The Hard Shoulder

This week three time Olympian and Waterford native Thomas Barr announced his retirement from Athletics. The World Athletics Champion spoke to Kieran about his career and his decision to call it a day.

The speaking rights issue in the Dail is rumbling on and talks are continuing to try to resolve the row over speaking time rights in the Dáil. Kieran is joined by Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail as well as Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland and Fine Gael TD for Limerick County. 

One year on from the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme, Kieran is joined by Noel McCarthy Fine Gael TD in Cork as well as CEO of the convenience stores & newsagents association, Vincent Jennings and Assistant Editor of Weekend Magazine at the Independent, Aoife Rooney to discuss if it has been a success. 

Kieran was joined in studio by Sarina Bellissimo, broadcaster and presenter of the Bellissimo files and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime with all the latest recommendations for the big screen and small 

You often go to Lidl for all your shopping goods or your weird buys from the middle isle but how would you fancy a pint at Lidl. Well good news in the north as the Lidl in Dundonald, Belfast has won its bid to open a pub in it’s complex. Brenda Power, Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Times spoke with Kieran 

Efforts are still underway in the Potomac river, rescuing as many as 64 people believed to be dead after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial American Airlines plane. Kieran gets all the latest on the Washington DC plane crash

with the announcement that bin charges are on the rise, there have been calls for the councils to enter the market to take charge of bin collection.  Is this a worthy idea or is competition in the market best for value and service? Daithi Doolin, Sinn Fein Councilor and Conor Walsh, Secretary Irish Waste Management Association joined Kieran to discuss

As the Storm Éowyn clean-up continues, Cavan County Council has set up local community hubs where those affected by power cuts and water outages can come and avail of facilities such as charging, heat, wifi and tea and coffee.But, anger and frustration is growing. Some are desperate after 6 days of no electricity, water and broadband, describing it as a humanitarian crisis.Henry McKean sent this report this evening from a Virginia Cavan hub.

For the final Shopping Trolley Hotline, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney brings in three different offerings of bagels for him and Kieran Cuddihy to compare!

Counting has begun in the Seanad elections, with polls closing for the NUI panel and the Dublin University/Trinity College panels at 11am today.But, what powers will our new Senators have? And how do they compare with other powers of Upper Houses in other countries?Economist David W. Higgins and Associate Professor in Political Science at DCU Eoin O’Malley join Kieran to discuss.