among children, and evidence of targeted shootings of civilians at Israel’s militarised distribution points…Nick Maynard is that surgeon, and joins Kieran to discuss.

There is a tower that has reared its head around Trinity College and College Green – a new tower of build-to-rent apartments, but is there room for towers of that in Dublin?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Frank McDonald, former Environment Editor for the Irish Times, welcome to the programme and Executive Director of Progress Ireland, Sean Keyes.

Excitement is building in Munster as Cork and Tipperary prepare to battle it out in Croke Park on Sunday.It is the first time the two counties have met in an All-Ireland decider and by all accounts tickets have never been in such demand.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been in the Rebel County soaking up the atmosphere.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to the Korean delicacy kimchi, and how you can enjoy it to the fullest!

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that he believes drugs should remain criminalised - saying that countries who have decriminalised or legalised certain substances face more issues than before.Is he right?Joining Kieran to discuss is Garrett McGovern, Addiction Specialist and Medical Director, Priority Medical Clinic in Dundrum and Patricia Casey, Consultant Psychiatrist in the Mater Hospital and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin.

It all kicks off this Sunday as Cork face Tipperary in the All Ireland Hurling Final.Who will clinch it in the end?To give their 2 cents Kieran is joined by Jimmy Barry Murphy, Cork GAA legend and Nicky English, Former Tipperary Captain.

The original Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California turned 70 this week. With beloved characters roaming the grounds, fireworks, parades, and over 50 attractions, Disneyland is the definitive theme park. How did it corner the market with its business model?Stuart McHugh from Disneyland Paris Tips for Irish joins Kieran to discuss.

More and more restaurants have been imposing a ‘one table, one bill’ rule, especially in tourist hotspots such as Mallorca and Malaga, but consumers aren't happy.With the rise of Revolut and their ‘split the bill’ option, they couldn't have made it easier, so what's everyone complaining about?Is getting the waiter to split the bill really in their job description?Joining Kieran to discuss is Alexandra Ryan from Goss.ie, Comedian Jim Elliot and Mary McCarthy, Irish Independent Columnist.

John Fardy, Presenter of 'Screentime' and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Over the past week we’ve been hearing about how the cost of living is affecting families right across the country, meaning some go without food so their kids can eat, or some families go without heating.Reporter Meghan O’Halloran joined Kieran in studio to look a little deeper into this and spoke with families, those providing support to these families and also to Stephen Moffat, CEO of Barnardos whose figures highlighted how families are struggling with this cost of living crisis…

Next month marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of The Liberator, Daniel O'Connell, and a number of events are being planned to commemorate his life and legacy.At the end of this month, a major two-day conference is taking place in Trinity College Dublin, organised by the Trinity Long Room Hub in partnership with The Bar of Ireland, Dublin Cemeteries Trust, and Diageo, entitled 'Liberty, Democracy and the Struggle for Human Rights'.So what exactly is the legacy of Daniel O’Connell?  And is it more complicated than some realise?Joining Kieran to discuss is the new Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, and presenter of Talking History here on Newstalk, Professor Patrick Geoghegan.