Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Exclusive figures shared with Newstalk have revealed that 12,722 children with additional needs have been waiting on HSE waitlists for more than six months for assessments…Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of “Resilience: Lessons from Sir William Wilde on Life After Covid”, Brendan Kelly and Director of Neurodiversity Ireland, Nessa Hill.

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today: JusticeHow big of an issue is Justice for this election? And how can things be improved?Joining Kieran to debate is Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice and Fine Gael General Election candidate for Meath East, Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fáil’s Justice Spokesperson and General Election candidate for Dublin Bay South, Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú and General Election candidate for Meath West and Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin candidate for Dublin South Central.

Things are heating up as each constituency enters the final furlongs for the general election, but eyes will be on some constituencies as they might be able to give a good sense of the national picture.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, joins Kieran to give us a sense of these bellwether consistencies…

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to try different brands of prawn cocktail, crisps or otherwise!

Howard Lutnick, the Vice-Chair of Donald Trump’s transition team, will now lead the US Commerce Department.You may or may not know him, but what could this mean for the global economy and Ireland?Emma Howard is an Economist with TU Dublin, and joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

There is a plentiful range of herbal teas and infusions out there that promise so many health benefits, but which are true?Jenna Logan Clement & Pekoe’s Resident Tea Sommelier, joins Kieran to discuss some of the choices, and what the real benefits are.

It’s International Fraud Awareness Week, and we’ve teamed up with Bank of Ireland to help educate and inform how to protect our online profiles and land the simple message: Stop Think. Check.Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly to discuss.For more information, see: bankofireland.com/security-zoneIn partnership with Bank of Ireland.

The weather outside is frightful… and that means commuting can be too!Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been out asking commuters about their recent experiences as winter takes its hold, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

There are many seats to be filled in the General Election, and based on current polling numbers, we are likely to see a good return of Independents in the Dáil.Is this something to be concerned about? Or will the Independents possibly be a stabilising factor to whoever ends up in the hot seat?Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael McDowell, former Senator, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice.

In this election there has been much talk about the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis, too many teachers in the Dáil crisis, but little chat about the climate crisis.Is this not a big issue for voters?Joining Kieran to discuss is Oisin Coughlan, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Ireland and Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

It's time for Kidstalk! The kids from South City Community National School Dublin chat to Henry McKean about the General Election, and what they would like to see get done.

Sharon Horgan of ‘Bad Sisters’ fame has been doing the rounds for their new season and sparked some interest when she introduced the Irish phrase “Gee” on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert to an audience who had never heard it before.So what are other Irish slang and phrases we adore, and why do we Irish have so many sayings?Joining Kieran to discuss is Edward Hayden, TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer at SETU and Claire Ronan, Broadcaster.Image: Apple

It's time for ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat.Today, Henry is in Tralee to talk with Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae.

Pricewatch, a column in The Irish Times, has been gripping readers for 20 years, as it is the place where consumers can find the best value for their money.The creator of the column, Conor Pope, who is also the Consumer Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times, joins Kieran to discuss all things buyers, businesses, scams, and his renowned journalistic career!

This week, Kieran was joined by RTÉ Broadcaster Dave Fanning to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!Favourite Book: 1234 Beatles in Time by Craig BrownHonourable mention: Thomas Hardy – Mayor of CasterbridgeCurrently Read: David Hepworth  - A Fabulous Creation: How the LP Saved Our Lives

Sweden has sent out millions of pamphlets advising residents how to prepare for possible war. This is while Finland has launched a new website on preparedness, as the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on.The move follows the Nordic neighbours dropping decades of military non-alignment to join NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022…Freelance Journalist Philip O’Connor, who’s based in Sweden, joins Kieran to discuss.

Today is International Men’s Day, and rather than focusing on toxic masculinity, which is covered quite often in the media, Kieran is joined by a panel to talk about ‘positive masculinity.’Michael Harding Author and Columnist with the Irish Times and Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo join to discuss.

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today: Housing.What are parties promising, and how can issues with supply and cost be solved?Joining Kieran to debate is Rory Hearne, Social Democrats Candidate for Dublin North West, Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Fein Housing Spokesperson and General Election Candidate for Dublin Mid West, Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage and Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal and Neasa Hourigan, Green Party TD for Dublin Central and Spokesperson on Finance and Health.

As the various political leaders get briefed on the topics of tonight's RTE Leaders’ debate,  will you be watching?Many of those who avoid politics throughout the year may well consider tonight’s debate a ‘cannot-miss’. Why is that?Kieran is joined by Broadcaster and Journalist Stefanie Preissner and later by Lorcan Nyhan from the Communications Clinic and Comedian Jim Elliott to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie to discuss potty training, and how best to ease the transition from nappies.