The Hard Shoulder

Dr Ronan Glynn, the former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Ireland, and current Health Sector Lead at EY Ireland, was writing in the Irish times about the healthcare debates taking place across the country, and believes we are too focused on the wrong things.The problem solving within the HSE is for immediate issues, rather than long term problems…Ronan joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

The New Zealand government has proposed banning greyhound racing from 2026 – the reason being that the percentage of dogs injured in races remains significantly high.New Zealand's greyhound racing industry has long faced criticism for not doing enough to protect the welfare of the animals, with three reviews on the industry over the past decade all recommending major changes.Does Ireland need to look at a similar ban?Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae and Katie Corcoran of Greyhound Awareness Cork join Jonathan to discuss.

 Christmas shopping is in full swing and many presents are being purchased online. So how do the parcels get to us, and what kind of pressure is on those delivering them?Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting those who are sorting through the millions of packages arriving into the country.

Newly elected Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has confirmed this afternoon that his shares in Palantir were only sold in July of this year - contrary to what he had said in his Dublin City Council ethics disclosure…The shares were worth almost €200k.He has been suspended from the Social Democrats parliamentary party.For more on this story, guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Craig Hughes, Political Editor at the Irish Daily Mail.

Google has released their ‘Year in Search’ for 2024 – which brings together data from every user to find out what the biggest topics were on the minds of the public. Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to go through the hottest searches of the year is Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo and Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor and Weekend Magazine Columnist at the Irish Examiner.

Yesterday Syrian armed groups moved into Damascus seizing the capital and forcing Bashar al-Assad to leave for Russia. The news was met with cheers and celebrations around the country. Irish-Syrian journalist Razan Ibraheem joined Anton Savage on the Hard Shoulder programme to give her reaction...

The next guest has decided to step back from politics, mere months after she was one of the front runners to be leader of the Green Party. Pippa Hackett is Green Party Senator and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and joined Anton Savage on the Hard Shoulder...

Just because the lights are on and the tree is up, doesn't mean fun and laughter for everyone in the audience. So, how can we survive the celebrations if we're not feeling festive this season and how can we can mind our minds this Christmas?Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at healthy meals you can have in December, before the inevitable indulgence on Christmas!Image: @aisling_larkin_ on Instagram