The Hard Shoulder

68% of people have never switched their current account according to a new Credit Union survey…To answer some of your questions regarding the ins and outs of switching accounts, Kieran is joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk.

We’re sorry to tell you this news, but Instagram is dead! That is according to Aisling Bonner, Co-Presenter of Fully Charged on Spin 1038, who says that the app is nothing like it used to be.She joins Kieran to discuss why.

The RSA have launched their plans for World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims ahead of the official day on Sunday, November 17th.Laura Rice, daughter of Alan Rice who died in a road traffic collision in 2021, joins Kieran to discuss how important it is for communities to come together and remember those who are lost...

This week, Kieran was joined by Playwright Amanda Brunker to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) are considering significant reform to the Leaving Certificate in an effort to curb the anxiety and pressure which final exams are causing students.Current changes under consideration are that there would be a single English and Maths exam, and that students would undertake a project worth 40% in both subjects to make up marks.Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Skehan, former TU Dublin Lecturer and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies.

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up.Today, Kieran discusses newly-released manifestos, and claims in Kerry that election posters have been stolen, and even burned.Also, today is the last day to register to vote. If you haven’t already, go to checktheregister.ie before the date rolls over!

Prince William has been named as the sexiest bald man of 2024, according to new research.But, how do you become a sexy bald man?Joining Kieran to discuss and share their own stories is Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney and Hugh Keenan.

For the first of the big debates for the General Election on the Hard Shoulder, today’s focus is on infrastructure.How will the candidates vying for votes aim to improve public transport, roads and public amenities?Joining Kieran to debate is Roisin Garvey, Deputy Leader of Green Party, Spokesperson for Rural Development and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Green Party Candidate for Clare, Cian O’Callaghan, Deputy Leader of Social Democrats and candidate in Dublin Bay North, Micheal Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland Candidate for Roscommon-Galway and Shane Moynihan, Fianna Fail Councilor for Palmerstown-Fonthill and Candidate for Dublin Mid-West.

Robbie Williams is coming back to Dublin in August of next year. Henry McKean met him at a press conference in Croke Park today, and joins Kieran with all the details, plus Robbie’s comments on Liam Payne and Oasis.

The Australian Government has introduced new legislation which would put a social media ban in place for those under 16 years of age. The legislation would give the likes of X, Facebook and Instagram a year to put in place methods to restrict younger users – is this the correct solution to the harms of social media? And should Ireland follow suit?Joining Kieran to discuss is Broadcaster, Wendy Grace and Cyberpsychology Lecturer in IADT, Nicola Fox Hamilton.