The Hard Shoulder

On Tuesday, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers announced the government's budget and went against the advice of the budgetary watchdog The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.Seamus Coffey, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC, joins Kieran to discuss the decisions made.

The government has come into criticism over the past 48 hours for its decision to allocate €9 million in the Budget for equipment to store students’ phones during the school day.Minister for Education Norma Foley joins Kieran Cuddihy to respond and discuss. She also discusses the passing of former minister Mary O’Rourke, and the controversy surrounding the SPHE course in schools following a ‘whistleblower’ story.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to compare different kinds of meat! Well, ones you don’t put in the fridge…

Following news of an earthquake off the coast of Donegal, Kieran is joined by James Grannell from the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, who is a Seismic Network Data Analyst to tell more about it, as well as other earthquakes in Ireland.

Yesterday in the budget, the government announced that the free IVF scheme is to be expanded to include donor-assisted IVF and to assist couples experiencing “secondary infertility”.But, do these measures go far enough for couples seeking IVF treatment?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility and IVF patient Leslie Buchanan.

Well known Cork chip shop Jackie Lennox's is closing its doors after 73 years. Established in 1951 on the southside of the city, it fed generations of families.Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited and met owner Brian Lennox, who says it's like a death in the family. He sent in this report.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the phone pouches being used in schools, as well as Free Now’s ridiculous new ‘technology fee’...

While Budget 2025 took up most of the news yesterday, multiple Israeli missiles hit Beirut overnight... Joining Kieran with the latest news is Freelance Journalist in Beirut, Clotilde Bigot.Image: Reuters

With Budget 2025 making all the headlines, a lot of the stories are being favourable to the Government. However, joining Kieran is Alan Shatter, the former Minister of Defence and Justice & Equality, who is now the Chairperson for the Inheritance Tax reform Campaign. He discusses his issues with this budget.

Most people would admit to scrolling on their phone around their family or their partner. But, a recent article in the Guardian highlights how it can cause tension between people – possibly affecting those relationships.Comedian Jim Elliott and Columnist and Audience Editor at the independent, Saoirse Hanley join Kieran to discuss.