The Hard Shoulder

The number of students to have their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Cert Applied results permanently withheld because of cheating in this year’s exams has risen significantly.Figures from the State Examinations Commission show that 155 results have been permanently withheld because of cheating, more than double the 71 results initially withheld last year…Of course, cheating on your state exams is rightly looked down upon, but what about in your day to day life? Is it ever okay to cheat? And, just why do we do it?Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Anne Keogh and Comedian Steve Cummins.

Unregulated AI chatbots pose a major threat to children online according to Ireland's child online safety charity, Cyber Safe Kids.To discuss further Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean. 

Over the past 5 years the number of children identified as victims of child trafficking has increased from 0 in 2020 to 10 in 2024…Recent legislative changes have led to better methods of victim identification, but can more be done to protect against trafficking?Liam Herrick is Chief Commissioner at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and joins Kieran to discuss.

It's been around 8 years since the launch of Sláintecare, and as reforms have been introduced gradually to remove private practice from public hospitals - the overall goal of Sláintecare.The changes, however, may be leading to the ever-increasing cost of health insurance.Joining Kieran to discuss is Tony O'Brien, former Director General of the HSE and Sunday Independent Columnist.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss tips and tricks to support your kids if they are experiencing bullying, and ways to spot it.

A flotilla heading to Gaza that had departed Barcelona was forced back to port after a storm hit parts of Spain overnight.They were due to set sail this afternoon, and Kieran caught up with one of those on board, Comedian Tadhg Hickey, just before they set off again.

It’s being argued that the tricolour has been erected across Irish communities as part of an anti-immigration campaign. What is the solution to this?Over how to tackle this issue, Kieran is joined by Labour Cllr for Dublin South Central, Darragh Moriarty.

Episode 1 of ‘The Traitors: Ireland’ is in the books, with twists and turns all over the place.Many fans of the UK series have been waiting for this Irish version to come on air – is it worth the wait?Kieran is joined by 98FM Producer Russell Alford!Image: RTÉ

With the next Presidential Election looming, questions remain on who exactly will be on the ballot. Fianna Fáil seem to be in two camps, with backing for both MEP Billy Kelleher and Jim Gavin - with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern not ruling himself out. There are also questions about who Sinn Féin’s pick will be, and if Catherine Connolly could get their support.Joining Kieran with the latest updates is Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, Sarah McGuinness.

If you are someone who loves a loyalty card, then should you ask yourself: is the company I’m loyal to as loyal to me?Joining Kieran with her tips and tricks for getting the best subscription deals is Caitríona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner…