The Hard Shoulder
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Episodes
What does Budget 2027 mean for your pocket?
Shane Coleman critiques the new Irish budget as a pro-cyclical, political move driven by fear of street protests, arguing it ignores inflation risks and echoes pre-crash spending patterns.
Budget 2027: Savings, Childcare, Business, Health
This episode analyzes Ireland’s new tax-free investment account, which allows up to €12,000 annual contributions with a €50,000 tax-free threshold.
Budget 2027: What has been put back in people’s pockets?
Newstalk’s Budget 2027 special features economists and policy experts analyzing the Irish government’s fiscal strategy, which prioritizes spending restraint while expanding tax cuts.
Budget 2027: What is your reaction?
Economics experts Barry Roentree, Emma Howard, and Susan Hayes-Culton analyze Ireland's new budget, criticizing it as an expansionary "patchwork" that risks economic recklessness.
Minister Jack Chambers delivers his Budget 2027 speech
Ireland’s Public Expenditure Minister presents Budget 2027, allocating €125.
Tánaiste Simon Harris delivers his Budget 2027 speech
This episode features Ireland’s Minister for Finance presenting the 2026 Budget, which prioritizes economic resilience amid global energy and geopolitical uncertainty.
An overview of Budget 2027 - what you can expect
This episode covers the Irish Budget announcement, focusing on Minister Jack Chambers' decisions to increase spending by €7 billion while implementing tax cuts.
Should parents of neurodivergent children embrace their own neurodiversity?
Nessa Hill, CEO of Neurodiversity Ireland, discusses the genetic nature of conditions like autism and ADHD, exploring why parents often hesitate to…
Kids Clinic: Giving your child more independence
In this episode of The Hard Shoulder, host Keira Kelly speaks with Alwyn Morin, Clinical Director at Cogniclinic, about fostering child independence.
US pulls bombers from RAF Fairford - what happened?
Duncan discusses the urgent removal of twelve B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, attributing the move to US intelligence regarding potential Iranian threats.
Everything we know about Budget 2027
Irish political correspondent Louise Berrill previews the final details of Budget 2027, noting that the higher income tax threshold will likely rise to €46,000.
What happened to long TV seasons?
Entertainment journalist Olivia Fahey joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the shift from long-running series with filler episodes to shorter, tightly packed streaming seasons.
Drumcree march - what are the latest updates?
This episode of The Hard Shoulder covers the ongoing Drumcree standoff, featuring Press Association journalist Claudia Savage on the reserved Court…
The impact of the teacher work-to-rule strike
This episode of The Hard Shoulder examines the immediate impact of a "work to rule" industrial action by Irish teachers, featuring Eric Nelligan, an…
Winners and Sinners
Neve Reilly and Richard Hogan discuss the importance of letting go of minor grievances, illustrated by Neve’s encounter with a swimmer who later criticized her.
Primary school teachers to begin industrial action on Monday
Maureen Nicola, Assistant General Secretary of the INTO, explains that primary school teachers will begin industrial action Monday by withdrawing…
Sport with John Duggan: Build up to the next Ireland V Israel game
The hosts discuss Ireland's controversial Nations League match against Israel, debating the players' protests and the FAI's handling of the situation.
Bertie Ahern allegedly in talks for mediator role in Drumcree
Former Labour MP Stephen Pound joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the Drumcree standoff and the potential appointment of Bertie Ahern as a mediator.
What impact would Europe’s emergency reserves have on fuel prices?
This episode of The Hard Shoulder examines the global diesel crisis, featuring Kevin McPartland, CEO of Fuels for Ireland, and Ifa Foley, an energy expert from the University of Manchester.
Niall McCoitir discusses his new book!
Neil McCutcher discusses his fifth book, *Ireland’s Animals, Myths, Legends and Folklore*, which explores the personalities of creatures in Celtic myths and medieval bestiaries.
Minister Charlie McConalogue on the Community Sports Facilities Fund
Minister Charlie McConnell announces the 2026 Community Sports Facilities Fund, offering up to €750,000 for multi-sport projects and requiring clubs to treat all genders equally.
Where are Ireland’s greenest places?
Mary Minahan from the Irish Times announces the winners of the second annual search for Ireland’s greenest places, a competition run with Electric Ireland.
Does Dublin 1 put up with too much when it comes to social services?
Mary Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central, discusses the over-concentration of social services in Dublin 1, arguing that cheap property led to an unsustainable burden on the inner city.
Movies and TV: Digger, War, Celebrity Traitors
Entertainment journalists Serena Bellissimo and John Fardi discuss the divisive Tom Cruise film "Digger," praising his acting but criticizing the plot.
