Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

A new survey by KPMG has found that the majority of people wouldn't want an increase in taxes to allow for reusable energy…Joining Kieran to discuss this is Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman.

More bad news for consumers as SSE Airtricity have announced that they are to hike their electricity and gas prices from April 2nd.It means that the typical electricity bill will go up by 10.5%, and by 8.4% for gas customers...Thiswill put an additional 47 cent per day on the average electricity bill and 31 cent per day on the average gas bill.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications with Bonkers.ie and Catriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

There have been calls by a citizen’s jury that the Government should form a regulator to oversee the use of AI in our healthcare system.Joining Kieran to discuss is Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and the HSE’s Chief Clinical Information Officer, Richard Greene and Professor of Computing at DCU, Alan Smeaton.

Forrest Gump is near the top of a list of movies that are considered ‘must-see’, but people haven’t seen, a new survey reveals.Someone who is actually trying to watch every ‘must-see’ movie is Newstalk’s Aidan McKelvey! He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Paramount Pictures

The UK Government today backed plans for a second runway at Gatwick airport, with the condition that environmental requirements are met.While Gatwick has this new runway coming, are we making the most of our own airports in this country?Michael O’Leary, the Group CEO of Ryanair, joins Kieran to give his thoughts on this, as well as the Government's upcoming visit to Trump.

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home earlier today...Newstalk's Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts on Gene's legacy, and Harriet Alexander, Reporter with The Times based in the United States join Kieran to discuss the investigation surrounding these two deaths.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has revealed that a domestic violence register for those convicted of rape or serious sexual assault will be established in Ireland.He told the Dáil that the only way the public knows about such cases is if a journalist happens to be in court, or if a victim waives their anonymity.Is this a welcome move?Hazel Behan, sexual assault survivor and Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre join Kieran to discuss.

The James Bond franchise has been sold to Amazon, but we are still no closer to knowing who that next Bond actor will be.Someone who might have a clue is the Casting Director of the last 13 Bond films, Debbie McWilliams. She joins Kieran to discuss what goes into picking the next superspy.Image: MGM

Thousands of children and special care patients are being forced to wait months, even years for dental treatment under general anesthetic. Many patients are being forced to wait in pain and discomfort with no option to pay for treatment.Why is this happening?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr Gillian Smith, Dentist at the Fitzwilliam Clinic in Bray and Ned Carroll, whose 31-year-old daughter Maryann, who has autism and one of those patients struggling to access treatment…

Should Communion preparation and celebrations happen outside of school hours and over the weekend? Kieran is joined by two people who believe it should…Fr Iggy O’ Donvan and David Quinn, Head of the Iona institute join 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 give advice on getting rid of hiccups!

With Pope Francis’ condition, we may end up with a new Pope soon, but how do they pick a Pope, and what does the Pope really do day-to-day?Joining Kieran to discuss is Theologian, Gina Menzies…Image: FilmNation Entertainment

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight 370, or MH370 to most, has reopened after it went missing over 10 years ago…Malaysia Transport Minister says firm Ocean Infinity has resumed hunt for the plane, which is one of aviation’s biggest mysteries.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Jeff Wise, Aviation Journalist and host of the ‘Finding MH370’ podcast.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss a new wave of scams on TikTok, with scammers using artificial intelligence to create fake and convincing shop pages…

Have we lost etiquette at gigs? Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast, was at one last night with appalling behaviour...He joins Kieran to discuss.

Kieran’s guest is hopeful that the Trump administration has a sell by date, and it’s actually sooner than you think…Democratic Strategist, James Carville, joins to discuss.Image: Reuters

A new survey released ahead of National Stop Food Waste Day on March 1st has found that over a third of Irish Consumers regularly throw food away costing some Irish households up to 374 euro per year!To discuss and give her tips on preventing food waste at home, Kieran is joined by Dietician, Sara Keogh.

Another Government spending controversy was discussed on the show yesterday - with a €120,000 x-ray scanner for the National Gallery being left unused since its purchase in 2017.Today, Kieran is joined by Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications Media and Sport and Fine Gael TD for Limerick County to discuss why he thinks it will actually be put into use soon…

Dublin's tallest building, a 25-storey residential tower, has been given the green light.Developer Johnny Ronan has secured planning permission for the apartment block on North Wall Quay in the docklands; 550 apartments are planned across three blocks as part of the Waterfront South Central scheme, which will include a restaurant and viewing terrace at the top of the tallest building.Is high-rise the present and future of building?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer with An Taisce and Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor with the Irish Times.

Is the Mental Health Bill fit for purpose?To discuss, Kieran is joined by two people who aren’t so sure: Dr Lorcan Martin, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist and President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and Patricia Casey, Consultant Psychiatrist in the Mater Hospital and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin.