The Hard Shoulder

The continuous Hate Crime Bill is in the Seanad today as it reaches the final stages of deliberation and amendment before publication.Although the hate speech section of the bill has been removed, some aspects of it still remain.Joining Kieran to discuss if they have any concerns with this new version of the bill is Independent Senator Rónán Mullen and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward.

For those seeking professional advice to lose a bit of weight, or even just improve their general diet, the choice between a Dietician, Nutritionist or even Nutritional Therapist can be confusing.Joining Kieran to explain the differences is Shelly Grey, Dietician and Presenter on Today FM.

You may have seen in the news that Google is buying nuclear reactors in an attempt to combat their greenhouse gases, and have more access to renewable energy to power their AI initiatives.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Irish Independent Tech Correspondent Adrian Weckler and Donna Gartland, the CEO at CODEMA - Dublin's Energy Agency.

Post primary enrolments are at their highest point on record.Parents have been advised to apply to multiple secondary schools due to pressure on places. The oversubscribed schools are in the commuter belts of Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Galway and Cork. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean spoke to concerned parents.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Marie Porter, parent of a 6th class student in Greystones and Craig Petrie, Principal of East Glendalough Secondary School in Wicklow Town.

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Patricia Ryan, announced on Friday that she has resigned from the party.She joins Kieran to discuss why…

Members of the hospitality sector have been marching on Dáil Éireann to voice their frustration on a lack of changes for their industry in the most recent Budget.Retired Hotelier Francis Brennan joins Kieran to give his thoughts on the current state of the hospitality industry.

This week, Kieran was joined by Columnist with the Irish Independent Ian O’Doherty to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Bus Éireann drivers in Cork were asked not to stop at a shopping centre in Mahon Point due to buses being pelted with stones…Henry McKean visited Cork and met bus drivers and passengers and asked them if they feel safe, and if it is time for a dedicated transport police like in London.

Members of the hospitality industry today marched on the Dáil against what they saw as a lack of action to address issues facing the sector, such as no reduction for VAT.Two people who were at the protest, Claire Nash, Member of the Cork Business Association and Paul Treyvaud, Proprietor of Treyvaud's Restaurant in Killarney and TV Chef, join Kieran to discuss more.

A list of proposals was in front of cabinet today, including a sports action plan which will look at improving sports participation for women and young girls.One measure is that research will be conducted on the barriers to sports for young girls, and how the role of school uniforms might impact participation.So, are school uniforms a barrier to taking part in sports and keeping active, and should we consider ditching them?Kieran is joined by Emma De Souza, Spokesperson & Vice Chair of votingrights.ie and Barbara Ennis Principal of Alexandra College, Dublin to discuss.