The Hard Shoulder

The Ireland India Council has postponed India Day celebrations after recent attacks on their community, citing fears for their safety.Michael Sheehan, Independent Councillor in New Ross, Wexford, thinks the Government should step in to host these celebrations, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The Rocky Horror Show has arrived in the Bord Gais, bringing some stars with it!Kieran is joined by actor and singer Jason Donovan, who plays Dr Frank N Furter and actor and broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli, who plays the Narrator to discuss the show.

Sinead Ryan, a Consumer Journalist with the Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, shares valuable financial insights tailored for those in their thirties and forties. She emphasizes the need for detailed budgeting to navigate life’s complexities, especially for parents. Listeners learn about the difference between superficial wealth and genuine financial security. Sinead also discusses common misconceptions about wealth, the importance of monitoring finances, and the potential benefits of involving financial advisors for better planning.

Back in June, the Competition and Consumer Protection Committee recommended schools use as many generic pieces as possible in their uniforms. According to the CCPC, 75% of schools have at least one uniform item that must be purchased from a specific retailer, which many parents feel is unnecessary and costly.Principal at Pobalscoil Neasáin, Bríd Ní Annracháin, joins Kieran to discuss.

In a lively discussion, Ian O’Doherty, a columnist at the Irish Independent, dives into the relevance of cash in our increasingly cashless society. He shares eye-opening statistics revealing that 41% of people occasionally find themselves without cash when they need it most. The conversation spans the cultural nuances of tipping and personal experiences contrasting cash and digital payments. They also tackle the drawbacks of a cashless society, including privacy concerns and the generational divide in payment preferences.

A Cork City Councillor has proposed that 15 and 16 year olds be allowed to drive ‘microcars’. Quadricycles, as they’re officially known, are small battery-powered cars which are very popular on the continent.So, should it happen?Joining Kieran to discuss is Damian Boylan, a Fine Gael Councillor in Cork City.

Members of the Indian community in Ireland have today met with Tánaiste Simon Harris after a series of violent attacks. They are calling on the Government to act to stop these attacks and have told of a growing fear in the Indian community.So, how did the meeting go?Joining Kieran to discuss is member of the Indian community in Ireland, Senthil Ramasamy, who attended the meeting earlier today.

None other than Alan Fletcher, AKA. Dr Karl Kennedy, is in Ireland – he's headlining a bunch of shows across the UK and Ireland over the next while.He joins Kieran to discuss!

Research has shown that smartwatches aren’t the best at telling our emotions apart. Researchers at the Dutch University of Leiden have found that wearable devices have trouble differentiating between feelings like tiredness or excitement, and are especially bad at reporting stress.Joining Kieran to tell more is Ciara O’Brien, Tech Journalist at the Irish Times.

As we approach the end of the summer, many kids and parents across the country will be thinking about heading back to school, but how can you best support your children when they make the move from primary to secondary school?Joining Kieran for this week’s Kids Health Check with her advice is Aoife Lee, from Aoife Lee Parent Support.