Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

It’s World Breastfeeding Week this week. Ireland’s figures are amongst the lowest in the world for breastfeeding. Eoin was joined by Katie Mugan, Lactation Consultant and Journalist and Mother of 7 Jen Hogan, to discuss if more could be done to encourage mothers to breastfeed.

Figures released show nearly 10,500 people homeless o that’s nearly 2,500 more than compared to the same period last year Mike Allen from Focus Ireland. Juha Kaakinen, Former CEO of the Y-Foundation in Finland, joined Eoin to discuss what can be done to address the situation.

The climate deal’s been done, but Eoin was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU, Sinead Mercuir, lecturer in Planning and Environment Law at the UCD Sutherland School of Law, And Saoi O’Connor climate activist to discuss is anything can be done to get to our net zero.

After 37 years and 8,903 episodes, Neighbours has come to an end, the emotional final episodes having aired in Australia ahead of the UK broadcast. Actress Jackie Woodburne joined Kieran to look back at some of the biggest moments of her time on the beloved soap.

A report published today into defective apartments has not recommended that the construction sector should face a levy to help the State pay the repair bills. The cost of the remedial work required on up to 100,000 apartments built during the Celtic Tiger may cost the taxpayer up to €2.5 billion. Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, joined Kieran and Mark Fitzmaurice, a resident of a defective apartment in Ratoath to discuss the consequences for those living in defected properties.

A report on defective apartments built during the boom years has not recommended a levy on the construction sector to help the State meet the bill for repairs. Minister for housing Darragh O'Brien, joined Kieran to discuss how families can be supported to get their lives back on track.

The Road Safety Authority have said that over the past couple of years the NCT has struggled to retain staff. It’s as there are reports of up to six month waiting times for NCT tests in some areas of the country. Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan, joined Kieran and Michelle Hall, Lord Mayor of Drogheda and Labour councillor, to discuss what can be done to combat the long delays.

After 37 years (started in Australia on 18 March 1985) and 8903 episodes, Neighbours is finally coming to an end (Thursday night in Australia, Wednesday 3rd August on RTE). So today we’re looking back at some of the best bits and people to come out of Ramsay Street.  Sarina Bellissimo, Host of the Bellissimo Files on Spin 103.8 joined Kieran Cuddihy live from the Killeshin hotel Portlaoise.

Cabinet have approved a bill to strengthen laws around consent in rape. The bill will see laws around consent, knowledge and belief in rape cases strengthened. It will also see a change to the current system where an accused person can be found not guilty of rape if they believed that they had received consent. Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice and TD for Meath East and joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Electric Picnic along with the National Ploughing Championships are both set to return in September after a two-year absence. Two of the biggest events in Ireland are to be held here in County Laois later this year. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show live from the Killeshin hotel in Portlaoise by Anna Marie McHugh of the National Ploughing Association, Thomas Cosby of the Electric Picnic Festival, and by Hugo Jellett who is the organiser of Electric Picnic's Salty Dog, Trailer Park, BerlinHaus, Spike Island, Providencia areas and is a local to Laois.

Supermacs CEO Pat McDonagh joined Kieran on Wednesday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to talk about why Portlaoise is a great place to do business, and why he's worried about food supplies this Christmas.

A legal case on behalf of rugby players has been issued against World Rugby, RFU and Welsh Rugby Union. The case now destined for the courts involves a group of rugby players diagnosed with early onset dementia and irreversible neurological impairments. Lisa Ryan, Head of the Department of Sport Exercise and Nutrition in the school of science and computing at Atlantic Technological University, joined Kieran to discuss the full impact concussion can have on people.

With the marking of the centenary of the Free State, Newstalk want to find out who just who is Ireland’s Greatest Hero. The final results will be revealed on a special programme on Newstalk this coming bank holiday Monday. Simon Tierney is presenter of Irelands Greatest Hero and he joined Kieran to share with listeners all they need to know about getting their votes in.

A Taxback.com survey has found that 4 in 10 workers in Ireland say they suffer from imposter Syndrome, with 45% of women feeling this way at some point in their career, and 37% of men. 17% of women say they experience it all the time. Kieran was joined by Aimee Connolly, Founder of Sculpted by Aimee Cosmetics, to discuss her experience of imposter syndrome.

Talks continue with the agriculture sector to try reach an agreement on carbon emission reductions. Jackie Cahill Chair of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee joined Kieran, Sadhbh O’Neill Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU to debate how much more needs to be done by the All sectors also need to be used to solve this -not just very strong focus on the agriculture sector.

Shocking scenes over the weekend of passengers disembarking the Dart on to the tracks, because of the high temperatures. A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said a Dart was awaiting a clear platform at Bray before proceeding into the station just before 3pm when a number of people forced open the doors and walked on the track. Kieran was joined by Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, to discuss the incident.

According to Linda Doyle Provost at Trinity College ‘Ireland’s housing crisis is eroding university life’. This year there is unprecedented demand for student accommodation which is going to leave many students up and down the country with no other option but to commute to college campuses. Kieran was joined by Molly Greenough, President of the Students Union at UCD, Mairead Maguire, Trinity college student from Donegal and Rebecca Johnson, NUIG student from Kildare, to discuss how lack of accommodation is impacting students college experience.

All eyes are once again on Croke Park this weekend where Galway take on Kerry in the All-Ireland Football Final. It is Galway’s first time in an All-Ireland in 21 years while Kerry’s last All-Ireland success came eight years ago back in 2014. But who will be bringing Sam Maguire home? Ray Silke, Former Galway Footballer and Former Kerry Footballer, Billy O’Shea both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to preview the All-Ireland football final between Galway and Kerry on Sunday.

Aisling Larkin, TV Chef and Mindful eating coach on how to build the ultimate burger.

Shane Burgen, Physicist from UCD School of Education and Contributor to FutureProof joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss a study about the risks communal lavatories pose to public health if any.