Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Keeping your room tidy and making the bed everyday are the main life skills parents want their children to learn before they move out of home.Half of parents say putting away and hanging up clothes, being able to do a grocery shop on a budget, and starting a savings account are the next most important life lessons.Henry McKean has been out investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A new campaign by FraudSMART has revealed that €17 million has been lost by SMEs through email-related scams in the last two years.And in a world of tariffs, where businesses are more aware than ever of their bottom line, what impact does this have?Tommy Bowe, former Irish rugby international and entrepreneur and Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime at FraudSMART join guest host Emmet Oliver to discuss.

61,000 students will sit the Leaving Cert this year, but there are concerns that the class of 2025 will be at a disadvantage when it comes to the CAO process.This is because around 15,000 students from the previous three years will also apply to the CAO, and these students will have benefitted from the grade inflation introduced during Covid.Among those expressing concern is Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. She joins guest host Emmet Oliver to discuss. Also joining later to give their perspective is Paul Crone Director at the National Association of Principals and Deputies and MJ Quill Vice-President of the Union of Students in Ireland.

Mark Mellett, former Head of the Defence Forces joins guest host Emmet Oliver for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The warm weather has the Irish rocking their summer wardrobes from sunny shades to the cool shorts, with many making the journey to the office in such attire, but is that appropriate for the workplace?Laura Jordan, Image Consultant from Stylesavvy.ie and Cathal O’Sullivan, from 98fm join guest host Emmet Oliver to discuss.

US President Donald Trump's sudden decision to pause most of the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries has brought some relief to the global markets, and indeed, some European leaders. The only exception? China, where Trump is ratcheting tariffs up even further.So what might China do? Could they retaliate?Kiri Paramore is Professor of Asian Studies at UCC, and joins guest host Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Over half of Irish motorists witness road rage at least monthly, new research suggests.Aviva’s new survey says road rage is on the rise, but why is this, and how can we combat the rage within us?Joining guest host Emmet Oliver to discuss is Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent and Peter Devers, Psychotherapist at Knock Counselling Centre and Director of the Irish Anger Management Association.

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 thank someone properly!

Last week, Minister for Children Norma Foley announced that the wait for monthly €200 childcare costs might be much longer than originally anticipated, as other changes in the system need to be addressed first.It begs the question, is the sector viable?Joining Kieran to discuss the Minister’s statement is Karen Clince, CEO & Founder of Tigers Childcare and Mark Wall, Labour Spokesperson on Social Protection, Children, Disability and Equality.

Postcards made by big name artists and celebrities will go on sale this weekend in aid of Jack & Jill for their annual ‘Incognito Art’ sale.One of those involved, Irish Fashion Designer Dr Don O’Neill, joins Kieran to discuss!

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss a conference hosted by the Children's Rights Alliance that gave deep analysis on what protections are in place for children and young people on the internet and what more needs to be done, including areas that need urgent action.

Tánaiste Simon Harris is meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik to discuss all things tariffs, as President Trump’s economic plan is fully in swing. One other political plan of the US President is the issue of Greenland and its security.Carla Sands, Vice Chair for the Center for Energy & Environment at American First Policy Institute and former US Ambassador to Denmark and Greenland joins Kieran to discuss why the US has such an interest in Greenland…

You should never judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes, but apparently you can judge them on the type of shoes they walk in!According to a survey by Deichmann, our choice in footwear says a lot about us.Laura Mullet, Stylist and Journalist and Frances Kelleher, Life Coach and Dating Expert join Kieran to discuss.

A new survey from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is shedding light on people’s attitudes towards sexual violence…The research shows that many people retain victim-blaming views, with 1 in 5 believing that there are ‘a lot’ of false rape claims, and 1 in 6 people saying that someone who is raped while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is partly responsible for that happening to them.Joining Kieran to discuss this is CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh and Clinical Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan.Image: @DublinRCC on Twitter

Irish Singer Daniel O’Donnell has had to come out and dispel rumours that he is unwell and in hospital after a hoax circulated asking for aid…Daniel joins Kieran to explain more.Image: Daniel O’Donnell, Facebook

The US Masters takes place this week – an event marked on the calendar of every golf fan around the world.Well, tonight is the Champions Dinner – and the previous year’s champions gets to decide the menu!Last year’s champion Scottie Scheffler caused some consternation with his menu being centred around cheeseburger sliders…To discuss, Kieran is joined by Masters fanatic and Executive Chef at the K Club, Gary O’Hanlon.Image: The Masters

The use of unlicensed springs in surgeries at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin “was wrong”, according to a review carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority.It comes as the Chair of the Children’s Health Ireland Board Jim Browne resigned earlier today, following a report by HIQA.Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, joins Kieran to discuss…

Eamon Ryan, Climate Campaigner and former Leader of the Green Party joins Kieran to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has advised that he is speaking with the Attorney General about the potential for special legislation to remove the planning issues around the airport passenger cap.The Minister said this yesterday at the launch of phase one of Dublin Airport’s solar farm.Kenny Jacobs, CEO of Dublin Airport Authority joins Kieran to discuss this meeting, and what the future looks like for Dublin Airport.

Spring truly sprung, and while the domestic gods and goddesses out there go about their spring cleaning – there is one thing we should consider on that to-do list: our tech!Emmet Ryan, Business and Technology Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.