Research says Ireland’s ‘rape shield’ law is not working - why?
Rape Crisis Ireland launches a study revealing that the country's "rape shield" law is failing to protect sexual offense complainants from intrusive cross-examination about their sexual history.
Sport with John Duggan: Ireland face Austria
Keira Kelly and Shane Coleman preview Ireland's sell-out Nations League match against Austria, discussing the heightened security and potential protests surrounding the fixture.
Social Democrats publish their Alternative Budget - what’s in it?
Social Democrats’ finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan outlines the party’s alternative budget, proposing a windfall tax on energy super-profits and…
What screams ‘notions’ to you?
Kira Kelly and Shane Coleman discuss Bernard O’Shea’s column on “notions” with guests Finn Walsh, a dairy farmer, and Jane Cowan, an Irish Examiner columnist.
Micheál Martin rejects idea that Ireland is “overrun” with immigrants
Keira Kelly and Shane Coleman discuss Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s comments on immigration and crime statistics with guest John Lannan, CEO of Durris.
Patrick Geoghegan on Talking History turning 20!
Professor Patrick Gagan joins The Hard Shoulder to mark the 20th anniversary of Newstalk’s "Talking History.
Is it finally time to scrap USC?
Keira Kelly discusses the future of Ireland’s Universal Social Charge (USC) with Alpha Wealth’s Nicholas Charolambos and Irish Times columnist Cliff Taylor.
Why are we seeing a rise in ADHD medication prescriptions?
Dr.
How to do Stuff: Avoiding pushy parenting
The hosts discuss the phenomenon of pushy parents in sports, starting with a listener’s query about her six-year-old son’s mental game.
FAI executives appear before Oireachtas over Israel games fallout
Shin Fein TD Joanna Byrne discusses the FAI’s appearance before the Oireachtas Sports Committee regarding the controversial Nations League matches against Israel.
Tech Takeover: Lidl’s new mobile plan
Tech correspondent Jess Kelly joins Keira Kelly and Shane Coleman to discuss saving money on tech services.
Sport with John Duggan: Pep Guardiola pledges support for Man City
The episode covers the upcoming Republic of Ireland vs.
New Dublin Rape Crisis Centre research - are you concerned?
Hosts Keira Kelly and Shane Coleman discuss new Dublin Rape Crisis Centre research revealing that nearly 40% of young men blame victims for sexual violence.
Incident on flydubai plane to Tel Aviv - what happened?
Sky News editor Dominic Waghorn reports on a Dubai-bound Tel Aviv flight where a pilot allegedly attempted to crash the plane after stabbing a colleague.
Do you still use Reddit?
Kira Kelly and Shane Coleman welcome journalist Cirse Hanley to discuss the enduring appeal of Reddit in the age of AI.
Alan Shatter on the Ireland V Israel matches
Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter discusses the Irish men's football match against Israel, criticizing the FAI's handling of the "Stop the Game" campaign and player gestures.
Over 100,000 public sector workers begin work-to-rule strike
Over 100,000 public sector workers in Ireland have begun a work-to-rule strike over stalled pay negotiations, with Niall Shanahan from the FORZA…
Minister Norma Foley on new state childcare locations
Irish Children's Minister Norma Foley discusses the government's announcement of seven new state-provided early learning and childcare centers, which…
The Ultimate Guide: New accommodation stock
Fion Davenport presents a tour of new and refurbished accommodation across Ireland, ranging from affordable to luxury options.
Henry McKean reports from Drumcree
This episode examines the threat to 28 years of community relations in Drumcree, Northern Ireland, following police restrictions on an Orange Order march down the Garvagh Road.
Driving tests backlogs continue
This episode of The Hard Shoulder examines the sharp decline in Irish driving test centers meeting the 10-week waiting time target, with only 14 of 57 centers currently compliant.
The Bookshelf with Larry Donnelly
Law lecturer Larry Donnelly joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss his favorite book, J.
Zuckerberg donates €150,000 to GAA clubs
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have donated €150,000 to three West Waterford GAA clubs—Shamrock, Tallow, and Lismore—as their first Irish philanthropic gesture.
Tragic deaths at a workplace in Offaly
Local councillor John Leahy joins Keira Kelly and Shane Coleman to discuss a tragic workplace incident at Bannehill Precast where a father and daughter were killed.
Preparing the public for a United Ireland referendum
Alison Morris reports on the Drumcree standoff, detailing political talks in Hillsborough and the Orange Order's complaint against First Minister Michelle O'Neill over unlawful protests.
What is it like to be gay and catholic?
This episode explores the tension between Irish Catholicism and the LGBT community, asking if one can be both Christian and queer.