Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

The 77th Emmy Awards will take place on the 14th of September this year, but who is up for the awards?The nominations are hot off the press, and Brian Lloyd, Entertainment Journalist and Film Critic joins Kieran to break them down.Image: HBO

New figures released show that the number of abortions in the state rose to 10,852 in 2024, which is the highest they’ve had since abortion was first legalised in 2019.With 10,711 of these being early terminations and 108 terminations were due to a diagnosed fatal foetal abnormality, where there was a condition likely to lead to death of the foetus.A further 24 pregnancies were terminated due to risk to the life or health of the mother, while nine terminations involved an emergency intervention.Even with abortions being legal in Ireland, it's reported that 240 people still chose to travel to the UK to access abortion care.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr Madeleine Ní Dhálaigh, Vice Chair of the GP Committee of the IMO and GP in Castlerea, Roscommon.

Ireland has the strictest nightclub curfews in all of Europe, with bars and nightclubs closing by 2:30 a.m. Though it’s common for club-goers to party until sunrise in other major European cities, licensing laws prevent Irish nightclubs from staying open as late. Should that change?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dublin’s first Nighttime Economy Advisor, aka the “Night Mayor” Ray O’Donoghue and Chair of Alcohol Health Alliance Ireland and former President of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland, Frank Murray.

Nominations are closed for the Fine Gael nomination for President, and unsurprisingly, Mairead McGuinness is on the ticket to run.Who else is looking to run?Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe, joins Kieran with the latest.

A surge in antisocial behaviour such as drinking, assaults, and drug use on public transport has left some Irish Rail staff afraid to work. How can we solve the issue?Joining Kieran to discuss is Suzanne Armstrong, Dublin Bus driver, Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail and Andrew Quigley, SIPTU Organiser.

From Lego to the Rubik's Cube, Hamleys have released a list of the 100 top toys of all time. To mark its 265th birthday, the toy store giant has released a ‘hero’ list. To discuss further, Kieran is joined by Henry McKean.

It has been brought to our attention that bin companies are taking photos of our recycling and sending us letters in the post when we are doing it wrong. To discuss further we are joined by Henry McKean.

Today is Bastille Day, the French National Day that celebrates the Storming of Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789. The French national anthem, known as La Marseillaise, is grim, and a little controversial…Journalist and Historian Ronan McGreevy joins Kieran to tell more about its history.

Having kids already takes up a lot of time, and when you add pets into the mix, things get even more hectic. But, is it worth it for the physical and emotional benefits? Children who grow up in homes with pets are less likely to develop allergies to allergens like grass, mould, pollen, dogs, and cats. Pets can lower a person’s blood pressure and heart rate, and introduce added responsibility into a household.Niamh O’Reilly is a dog lover as well as a mother, a Freelance Journalist and Broadcaster. She joins Kieran to discuss!

Tánaiste Simon Harris has been calling for asylum seekers with jobs to pay towards their accommodation – adding that he expects the Government to introduce a means test for people living in international protection.Cathal Malone of Thomas Coughlan & Co Solicitors joins Kieran to discuss this, and what asylum seekers are entitled to when they arrive in the country.

Irish cyclist Ben Healy has taken the yellow leader's jersey after stage 10 of the Tour de France, being the first Irishman to do so since 1987!Kieran is joined on the line by Imogen Ní Choitir, Road safety advocate and professional cyclist to discuss the incredible achievement.

Ireland's electric vehicle charging network is currently facing a number of challenges, including geographical disparity, high costs and limited chargers.With people all around the country saying they just cannot afford to keep up with their cars even with government initiatives…But, hope is not lost! Germany may have solved the urban EV charging problem. Düsseldorf Stadtwerke, the local municipal authority, has installed one of six so-called ‘kerb-chargers’.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Derek Scally, the Berlin Correspondent for the Irish Times.Image: Energy Saving Trust

Taoiseach Micheál Martin wishes to re-establish town councils in Ireland by 2029, citing a “...sense of representation at all levels.”So, should town councils be re-established?Independent Councilor in New Ross, Michael Sheehan and Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Town Planning at UCD join Kieran to discuss.

Some meat prices have risen by as much as 28% since last year, with butchers experiencing greater challenges in running their shops.Why is that, and is it just down to prices?Jack Molloy is owner of Jack Molloy and Sons Butcher in Waterford City and President of the Association of Craft Butcher of Ireland. He joins Kieran to discuss.

This past weekend brought us the hottest day of the year, with it reaching up to 31.1° Celsius in some parts of the country. And of course, with high weather there comes a high level of beach-goers.There were clips online shared of Portmarnock beach in North Dublin, where cars were blocking both entrances and exits, they were parked up on the grass, some leaving with massive scratches and damage done to the car, and even people abandoning their vehicles.Yesterday, Gardaí confirmed that the car parks at Warren Beach near Rosscarbery and Inchydoney Beach near Clonakilty in West Cork were overcrowded, confirming that there was no longer any safe access to either of the beaches by the afternoon.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Cllr Marie O’Sullivan and Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan.

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

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran on the roof of Newstalk towers to discuss how you can make some summer-themed recipes to suit the glorious weather!

40 years ago, the world gathered to watch the biggest music acts in the world put on a benefit concert, one in London, and the other in Philadelphia.Media Consultant Tony O’Brien was lucky enough to attend, and joins Kieran to look back on the iconic day…

You will be well familiar with Kieran’s guest, Fionn Davenport, Travel Journalist and Lonely Planet author.He joins to regale his stories of travelling the globe, discussing the good, the bad and the ugly!