Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

MMA star Conor McGregor is never far from the headlines and last week it was reported he has purchased a pub in Howth. He is already actively involved in the hospitality sector and Newstalks deputy business editor Gavin McLoughlin joined Kieran to discuss this various business ventures.

On last weeks show we discussed calls for a Lisbon style food food market in the city of Dublin. The Hard Shoulder received a statement from TimeOut, in which their Co-CEO has apologised for not coming to Dublin yet, saying it would be ‘a great city’ to have one. Independent Councillor, and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke joined Kieran to discuss why Dublin has yet to see one and what a food market could mean for the city.

Junior Doctors in Ireland have voted overwhelming for strike action. Over 97% of them voted for it because they say they work long hours with deteriorating working conditions. John Cannon Chair of the NCHD Committee joins Kieran to discuss what can be done to turn the situation around.

Boris Johnson has said he wants to change the Protocol section of the Brexit deal to make it easier for some goods to move between Britain and Northern Ireland. The EU has said it would break international law. Kieran was joined by Stephen Kelly Chief Executive of Manufacturing Northern Ireland and Tina McKenzie, CEO of Staffline Recruitment and Chairperson for Policy for the Federation of Small Business in the UK about how much difficulty the protocol is causing trade in the local area.

Last week the CSO confirmed that inflation had reached a 38-year high, rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis are making it difficult for families to survive in Ireland. Kieran was joined by Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly, Kevin Mcpartlan, CEO of fuels for Ireland, Dr Karina Doorly, Research Area and Coordinator for the Tax, Welfare, and Pensions team at ESRI and Tracy Hayde, a single mother of one now to discuss what can be done to ease the financial burden people are facing.

Presenter of Screentime John Fardy join Kieran to review 'Jurassic World Dominion' the latest in the Jurassic Park franchise.

Born and raised in Donaghmede, singer song writer Damien Dempsey has become one of the most popular and celebrated voices in Ireland. He joined Kieran for this weeks Thursday interview to chat about his life, career and what needs to be done to address the social issues facing the country.

After a spate of brawls in Cork, it’s been suggested that Ireland’s first supervised injection centre for intravenous drug users should be piloted in Cork. Chris Luke is a consultant in Emergency Medicine and Claire Nash is the owner of Nash 19 Restaurant, they joined Kieran to discuss the need for,and impact a center would have on the area.

Interest rates will rise by 0.25% in July, and we’re going to see potentially a larger rise in September, that’s according to the European Central Bank today. Brendan Burgess from Ask About Money.com and John Fitzgerald, Adjunct professor in the Department of Economics in Trinity College.

This year we have already lost 400 doctors to Australia. That figure doesn’t include those who head to New Zealand. All the while we have waiting times in A&E departments and GPs offices piling up. Dr Eoin Murphy NCHD Committee for the Irish Medical Organisation joined Kieran to discuss the reasons so many health workers are leaving and what can be done to make the HSE a more attractive employer.

Dublin is full of beautiful unused buildings, and with so many retail shops leaving the high street, Gary Gannon TD for Dublin Central and Michelle Jackson From The Novel Traveller.com joined Kieran to discuss if food markets could be a way of using the space and enriching Dublin's culture.

The reaction to 150 Ukranian refugees have been placed in direct provision has been described as ‘shocking’. Bulelani Mfaco, spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, joined Kieran to discuss if this reaction is different to how people have previously reacted to the other groups who are currently living in direct provision, and dealing with the challenges that presents.

Extinction Rebellion made a surprise appearance at the National Biodiversity Conference whose slogan is 'Act Now for Nature.' But The Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion feel it's been 20 years of action plans and very little done to deal with the wildlife and biodiversity crisis. They want a biodiversity act to legally require the government to take action on their own plans. Henry McKean went to Dublin Castle to report on the days events.

Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of the Bellissimo Files on Spin joined Kieran to mark the 40 year anniversary of the release of classic eighties movie ET.

According to reports people will be ordered to work from home in the event of a major fuel crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, under secret Government emergency plans. Michael McNamara Independent TD and Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss if workers would be equip to spend another period of time working from home and how it could impact the workforce.

Just two weeks ago, the Department for Housing released figures that indicated that just over 10,000 people were in emergency accommodation. One of those who is experiencing the housing crisis for herself is Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne, she joined Kieran tp share her story.

Sinead Kennedy joined Kieran to talk all things ‘Zoo Live’, RTE One’s new show hitting screens this week live from a purpose built studio in Dublin Zoo’s African Savanna.

Irish young adults have the second highest rate of cocaine use in Europe. That’s according to stats released today by the Health Research Board. They also found that nearly 20% of of 15- to 24-year-olds had used illegal drugs in the last year. Michael Guerin, senior addiction therapist at the charity organization Cuan Mhuire joined Kieran to discuss some of the reasons why we are seeing such a high amount of drug use.

Record numbers of new AIB bank accounts have been opened this week as people make the move from KCB and Ulster Bank. Daragh Cassidy Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie and David McWeeney KCB Customer joined Kieran to discuss how easy it is to switch banks and if banks are trying to make it easier for consumers.

Claire McKenna, Presenter, Alive and Kicking, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder for her weekly look into the world of wellness. This week she discussed cancer clinical trials.