Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

39 people, including 30 men, 4 women and 5 children were deported from Ireland last night on a chartered flight that landed in the Georgian capital Tbilisi this morning. This is the second chartered flight deporting people back to Georgia this year.Michael McNamara, Independent MEP for Ireland’s South constituency, is critical of this decision by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and has asked the Minister to think of the economic realities, and give Georgian asylum seekers work permits and visas. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Screens should be banned for children under the age of six to avoid permanently impairing their brain development, French medical experts have warned, with research concluding that it permanently impairs intellectual abilities. But, in the world we live in, how do parents even begin to phase out screens?Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish times Columnist, joins Kieran to discuss.

The government is moving ahead with plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, who will be tasked with cutting through red tape and accelerating the delivery of new homes.But, not everyone is convinced of the powers they may have, and the salary cost of the position…Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss.

Should we be flattening the fly-tippers? Over in the UK, the government is telling councils to crush the vans used by illegal dumpers, and threatening actual jail time.With fly-tipping costing rural Ireland, is it time Ireland followed suit and got tough on dumping?Louise Crowley, Secretary at Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County join Kieran to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Kieran to discuss how you can pretend to be an expert on different topics!

When Donald J. Trump first stepped into the Oval Office in 2017, he promised to "drain the swamp" and shake Washington to its core.Now back in the White House for a historic second term, Trump’s second first 100 days tell a different story.Joining Kieran to discuss is Joe Walsh, former Republican Congressman and later Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, joins to compare each of Trump's initial stints.Image: Reuters

Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite joins Kieran to discuss the rights you have as an employee, and inform you on how to best protect yourself in the workplace…

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss Scattered Spider - one of the most dangerous and prolific hacking groups in the world, and presumed to be behind the recent hack of Marks & Spencer. She talks about how these hacking groups operate, and how some of them are asking AI to generate malicious code…

Negotiations on the procurement of Ireland's first military radar programme are set to get underway this summer.The system could cost hundreds of millions of euros.Mark Mellett is the former Defence Forces Chief of Staff, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Following the publication of the Grace Report earlier this month, many questions have been raised about the level of care that people in our system have been receiving, and whether it is in fact fit for purpose…Joining Kieran to discuss is Tracey Carroll, mum of Willow, to discuss what she believes needs to change in the system.

With the great weather and summer months ahead, one of the downsides is the insects coming in through open windows and doors. Whether it is that one fly that keeps buzzing around your room as you are about to fall asleep, or the fear of being stung by wasps, Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin joins Kieran to discuss the best ways to get rid of insects without the fly swatter!

The 3 Arena is closing its bars during the David Gray concert this weekend, following a rowdy crowd at his last show in the venue. But, should it be down to personal responsibility? Should concert goers just show respect to fellow revelers and the artist?Henry McKean joins Kieran to discuss, and share what he’s heard.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou M is slamming the Taoiseach's plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, claiming the role is an expensive job share, and that the Government lacks new ideas.Seán Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent, joins Kieran to discuss.

As the 2025 camogie season is about to kick off, it raises the question of how to encourage and support young women to stay in sport. Young girls are significantly more likely to quit team sports during exam years compared to their male peers, but why is that, and how can we support our young girls to stay in sport?Joining Kieran to discuss is Donegal GAA player Abigail Temple Asokuh and Anna Geary, Broadcaster, former Cork Captain and Presenter of the docu-series ‘Why Girls Quit Sport’...

Former Mayo footballer David Brady joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

New proposed asylum legislation would see the processing time for asylum seekers reduced from 18 months to just three months if passed.The Minister for Justice is seeking approval to progress legislation to address processing times. It would also restrict hearings and see the introduction of a new state body with responsibility for appeals. Officers will be given new powers to issue deportations without sign off from the Minister also.Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, joins Kieran to discuss.

The BBC does not have a “toxic culture” but there is a “minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed”, that is according to an independent review published which comes in the wake of the scandal of disgraced former Newsreader Huw Edwards.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Alley Einstein, UK Journalist.

Spain and Portugal are still getting over the very sudden power outage that caused havoc across the countries yesterday.Power lines, phone coverage, water connections, trains, traffic lights - you name it, it all stopped at the same time putting the both countries to a standstill yesterday…Simon Hunter is a Spain-based journalist, and he joins Kieran to give the latest updates.Image: Reuters

The trial of Richard Satchwell has kicked off, with the Cork man being accused of killing his wife Tina Satchwell in 2017 in their home in Youghal, Co. Cork.Tina Satchwell originally went missing back in 2017, but her remains were discovered last year at their Cork residence in a makeshift grave under the stairs.With more details of the trial, Newstalk Southern Reporter Jamie O’Hara joins Kieran.

It’s almost been a year since Kieran’s guest became the first directly-elected Mayor of Limerick. How has the role been for him so far, and should the direct mayoral election be taken elsewhere?John Moran joins to discuss.